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		<title>Raymon Eastham</title>
		<link>https://stayclose.social/RaymonEastham6/</link>
		<description>Latest updates from Raymon Eastham</description>
		<item>
			<title>Raymon Eastham posted a blog.</title>
			<link>https://stayclose.social/blog/35476/overwatch-2-5-stages-wed-like-to-see-brought-back-and-5-that-could-probably/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<br>Overwatch 2 might be the first sequel in history that players of the original begged the developers not to make. Through a small handful of gameplay changes and minor visual updates, it just barely manages to justify its own existence. It feels like it’s Blizzard’s attempt to restructure the monetization into a more profitable, industry-standard model, which people have rightly pointed out benefits the publisher, but doesn’t actually provide any value to the players. At first blush, Overwatch 2 comes across like a dark tulpa of the original - a product designed to increase profits and engagement without offering anything that meaningfully increases enjoyment. Within the broader context, <a href="https://Overwatch2base.com/">Overwatch 2 Strategy</a> 2 follows this year’s Diablo: Immortal as just another anti-consumer title from a mega corp that used to actually care about its fans and reputation. There’s never been a particularly good answer to the question "Why does Overwatch 2 exist?", and I don’t anticipate there ever will<br><br> <br><img src="https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/class=" style="max-width:400px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" />Aside from the PvE mode, one element that will be a notable evolutionary step for Overwatch 2 is the revamped and enhanced graphics, textures, and character designs. While the sequel will still sport that familiar colorful, light-hearted aesthetic, it'll be cool to see a prettied-up version of this now 3-year-old g<br><br> <br>Valorant offers multiple modes for the most competitive players or people who want to enjoy a fast-paced FPS. You can play objective-based games or aim to rack up kills in deathmatch. Even when there is a mission to complete, if you are bloodthirsty, you will be helping out your team to earn that <br><br> <br>In the video's example, Elite Grunts differ from standard Grunts in a few ways. Besides an increase in hit points and damage output, Elite Grunts get a second wind after they're killed; instead of just blowing up, these bots crawl after the player even after losing their limbs, ultimately exploding upon if they reach the player before getting gunned down. Who knows what else other Elite units will be able to<br><br> <br>You may find yourself playing a game at one moment, but then feeling the need to find something else. That new interest might be something radically different, like going from Doom to Animal Crossing. It could be something similar, like finding a game that matches enough of the same qualities as Overwatch<br><br> <br>Though Blizzard did not mention the Jumper by name, the new Omnic appears in a few clips alongside Omnic Grunts, Elite Grunts, and Artillery units. A flying bipedal Omnic, the Jumper seems to behave similarly to Grunt units, with the added element of vertical mobil<br><br> <br>Overwatch 2 is a faster game than its predecessor, but even then, it had a mix of slower to faster moments. For those who want less pressure on the gas peddle, there is arguably no better choice than Rainbow Six Sie<br><br> <br>In the video, Blizzard offers many details for the Breacher, a new Null Sector enemy that lumbers towards an objective point and, if allowed to reach its destination, explodes. Blizzard refers to this Omnic as an "objective un<br><br> <br>We'll get to see some more detailed character models, in addition to a new HUD and a significant engine upgrade, which should make for some even more dazzling and smoother gameplay. At the very least, it should provide a refreshing experie<br><br> <br>This was popularized by games like Team Fortress 2 , which introduced a line of iconic heroes in a Pixar-esque cartoony style. Nowadays, the genre is best represented by games like the hero shooter/battle royale hybrid Apex Legends , or the subject of this article, Overwat<br><br> <br>And yet, I remain hopeful. I’ve never been accused of being an optimist, but I think Overwatch 2 has a potential that the original was never going to realize. There’s plenty to criticize about Overwatch 2, but there’s also some things we can appreciate. Four or five years down the road, we may just find Overwatch 2 in a better position than Overwatch was ever going to be in. Blizzard has done a horrendous job marketing and championing this game, but allow me to take a stab at it: I think Overwatch 2 is a better game, and the things we hate are going to end up being necessary evils that ensure it stays alive and healthy for many years to c<br><br> <br>It's probably safe to assume that there are other objective units planned for Overwatch 2. And chances are we've already seen some of them. Little is explained, for instance, about the Orbiters, Slicers, and a few unnamed Omnics seen in some of the featured concept <br><br> <br>However, while the game is still going strong, there are rumors that Overwatch 2 is in development right now . Overwatch still has a dedicated fanbase that plays the game religiously, so releasing a sequel is a bit of a risky move, as it could alienate fans who simply want to stick with their beloved hero shooter and not move<br><br> <br>The tank-like Artillery unit is already an intimidating adversary based on how Blizzard describes it in the BlizzConline video. It's a four-legged monster of an Omnic that can rain a barrage of small missiles and fire a charged-up duo of large rockets. There's little need to make this a more intimidating advers<br>]]></description>
