Overwatch's new Tokyo-themed Kanezaka map is now live, complete with cat café
Plus, Kyōgisha Hanzo Skin up for grabs in new event.
Overwatch's new free-for-all deathmatch map Kanezaka, whose action unfurls on the streets of Tokyo beneath the mist-shrouded heft of Shimada Castle, is now live.
Kanezaka blends traditionally styled alleyways with Tokyo's more contemporary city sprawl, all brought to life through some wonderfully rich environmental detail, ranging from accessible eateries and arcades to a pottery workshop, and even a particularly cosy looking cat café.
Back in December's Kanezaka-focussed developer update, Blizzard's Jeff Kaplan explained the map is packed with easter eggs, some teasing future Overwatch lore and others simply fun stuff relating to the development team. Kaplan noted, for instance, the aforementioned cat café includes portraits of cats belonging to team members.
To mark Kanezaka's arrival, Blizzard has launched a special limited-time "micro-event" running from today, 12th January, to 25th January. Known simply as Kanezaka Challenge, it gives players a chance to win the Kyōgisha Hanzo Skin, seven unique sprays, and a new player icon.
The bulk of rewards can be earned simply by winning games in Overwatch's Quick Play, Competitive Play, and Arcade modes - three wins secures the Pagoda icon, six nets the Yōkai spray, and nine wins the skin. The remaining six sprays are earned by watching Twitch streamers play Overwatch throughout the event, as detailed on the official website.