Overwatch's PC Closed Beta Begins

Right on schedule, the closed beta testing period for Overwatch, the first new Blizzard franchise in 17 years, has begun. Blizzard is not sending out email invitations, but rather is flagging accounts through Battle.net. This process is being conducted in waves and could take up to 12 hours to finish.

So if you don't get in right away, keep checking. If you are granted access to the closed beta, you'll see an "Overwatch Beta" license in your game account. From there, you can install and start playing. It's not too late to opt in to the beta, as you can do that right now on Battle.net.

Writing on the game's website, Blizzard said the player pool for this initial beta phase will be "relatively small," with new players added throughout its duration. In addition, Blizzard will hold beta test weekends in the future that are much larger in size, meant to help stress-test the game's servers.

Blizzard also warned beta players that the game remains in development, and as such, you may experience some bugs and rough edges. However, there is no non-disclosure agreement, so you're free to share videos, post screenshots, and talk about it at will. Progress achieved in the beta will not carry forward to the full game.

This beta is scheduled to come to a close before the end of the year, though a specific end-date was not announced. For more, including how you can share feedback with Blizzard, visit the Overwatch beta page.

Overwatch was announced nearly a year ago during BlizzCon 2014. A release date for the full game has not been announced.