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Overwatchhas exploded onto the esports scene with multiple international tournaments featuring six-figure prize pools and viewership numbers in the hundreds of thousands less than six months after its release. But it has problems, and unless those problems are addressed, Overwatchwon't make it to the top tier of spectator esports.

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In a recent video, OverwatchGame Director Jeff Kaplan discussed some coming changes to the game's spectator mode, including smoother camera movement and the ability to set static camera locations. This will help, but it doesn't fix everything.

One of the key components to a successful esport is watchability — spectators need to be able to see what's going on and gauge a team's or player's success or status at any moment. Overwatchdoesn't quite have that, and it has a few other issues that keep it from being as engaging as titles like Counter-Strike, Dota 2or Street Fighter.

Like other games with large maps, player movement is incredibly important in Overwatch. Players have to capture points and move payloads along checkpoints. Each map has multiple paths to these key locations and chokepoints that allow for different offensive and defensive strategies. The bulk of the action occurs when a defending team is met by the attacking team, but the difference-making players are usually flanking or readying an ultimate from a strategic location. There is currently no way to keep track of every players' movement in an Overwatchmatch.

Overwatchspectators need a HUD map.

The current set up for 'Overwatch' broadcasts.Credit: Overwatch Open/Twitch

HUD maps don't exist for Overwatchplayers, but that doesn't mean they can't exist for spectators. Having a map up at all times showing players' locations will give viewers an idea of exactly how teams are moving, where the payload and checkpoints are, and how players are setting themselves up for plays.

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When a team on defense gets wiped and the attackers are pushing the payload toward the final checkpoint, it would be helpful to know exactly where the defenders are when they respawn and how quickly they're moving toward the payload. As a viewer, it can be frustrating to be left in the dark about where a team is at any given time.

Having a HUD map will also allow the people behind the scenes of broadcasts to be more strategic and effective with their camera placement. Viewpoints tend to stick toward tanks or DPS characters in the middle of the action, and viewers end up missing big plays that come from flanking players because the producers don't know they're there.

For newer viewers who don't know exactly where checkpoints are located on the different maps, a HUD map will give them a better idea of teams' progress. The current system — a progress bar in the middle of the top of the screen — is decent, but doesn't paint the full picture of what's going on and how close the payload really is.

The HUD map in the bottom left corner of 'Dota 2' allows viewers to see where all players are at all times, as well as the status of towers.Credit: Valve corporation/twitch

Besides locations, the most important information in Overwatchis the status of players' heroes — who they're playing, how much health they have and whether their ultimate ability is ready.

Players' hero selections are pretty easy to glance at occasionally, but putting players' health and status information at the very top of the screen doesn't make it easy for viewers. Those little white bars that show heroes' health aren't large enough to see without looking directly at them, and same goes for the small blue checkmark that appears when ultimates are ready.

Players' portraits and statuses should be on the sides of the screen and much larger, similar to CS:GO. Because the action in Overwatchmoves at a much faster pace than MOBAs like Dota 2or League of Legends, it's important to see how close every player is to death at any point without taking your eyes off the center of the screen.

'Counter-Strike: Global Offensive' gives viewers a HUD map in the top left corner to see where players are and large portraits on the sides to easily see their health and weapons.Credit: ESL/Twitch

With these changes, which aren't necessarily easy to implement, Overwatchwill have a much better chance to grow to a wider audience. Viewers will have enough information to see how well rounds are going for their favorite teams and be able to see plays coming together.

Team fight outcomes are the biggest focus of competitive Overwatch broadcasts right now, but with a little extra information on the screen, viewers and casters can dive into the minutia, examining exact strategies that make the professionals so good at the game and so interesting to watch.

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TopicsEsportsGaming