'Overwatch' latest news: Blizzard explains suspension policy; Latest patch includes bug fixes

Blizzard Entertainment, the developer behind the multiplayer first-person shooter video game "Overwatch," recently addressed players' frustrations about the bans and suspensions being handed out while using the Competitive Play mode.

In a post on the "Overwatch" forums on Battle.net, "Overwatch" game director Jeff Kaplan responded to a fan complaining about having been temporarily suspended from the game because of an internet connection issue. Kaplan said Blizzard treats people with such problems the same way it treats players who disconnect from the game on purpose. He added that Blizzard will not be changing its policy on disconnections.

"There is no reliable way that we can discern if you disconnected because of a connection issue, or you forced a disconnect," he wrote. "Because of that, we need to treat anyone who leaves a match in the same way," he continued.

"We're way more lenient in quick play," he added. "And it feels like we're generally in a good spot in Quick Play. However, in Competitive Play, if anything, we hear from our player base that we should be increasing the leaver penalties and making them more harsh," Kaplan said.

"We know that sometimes the connection issues are not your fault," Kaplan admitted. But while the Blizzard boss said it's a shame that players are suspended even if they are not disconnecting on purpose, he also suggested that they should probably refrain from jumping into team games especially when they experience internet issues, 

He also advised players with connection issues to try modes such as Play vs. AI and Brawl.

Kaplan issued the statement after Blizzard released the latest "Overwatch" update, which included several bug fixes.

Update 1.09 fixed a bug that prevents the Triple Kill announcement from popping up after a player achieves a kill streak of three or more, as well as several issues that made players earn a skill rating higher than their actual rating.

The bug causing Hanzo's bow to shoot the wrong arrow has also been fixed, as well as the bug keeping Junkrat's RIP-Tire from getting credit for achievements and kills.