Chengdu Hunters Absent from OWL 2023 Schedule, Leaving East Region with Fewer Teams
The Overwatch League (OWL) has released its schedule for the 2023 season, which begins on April 27th, but one team is noticeably absent. The Chengdu Hunters were excluded from the announcement, leading to several fan speculations. This marks the first time in the league’s history that a team has withdrawn from competition before the season launch. The absence of the Hunters will leave the East Region with only six teams, with six more Contenders squads promoted through qualifiers. Read more about Overwatch League on our website.
Uncertain Future for Chengdu Hunters
The future of the Chengdu Hunters’ existing squad is unclear as all other East Division teams have submitted their rosters. Since January 2023, the Chengdu Hunters have been uncertain about their future after their “goodbye” tweet coincided with the shutdown of all major Blizzard titles, including Overwatch 2, in mainland China. The shutdown was caused by a failed contract extension between the developer and internet tech business NetEase. The other four Chinese teams affected by the shutdown have submitted their rosters and will participate in the league, but the Hunters’ absence may be due to their back office, with owners HUYA Inc. recently reporting a 14 per cent stock loss for the week-ending March 28.
Hunters Leave Fans Disappointed
The absence of Chengdu Hunters from the upcoming OWL 2023 season has left fans disappointed by the loss of the team known for their unique, off-meta-approach to Overwatch. However, some members of the Overwatch community are concerned that the Hunters’ withdrawal could signal trouble for the struggling league, which experienced a significant drop in viewership throughout 2022. As the OWL prepares to kick off its latest season, the absence of one of its most beloved teams has raised questions about the future of the league.
Conclusion
The Overwatch League’s 2023 season is set to begin without the Chengdu Hunters, leaving fans disappointed but eagerly anticipating the return of their favourite teams. The future of the league is uncertain with the absence of a team that has been known for its unique and unconventional approach to Overwatch gameplay. However, the Overwatch community remains hopeful and excited about the upcoming season and looks forward to seeing how the new Contenders squads perform on the big stage.