Blizzard is now back with new information about Overwatch 2. One of the biggest changes from its predecessor: The loot system will no longer exist. Instead, Blizzard relies on other monetization strategies.
Overwatch 2 is coming on October 4, 2022, and offers its multiplayer mode in a free-to-play model. Compared to the first part of the hero shooter, the developer studio has now revealed some fundamental changes in a reveal event.
One of the biggest innovations concerns the monetization strategies within the game. There will no longer be loot boxes. Additionally, large parts will be free-to-play. So how will Overwatch 2 finance itself?
Overwatch 2 focuses on Battle Pass and in-game shop
How does OW2 want to make money? With the elimination of traditional revenue sources, Overwatch 2 needs new features that bring financial profit. The following two features were introduced at the reveal event:
- In-game shop
- Battle Pass
As a replacement for the loot system, there will be an in-game shop where you can acquire hero poses, skins, voice lines, and other cosmetics.
The advantage for you: You are no longer at the mercy of the random outcomes of loot boxes and get the goodies you actually want for your money.
In addition, you also have the option to purchase battle passes. Through these, you will also gain access to exclusive in-game content and can customize your heroes.
Possibly, the planned PvE mode is also part of the financing strategy. Whether you have to pay for it or not is still unknown.
By the way, a new heroine was announced for the reveal event. We will embed the trailer for you here:
Why is the loot system being abolished? With the elimination of loot boxes, players have a greater influence over which items they want to purchase.
Lead Hero Designer Geoff Goodman said during the Overwatch 2 reveal event: “Players will have much more control over how they interact with the game and how they want to purchase new content (via theverge.com).
Additionally, loot systems generally have a bad reputation among players. One reason for this could be the gambling-like nature of the loot mechanics.
There were even significant controversies at that time, regarding the issue of loot boxes in Overwatch.
Whether one enjoys buying loot boxes and being surprised or prefers to buy specific items is a decision everyone has to make for themselves.
Due to the similarity of loot box systems to gambling, there can also be significant problems from the developers’ side. For example, the successful MMORPG Lost Ark was banned in Belgium and the Netherlands due to this very similarity.
What do you think about loot boxes? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
