Jeff from the Overwatch team dropped a Developer Update for Blizzard Entertainment's popular first-person shooter announcing upcoming improvements to the game's Highlight system and changes to Loot Boxes. The Developer Update video coincides with a PTR patch that is now live.

The Highlights system for Overwatch is being improved in a number of ways. Starting things off, the "top 5" Highlights will be held for 24 hours (or until the game client is patched) regardless of whether or not you close the game on both PC and consoles. (Previously, closing the game or a power outage carried the risk of these Highlights disappearing.) You can hear all of these details from the man himself by watching the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkYJlPMdWNA

A new "Recently Captured" section will also be making an appearance along with the ability to bind a "capture" key. This feature will allow players to push a button and capture recent cool moments like skillful or funny plays at the push of a button. Up to 32 "Recently Captured" Highlights can be saved. Moreover, Highlights can be recorded to a video file by the game. Console players will record based on their console's settings, and PC players will be able to record all the way up to 4K resolution at 60FPS regardless of the graphics quality they run the game at.

Although the Highlights changes are the centerpiece of this video, another change will be coming to Overwatch - the Loot Box system is finally being overhauled. Although no specific numbers have been stated, Blizzard is "drastically reducing" the number of duplicates players will receive in loot boxes. Fewer duplicates would also mean less credit income, so in compensation, the overall amount of credits in loot boxes is being increased. PTR players are being provided with 5 Loot Boxes (that, unfortunately, will not transfer over to your public account) as a way to see this system in action. These Loot Box changes will hopefully resolve the number of issues that existed with the system.

The new Highlights System and Loot Box changes are now available on Overwatch's PTR realm; they will make their way into the game proper whenever Blizzard decides things are good to go.

Quick Take

I ran through my five PTR loot boxes real quick and I got zero duplicates, so I can't report on how many credits one would receive from a dupe. The fact that they're making an effort to change is really nice, but I'm sure the wounds from the expensive Anniversary Event are still a bit sore for some players. They sure are for me.

Correction: We initially stated the amount of credits for duplicates would be increased. The correct fact is that the "overall amount of credits in Loot Boxes" will be increased. We apologize for the error.

What do you think of the improvements to the Highlight and Loot Box systems? Do you think the changes to the Loot Box system are enough to make you reconsider purchasing Loot Boxes? Let us know in the comments below!