			<guid>https://stayclose.social/blog/35476/overwatch-2-5-stages-wed-like-to-see-brought-back-and-5-that-could-probably/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:12:46 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Raymon Eastham</dc:creator>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Raymon Eastham posted a blog.</title>
			<link>https://stayclose.social/blog/35474/overwatch-2-5-stages-wed-like-to-see-brought-back-and-5-that-could-probably/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<br>Overwatch 2 might be the first sequel in history that players of the original begged the developers not to make. Through a small handful of gameplay changes and minor visual updates, it just barely manages to justify its own existence. It feels like it’s Blizzard’s attempt to restructure the monetization into a more profitable, industry-standard model, which people have rightly pointed out benefits the publisher, but doesn’t actually provide any value to the players. At first blush, Overwatch 2 comes across like a dark tulpa of the original - a product designed to increase profits and engagement without offering anything that meaningfully increases enjoyment. Within the broader context, Overwatch 2 follows this year’s Diablo: Immortal as just another anti-consumer title from a mega corp that used to actually care about its fans and reputation. There’s never been a particularly good answer to the question "Why does Overwatch 2 exist?", and I don’t anticipate there ever will<br><br> <br>Aside from the PvE mode, one element that will be a notable evolutionary step for Overwatch 2 is the revamped and enhanced graphics, textures, and character designs. While the sequel will still sport that familiar colorful, light-hearted aesthetic, it'll be cool to see a prettied-up version of this now 3-year-old g<br><br> <br>Valorant offers multiple modes for the most competitive players or people who want to enjoy a fast-paced FPS. You can play objective-based games or aim to rack up kills in deathmatch. Even when there is a mission to complete, if you are bloodthirsty, you will be helping out your team to earn that <br><br> <br>In the video's example, Elite Grunts differ from standard Grunts in a few ways. Besides an increase in hit points and damage output, Elite Grunts get a second wind after they're killed; instead of just blowing up, these bots crawl after the player even after losing their limbs, ultimately exploding upon if they reach the player before getting gunned down. Who knows what else other Elite units will be able to<br><br> <br>You may find yourself playing a game at one moment, but then feeling the need to find something else. That new interest might be something radically different, like going from Doom to Animal Crossing. It could be something similar, like finding a game that matches enough of the same qualities as Overwatch<br><br> <br>Though Blizzard did not mention the Jumper by name, the new Omnic appears in a few clips alongside Omnic Grunts, Elite Grunts, and Artillery units. A flying bipedal Omnic, the Jumper seems to behave similarly to Grunt units, with the added element of vertical mobil<br><br> <br>Overwatch 2 is a faster game than its predecessor, but even then, it had a mix of slower to faster moments. For those who want less pressure on the gas peddle, there is arguably no better choice than Rainbow Six Sie<br><br> <br>In the video, Blizzard offers many details for the Breacher, a new Null Sector enemy that lumbers towards an objective point and, if allowed to reach its destination, explodes. Blizzard refers to this Omnic as an "objective un<br><br> <br>We'll get to see some more detailed character models, in addition to a new HUD and a significant engine upgrade, which should make for some even more dazzling and smoother gameplay. At the very least, it should provide a refreshing experie<br> <br>This was popularized by games like Team Fortress 2 , which introduced a line of iconic heroes in a Pixar-esque cartoony style. Nowadays, the genre is best represented by games like the hero shooter/battle royale hybrid Apex Legends , or the subject of this article, Overwat<br><br> <br>And yet, I remain hopeful. I’ve never been accused of being an optimist, but I think Overwatch 2 has a potential that the original was never going to realize. There’s plenty to criticize about Overwatch 2, but there’s also some things we can appreciate. Four or five years down the road, we may just find Overwatch 2 in a better position than <a href="https://Overwatch2base.com/">Overwatch 2 Strategy</a> was ever going to be in. Blizzard has done a horrendous job marketing and championing this game, but allow me to take a stab at it: I think Overwatch 2 is a better game, and the things we hate are going to end up being necessary evils that ensure it stays alive and healthy for many years to c<br><br> <br>It's probably safe to assume that there are other objective units planned for Overwatch 2. And chances are we've already seen some of them. Little is explained, for instance, about the Orbiters, Slicers, and a few unnamed Omnics seen in some of the featured concept <br><br> <br>However, while the game is still going strong, there are rumors that Overwatch 2 is in development right now . Overwatch still has a dedicated fanbase that plays the game religiously, so releasing a sequel is a bit of a risky move, as it could alienate fans who simply want to stick with their beloved hero shooter and not move<br><br> <br>The tank-like Artillery unit is already an intimidating adversary based on how Blizzard describes it in the BlizzConline video. It's a four-legged monster of an Omnic that can rain a barrage of small missiles and fire a charged-up duo of large rockets. There's little need to make this a more intimidating advers<br>]]></description>
			<guid>https://stayclose.social/blog/35474/overwatch-2-5-stages-wed-like-to-see-brought-back-and-5-that-could-probably/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:12:39 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Raymon Eastham</dc:creator>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Raymon Eastham posted a blog.</title>
			<link>https://stayclose.social/blog/35413/overwatch-2-was-a-mistake/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<br>During Blizzcon of 2019, the Overwatch 2 announcement trailer features a clip of Paris being attacked by Null Sector's forces. This attack is presumably the beginning of the story of Overwatch 2, where the heroes once more come together to defend the world from the forces of Talon and Null Sect<br> <br>But it doesn’t matter. Sure, it looks as if we’re about to take the point and win the match, but then our McCree gets killed mid-Deadeye and rage quits. As soon as he leaves, xTRiCkSHOTZZ69x phones it in and it’s 6v4. We’ve gone from Manchester United to nine-year-olds who kick a ball around a waterlogged pitch on Sunday mornings. I hate<br><br> <br>During the Omnic Crisis, the United Nations formed a specialized task force to counter the mounting Omnic threat. Led by Jack Morrison, this unified group targeted Omnic control centers across the globe and took down the robotic threat. This highly-talented group of agents strategically dismantled the Omnics forces and ushered in a golden age for the wo<br><br> <br>This week, the unreal-powered remaster leaked online in its entirety . The game can only be played via Xbox 360 emulator on PC. Online gameplay, leaderboards, and achievements are not available, but the remaster does feature the ability to switch back and forth between the original N64 graphics and the updated HD graph<br><br> <br>Overwatch is my favourite multiplayer shooter of all time, right up there with Halo 3. It’s also my favourite objective-based team game, which is why I have around 1,000 hours played in the first place. I used to regularly compete on teams with an average rank of high Diamond/low Masters, so I know what I’m doing. The thing is, Overwatch doesn’t reward you for that, which means every single game quickly becomes a massive pain in the a<br><br><a href="https://Overwatch2base.com/">Overwatch 2 esports</a> 2 was announced much too early, likely to pave over controversy at the time surrounding the company and its many scandals. We were given an awkward glimpse at PvE content that wasn’t ready for the spotlight in the slightest, while progression systems linked to certain characters have been dumped entirely in the version coming next month. Blizzard didn’t know what it wanted the sequel to be, and it still doesn’t, so we are stepping hesitantly into a future where I desperately hope this hero shooter can earn its place. The original game is being shut down as it arrives, with its younger sibling intended to replace everything it stood for as heroes, cosmetics, and everything else is carried across as part of a hopefully seamless transition. I’ll miss what is being left behind, and so will many others.<br><br> <br>Both Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 were announced at BlizzCon 2019. While it was clear that Diablo 4 was early in development, many were hoping that Overwatch 2 would be ready in 2021. That doesn't seem to be the case, however, according to executives on the earnings call. At this point, the only game we can assume will release this year is the mobile title, Diablo Immor<br><br> <br>But in online play - specifically, PvP - this isn’t how it works. Unless you’ve got a full six-stack made up of you and your friends, chances are people won’t care much about cooperating. And so, that entire aspect of Overwatch that I love - knowing my main inside out and fulfilling my role in tandem with the characters I’m surrounded by - dissipates into thin <br><br>Overwatch will forever and always be a shooter classic, but my heart sinks when I think about how its once pristine legacy has been dragged through the dirt in service of a future that right now still seems so unclear. I formed so many memories around long nights experimenting with new heroes or diving into seasonal events with life-long friends by my side. Few games have ever managed to ignite that sense of passion within me, and that alone is an achievement worth celebrating. Now, as the servers prepare to switch over for good, I’m left mourning the empty void that once defined an entire part of my life.<br><br> <br>The golden age of peace began to quickly erode following the disbandment of Overwatch. Tensions between humans and the surviving Omnics continued to rise, and the terrorist group Talon was growing in strength. Talon operatives attempted to raid an abandoned Watchpoint but were stopped by Winston, a genetically-enhanced gorilla. Winston initiated an agent recall, and started reforming Overwatch with Tracer and <br><br> <br>BlizzConline , the first online-only Blizzard fan convention, runs February 19-20. Fans can expect some big reveals an new details about upcoming games, including Diablo Immortal , Diablo 4, Overwatch 2, and WoW updates 9.1 and 9.2. Unfortunately, a fourth-quarter earnings call has revealed that Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 are not expected to launch in 20<br><br> <br><img src="https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/class=" style="max-width:420px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" />I booted up Overwatch for the first time in a few months last night and it wasn’t awful. I mean, it was frustrating, but I had at least one team who genuinely cared about the objective and we won two matches in a row. For what it’s worth, I only really play Competitive or seasonal co-op events - Quick Play and Arcade aren’t for<br>]]></description>
			<guid>https://stayclose.social/blog/35413/overwatch-2-was-a-mistake/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:03:22 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Raymon Eastham</dc:creator>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Raymon Eastham posted a blog.</title>
