Blizzard’s ‘Overwatch’ Release Date, Pre-Order and Pre-Download; How to Play the Game ASAP with Origins and Collector’s Editions

May 20, 2016 02:53 PM EDT

Blizzard is having itself a busy year.  Not only does it hope that the World of Warcraft franchise is going to get a shot in the arm with the release of the Warcraft movie into theaters on June 10, but next week will be the time when the brand-new game Overwatch hits consumers.  Overwatch is a first-person shooter game taking place in the far future with a very well-developed mythos about it, and this is the latest news on the Release Date, Pre-Order Information, and How to Play the Game as soon as possible as well as special editions of the game.

Those that pre-order Overwatch will be able to get their hands on the game ASAP, but they will be able to obtain some bonuses.  These bonuses come with certain versions of the game that can be seen in detail below. 

According to Gotta Be Mobile, it is also possible to pre-download Overwatch through the Xbox Store, Battlenet, and PlayStation Store.  This won't allow you to play the game any earlier than those who purchased a physical copy of the game, but the files will be waiting for you on the hard drive and save yourself from any last-minute updates on the release date.  Just to let you know, Overwatch on the Xbox One requires a 10 GB download, the PlayStation Store specifies 20 GB of space, and the PC version needs 30 GB. 

The hype for Overwatch is pretty big right now, and there is even a Taco Bell tie-in with four official cups that can be collected with the purchase of a combo meal or large soft drink.  There is also code at the bottom of the cuts that could allow the entrant to win a free copy of Overwatch along with a Kraken Pro headset from Razer. 

Not only that, there is a new video called "Dragons" that can be viewed on Overwatch's media site with other videos, but the most recent can be watched below.  Like the other two videos that have preceded it, it really builds up the story and the characters, really building the world of Overwatch.  In fact, the latest video has a twist at the end which I won't reveal.  The first of these videos, "Recall", can be watched here, while the second "Alive", can be viewed here

If you are wondering if there is any news of any midnight release parties that happen when popular games are released, it doesn't look like there are any this time around for Overwatch.  Gamestop will be allowing those that pre-ordered a copy of Overwatch pick it up a day before the actual release date on May 23rd, allowing the buyer to start playing the moment the servers come online at midnight on the 24th. 

Yes, Overwatch arrives next week on May 24th.  If you want to get in on Overwatch early, the game is available for pre-purchase on the Overwatch site, with the Basic Edition with pre-purchase bonuses like a Noire Skin for Widowmaker, and some Iconic environments like King's Row in London, the Temple of Anubis, and more for $39.99. The Overwatch Origins Edition comes with the same but includes some in-game goodies as well as 5 Origin Skins including Overgrown Bastion, Security Chief Pharah, Strike-Commander Morrison, Blackwatch Reyes, and Slipstream Tracer.   This is priced at $59.99.