'Overwatch' DLC release date news: New heroes, maps and customization coming in early 2017

Blizzard Entertainment recently released a new development update for "Overwatch" which details everything the developer has accomplished for the multiplayer first-person shooter video game since its release in May. In the "Year in Review" video, director Jeff Kaplan also previews the updates and downloadable content (DLC) that will be arriving in 2017.

Starting early 2017, Blizzard will be releasing more DLC characters for "Overwatch." Kaplan revealed that they have a lot of prototypes for new heroes already in development. However, he mentioned that not all of them will see the light of day. Only a few characters are able to pass their comprehensive evaluation process. Sometimes, it takes the team a long time before they can iron out all the kinks of a particular hero. The game director used Genji as an example. The hero spent almost a year and a half in development before he was released. While Kaplan did not mention specific characters, he did say that one promising hero has already been passed onto the art department for further fleshing out.

Meanwhile, a lot of players were disappointed when Blizzard announced that adjustments to Sombra would not be coming right away. According to Kaplan, the character is quite skilled and that players will just need more time to get to know her.

"That's not to say that we think she's perfectly balanced right now. We have ideas if we need to bump her up, but we're just being slow and patient so we don't have Ana 2.0 all over again," he said.

The Oasis map, which was first introduced at BlizzCon last month, is also on track for release in early 2017. The new metropolitan setting is already in beta testing. Kaplan mentioned that there are also several other maps in development as well as some that are experimental in nature. New game modes will also be added but no specific details about them were mentioned.

Aside from new heroes and maps, "Overwatch" players can also expect several other significant improvements like a Custom Game server browser and communication wheels.

"Overwatch" is available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows PC.