As the screen went dark, the once cheering crowd full of laughter and smiles also faded. Season 6 of the Overwatch League Grand Finals didn’t feel like just the end of the season, which would be going into an offseason. This felt final. The players’ words. The casters and talents’ words. The videos. Everything felt as if it was ending. It was a whiplash of emotions from the high of the Florida Mayhem clinching the win to the amazing historical montage of the Overwatch League.
Goodbye Overwatch League…
As Soe teared up speaking of what all the fans have felt during this season, especially the Grand Final weekend. She spoke of gratitude. How the Overwatch League was not just a league but a shared dream. It was something that united regions, overcame language barriers, and differences for 6 whole years. That this unforgettable journey came about because talents, fans, and players were passionate about this goal. Though it was the end of a chapter hopefully the resilience and friendships that were made can be remembered.
As the video played, memories flooded through the crowd. Past players who are missed, memorable moments that will live on, and all the different locations that the league has been in during these seasons. The last words said on the video of Alarm, who will always be missed.
The video and Soe’s speech checked all the boxes to make it an emotional end to the weekend-long matches. This weekend highlighted the best of the Overwatch League. The infectious energy that buzzes through LAN.
In the crowd, there were fans from all over. Fans from Europe, North America, Asia, and likely other continents all gathered because of the Overwatch League. Everyone was connecting over their mutual love of players, teams, and the game. It felt like a global league, with how the community from all over was embracing the event.
Once the video ended and all the talent waved down, the Tweets started coming from fans, talent, and players past and present. This was not just a League for some. This was their life, a place where they felt included in a community, a place that helped during a hard time, and a place of memories that brought joy. It has been six seasons, and to think that the Overwatch League of how the community has come to know it will be gone forever is hard to accept. The teams we have bonded over, supported through thick and thin, might disappear.
Who will remember years from now not just the events and team names, but the stories. The stories of the players who gave their everything, the fans who found each other, the hardships that had to be overcome. Hopefully, it will be the fans who will continue the legacy. Just as Ham ‘Someone’ Jeong the season 6 Dennis Hewelka and MVP winner embodied the positivity and leadership through actions, maybe that being the ending note to this era is what the community needs to remember the most.
No one knows what the future holds. The community can only hope that Blizzard, teams, and the higher-ups who make the decisions see how much LAN and the Overwatch League mean to everyone.
Follow The Game Haus for more sports and esports coverage:
Twitter: TGH Esports
Facebook: The Game Haus
For more high-quality esports analysis and memes, check out Lauren’s Twitter, @Daebakowl
“From Our Haus to Yours”
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
