Overwatch 2 finds itself in an interesting position, as many are on the fence about the changes being made to the hero shooter’s formula. Alongside a divisive switch to 5v5, real life controversy around McCree and the poor treatment of Blizzard’s employees has only added to the negative discussion around the new game. As such, it would likely be for the best if loot boxes were left behind.
Though the original Overwatch handled loot boxes very well, as players had several ways to acquire them and only cosmetic items were included within, gaming as a whole has stepped away from the feature. While it was acceptable back in 2016, 2021 is a different story, as many countries have placed restrictions on loot boxes since they can be viewed as gambling. Blizzard likely wants to avoid any negative press or a mature rating for Overwatch 2, so a new form of monetization makes sense. While there are plenty of options, two in particular stand out.
Option #1: Challenge-Focused Cosmetics In Overwatch 2
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One option that makes sense for Overwatch 2 would be an evolution of a system that already exists. In between the larger seasonal events in Overwatch, Blizzard will often hold smaller events focused on a specific hero. Alongside a special tie-in comic or short story, players will unlock a cosmetic for the character in question, with examples including a doctor skin for Mercy or Ashe’s Deadlock Gang attire.
Normally, the challenges for each Overwatch hero event are as simple as “win 9 matches,” with players getting sprays and icons before eventually unlocking the limited time outfit. In Overwatch 2, though, that could change. While some legendary skins could up the required win count to 50 with a certain hero, other challenges could be more varied. Players could need to get five double kills with Tracer’s Pulse Bomb, gold healing with Mercy in 15 matches, and so on. This would keep players engaged and motivate them to perform well in their games.
A challenge-based loot system also makes sense for Overwatch 2’s PvE campaign. Players can unlock a special outfit for each hero they finish the campaign with, giving them motivation to replay the story. Speedrun challenges could be included that task players with finishing the story quickly if they want a certain spray, while finding an easter egg could unlock an emote for the hero that is focused on in that particular mission. There are countless challenges that Blizzard could come up with, giving players goals beyond just finishing a level or winning an online match. While some challenges could be free to all, others could be paid. Unlocking access to them could be as simple as spending credits on a hero’s set of challenges, with said credits purchased from an in-game marketplace like COD Points or V-Bucks.
Option #2: A Battle Pass System In Overwatch 2
The other alternative to loot boxes in Overwatch 2 has been seen in several live service games from the past few years. The battle pass system has worked for everything from Apex Legends to Rocket League, as it rewards players for spending time with the game. While loot boxes are entirely luck based, battle passes tell players exactly what items they can get and when they will get them. This progression has helped make the system popular, and while some may want Overwatch 2 to do something different, it is hard to deny that battle passes have been a big hit with gamers.
If a battle pass does come in the sequel, fans can expect it to bring some free and paid tiers, with better rewards being exclusive to those that purchase the premium version of the pass. With some players needing to buy several loot boxes just to get the skin they want in Overwatch, a paid battle pass would save them plenty of money in the sequel. A new battle pass could drop with every competitive season of Overwatch 2 as well, giving them more meaning. Regardless of whether Overwatch 2 goes in the direction of challenges or a paid battle pass, though, a new method of monetization seems inevitable.
Overwatch 2 is in development for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