			<link>https://stayclose.social/blog/35289/ive-put-1-000-hours-into-overwatch-heres-what-i-want-from-overwatch-2/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Square Enix revealed the next Final Fantasy 14 expansion during a livestream event yesterday. Called Endwalker , the expansion is set to conclude the current storyline and move the MMO into the next <br><br> <br><img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EGgZVvV2ioM/hq720.jpg" style="max-width:430px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="The 2-Minute Rule to Perfect Positioning in Overwatch" />As long as you’re not playing an offensive map, where you’re moving ahead every minute, your turret can be relied on to watch your back while you crowd-control and pick off stragglers with his rivet <br><br> <br>Overwatch is my favourite multiplayer shooter of all time, right up there with Halo 3. It’s also my favourite objective-based team game, which is why I have around 1,000 hours played in the first place. I used to regularly compete on teams with an average rank of high Diamond/low Masters, so I know what I’m doing. The thing is, Overwatch doesn’t reward you for that, which means every single game quickly becomes a massive pain in the a<br><br> <br>The first week of February brought tons of news for some of the biggest franchises, including Mass Effect, Final Fantasy 14, and Sonic. While BlizzConline is still two weeks away, we got some unfortunate news about Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4. A lost remaster of GoldenEye was discovered by a very patient fan, and Warner Brothers finally secured a patent for the Nemesis sys<br><br> <br>Players will love romancing her in Dragon Age: Origins and using her services as a Spymaster in Dragon Age: Inquisition . This redhead video game character has gone through a major change in the series, proving that the dark and brooding world of Dragon Age serves as a major hurdle for anyone wanting to amend their ways and try to follow the right p<br><br> <br>A brand new 4K trailer for Mass Effect: Legendary Edition premiered this week. The remake/remaster of the original Mass Effect trilogy launches May 14, 2021 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The trailer shows off some of the major enhancements coming to the trilogy, including big changes to Eden Prime , upgrades to FemShep , and updates to... certain camera angl<br><br> <br>Recent job listings indicate that WBIE is working on a variety of new games, so it's possible we haven't seen the end of the Nemesis System entirely. Whether the mechanic shows up in another Middle-Earth sequel or perhaps in the upcoming Harry Potter game is unknown, but what is known is that few, if any, developers will get the chance to use the Nemesis System in other games — at least until the patent expi<br><br> <br>I booted up <a href="https://Overwatch2Base.com/">Overwatch 2 tank Guide</a> for the first time in a few months last night and it wasn’t awful. I mean, it was frustrating, but I had at least one team who genuinely cared about the objective and we won two matches in a row. For what it’s worth, I only really play Competitive or seasonal co-op events - Quick Play and Arcade aren’t for<br><br> <br>This was popularized by games like Team Fortress 2 , which introduced a line of iconic heroes in a Pixar-esque cartoony style. Nowadays, the genre is best represented by games like the hero shooter/battle royale hybrid Apex Legends , or the subject of this article, Overwat<br><br> <br>Both Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 were announced at BlizzCon 2019. While it was clear that Diablo 4 was early in development, many were hoping that Overwatch 2 would be ready in 2021. That doesn't seem to be the case, however, according to executives on the earnings call. At this point, the only game we can assume will release this year is the mobile title, Diablo Immor<br><br> <br>Many of these characters are made to be particularly recognizable, specifically with their either brightly colored or natural red hair. Due to such a design, it becomes particularly challenging to forget some of the best redheads in video game histo<br><br> <br>Remedy Entertainment has made a name for itself with its story-driven third-person action titles that have become progressively more engaging and ambitious over time. One such game that fans absolutely love is Control , with the mysterious story and destructive combat being some of its biggest streng<br><br> <br>It's been a strange week of ups and downs for Sonic. Netflix announced that its upcoming 3D animated series will be called Sonic Prime and is coming to the streaming service in 2022. Meanwhile, several long-time voice actors from the series revealed that they won't be returning to their signature roles. Roger Craig Smith , Colleen O’Shaughnessey , and Cindy Robinson have revealed that they won't be returning to voice Sonic, Tails, and Amy in Sonic Prime. Luckily, Eggman voice actor Mike Pollock has confirmed that he will continue to voice the villain in video games but did not confirm whether he would perform Robotnik in the Netflix Ser<br><br> <br>When it comes to the hero shooter, few have managed to compare to Overwatch. Yet many are now taking the idea of the genre and applying it to other games in other ways. The genre is evolving, so don't be surprised if the next big FPS, or action game has a Tracer or Reaper of their very <br><br> <br>This has us wondering just what other sorts of colorful maps will be added and revamped to this epic sequel. With nearly 2 dozen stages already featured between Assault, Escort, and Control, there is no shortage of fun choices Overwatch 2 can draw from. Let's take a look at 5 of the stand-out maps we'd love to see in the sequel, and 5 duds that are probably best left beh<br>]]></description>
			<guid>https://stayclose.social/blog/35289/ive-put-1-000-hours-into-overwatch-heres-what-i-want-from-overwatch-2/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:22:10 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Raymon Eastham</dc:creator>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Raymon Eastham posted a blog.</title>
