Overwatch is free to play next week

If you're interested in Overwatch but somehow still haven't played it yet, next week is your big opportunity to give it a shot. From November 20-26, Blizzard is once again throwing the doors open to everyone.

The nearly-week-long free trial includes access to the full roster of Overwatch heroes, including the newcomer Ashe, on 19 maps, in modes including Quick Play, Custom Games, and the Overwatch Arcade. Players taking advantage of the free week will collect look and level up the same as those who paid to get in, and progress will carry over after the free trial if you buy the game, as long as you use the same Blizzard account.

All Overwatch players will also have the opportunity to pick up a trio of new Ashe-themed sprays during the trial period by linking their Blizzard and Twitch accounts, and watching watching two hours of Overwatch streams. The free trial, and the Ashe spray eligibility window, will begin at 11 am PT/2 pm ET on November 20, and of course you will need a Battle.net account (also free) to take part. Full details are up at playoverwatch.com.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.