The latest updates for "Overwatch" will feature the release of the Horizon Lunar Colony map and no local co-op support for console versions.
Blizzard Entertainment launched the latest patch update for "Overwatch" containing the new map, "Horizon Lunar Colony" and several in-game bug fixes, and character nerfs and buffs.
The Horizon Lunar Colony map, which was first announced last month, is set on the moon. A portion of the new "Overwatch" map includes a low-gravity area, but this functionality extends to other maps. When creating a Custom Game, players can now adjust both player and projectile gravity to make for a much different sort of experience on any map.
The patch 1.12 will also have changes for several "Overwatch" characters like Roadhog, McCree, Reaper, Reinhardt, Orisa and Mercy. Roadhog's hitbox for his head has been shrunk to improve his survivability, but his primary change comes to his weapon. The Scrap Gun's clip size is now five and can fire 30 percent faster, but each bullet's damage has been reduced by 33 percent. This reduces the effectiveness of his hook combo, but Blizzard says it "keeps his DPS roughly the same" in the game.
Reaper can now gain health by gaining 20% damage to enemy units. McCree's Ultimate had some adjustment, as players only have to wait 0.2 seconds to lock on targets. The damage dealt during the first 1.0 seconds has been increased, going from 20 to 80. After the 1 second mark, the damage is unchanged.
Reinhardt’s Rocket Hammer has been fixed, which cause the weapon to feel unresponsive while swinging. A bug for Orisa has been fixed for her movement from slowing while she fired her Fusion Driver. Lastly, a bug fix for Mercy has been taken care off after the latter's skirt clip inside of her feet during the Relax emote.
Other fixes include Health Pack Respawn issues, unintended locations in Cairo and Eichenwalde, and UI problems in Limited Dual games, VG 24/7 reported.
Meanwhile, it seems that "Overwatch" console versions will not likely have local co-op modes.
Blizzard’s lead software engineer Bill Warnecke stated that local co-op would have been a great feature in "Overwatch," but they are not currently working on it. .
This is something that most "Overwatch" fans would want in the game. Playing through the event game modes, such as the recent "Uprising" co-op experience, is something that would fit couch multiplayer well, and it is possible that the developer might change its mind in the future.
However, playing split-screen would be a huge disadvantage for competitive game modes, and seeing two or more users enter under the same handle might prove to be a frustrating experience for teammates who have access to a full screen.
Thanks to Blizzard's recent change to the "Overwatch" penalty system, it is entirely possible that split-screen players who perform badly would see a few reports coming their way from some of the more angry competitive fans, Gamerant reported.
"Overwatch" is currently available for the PS4, Xbox One and PC platforms.