Blizzard Is Working on a Fix For an Issue With New Overwatch Map Petra
Blizzard is planning to adjust AFK warning timers for new Deathmatch map Petra.
The move comes after players have complained that due to the size of the new map they are occasionally getting AFK warnings for being out of combat for too long.
Petra is set in an archaeological site in Southern Jordan, setting players to battle amid the ruins of an ancient city. It features a number of unique gameplay elements, but while it’s clear that Blizzard spared no creativity in developing the map, it may have some issues in its use for Deathmatch.
Deathmatch is an eight-player free-for-all mode which thrives on fast, frenetic action. For all the thought that has clearly gone into Petra, it seems to suffer from perhaps having too much depth – fast-paced action often works best in smaller, simpler settings.
One consequence of the lulls in action that can occur for individual players is that the AFK warnings, which are designed to alert players who are inactive that they need to play before they’re removed from the game, are actually triggering for active players, simply because they can’t find anyone to fight.
Overwatch developer Bill Warnecke has confirmed in a recent post on the Overwatch forums that the team is working on fixing the issue.
“Hey folks, we appreciate the feedback on AFK timings for Petra. We’ve been looking into this and are planning an adjustment to the timing in an upcoming patch or hotfix. I don’t have an ETA, but I wanted to let you know that we’re on it.
Cheers”
Petra was added with the Overwatch Anniversary in-game event that is celebrating two years since the game’s release. It also features in the ranked Deathmatch mode that is ongoing throughout the event.