About this video
On this episode of the Official XBOX Podcast, we’re at BlizzCon and sitting down with the Overwatch crew to speak all about Season 5’s latest hero: Doctrine. We’re additionally diving into the brand new map Grimsvötn, speaking updates to Sombra and Roadhog, and a lot extra.
TRANSCRIPT
LINA MADRID: Video games on this podcast vary from E to N.
[ XBOX sound ]
Hey, everybody, welcome to the official XBOX podcast, the one podcast, coming to you from inside XBOX.
I’m Lina, that is Jeff, and we’re right here at BlizzCon 2026.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: In case you didn’t hear the noise behind you — we hear the noise, don’t we?
LINA MADRID: Yeah, yeah.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: All proper, Ben Bell, Aaron Keller, contemporary off the stage right here at BlizzCon.
Thanks a lot for becoming a member of us throughout your Tremendous Bowl weekend.
AARON KELLER: Thanks a lot for having us.
BEN BELL: Thanks.
AARON KELLER: Tremendous excited.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: I’d love to speak about this 12 months usually.
Beginning with the Overwatch Highlight firstly of the 12 months, from that time ahead, it felt like everybody I used to be speaking to, they’d be no, I’ve actually gotten again into Overwatch this 12 months.
After which announcement after announcement, new characters, after which kind of peaking right here on stage with one more announcement of each a map and a personality.
I’d love to listen to, simply inform us concerning the state of Overwatch right here as you’re wrapping up 2026.
AARON KELLER: Yeah, we wished to go large this 12 months, and we had this plan to do all of that early on in our Highlight occasion in February.
We introduced 5 new heroes, the return to story to Overwatch.
And since then, each season we’ve launched a brand new hero, we’ve moved the story ahead.
And also you’re proper, it culminated right here at BlizzCon 2026 the place we introduced our ninth hero of the 12 months.
His identify is Doctrine, and he has an enormous half to play within the wrap-up of the entire story that we’ve been telling that’s going to finish subsequent season in Season 5.
LINA MADRID: Yeah, I’m very a lot wanting ahead to February, the Highlight, as a result of I liked final Highlight.
And so, wanting ahead to sort of what’s coming to Overwatch.
Is there something that you might perhaps share, perhaps tease?
I don’t know?
BEN BELL: So, Aaron talked a little bit bit about Highlight subsequent 12 months.
And I feel first I’d say we wish each season to really feel large, however we need to blow individuals away at Highlight.
And it’s not going to be precisely the identical system as this 12 months, however we’re going to carry some new gameplay, new heroes, issues that folks need and have requested for, and a few issues which can be actually, I feel, going to shock individuals, they usually’re going to be excited by.
The factor about this crew is we’re simply so centered on gamers, and just like the crew is simply so passionate concerning the recreation.
So, I feel we’re going to blow individuals away.
AARON KELLER: It’s going to be actually cool.
BEN BELL: And that is BlizzCon.
So we actually wished to verify we confirmed up in an enormous method.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Ben, you talked about the gamers.
That is your first BlizzCon, proper?
What was it like saying issues in entrance of them, seeing them instantly soar on and play and revel in these new characters and that.
BEN BELL: Yeah, it’s actually humbling and superior.
We do that to make individuals blissful and to carry individuals collectively.
And I mentioned it on stage, but it surely’s actually true.
It’s completely inspirational to be right here and see individuals on the market.
We have now this occasion known as Play the Devs and identical to seeing the interactions between gamers and our crew, it’s superb.
So I can’t wait to go right down to the ground and see some extra of it.
And I can’t wait to be at BlizzCon once more sooner or later.
LINA MADRID: So, for people who might have simply seen the reveal, nothing else, who’s Doctrine?
AARON KELLER: Okay, so Doctrine is Overwatch’s take or impressed by a vampire.
And you’ll sort of see it while you take a look at him.
And I do assume when Overwatch is at its finest, once we’re making our greatest heroes, you’ll be able to take a look at them and simply sort of perceive what that fantasy is meant to be.
You possibly can check out Reinhardt, this medieval knight, or Mercy, who’s like an angel.
And I feel Doctrine sort of matches in with all of a few of these best hits that we’ve made through the years.
And Doctrine is a assist hero, which is perhaps a little bit bit stunning as a result of it’s a vampire and he’s a villain on the identical time.
However he’s bought this previous that actually matches in with him being a assist and him coping with the life vitality of individuals.
In order that individual in that position of having the ability to determine whether or not any person lives or dies is one thing that’s integral to who he’s as a personality.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Do you need to discuss to us a little bit bit about his package?
