Over the past few years, the world of esports has changed dramatically. While once only truly a viable profession in South Korea, the popularity of YouTube and streaming services such as Twitch have turned competitive gaming into a global phenomenon. Overwatch arrived at exactly the right time to tap into that enthusiasm. Further, Blizzard gambled on the idea that esports and gaming would continue to grow with its introduction of the Overwatch League in 2018.

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I had a chance to review Young Guns: Obsession, Overwatch and the Future of Gaming, a forthcoming release by Austin Moorhead. It's a compelling look at the formation of the Overwatch League as well as the organization’s critical first and second years. Specifically, the author follows the San Franciso Shock’s turbulent trajectory. Readers follow Moorhead on a journey, exploring numerous twists and turns as the Shock fight for glory and recognition among the world’s top Overwatch players.

It’s a good book, though perhaps not exactly what one would expect based on the title alone. Young Guns doesn't offer any clear-cut predictions about the future of gaming. Rather, it leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions. But perhaps that’s because the Overwatch League itself remains in perpetual flux. 

In this world of high-stakes gaming, major investors such as Robert Kraft (who also owns the NFL's New England Patriots) watch closely to make sure their money doesn't go to waste. Young Guns is entirely about the drama, tension and comradery that fuels the Overwatch League. As such, it's less of a book about Overwatch super-fandom — an approach that would look at Overwatch pros as well as cosplayers, fan artists, lore experts and casual players — and more specifically about Overwatch as a competitive esport. 

Through anecdotes, interviews and first-hand accounts, Moorhead does an excellent job of exploring what it takes for Overwatch players to succeed. He paints vivid scenes that parse out the nuance of complicated team dynamics and show the good, the bad and the ugly sides of competitive gaming. The author tells this story through a narrative lens, giving the reader the illusion that they're an observer in a brave new world. Drawing from this outside perspective, he reveals individuals’ passion as well as unmasks their flaws.

It’s written such that it’s easy to understand, even for those who know very little about Overwatch or even gaming in general. While it may not draw mass appeal beyond the gaming community itself, the book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the modern climate's esports explosion.

Young Guns specifically follows the SF Shock but looks at this alongside the performance of other notable teams like London Spitfire and Vancouver Titans. While it could have been nice to have a deeper look at some of the other teams, it’s also easy to understand how that might have had an adverse effect on the book’s narrative structure.

The book paints an incredible picture of what it takes to compete at the top level of esports. The author has a special focus on Sinatraa, a young player who officially joined the Shock in 2018 as soon as he turned 18, had a tough first year and became the league MVP in 2019.

SF Shock wins the Overwatch League Grand Finals in 2019.

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Moorhead also shines a light on the mind-blowing financial details driving the Overwatch League. A close look at the Overwatch League's revenue streams shows how millions and millions of dollars are changing hands. With franchise deals, endorsements, sponsorships, partnerships, ticket sales and salaries, he makes a convincing argument that there's much more on the line than most people know. Moorhead succeeds in weaving these essential elements into the overall narrative, which in turn makes the book a fast-paced, dramatic read.

Ultimately, Young Guns paints a very promising future for esports in America and beyond. It’s a bit of an underdog story, though it’s clear that no matter who takes first place at the Grand Finals, Blizzard is the true winner.

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Hachette Books provided TheGamer a copy of Young Guns: Obsession, Overwatch and the Future of Gaming for this review. The book is currently available for preorder and will release on March 31.

4 out of 5 stars.