Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

‘Overwatch’ Summer Games event celebrates the Rio Olympics with new skins and a soccer minigame

blizzrd overwatch olympics themed packages summer games
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Rio Olympics will get underway August 5, and one of the biggest video games of 2016 is set to celebrate the sporting event with new content. Blizzard announced the first seasonal event for Overwatch, the “Summer Games” collection, with Rio Olympics themed skins, a new map, and  a new Rocket League-esque game mode called Lúcioball to celebrate the 2016 Games.

For the first three weeks of August, all loot boxes with special skins, emotes intros, and sprays with the Overwatch cast in athletic attire daubed with color schemes reflecting each character’s nationality, according to a post on the Overwatch blog. Zarya, for example, is decked out in weightlifting gear, Lucio is dressed for soccer, and Tracer appears to be ready for a track and field event. A poster included in the package is packed with more Overwatch characters clothed in activewear — Soldier: 76 in golf attire being a particular highlight.

Overwatch’s own olympic event, Lúcioball, is a three-on-three soccer match “futuristic spin on soccer” with a giant ball. Instead of rocket-powered cars, every player uses as a special version of Lucio with modified control meant for soccer: Instead of his sonic amplifier weapon, Lucio uses a melee attack to push the ball, and his speed and health enhancing abilities only helps the individual player, rather than the group. Rather than generating a shield, works as a steal, Lucio’s ultimate move pulls the ball your way, allowing players to steal the ball. A new map made especially for Lúcioball, the Rio-based soccer stadium Estádio das Rãs, features jump- and speed-boosting pads to keep you moving.

The Overwatch team teased the announcement earlier this week with care packages sent to notable Overwatch streamers, which prompted photos and videos of new skins for Zarya, Lucio, and Tracer, as well as the new level, according to a report from Polygon.

Every loot box will contain at least one seasonal unlockable, but what you get is entirely up to the luck of the draw, as you will not be able to purchase Summer Games content with in-game currency. When the event ends on August 22, all of the content will “be heading back into the vault,” according to Blizzard.

Editors' Recommendations

Brad Jones
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
Overwatch 2 developers explain how the game’s dynamic maps work
overwatch 2 post environment states system

Among the heaps of new content coming with Overwatch 2 are massive changes to maps. The game's entire engine has been redone, and obviously, that means things are going to look a bit better. But the developers and artists at Blizzard have taken an extra step and created a system called Environment States that will sometimes impose different weather conditions on maps.

This feature was previously shown during one of Blizzard's Overwatch 2 streams but has been further detailed in a news post on the game's website.

Read more
The best Overwatch skins, and how to get them
Overwatch Skins

One of the most exciting parts about playing Overwatch is the ability to change up your character's skins. Blizzard does a great job of giving us skins for characters that are fun, unique, and just generally cool. Picking a skin is subjective; not everyone is going to love or want the same skins. However, there are a few skins that people all agree are pretty darn cool. Although there are a lot of skins to choose from, there are a few that stand out as being the best.

Something worth remembering when shopping for skins is that almost every skin will be available during the Archives event. If you see a skin that you want but can't seem to buy right now or we're past the event, simply save up your coins for late March/early April to either purchase it or pray to get it in a loot box. The Archives event changes year to year, so be sure to keep an eye on when it happens next!

Read more
Blizzard’s new Overwatch hero, Echo, shows off skill-stealing ultimate ability
overwatch echo ultimate steals opponents skills

Blizzard revealed Echo as the 32nd hero of Overwatch, one who boasts a unique ultimate ability that is already drawing both excitement and concern.

[NEW HERO – COMING SOON] Echo Origin Story | Overwatch

Read more