We’ve been taking part in, and he’s bought some actually distinctive, very technical issues, particularly this one capacity that may amp up any of his different skills.
A whole lot of pondering happening on this character.
AARON KELLER: I feel that’s what makes Doctrine so thrilling.
So you’ll be able to take a look at him and instantly perceive the fantasy, however there may be loads of depth to his package.
So at the beginning, it’s this can be a first-person shooter, proper?
So his weapon is his scepter, and it will probably really each heal allies and injury enemies, however it’s a very exact weapon.
So, simply firstly, there’s excessive intention ability concerned in taking part in Doctrine.
He has a touch the place he can take diminished injury and get across the stage a little bit bit.
He can ship his drone out to allies and it heals them and it quickens their assaults, however you’re proper.
He has this capacity that does rework all the things else he does, and he really has a number of prices of it out there at any time.
So whereas there may be loads of ability concerned together with his different skills, there’s a strategic aspect to Doctrine.
There’s loads of high-level decision-making that it’s worthwhile to be doing as a result of while you rework one thing like his sprint, now you’ll be able to fly.
So do it’s worthwhile to get to excessive floor?
Or in the event you rework his drones, it additionally quickens your assaults and it begins therapeutic you.
And in the event you empower his scepter, now it pierces individuals; you’ll be able to end individuals off within the again line, you probably have sufficient consciousness of what’s occurring and might do one thing like that.
So I feel that this is sort of a very high-skill cap hero when he’s being performed proper.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Very cool.
Alongside Doctrine, as a assist fundamental, like consuming good, I’m going to get to make use of Sombra now?
AARON KELLER: Sure!
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: I’d love to listen to about each that and with Roadhog.
What are you aiming to do?
What are you hoping is the result from these reworks?
AARON KELLER: Yeah, so I feel with each of these heroes, we’re calling them re-reworks as a result of we’ve reworked these heroes a number of instances through the years.
And one of many the reason why is as a result of their kits have components of them which can be very sharp, which can be additionally integral to the fantasy of who these characters are.
However with Sombra, we’re really transferring her position from DPS to assist.
We acknowledge that we really must make a very large change to Sombra to be able to get her to work out on the battlefield.
She nonetheless retains her id, she will be able to nonetheless stealth.
She will be able to nonetheless hack individuals’s skills, however solely by ulting now.
However she’s additionally going to be across the crew extra.
So you probably have a Sombra in your crew, you’re going to see the profit that you just get out of her on a regular basis as a result of she’s going to be round you therapeutic you, whereas nonetheless having these moments the place she will get to go off and do somber issues for a little bit bit.
After which Roadhog, he’s bought a capability now the place he can really take in injury from the enemy crew with out simply letting it hit his physique.
So he can try this and he can take in all of that.
We’ve additionally diminished the flexibility to get his one-shots off.
It’s going to be actually troublesome to do now, primarily as a result of his major fireplace now, it fires in a two-hit cadence.
So it’s increase, increase, to really do it.
So that you’ll pull individuals in, you’ll be able to attempt to hit them with each.
It’s most likely not going to take them out, they usually have a lot extra time to really be capable of react to it.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Our warriors are going to have the ability to escape in between.
LINA MADRID: Yeah.
[inaudible]
After which, together with the brand new hero reveal, there was additionally a brand new map that got here in.
And also you’re going to have to assist me with the pronunciation as a result of — BEN BELL: It’s “Grímsvötn.” LINA MADRID: Thanks, Grímsvötn.
AARON KELLER: That’s higher than I can do it.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Yeah, I can [inaudible]
longer the toughest half.
AARON KELLER: Yeah, proper.
LINA MADRID: So, what do we have to learn about Overwatch’s journey to Iceland?
AARON KELLER: So, Grímsvötn or Watchpoint Grímsvötn is the best safety jail on the planet.
And it’s the place probably the most harmful criminals have been locked away for years.
And truly, that is the place Doomfist was imprisoned earlier than he escaped and began main expertise once more.
However that is the place Doomfist met Doctrine, was on this jail and discovered about him and acknowledged the skills and the talents that Doctrine really has.
The cool factor about this map: it’s an escort map, and you’ll see the aftermath of this battle that simply came about there.
So, like on the finish of that cinematic, the place you see Doomfist take out that Sentinel robotic.
That robotic’s on the finish of the map proper there.
You possibly can see the cell that Doomfist was locked away in.
