Chinese OWL teams have been under a lot of pressure since the COVID-19 pandemic split the Overwatch League into two regions (East and West, which are separated by the Pacific Ocean) and more recently the Blizzard-Tencent split. With Overwatch 2 and other Blizzard games currently still unplayable in the sprawling country, many, including me, are wondering what this means for the future of the four Chinese OWL teams, although so far, three of them seem to be The storm has been weathered, but one of these teams could have another fate.
That’s because it was revealed in a new statement from the Overwatch League that the Chengdu Hunters may not play in the OWL at all this season as the team contemplates their future.
The Hunters won’t start their 2023 campaign next week like the rest of the OWL, meaning the East division will now only see six OWL-level teams competing against it — even though there will be six Contenders-level teams Teams to illustrate the increase in numbers.
What this means for the future of the Hunters is still up in the air, but the League said it will share more information when possible.
Either way, though, it wouldn’t be fair to bring one team back with a chance at a championship if participating teams choose to start their 2023 season weeks or even months after everyone else.