			<link>https://stayclose.social/blog/35288/ive-put-1-000-hours-into-overwatch-heres-what-i-want-from-overwatch-2/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<br>Square Enix revealed the next Final Fantasy 14 expansion during a livestream event yesterday. Called Endwalker , the expansion is set to conclude the current storyline and move the MMO into the next <br><br> <br>As long as you’re not playing an offensive map, where you’re moving ahead every minute, your turret can be relied on to watch your back while you crowd-control and pick off stragglers with his rivet <br><br> <br>Overwatch is my favourite multiplayer shooter of all time, right up there with Halo 3. It’s also my favourite objective-based team game, which is why I have around 1,000 hours played in the first place. I used to regularly compete on teams with an average rank of high Diamond/low Masters, so I know what I’m doing. The thing is, Overwatch doesn’t reward you for that, which means every single game quickly becomes a massive pain in the a<br><br> <br>The first week of February brought tons of news for some of the biggest franchises, including Mass Effect, Final Fantasy 14, and Sonic. While BlizzConline is still two weeks away, we got some unfortunate news about Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4. A lost remaster of GoldenEye was discovered by a very patient fan, and Warner Brothers finally secured a patent for the Nemesis sys<br><br> <br>Players will love romancing her in Dragon Age: Origins and using her services as a Spymaster in Dragon Age: Inquisition . This redhead video game character has gone through a major change in the series, proving that the dark and brooding world of Dragon Age serves as a major hurdle for anyone wanting to amend their ways and try to follow the right p<br><br> <br>A brand new 4K trailer for Mass Effect: Legendary Edition premiered this week. The remake/remaster of the original Mass Effect trilogy launches May 14, 2021 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The trailer shows off some of the major enhancements coming to the trilogy, including big changes to Eden Prime , upgrades to FemShep , and updates to... certain camera angl<br><br> <br>Recent job listings indicate that WBIE is working on a variety of new games, so it's possible we haven't seen the end of the Nemesis System entirely. Whether the mechanic shows up in another Middle-Earth sequel or perhaps in the upcoming Harry Potter game is unknown, but what is known is that few, if any, developers will get the chance to use the Nemesis System in other games — at least until the patent expi<br><br> <br>I booted up Overwatch for the first time in a few months last night and it wasn’t awful. I mean, it was frustrating, but I had at least one team who genuinely cared about the objective and we won two matches in a row. For what it’s worth, I only really play Competitive or seasonal co-op events - Quick Play and Arcade aren’t for<br><br> <br>This was popularized by games like Team Fortress 2 , which introduced a line of iconic heroes in a Pixar-esque cartoony style. Nowadays, the genre is best represented by games like the hero shooter/battle royale hybrid Apex Legends , or the subject of this article, Overwat<br><br> <br>Both Diablo 4 and <a href="https://Overwatch2Base.com/">Overwatch 2 tank Guide</a> 2 were announced at BlizzCon 2019. While it was clear that Diablo 4 was early in development, many were hoping that Overwatch 2 would be ready in 2021. That doesn't seem to be the case, however, according to executives on the earnings call. At this point, the only game we can assume will release this year is the mobile title, Diablo Immor<br><br> <br>Many of these characters are made to be particularly recognizable, specifically with their either brightly colored or natural red hair. Due to such a design, it becomes particularly challenging to forget some of the best redheads in video game histo<br><br> <br>Remedy Entertainment has made a name for itself with its story-driven third-person action titles that have become progressively more engaging and ambitious over time. One such game that fans absolutely love is Control , with the mysterious story and destructive combat being some of its biggest streng<br><br> <br>It's been a strange week of ups and downs for Sonic. Netflix announced that its upcoming 3D animated series will be called Sonic Prime and is coming to the streaming service in 2022. Meanwhile, several long-time voice actors from the series revealed that they won't be returning to their signature roles. Roger Craig Smith , Colleen O’Shaughnessey , and Cindy Robinson have revealed that they won't be returning to voice Sonic, Tails, and Amy in Sonic Prime. Luckily, Eggman voice actor Mike Pollock has confirmed that he will continue to voice the villain in video games but did not confirm whether he would perform Robotnik in the Netflix Ser<br><br> <br>When it comes to the hero shooter, few have managed to compare to Overwatch. Yet many are now taking the idea of the genre and applying it to other games in other ways. The genre is evolving, so don't be surprised if the next big FPS, or action game has a Tracer or Reaper of their very <br><br> <br>This has us wondering just what other sorts of colorful maps will be added and revamped to this epic sequel. With nearly 2 dozen stages already featured between Assault, Escort, and Control, there is no shortage of fun choices Overwatch 2 can draw from. Let's take a look at 5 of the stand-out maps we'd love to see in the sequel, and 5 duds that are probably best left beh<br>]]></description>
			<guid>https://stayclose.social/blog/35288/ive-put-1-000-hours-into-overwatch-heres-what-i-want-from-overwatch-2/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:22:04 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Raymon Eastham</dc:creator>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Raymon Eastham posted a blog.</title>
