Overwatch’s Missed Opportunity: Why We Don’t Have an Animated Series Yet
One of the best aspects of Overwatch has always been its beautifully animated shorts, released to introduce new heroes or expand on the game’s lore. But despite their massive popularity, Blizzard has never fully explored the potential of these cinematic pieces, leaving fans wondering what could have been. Now, thanks to an AMA with Jason Schreier, we finally have some answers.
During the lead-up to his upcoming book Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, a fan asked Schreier why Blizzard hadn’t branched out into movies, TV, or more extensive animation projects. His response was enlightening: “The book reveals that they had series in development with Netflix for Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo. But uh… ‘Blizzard sues Netflix for poaching Spencer Neumann,’” referring to Blizzard’s then-CFO.
In 2018, Netflix hired Neumann despite his ongoing contract with Activision Blizzard. This violation of a “no shop” clause in his contract led to Blizzard terminating him. The messy fallout led to a breakdown in their relationship with Netflix, putting an end to any hopes for animated series based on Blizzard’s iconic franchises.
This news was a bitter pill for fans, especially those who have long craved more substantial storytelling from Overwatch. The game’s rich lore and colorful cast of heroes offer so much potential, but due to the structure of the game, the narrative remains largely stagnant. Overwatch relies on the premise of its heroes reuniting to fight evil organizations like Talon and Null Sector, but the plot can never truly advance—otherwise, it risks locking certain characters out of play. As a result, the story is stuck in limbo, with no real progress.
The animated shorts, such as the Doomfist Reveal, provided brief but tantalizing glimpses into this world. These short films showcased Overwatch‘s potential for epic storytelling, with vivid world-building and thrilling character-driven action. Many fans believed that an Overwatch animated series could rival the success of shows like Arcane or Castlevania. But Schreier’s revelation feels like a missed opportunity, leaving players frustrated at what might have been.
Fans were quick to voice their disappointment. “WE LOST SO UNBELIEVABLY HARD,” one player remarked, a sentiment echoed by many in the community. Animated shorts were seen as a perfect way for Blizzard to explore Overwatch‘s deep lore without impacting the game’s mechanics. An animated series could have expanded the story, offering players the rich narrative experience they’ve been craving.
This news comes on the heels of other frustrations in the Overwatch community. When Overwatch 2 launched, many were upset that the long-promised PvE mode never materialized. The situation worsened when Blizzard’s Lead Narrative Director, Gavin Jurgens-Fyhrie, announced his departure amid layoffs in the narrative team, further dampening hopes for meaningful story development.
In the end, Schreier’s AMA sheds light on what could have been a golden era for Overwatch storytelling. With the breakdown of Blizzard’s Netflix deals, it seems that the dream of a full-fledged animated series may remain out of reach for the foreseeable future. And with Blizzard’s narrative team in turmoil, players are left wondering if the game’s brilliant story will ever get the expansion it truly deserves.
