Overwatch beta gives PC gamers something to do when Halo 5 launches on Xbox One this month

Blizzard's upcoming multiplayer shooter Overwatch stole the spotlight at PAX East back in March, and now they hope to do the same this month as Blizzard announced today the start date for the beta.

The Overwatch beta will officially begin October 27th, and will exist in two different forms, "each with different mission objectives and deployment schedules."

"We're aiming to accomplish two primary goals with our public beta test: First, get tons of top-notch feedback on the gameplay—including balance, feel, and fun—to help us make Overwatch the best team-based shooter on the planet. Second, we want to hammer the heck out of our tech, including stress-testing our server infrastructure and making sure the game runs great on the widest variety of systems possible," Blizzard wrote.

To that end, Blizzard will host a closed beta composed of a "small number" of testers who have regular access to the public beta test, as well as multiple beta test weekends open to the masses.

"Our goal for the Closed Beta is 100% gameplay feedback, and we’ll be encouraging participants to discuss and dissect every hero, map, ability, and other aspect of the game on our upcoming beta forums," Blizzard detailed, adding that the total number of players in the closed beta will be "extremely limited." The first phase of closed beta will deploy on October 27th in the Americas with plans to add additional players gradually. Blizzard's goal is to have Europe come online next, with Asia following at a later date.

In addition to the ongoing closed beta, Blizzard will host beta test weekends from time to time. The goal for these will be to get as many players as possible to "stress test" the servers.

"These larger-scale Beta Test Weekends will be brought online occasionally for a limited time, generally over a weekend, and will run concurrently with our ongoing Closed Beta test. Because Beta Test Weekends are primarily hardware- and tech-focused, the number of heroes, maps, and gameplay modes will be restricted—but feedback on everything will definitely be welcome," Blizzard explained.

The first beta test weekend is slated for after BlizzCon, which takes place November 6-7. It's not too late to sign up to participate in the beta. You can do so here.

Side note, October 27th also happens to be the day Halo 5: Guardians releases on Xbox One.