And there’s all these different cool little Easter eggs and issues, little hints and the opposite varieties of characters that we’ve had locked up on this jail.
LINA MADRID: Oh, the Easter eggs that you just sprinkle out all through the maps, love these.
So we have to maintain our eyes out for these for positive.
BEN BELL: Yeah, very cool.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: We all know you all must run.
And so we simply wished to wrap up with one closing query.
As we had been wanting by way of all the things and we’re placing collectively blogs for XBOX Wire, we had been a number of the pictures.
And I need to know: who is that this?
Who is that this?
LINA MADRID: Who’s that?
AARON KELLER: Okay, so once we had Highlight final 12 months, we introduced our 5 new heroes and we had silhouettes of all people else and there’s been loads of hypothesis on that character.
And we didn’t need to undergo this complete BlizzCon with out giving individuals not less than a greater glimpse of who they’re.
So, proper now, we will’t say anything about them, however they’ve bought an enormous half to play within the story that’s arising subsequent 12 months.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: They usually’ve bought a cool hat.
AARON KELLER: They usually’ve bought a cool hat.
Yeah.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: I like that.
So we talked a little bit bit concerning the reworks of sure characters.
What do the characters themselves take into consideration these reworks?
We’re asking them proper now.
LINA MADRID: We have now a really particular bonus section.
I’m joined by a number of the forged of Overwatch.
Thanks guys for being right here with me.
I’m so excited to sort of chat by way of why you’re right here.
Yeah, so BlizzCon, the vitality is phenomenal.
SPEAKER 1: It’s wild.
LINA MADRID: How are you all feeling sort of being within the midst of it?
SPEAKER 1: I’m too excited.
I couldn’t get to sleep yesterday as a result of I used to be nonetheless pumping vitality from it.
I used to be tremendous, tremendous excited.
My first time right here, by the best way.
Yeah.
SPEAKER 2: First time in America, first time at BlizzCon.
SPEAKER 1: I like the primary instances.
Yeah.
LINA MADRID: Yeah, yeah.
That’s thrilling.
How about a few of you who’ve been to BlizzCon earlier than?
How’s this sense a little bit totally different?
SPEAKER 3: I haven’t been to BlizzCon since a few years in the past.
And so coming again to it nonetheless feels simply sort of as new because it did again then, and particularly with what we’re doing this time, it feels tremendous model new.
Plus, the thrill of the 10-year anniversary of Overwatch is palpable, and I’m actually enthusiastic about attending to have a good time that with everybody.
SPEAKER 4: We had been within the elevator coming as much as the press space, and we heard the group cheering, and it was insanely loud and thrilling.
And it jogged my memory of when Sombra got here out.
And I used to be oh, yep, it’s nonetheless a really distinctive feeling.
SPEAKER 5: I bear in mind being right here for the very first BlizzCon, for my guild meetup on the server meetups right here, and I’ve been like virtually each BlizzCon since then.
And so then to transition into the skilled facet of issues has been very odd in its personal proper.
And now to return along with all these fantastic individuals to be doing such a grand stage expertise like we’re doing on Sunday has been wild.
So, for sure, the vitality is palpable certainly.
LINA MADRID: Yeah, I imply, talking of Sunday, you all are right here for one thing additional particular.
Westwatch, which the group went wild when that was introduced.
I’m personally very excited to observe.
Might somebody sort of give me a little bit spiel on what it’s?
SPEAKER 5: Yeah, yeah.
Westwatch is an excellent collaboration with the parents at Blizzard to do a two-hour precise play Dagger Coronary heart recreation utilizing the Dagger Coronary heart system from Darrington Press.
We’re going to be taking part in a tabletop recreation for 2 hours as our Overwatch characters, taking part in characters within the recreation.
So that you’re mainly watching a stay recreation night time improvised recreation of all these characters coming to Cassidy’s recreation night time after which taking part in by way of the sport as themselves because the characters that they made.
It’s going to be wild.
LINA MADRID: That’s superb.
SPEAKER 5: There’s additionally going to be some viewers participation.
There’s going to be moments within the story the place the viewers can scan a QR code to vary a number of the course of the story.
If anyone drops to zero hit factors, they might presumably see if the character lives or dies.
It’s going to be very, very cool.
LINA MADRID: Okay, the stakes are excessive then.
SPEAKER 5: Oh, yeah.
LINA MADRID: Yeah.
Wow, that’s superior.
So, loads of big information for Overwatch that was introduced.
A whole lot of reworks, character reworks, Sombra.
Yeah, lots of people.
What?
What?
