Photo by Robert Paul via Blizzard Entertainment
This decision has received mixed reactions from the esports community. On one hand, lowering the age minimum allows younger players to pursue their dreams of becoming professional gamers at an earlier age. It also allows teams to scout and sign talented players before they graduate high school, potentially leading to a more competitive and diverse league.
On the other hand, some have expressed concerns about the maturity and readiness of younger players to handle the demands of professional esports. The OWL is a high-pressure environment where players are expected to perform at their best on a regular basis, and there are concerns that younger players may not be fully prepared for this level of competition.
As we look towards the FA window opening on Friday, we're excited to share that our minimum age for OWL competition will be 17 starting in 2023. In a free to play world, we want to make the top level of Overwatch competition as accessible and inclusive as possible.
— Sean Miller (@sean_mmills) December 22, 2022
Despite these concerns, the OWL believes that lowering the age minimum is a necessary step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible competition. By giving younger players the opportunity to compete at the highest level, the OWL hopes to inspire and encourage the next generation of esports professionals.
It will be interesting to see how this change impacts the OWL in the coming years. With a younger and potentially more diverse pool of players, the competition is sure to be even more exciting and unpredictable in 2023.
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Overwatch