The team-based multiplayer online first-person shooter video game "Overwatch" just launched Competitive Play on different platforms. The season 8 of the game brings many changes that players need to be familiar with.

Players need to be at least on level 25 in order to unlock Competitive Play. "Overwatch" season 8 changed its Skill Rating system. The difference in the highest and lowest-skilled player on the same team was reduced to a new range. For Bronze through Diamond, it was reduced to 1000 SR, 500 SR for Master, and 250 SR for Grandmaster.

This change will help players at the high and low ends of the Skill Rating system to find a match with other players. According to principal designer Scott Mercer, this change is a response to the limited availability of players in a certain range.

Aside from that, there are also changes that affect Diamond-tier players. Previously, these players were scored based on individual and team performance. This indicates that Diamond players could win and lose Skill Rating depending on how they performed individually. This is different from the scoring for the other tiers. This time, the calculation for a Diamond player's Skill Rating is the same as the rest of the tiers.

Those who are new in the game should know that one needs to complete 10 placement matches in order to get an initial rating. Overwatch blog wrote that the rating is between the numbers 1 and 5,000, wherein the higher value indicates a greater skill. The players are assigned their ratings depending on their numbers. The ratings include Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master, or Grandmaster.

As the gamer competes, the rating either increases or decreases depending on how the player performs. One's personal performance and the skill of other players in the match are the factors considered for a player's change in rating.

There are also rewards that players can unlock in Competitive Play. Those who can make it to the top 500 on a certain platform and in one's region at the end of a season will obtain a special player icon and spray. Apart from that, one can also get an allotment of Competitive Points at the end of a season.

"Overwatch" season 8 Competitive Play is currently available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.