			<link>https://stayclose.social/blog/19213/why-im-hopeful-for-overwatch-2-despite-everything/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<br>At the same time, it's an impressive showcase of modern motion controls, which allow players to dual-wield separate Joy-Cons to bash their opponents in real-time. A slew of unique fighters, each with their own moves and mechanics, further adds to the chaos of this 3D figh<br><br> <br>Sojourn's development goes back several years, which is impressive. In 2015 she was already being developed as a functional hero, with the team brainstorming about what kind of archetype was still missing from the game. Given her appearances in various comics and Archive missions, this isn't surpris<br><br> <br>This Zen-themed Control map is both a delight to gaze upon and to play through, with its variance of indoor and outdoor regions, its crafty level design, and its abundance of pits which can lead to some chaotic fights for the point. A number of heroes can thrive here, including the defensive Symmetra and Mei, while heroes with push abilities can certainly have their fun in the Sanctum portion of this <br><br> <br>I am not thrilled about the new monetization, and I think at the very least there needs to be more ways to earn Overwatch Coins. That being said, we all know how free-to-play games work. If Blizzard makes a bunch of $20 skins, people will buy them. The hope is that Blizzard will reinvest that revenue back into the game so that we don’t have to replay Lucioball or Mei’s Snowball Offensive for the umpteenth time. We’re going to get five or six heroes a year instead of two or three. We’re going to get new maps, new game modes, and a whole new PvE story experience. Overwatch needs to change and grow all the time to keep people playing. The original wasn’t built to be that game, but hopefully Overwatch 2<br><br> <br>Sojourn's position has always been within Overwatch. She has appeared in Ana's origin story, which reveals her to be a captain within the Overwatch faction. She's clearly a long-time member of the team, having lived through its birth,  <a href="https://overwatch2base.com/">Https://Overwatch2Base.Com</a> rise, and fall, and now its upcoming rebirth with Overwatch<br><br> <br>Overwatch 2 might be the first sequel in history that players of the original begged the developers not to make. Through a small handful of gameplay changes and minor visual updates, it just barely manages to justify its own existence. It feels like it’s Blizzard’s attempt to restructure the monetization into a more profitable, industry-standard model, which people have rightly pointed out benefits the publisher, but doesn’t actually provide any value to the players. At first blush, Overwatch 2 comes across like a dark tulpa of the original - a product designed to increase profits and engagement without offering anything that meaningfully increases enjoyment. Within the broader context, Overwatch 2 follows this year’s Diablo: Immortal as just another anti-consumer title from a mega corp that used to actually care about its fans and reputation. There’s never been a particularly good answer to the question "Why does Overwatch 2 exist?", and I don’t anticipate there ever will<br><br> <br>Considering we could potentially see the addition of a new Omnic hero, Tekhartha Mondatta (speculation which we base off nothing but our own desires), we might as well get the return of the stage in which he's so prominently featured as a statue, Ne<br> <br>Although an older game, Heavenly Sword is a great action-adventure experience where players embody the main character, Nariko . Nariko is an incredibly powerful woman with fighting skills that seem to be unmatched by anyone but gods. She's got bright red hair that seems to keep on flowing down her body and was probably a lot of people's crush back in the early 20<br><br> <br>Being an Assault map, Hanamura comes with a design that ultimately favors the team on defense, and to a pretty significant degree. You might find your teammates rage quitting in record numbers after the 8th failed attempt to mount a successful assault on the secluded Dojo. That's because it's just not easy to capture, especially considering the enemy spawns are ridiculously close to the point B area that needs to be defen<br><br> <br>The most apparent is the team size reduction. Overwatch 2 features 5v5 battles instead of 6v6, meaning both teams have one less tank in the fight. Opinions will vary, but I think it’s obvious that this is a huge improvement. Half the number of tanks means half the number of shields, which means fights are more active and exciting. Instead of both teams poking at each other from behind cover until everyone fires off their ults, every match is a constant back and forth. Getting picks has a much greater impact, so it’s easier to coordinate pushes with your team, even if you’re only communicating non-verbally. It’s a simpler, easier to follow spectator experience, which will help the Overwatch League reach a wider audience. Resizing the teams has an effect on every aspect of the game, and it’s been overwhelmingly posit<br><br> <br>The BloodRayne duology features two fun action-adventure titles that star the bombshell dhampir, Rayne . This vampire uses her arsenal of blades and guns to rip and tear into her enemies, sucking out their blood to quickly fill her health if she tanks too many hits. Her sassy personality and combat effectiveness make her a great character whom fans will love to see in a modern video g<br>]]></description>
			<guid>https://stayclose.social/blog/19213/why-im-hopeful-for-overwatch-2-despite-everything/</guid>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:35:42 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Raymon Eastham</dc:creator>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Raymon Eastham posted a blog.</title>
