The Overwatch League 2023 playoffs in Toronto were a thrilling event, with fans passionately cheering for their favorite teams. Amidst the excitement, one fan took the opportunity to gauge public opinion on a crucial decision that sets Overwatch apart from its sequel, Overwatch 2.
A dedicated fan named Slamtaro brought a sign to the venue, allowing hundreds of fans to vote on a significant gameplay change: 5v5 or 6v6. As one of the first voters, I found myself in the majority. Out of the 679 votes cast, 367 favored the 5v5 format. It was a close split, considering this recent alteration, but the majority of Toronto fans agreed that 5v5 was the superior choice.
After four days of intense competition, Slamtaro shared the final tally of votes for 5v5 versus 6v6. The sign, adorned with memes and drawings, showcased the outcome: 367 votes for 5v5 and 312 votes for 6v6. The sign became a unique piece of art, capturing the passionate opinions of Overwatch fans in Toronto.
Slamtaro’s signs covered various contentious topics in Overwatch throughout the event, including favorite metas, reintroducing removed game modes, and hero changes. However, the debate between 5v5 and 6v6 sparked particular interest, as content creators and players alike questioned the impact of the 5v5 format on game balance.
The shift to 5v5 resulted in significant changes to the tank role, with tanks needing to be reworked to function effectively as solo players. Doomfist joined the tank roster, while Orisa underwent a complete overhaul, excluding one ability. Despite constant adjustments to determine the optimal tank lineup, playing tank or support roles could still be frustrating at times.
On the other hand, the previous 6v6 format had its own flaws. Blizzard’s lack of support for Overwatch during Overwatch 2’s development led to the dominance of the infamous GOATS meta, which consisted of three tanks and three supports. This meta persisted for nearly a year, with limited counterplay options other than mirroring the composition. Role lock eventually put an end to GOATS, but it was soon replaced by the double shield meta, which further slowed down the fast-paced gameplay and proved equally frustrating for players.
The attendees of the OWL 2023 playoffs in Toronto had their own opinions, but it appeared that those who traveled to witness the world’s best teams live agreed that Overwatch 2’s transition to 5v5 had brought more positive changes than negative ones to the gameplay experience.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
