Blizzard confirms Overwatch launches May 24 with a ‘head start period’ on May 3 for preorders

Blizzard’s next big game is coming this spring.

Overwatch, a team-based shooter that we’ve enjoyed our time with, launches for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on May 24. This will bring colorful, fast-paced gunplay to gamers across all three platforms. But you don’t have to wait until the end of May to get into the action, because publisher Blizzard is planning a beta that starts May 5 and runs through May 9. You can get even earlier access by preordering the game, and you’ll get an invite to join the beta on May 3 instead. The company is positioning Overwatch as its next major franchise, which is intended to take advantage of the hardcore audience that spends tens of billions of dollars across consoles and PC. And while Overwatch is a $60 release, Blizzard could also easily shift this game into a consistent revenue generator by releasing extra cosmetic items for weapons and characters like we’ve seen with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Team Fortress 2, and more.