IBM will manage tech for the Overwatch League.
IBM will manage tech for the Overwatch League.
Categories

IBM teams up with Activision Blizzard to manage tech for the Overwatch League

  • Posted byby Dean Takahashi
  • Updated
  • 2 min

IBM will manage the technology for Activision Blizzard’s Overwatch League, a sign esports is starting to demand the most sophisticated cloud and AI technologies. With esports on the road to becoming a mainstream phenomenon alongside traditional sports, we can expect to see more of this kind of marriage in the future.

In a multi-year deal, IBM is teaming up with Activision Blizzard, one of the biggest players in the game industry. IBM will provide cloud, Watson AI, and machine learning for the Overwatch League and become a presenting partner of the Overwatch League Grand Finals. The technology company will help run interactive and analytical content for the league, which is one of the powerhouses of the $950 million esports industry.

Unlock premium content and VIP community perks with GB M A X! Join now to enjoy our free and premium perks. 

Join now →

Sign in to your account.

Written by

Dean Takahashi

Dean Takahashi is editorial director for GamesBeat. He has been a tech journalist since 1988, and he has covered games as a beat since 1996. He was lead writer for GamesBeat at VentureBeat from 2008 to April 2025. Prior to that, he wrote for the San Jose Mercury News, the Red Herring, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and the Dallas Times-Herald. He is the author of two books, "Opening the Xbox" and "The Xbox 360 Uncloaked." He organizes the annual GamesBeat Next, GamesBeat Summit and GamesBeat Insider Series: Hollywood and Games conferences and is a frequent speaker at gaming and tech events. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.