Overwatch Summer Games 2019 Begins, Includes Awesome American Reaper Skin

Game Rant

By Dalton Cooper

Published Jul 16, 2019

Overwatch launches the Summer Games 2019 event, which brings back Lucioball and has a number of limited-time cosmetics to unlock, like the American Reaper Skin.

In the most recent Overwatch Developer Update video, game director Jeff Kaplan teased that the annual Summer Games event would return sooner than fans expected. Summer Games typically kicks off in August, but the event is now live in Overwatch, bringing with it special game modes, limited-time skins, and more until it wraps up on August 5.

The Overwatch Summer Games 2019 event is bringing back all of the skins that have been featured in past Summer Games events, plus some new ones. This includes an impressive American Reaper Skin that makes the Damage character look not unlike Captain America. Better yet, players will be able to earn the American Reaper Skin as well as new skins for Mei and Reinhardt by winning games, not just relying on random loot boxes.

For Week 1 (July 16-22), players will get the American Reaper Skin for winning nine games. Then, winning nine games from July 23 to July 29 will unlock the Zhongguo Mei skin. And finally, winning nine games from July 30 to August 5 will unlock the Bundesadler Reinhardt skin.

overwatch summer games 2019 begins, includes awesome american reaper skin

All of the new skins as well as other exclusive cosmetic rewards, like sprays, can be glimpsed in the Overwatch Summer Games 2019 trailer that was posted on the game's various social media pages.

The Overwatch Summer Games 2019 event will also see the return of Lucioball. For the uninitiated, Lucioball is a special game mode that is similar in concept to Rocket League. In it, everyone plays as healer character Lucio, utilizing his speed boost to knock a ball into the opposing team's goal. There are achievements and other rewards tied to Lucioball, so Overwatch completionists will want to be sure to play it as much as they can while it's still in the game.

Looking ahead, there should be many more exciting updates for Overwatch throughout 2019. Fans can expect Hero 31 before the year is out, plus the return of other seasonal events, like Halloween Terror and Winter Wonderland. Blizzcon 2019 in November promises to unveil some of the most substantial information about Overwatch's future, so fans of the hero-based shooter should be sure to tune in.

Overwatch is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The Summer Games event will last from now until August 5.