			<link>https://stayclose.social/blog/19212/why-im-hopeful-for-overwatch-2-despite-everything/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<br><img src="https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/overwatch-2-avatar-skins-missed-opportunity.jpg" style="max-width:400px;float:right;padding:10px 0px 10px 10px;border:0px;" alt="" />At the same time, it's an impressive showcase of modern motion controls, which allow players to dual-wield separate Joy-Cons to bash their opponents in real-time. A slew of unique fighters, each with their own moves and mechanics, further adds to the chaos of this 3D figh<br><br> <br>Sojourn's development goes back several years, which is impressive. In 2015 she was already being developed as a functional hero, with the team brainstorming about what kind of archetype was still missing from the game. Given her appearances in various comics and Archive missions, this isn't surpris<br><br> <br>This Zen-themed Control map is both a delight to gaze upon and to play through, with its variance of indoor and outdoor regions, its crafty level design, and its abundance of pits which can lead to some chaotic fights for the point. A number of heroes can thrive here, including the defensive Symmetra and Mei, while heroes with push abilities can certainly have their fun in the Sanctum portion of this <br><br> <br>I am not thrilled about the new monetization, and I think at the very least there needs to be more ways to earn Overwatch Coins. That being said, we all know how free-to-play games work. If Blizzard makes a bunch of $20 skins, people will buy them. The hope is that Blizzard will reinvest that revenue back into the game so that we don’t have to replay Lucioball or Mei’s Snowball Offensive for the umpteenth time. We’re going to get five or six heroes a year instead of two or three. We’re going to get new maps, new game modes, and a whole new PvE story experience. Overwatch needs to change and grow all the time to keep people playing. The original wasn’t built to be that game, but hopefully Overwatch 2<br><br> <br>Sojourn's position has always been within Overwatch. She has appeared in Ana's origin story, which reveals her to be a captain within the Overwatch faction. She's clearly a long-time member of the team, having lived through its birth, rise, and fall, and now its upcoming rebirth with Overwatch<br><br> <br>Overwatch 2 might be the first sequel in history that players of the original begged the developers not to make. Through a small handful of gameplay changes and minor visual updates, it just barely manages to justify its own existence. It feels like it’s Blizzard’s attempt to restructure the monetization into a more profitable, industry-standard model, which people have rightly pointed out benefits the publisher, but doesn’t actually provide any value to the players. At first blush, Overwatch 2 comes across like a dark tulpa of the original - a product designed to increase profits and engagement without offering anything that meaningfully increases enjoyment. Within the broader context, Overwatch 2 follows this year’s Diablo: Immortal as just another anti-consumer title from a mega corp that used to actually care about its fans and reputation. There’s never been a particularly good answer to the question "Why does Overwatch 2 exist?", and I don’t anticipate there ever will<br><br> <br>Considering we could potentially see the addition of a new Omnic hero, Tekhartha Mondatta (speculation which we base off nothing but our own desires), we might as well get the return of the stage in which he's so prominently featured as a statue, Ne<br><br> <br>Although an older game,  <a href="https://overwatch2base.com/">Https://Overwatch2Base.Com</a> Heavenly Sword is a great action-adventure experience where players embody the main character, Nariko . Nariko is an incredibly powerful woman with fighting skills that seem to be unmatched by anyone but gods. She's got bright red hair that seems to keep on flowing down her body and was probably a lot of people's crush back in the early 20<br><br> <br>Being an Assault map, Hanamura comes with a design that ultimately favors the team on defense, and to a pretty significant degree. You might find your teammates rage quitting in record numbers after the 8th failed attempt to mount a successful assault on the secluded Dojo. That's because it's just not easy to capture, especially considering the enemy spawns are ridiculously close to the point B area that needs to be defen<br><br> <br>The most apparent is the team size reduction. Overwatch 2 features 5v5 battles instead of 6v6, meaning both teams have one less tank in the fight. Opinions will vary, but I think it’s obvious that this is a huge improvement. Half the number of tanks means half the number of shields, which means fights are more active and exciting. Instead of both teams poking at each other from behind cover until everyone fires off their ults, every match is a constant back and forth. Getting picks has a much greater impact, so it’s easier to coordinate pushes with your team, even if you’re only communicating non-verbally. It’s a simpler, easier to follow spectator experience, which will help the Overwatch League reach a wider audience. Resizing the teams has an effect on every aspect of the game, and it’s been overwhelmingly posit<br><br> <br>The BloodRayne duology features two fun action-adventure titles that star the bombshell dhampir, Rayne . This vampire uses her arsenal of blades and guns to rip and tear into her enemies, sucking out their blood to quickly fill her health if she tanks too many hits. Her sassy personality and combat effectiveness make her a great character whom fans will love to see in a modern video g<br>]]></description>
			<guid>https://stayclose.social/blog/19212/why-im-hopeful-for-overwatch-2-despite-everything/</guid>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:35:37 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Raymon Eastham</dc:creator>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Raymon Eastham posted a blog.</title>
