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If you have a lot of time, patience, and (most importantly) creativity, the possibilities are almost endless in the Overwatch Workshop.
The new tool is available to tinker with on the Public Test Realm (PTR) and it offers the opportunity to mod the game to your heart’s desire. Here’s what you can and can’t do with the Workshop.
What you can do
Create custom game modes
The Workshop gives you a list of conditions and actions you can use to meld together to create different functions in the game. If you have the expertise or the patience to learn, you can create your own custom game mode.
You can use the custom interface and scripting system to experiment. A game mode can be incredibly simple or it can be complex, tying a bunch of features together into one mode. It entirely depends on your preference.
Prototype heroes
The Workshop can be used to play around with a hero and change the fundamentals of their kit. You could tie this function together into a custom game mode or you may choose to find a balance and add a unique perspective to a hero.
You can even play the role of Dr. Frankenstein and combine two heroes into one. You can change almost everything that defines them.
What you can’t do
Edit maps
The Workshop doesn’t allow you to edit a map. It may be a possibility one day, but in its early access phase (and for at least for the foreseeable future), it’s not an option. It’d be an interesting dynamic that could lead to some incredible map designs, but creating a customizable map editing interface would take a lot of work.
Import art
You can create game modes and prototype heroes, but you can’t add in personal touches, or import art, from outside of the game. It’s something that has potential, but from Blizzard’s standpoint, it will likely never come to fruition.
If this was ever added to the game, there’s a chance it could slightly take away the identity of Overwatch. Even so, the community would come up with some hilarious creations if Blizzard decides to change its mind.