Am I going to not must get up in the midst of the night time listening to your voice?
SPEAKER 6: Yeah, sorry.
I don’t know what which means, guys.
I’m excited, and I hope that I don’t get banned as a lot, perhaps, for that purpose.
LINA MADRID: Sure, I’ll cease banning you.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER 6: However I virtually really feel like I used to be a Gemini they usually’re telling me I’m going to be a Virgo or one thing.
My id has modified.
I don’t know how one can be assist.
However we’ll see how the players are.
LINA MADRID: It’s actually thrilling, although.
As a result of then you definately’re utilizing Sombra’s powers for good in your crew.
SPEAKER 6: We’ll see.
I don’t know.
I’m excited to play.
Yeah.
LINA MADRID: Final query for you all.
We have now a Season 5 coming, new voice strains that you’ve recorded.
Your favourite area of interest line.
I’d love to listen to that.
SPEAKER 2: I imply, I do it.
I sort of fall in love with him, and I get used to speaking as him.
And I’ve been very fortunate.
I do loads of Make-A-Want, and then you definately change the sunshine in a baby’s eyes while you simply go to them, going, “You’re my defend.
I’m so proud to know you and also you make me stronger.” So it’s not a line that’s within the recreation, however the voice impacts any person.
And in the end, that ought to be what the job is about, is that we’re making you are feeling one thing.
In order that’s simply me.
All people else most likely has one thing.
I’m a really previous man.
So I discuss in that sort of stuff.
SPEAKER 1: Are we presupposed to go after that?
[ Laughter ]
As a result of I can mainly reply the query, I used to be simply being very type.
I’m just like the Phil Rosenthal of Overwatch.
Cookies are good.
All people ought to have a cookie.
Hey, what’s your favourite cookie?
Just like the query was not about cookies, Rhino.
Okay, I nonetheless like a cookie.
SPEAKER 5: An important transition to this, although, talking of Make-A-Want, is that the sport that we’re taking part in, the miniatures, the set items, signed posters, we’ve loads of issues that’ll be auctioned off after the sport for Make-A-Want.
So we’re doing it for enjoyable, however we’re additionally doing it for charities.
LINA MADRID: That’s superb.
SPEAKER 5: Everybody will get an opportunity to observe it.
Please test into any of the issues that might be auctioned if you wish to attempt to assist and assist them.
It’s some cool stuff.
LINA MADRID: Nice.
Superior.
Thanks so,a lot.
SPEAKER 6: No, I’m not achieved with the road that doesn’t go.
I’ll.
LINA MADRID: Please.
SPEAKER 6: It’s one which by no means will get sufficient consideration, and it’s like hacking a marshmallow.
And the one which I need in recreation, as a result of Sombra quotes films and stuff, is “You’re killing me, Smalls.” LINA MADRID: Come on!
SPEAKER 6: Needs, simply perhaps it’s a want checklist.
Make-A-Want, want checklist.
I’m connecting the 2.
SPEAKER 5: I’m right here for Sandlot references.
SPEAKER 3: I nonetheless simply need Symmetra to say “dope.” LINA MADRID: Sure.
SPEAKER 3: I’d love for her to say that.
However I do love the road, “if I can assume it, I can create it.” LINA MADRID: That’s an ideal one.
SPEAKER 1: I actually love the road, “Let ambition flame burn and starve the enemy of blood.” As a result of I feel that’s [inaudible]
SPEAKER 5: So cool.
SPEAKER 1: I’d actually love if there was a line, like one thing like, “They throw me amongst the wolf, and I got here again because the alpha.” LINA MADRID: Yeah!
SPEAKER 3: You bought somebody again there nodding and cheering, you guys right here.
SPEAKER 1: Yeah!
LINA MADRID: Superb.
SPEAKER 5: You launched your self as just like the nicest individual ever.
And now you’re, I just like the poisonous one.
SPEAKER 1: Sure, I do.
SPEAKER 3: You’ve bought to get it out of your system someplace.
LINA MADRID: There we go.
SPEAKER 5: I used to be like, I hear you, pumpkin.
LINA MADRID: I like that one.
SPEAKER 5: It’s easy, but it surely’s nice.
LINA MADRID: So good.
SPEAKER 3: Oh, I like listening to Cassidy name me excellent.
LINA MADRID: Thanks once more a lot for becoming a member of me.
And that wraps issues up for Overwatch at BlizzCon 2026.
SPEAKER 2: Bye-bye.
LINA MADRID: My life is made.
[ XBOX sound ]