			<link>https://stayclose.social/blog/5518/overwatch-2-everything-we-know-about-sojourn/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<br>Shortly after the attack at the Oslo facility, another attack occurred in the English city of King’s Row. A rogue group called Null Sector deployed several Bastion units and attacked the city. Although the British Prime Minister rejected the idea of having any Overwatch members involved, Morrison still sent a team to liberate the city. However, it wouldn’t be enough to save the t<br><br> <br>As a result, most of my Overwatch group began to fall off of the game since it was beginning to feel stagnant. It was no longer an evolving experience that was exciting and fresh. Instead, it was a game that was stuck in a holding pattern waiting for its sequel to come and revitalize<br><br> <br><img src="http://www.imageafter.com/image.php?image=b9objects038.jpg&dl=1" style="max-width:400px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" />After all, the core concept of the hero shooter is that you have a roster of interesting characters to play with. Taking that idea, and melding it with anything from a sports game, to a side scroller, to a strategy game, to any other genre would be easy, and would give players a new kind of game to dress their favorite heroes up in. Overwatch 2 could possibly be the last real hero shooter, as the concept will soon be nothing more than a feature in most ga<br><br> <br>Although Reyes was given command of Overwatch, it isJack Morrison who is mostly credited with transforming the unit into a devastating fighting force. He trained the other founding members Ana Amari,  <a href="https://overwatch2base.com/freja-in-overwatch-2-the-ultimate-skirmisher-guide">Freja Gameplay strategies</a> Mina Liao, Torbjorn Lindholm, and Reinhardt Wilheim to work together as a team and led the strike team against the Omnics. The team destroyed the main Omnic control center in Rio de Janeiro and successfully put an end to the Omnic Cri<br><br> <br>As we all know, Blizzard is owned by Activision. And if there's any company that loves putting out sequel after sequel, it's Activision. We still get a new Call Of Duty game every single year, which is insane since that means we're going on 16 years straight of COD sequels. But that method hasn't worked for other games. This strategy almost killed the Tony Hawk franchise and did kill the Guitar Hero franchise. In fact, it pretty much snuffed out the entire plastic instrument sub-genre of rhythm ga<br><br> <br>I’ve got my Transcendence ready to go, meaning that when Genji pulls his Dragonblade, I can protect my entire team by moving alongside him and nullifying all of the damage he’s trying to dish out. I used to be pretty good at Overwatch back when I played more regularly, so I’m patiently waiting for a specific sign - that telling dash up into the air to give him a clear view of the targets below him. "Ryūjin no ken wo kur<br><br> <br>The two things really go hand in hand, as the new game drives people over to watch the OWL, while the OWL playing the new game can convince people to buy it. Overwatch 2 will probably bump up the amount of promotions for the OWL, giving out in-game currency, skins, or other prizes for watching. With a new game out, more money than ever will be pumped into new tournaments. You should expect to see a whole lot more eSports integrat<br><br> <br>Thirty years before the present day, the world was sent into one of the deadliest wars in history. Omnica Corporation created Omnics to help improve various productions and hoped the robotics would create worldwide economic equality. However, the facilities were shut down after investigations unearthed evidence of corporate fraud . Sometime after, the now-abandoned facilities suddenly came to life and began producing Omnic arm<br><br> <br>Roughly eight years before the present day, a terrorist organization called Talon attacked an Overwatch facility in Oslo. More specifically, a businessman named Antonio was behind the attacks. Morrison wanted to work with the Italian government in taking him down, but Reyes opted for his own operation. He infiltrated Antonio’s home with a team that consisted of himself, Genji Shimada, Moira O’Deorain, and Jessee McCree. However, Reyes killed Antonio instead of capturing him, which started a series of events that would spell the end of Overwa<br><br> <br>I can tell you firsthand why this is a huge blunder from Blizzard. I used to play a lot of Overwatch. It became a nightly ritual to log on, meet up with the large group of friends who gathered online to play, and run through multiple rounds of competitive matches. One of the reasons why we all kept playing was because the game felt like it was always changing. We'd get a new character like Sombra or Orisa. Or a new map would be added to the rotation. Or we'd get a big seasonal event that would add in a new game mode and a bunch of unlockable skins. It felt like a game that kept giving and giving more so than any other game I'd played at the t<br><br> <br>During the Archive or Halloween events, Overwatch has four player modes that resemble Left 4 Dead more than your average competitive shooter. If Overwatch 2 wants to integrate their story into the game, having a mode where you can play through a whole campaign with three other friends would be a welcome addit<br><br> <br>The golden age of peace began to quickly erode following the disbandment of Overwatch. Tensions between humans and the surviving Omnics continued to rise, and the terrorist group Talon was growing in strength. Talon operatives attempted to raid an abandoned Watchpoint but were stopped by Winston, a genetically-enhanced gorilla. Winston initiated an agent recall, and started reforming Overwatch with Tracer and<br>]]></description>
			<guid>https://stayclose.social/blog/5518/overwatch-2-everything-we-know-about-sojourn/</guid>
			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:57:46 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Raymon Eastham</dc:creator>
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			<title>Raymon Eastham updated their profile information.</title>
			<link>https://stayclose.social/RaymonEastham6/</link>
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			<guid>https://stayclose.social/RaymonEastham6/</guid>
			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:57:36 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Raymon Eastham</dc:creator>
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