Overwatch release date confirmed

UPDATE 07/03/2016 5.10pm: Blizzard has confirmed Overwatch's release date as 24th May for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Right stick with me here, the next bit is a little confusing.

There's an open beta planned on all three platforms from 5th-9th May and everyone will have access to that, wherever you decide to purchase the game. However, you'll get even earlier access from the 3rd May if you pre-order digitally, or purchase from select retailers. In the UK, that'll be GAME.

Got it? Smashing. Here's a nice video.

ORIGINAL STORY 07/03/2016 8.59am: Overwatch could be set to launch on the 24th May, according to a leaked ad campaign from IGN. Reddit user 'Deadpoolthegreat' spotted the mistake earlier this morning, grabbing screenshots before it was hastily pulled from the site.

Alongside the release date itself, the ad promises early access to the open beta for all that pre-order, starting from 3rd May. That, by the way, just happens to be the release date of Gearbox's 'hero shooter', Battleborn. Ouch.

Back at last year's Blizzcon, Blizzard announced that Overwatch would launch simultaneously on PC, Xbox One and PS4 in the Spring of 2016.

I asked Overwatch's game director, Jeff Kaplan, if Spring was still on the cards in a recent interview. His response: "Oh absolutely, that's our plan".

We've asked Blizzard for comment regarding the leak.