Blizzard Finally Removes Gambling From Overwatch
Among a range of new things coming to Overwatch 2, we never quite knew how we'd amass Credits and brand-new consumables outside of the post-match XP hunt and presumed challenges. Loot boxes in the first iteration of Overwatch give players the opportunity to gamble credits and hard work in order to find rare items and skins, a system that has become a staple of Activision's notorious reputation for cash-grabbing.
The loot box system, which relies on RNG, has often been criticized for being a form of gambling, due to the monetary value of credits being wagered for a slot-machine styled prize.
However, going into Overwatch 2, Blizzard look set to ditch the outdated and morally questionable loot box system, as they appear to be following the likes of Call of Duty and their other games by implementing a battle pass system.
Overwatch 2 Removes Loot Boxes
After ditching the boxes in Call of Duty - except on mobile where fans are still kicking up a fuss to have it removed - the loot boxes are now becoming a thing of the past for Overwatch too.
Speaking in a reveal event, Blizzard's lead hero designer, Geoff Goodman, revealed that there will be no such thing as loot boxes in the sequel.
"Instead, the modernized live service will give our players the power to shape their own experiences," Blizzard added in a blog post.
The news comes as a welcomed surprise for Overwatch fans who have been no strangers to splashing out on loot box hauls - one fan even went as crazy as collecting 1,000, which costs a hefty whack of real-life cash.
Loot boxes are being axed in a range of titles, with some countries trying to ban them completely in games that don't have an appropriate age rating (such as 18+ in the UK).
Overwatch 2 Adds Battle Passes
Instead of spinning your wheel of fortune, you'll trade luck dice in for hard work and progression to get items through the Battle Pass, and much like other games, you can buy exclusive bundles and items through the in-game store should you wish to splash your cash on the game.
"Players can acquire the items they want directly through the Battle Pass and an all-new and consistently updated in-game shop. Our team will create and deliver seasonal content every nine weeks to ensure there's always something fresh and exciting waiting for everyone," Blizzard continued in the blog post.
Click to enlargeOverwatch 2 now rewards players who want to complete challenges within their game, which will contribute towards climbing through the tiers.
It's not yet confirmed as to whether the system will remove loot boxes from the original Overwatch and marry it with the sequel. It's surely got to be on the cards to ditch the Russian roulette though.