Overwatch attracts over 7m players in week one

Blizzard’s Overwatch enjoyed an incredible first week.

The team shooter has since May 24th welcomed over 7m players, who between them have logged over 119m hours of gameplay time.

The total number of players does not necessarily equate to total sales, as households and friends can use multiple accounts on a single copy of the game. Nonetheless, you’d think that the game is at least rivalling Ubisoft’s The Division for the title of best-selling new IP, although if this is the case Blizzard isn’t saying so.

"Over the months and weeks leading up to release we saw a lot of love and support for Overwatch – from Blizzard gamers, FPS fans, and people who’d never picked up a game like this before, and we’re very grateful for everyone’s incredible passion and enthusiasm,” Blizzard CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime said.

"We poured a lot of effort into creating a game, and a new universe, that anyone could enjoy. We’re ecstatic to have had such a successful launch, and we’re looking forward to all of the fun, competition, and new content still to come."

9.7m players sampled the game’s free open beta.