Participating in the Nexon PEAK Post Challenge

Overwatch is a familiar name among long-running games, with an ongoing service that dates back to its release in 2016.
In the nearly 10 years since launch, it has continued to add new heroes, maps, and a variety of events,
while the transition to Overwatch 2 brought a major change to gameplay with the shift from 6:6 to 5:5.
Now, with its Korean PC service set to transfer to Nexon, the game is approaching another turning point.

The fact that so many people still play suggests there are good reasons to keep coming back,
even after several changes on this scale.
I first started playing with friends around launch, and I still log in from time to time.
Here are the things I have come to appreciate about Overwatch over the years.

🎮 Why Overwatch Has Stayed Popular for So Long

The Fun of Learning Heroes One by One

When I first started playing Overwatch with friends, I chose Mercy and Lúcio.
Their straightforward controls and helpful roles on the team made them approachable heroes to start with.

As I grew more comfortable with the game, I wanted to do more to help my team.
That led me to practice Ana, Zenyatta, and Kiriko, one at a time.
Each hero had completely different abilities and a different role to play,
so learning a new hero felt like learning a different game.

One moment from my early days still stands out.
I kept attacking Genji without realizing he was using Deflect,
only for my attacks to bounce back into a friend and kill them.
My friend explained Deflect and told me not to attack while it was active. It is a funny memory to look back on now.
Getting to know each hero's quirks was another reason I enjoyed Overwatch for so long.

The Same Hero, a Different Game Every Match

Overwatch's large roster is part of its appeal,
but what I particularly enjoyed was that even with the same hero,
the right approach changes from match to match.

A different map changes how you play, while a different team composition changes the role you need to fill.
Even with the same hero on the same map,
you have to keep adapting to the enemy lineup and your team's skill level.
It was especially satisfying when a match went well because I had read the situation and made the right calls.

As an FPS, Overwatch certainly gives players with good aim an advantage,
but hero choices, team composition, ultimate management, and decision-making also have a major effect on who wins.
Even someone like me, who lacks the mechanical skill to play damage, can find a hero that suits them
and make a meaningful contribution to the team. I think that is another reason Overwatch has stayed popular for so long.

Why Support Became More Fun in 5:5

I naturally gravitated toward support heroes and ended up playing them the most.

In 6:6, playing support often felt like following tanks around and keeping them healed.
In 5:5, though, supports have far more moments where they can pressure enemies, help secure kills, and directly turn a team fight.
Being able to create those opportunities myself made support much more enjoyable,
and it is one reason Ana, Kiriko, and Zenyatta are still my most-played heroes.

New heroes and patches continue to arrive, gradually changing how the game plays.
Being able to find fresh enjoyment in a familiar game
is, to me, the biggest reason Overwatch has remained so well loved for more than 10 years.

🔄 Why I Recommend It to New and Returning Players

Why I Recommend It to First-Time Players

Overwatch can seem daunting at first, given how many heroes there are.
Rather than trying to learn them all, I recommend starting with a few that suit you.

I started by getting a feel for the game with Lúcio and Mercy,
then gradually learned more heroes once I was comfortable.
Along the way, I naturally developed an understanding of the different roles, which made the game much more enjoyable.

Why Now Is a Good Time to Return

If you have taken a break from Overwatch, I would suggest setting aside your old habits at first
and exploring the new heroes and updated systems.
Support play in particular is much more proactive than it used to be, which has made a real difference to the experience.

💙 Nexon's Korean Service: Why I Look Forward to What Comes Next

With Overwatch's Korean PC service moving to Nexon soon, players in Korea have already seen some welcome changes.
Existing Blizzard accounts can now be linked to Nexon accounts, and an event offering rewards for linking accounts is underway,
so it is worth checking out if you have been thinking about returning.

Blizzard will still handle development,
but Nexon taking over the Korean service gives me hope for more active local support and more events
for players in Korea.
As someone who regularly plays Nexon games, I was also glad to see Overwatch on a familiar platform.

I do not think a game earns its longevity simply by keeping its servers running.
It takes consistent updates and changes, along with a steady supply of reasons for players to return.
Overwatch has delivered that over the past 10 years,

and I see the transfer to Nexon as another change that gives me reason to look forward to the next 10 years.

I first started playing Overwatch with friends at a PC café.
For me, it is more than a game that lives on in my memories:
it is a long-running game I still return to for a match whenever it comes to mind.
I hope new hero updates will keep it a well-loved game for many years to come.