The Houston Outlaws have officially announced their departure from the Overwatch League, shifting their focus solely to content and entertainment. The organization, now known simply as Outlaws, will be based in Houston and will prioritize creating engaging content for their fans.
In a mock press conference announcement video, managers Choi “Junkbuck” Jae-won and Hyung-seok “Bischu” Kim introduced the new content creator core of the organization. While the Outlaws’ Overwatch division has released its entire player roster, they have not ruled out the possibility of competing in other esports in the future.
However, this announcement has received mixed reactions from fans, particularly due to the fact that the Outlaws did not sign or retain any Overwatch players or creators. In response to the backlash, the Outlaws stated that they would explore creating content for Overwatch 2, as well as for games like VALORANT, Call of Duty, and Fortnite based on community survey responses.
The Outlaws’ departure marks the third franchise to leave the Overwatch League this year, following the Chengdu Hunters and Toronto Defiant. It was decided through a postseason owner’s vote, similar to the Toronto ownership group OverActive Media. The Outlaws franchise was acquired by Beasley Broadcast Group in 2019 after Immortals Gaming Club, owners of the L.A. Valiant, acquired OpTic Gaming.
While many Overwatch League franchises have yet to announce their future plans, league officials have confirmed that the league is undergoing a transition and will be taking competitive Overwatch in a new direction.
Source: DOTESPORTS
