Topic > Exploring Narrative in Overwatch Game

Overwatch (Blizzard Entertainment, 2016) is an online multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS), premiering at Blizzcon 2014 as Blizzard's first original franchise in seventeen years. The backstory of this game is that a group of heroes came together due to a robot uprising known as the Omnic Crisis, Overwatch was the name of the task force assembled to try to stop the Omnic Crisis. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay At the Beginning Set in the future about 60 years from now, but the real story behind the game begins 30 years from now. Humanity has developed all kinds of technology: flying cars, laser guns, and artificial intelligence; but not just any artificial intelligence, they created sentient robots. They called these robots Omnics. The structures were called omnium. These omniums were common throughout the world. For a time, humans and Omnics existed side by side. Sure, it wasn't always a perfect union, but it was peaceful. The peace did not last long, the Ominum suddenly turned against the humans and the Ominum began creating militarized Omnics. These armed Omnics quickly began brutally attacking the humans hoping to overthrow them. Since Omnium was present all over the world, it was difficult for individual nations to try to contain the problem, this was not a simple attack but a large-scale threat. The United Nations had to try to find a solution, something they could do to help. Gabrielle Reyes, Secretary General of the United Nations, formed a team composed of the best soldiers in the world, hoping that this team would be able to unite and face the Omnic uprising, defeating the threat. They called this team Overwatch. “Overwatch was full of soldiers from all over the world. The appointed leader was a military veteran and member of the soldier enhancement program called Gabriel Reyes (AKA - Reaper). The second was another member of the same soldier enhancement program and a close friend: John “Jack” Morrison (AKA - Soldier 76)”. Gabriel Reyes and Jack Morrison lead the team with Gérard Lacroix, Torbjörn Lindholm, Reinhardt Wilhelm, Ana Amari, and Liao in the ranks. Of course, over time the team grew, but these were the original seven and were considered the original founders of the Overwatch team. The team was tasked with working together and quelling the Omnic uprising. They fought valiantly and ultimately prevailed. While Gabrielle Reyes was given command of Overwatch, Jack Morrison was the man who shaped the structure of Overwatch and helped transform it into an effective fighting force. Morrison has the ability to bring out the best in those around him. Jack Morrison's services did not go unnoticed, and when the Omnic Crisis ended, Jack Morrison was promoted to the position of Overwatch's first official commander. Overwatch's success gave them instant fame, the world loved the team, and Overwatch quickly became an international peacekeeping force taking down terrorist organizations and fighting criminal gangs. The team has recruited more agents. And as they recruited more agents they decided to branch out and do more than just peacekeeping, the team began to explore things like medical research, space travel and exploration, and climatology: they wanted to improve the world they lived in and hired a active role in supervising the terrestrial ecosystem. The Fall of OverwatchAll good things come to an end, Gabrielle Reye was upset that he was left out when the leadership position was given to Morrison. Gabrielle and Jack's friendship dissipated and this led toconflicts within the Overwatch team. Tensions rose when the Overwatch team split, with some team members siding with Gabrielle Reyes and others with Jack Morrison. And as if the internal conflict wasn't bad enough; the Overwatch Organization was now under attack from an unknown outside force. Allegations accusing the team of corruption, mismanagement and human rights violations were committed and suddenly the once beloved heroes were viewed with suspicion. A series of investigations were launched so that they could hopefully put an end to the terrible allegations surrounding the team. Unfortunately, before the United Nations could come to any form of conclusion, tragedy struck the team. Overwatch's Swiss headquarters was destroyed in what was called an accident. This "accident" unfortunately cost the lives of both Gabrielle Reyes and Jack Morrison. The United Nations said there was no foul play involved in the attack. People wondered if the constant discussion within the team had reached some sort of explosive head. Between the Overwatch investigations and the deaths of Gabrielle Reyes and Jack Morrison, the Overwatch organization collapsed. Twenty Overwatch stopped the Omnic Crisis and the team disbanded; its members, who were once considered heroes, have now fallen from grace. The game begins with a cutscene, Winston makes a video addressing former Overwatch agents, asking them to come forward and fight. Crime is at an all time high and Winston points out the good work Overwatch used to do, what Overwatch stood for. However, by doing this since Overwatch has been disbanded, any activity carried out by the group is considered illegal; the group is still considered outlaws. Currently in the game Overwatch exists as an independent organization of heroes, some new and some old. Everyone does their part in the hope that we can make the world a better place again. Why is storytelling important? In terms of narrative in games, most of the time it doesn't matter. Normally, the story is only there to advance the game in a way that makes sense. In simpler terms, storytelling in games is a means to an end. Especially with first-person shooters, in these types of games if a developer doesn't need to include a narrative, they won't. Overwatch's narrative is left mostly open despite some events given to us by the developers. while we are told about the Omnic Crisis and why Overwatch was formed, much of the story is left up to the community. And that's an intentional part of the design. Game designer Michael Chu (2016) said, “We just wanted a big universe that people could interact with.” Allow the gaming community to create Fan-Art, Fan-Fictions, Fan-Theories. The game was left open-ended so that it could inspire creativity in its players. And this is an amazing feature that can bring people together. Websites like Tumblr, DeviantART, Archive of Our Own. They are full of active, passionate people creating content based on Overwatch. People who love the idea so much that they create fan art and stories for fun and post them for other people to see. It's something I personally love to see with movies or games, but it doesn't happen often. Normally when there is a pre-established story people get defensive about the "cannon" story and don't tolerate fan ideas that change the situation. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay However because Overwatch is so open to allow for creative freedom,>.