Overwatch will be free to play this weekend

If you like to play Overwatch but only when it's free (or maybe you just haven't got around to trying it yet) then you'll probably want to block out some spare time this weekend. From February 16-19, Blizzard's hero-based online shooter is going completely free.

The free weekend will include the full lineup of heroes (26) and maps (16) in Quick Play, Custom Games, and the Arcade. Player progression and loot drops will work as they usually do, and any progress earned during the free play period will carry over to the full game if and when you decide to pony up.

The Overwatch free weekend will begin at 11 am PT/2 pm ET on February 16, and run until 11:59 pm on February 19/2:59 am on February 20. If you don't happen to live in either of those time zones, an internationally-flavored rundown of start times is available 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.