Overwatch game director Aaron Keller shared insight into the studio’s stance regarding its in-game skins, suggesting that the development team favors more popular heroes for new skins. The discussion centers on how frequently skins are released for some Overwatch characters compared with others.
The beloved hero shooter from Blizzard features a wide variety of skins for players to choose from. Several of the game’s oldest heroes have more than 50 skins, including fan-favorite characters like Mercy, Genji, and Reaper. Even some of Overwatch‘s newer characters have received plenty of skins, with Overwatch 2 launch hero Kiriko having more than 40 skins and Wuyang receiving 18 skins within a year of his addition to the roster. Now, an Overwatch executive is giving fans an official reason why some characters receive so many more skins than others.
Overwatch game director Aaron Keller recently shared his thoughts about the shooter’s skin distribution. Keller shared that Blizzard tries to give new skins to as many heroes as possible, while ensuring that each theme still fits the characters. However, Keller also said that the studio does take a hero’s popularity into account when deciding which Overwatch characters will receive skins, suggesting that many of the heroes picked for skins are based on “how well they can support the business.” Blizzard has also ramped up skin production for Overwatch since the game’s initial relaunch as Overwatch 2.
While many fans did not expect Keller to directly state Overwatch‘s position, the strategy should not come as a surprise. Overwatch‘s transition to a free-to-play model puts much more emphasis on sales of cosmetics as the main moneymaker for the shooter, with popular characters typically selling more skins. Blizzard also added a new tier of skins with the addition of Mythic skins, while the studio gave fans the chance to earn a free Mythic skin in Overwatch after BlizzCon 2026 just for completing a match before October 5.
Overwatch has a plethora of new content on the way, including new teasers about several upcoming heroes. Blizzard gave fans a full look at new support hero Doctrine during BlizzCon, showing him off as a support hero focusing on healing his allies. The studio has also been heavily teasing the 55th hero being added to Overwatch, giving fans a sneak peek at the “detective” hero during BlizzCon, showing him as an Omnic wearing a fedora, suit, and a long coat, and carrying an umbrella.
Two of Overwatch‘s earlier heroes were also confirmed to receive major reworks during the annual Blizzard festivities. Sombra will be shifted into the Support role with the release of Overwatch‘s Season 5, changing her abilities to focus on healing allies and debuffing enemies. Roadhog is also getting a rework of his own with smaller changes, aiming to put him more in the center of the fight with his new Trash Compactor ability, which absorbs enemy projectiles before returning fire with a short-range explosion. Overwatch fans should have plenty to look forward to in the coming months, between new heroes and new takes on classic characters.
- Released
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August 10, 2023
- ESRB
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Teen / Violence, Blood, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
