Questions, answered.
The short answers. If yours isn't here, email hello@hardstuckanonymous.com.
The basics
What is Hardstuck?
A Windows app for Overwatch match reviews. It reads the match while you play, saves every game, and shows you fights won, first deaths, who killed you, and your numbers next to your usual ones. It also has guides for all 54 heroes, an aim trainer that runs in a custom game, and a party room for queueing with friends. More on the reviews.
Does it work on console, Mac or Steam Deck?
No. It's Windows only and reads the PC version of Overwatch, because it needs to see the screen as you play. Battle.net or Steam doesn't matter.
Which screens and resolutions?
16:9 or 21:9, from 1080p up to 4K. Other shapes, like 16:10 or super-ultrawide, aren't supported yet.
Do I have to do anything during a match?
Press Tab once near the end so it can read the scoreboard. It chimes to remind you. Otherwise it closes to the tray and stays out of the way.
Safety and privacy
Is it safe? Does it touch the game?
It reads the screen, the way a screen recorder does, or OBS's virtual camera if you use OBS. Nothing talks to the game process, nothing is injected, it doesn't read the game's memory and it doesn't press keys for you. If you ask it for graphics advice, it reads Overwatch's settings file and never changes it.
Where are my matches kept?
On your PC, in %APPDATA%\Hardstuck. There's no account, and your matches aren't uploaded anywhere.
Is my data encrypted?
No. Your matches are plain files in %APPDATA%\Hardstuck, protected by Windows like the rest of your files: other Windows accounts on the PC can't open them, but programs you run can. Nothing in them is a password or a payment detail, other players are kept only by the in-game name everyone in the match could see (never a BattleTag), and none of it is uploaded. For a lost or stolen PC, turn on BitLocker or Device encryption in Windows: it covers that far better than an app could.
What does it send over the internet?
Update checks, so it can update itself. Crash reports only if you turn them on: they're scrubbed of names and never include your matches. Bug reports only when you send one. A party room, if you join one, shares your heroes and lineup with the others in the room. Shared match stats, only while you're signed in to an account (on by default, and you can switch them off). The privacy policy has the full list.
Do you collect stats from my matches?
Only while you're signed in to a Hardstuck account: Share anonymous match stats is on by default then, and you can switch it off in Settings > Account. With it on, each match sends a short summary: heroes and how long each was played, map, result, rank tier, bans and your own Tab numbers. Never a name or BattleTag. It's kept with your account for at most 7 days, then added into totals that hold no account, which we use to check the guides. Deleting your account deletes what's waiting; the totals stay, since nothing in them is yours. The privacy policy lists every field.
Getting it
How much does it cost?
Nothing. The match reviews are free, and the plan is to keep them that way.
Do I need OBS?
No. Hardstuck reads the screen on its own. If you already stream or record with OBS, it can read OBS's virtual camera instead, and its Record button saves clips through OBS.
How do I get it?
Download it from the Download page: it's free, with no account or password. After that it updates itself. If you'd like one email when something big lands, join the waitlist.
Is it made by Blizzard?
No. Hardstuck isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Blizzard Entertainment. Overwatch is a trademark of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries.