​ Fans started trending throughout the Overwatch community after creating new and innovative game modes during this year’s Summer Games event. From Genji Deflect Volleyball to Hammond Bowling, theory-crafting became one of the most fun aspects of the event before it even started, but many were left disappointed when Lúcioball returned as the sole game mode in the summer-themed event.





Prior to the start of the Overwatch Winter Wonderland event, Overwatch Game Director Jeff Kaplan announced there would be no new game modes introduced this year, outside of the return of Mei’s Snowball Offensive and Yeti Hunter, two game modes that are well-liked by fans of the game but have been a bit overdone since their release.

I don't know why I keep going on Overwatch for the events. I keep expecting something new but every time it's the same event but with new skins.



Skins aren't enough to keep me playing I want a new game mode that will keep me interested in the game like what Deathmatch did — horrocks65 (@horrocks65) December 11, 2018

Likewise, the most recent Summer Games event turned out to be exactly what everyone expected it to be – because the player base had seen it before, year after year. Even the Halloween Terror event looked eerily familiar since only a couple of changes spiced up Junkenstein's Revenge, including the addition of more playable characters.





In a recent interview, Kaplan explained the company’s focus turned away from introducing new game modes in seasonal events to focus on other areas of the game like hero releases and balance patches, all of which are invaluable aspects of the game. However, many of the player base, specifically the more casual sphere of players, couldn't help but feel a little underwhelmed with this reasoning behind these relatively lackluster seasonal events.





Unlike adjustments or additions to the game geared specifically towards competitive play, the arcade game modes cater to the entire player base, bringing both reliefs from the ranked climbs of the most competitive players to a new fun and relaxing way to strategize with friends for the more casual players.





Seasonal game modes draw out the best of Overwatch’s cast of characters; Mei’s Snowball Offensive takes Mei’s character design and celebrates both her kit and the holiday season to bring exciting festivities to the game and its player base. With the diversity strewn across the hero pool, Blizzard could easily create new ways to play into different characters' designs and personalities, as well as to their separate fan bases.

I wish Overwatch would finally give us something else rather than new skins and reused game modes from past events. I LOVE them, i truly do, but it’s getting too repetitve. — M͓̽A͓̽Y͓̽ (@May_Onesa) December 12, 2018

Overwatch has followed a pattern of events, and if history is any indication of the future, the Lunar New Year event will be the next chance the game’s developers get to really “wow” their audience. We can only hope that the company’s recent silence will result in a more exciting year filled with unique, never-before-seen game modes that can celebrate both the casual player base and the diversity across the hero pool.





Cover photo courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment