In the original Overwatch, players were rewarded with a loot box on each endorsement level up, but Overwatch 2 only gives players a small battle pass experience drop for the increase. Overwatch 2 fans have only had their hands on the game for nine days, but they're already noticing some issues with the live service title, including an insulting reward.
Reddit user MihaiN00B recently shared a screenshot from between their matches of Overwatch 2 that highlights their endorsement level-up with an encouraging message and a small reward of Overwatch 2 battle pass XP. When Overwatch players increased in endorsement level, a loot box would give them a random group of four cosmetics to customize their heroes and profiles with, but Overwatch 2 doesn't offer an equivalent now that loot boxes have become a thing of the past. The comparison between this battle pass level-up and the older loot box reward has some Overwatch 2 players thinking that the replacement is insulting.
MihaiN00B's Overwatch 2 screenshot shows the player only receiving one experience level for getting up to endorsement level five, only making a slight dent in any battle pass progression. Battle pass levels all go towards the free progression track that ends with the tier 79 Epic Synthwave Name Card or the paid one that concludes at level 80 with the coveted Mythic Genji skin, depending on whether a player has purchased the pass. Players can complete challenges by playing and winning matches as different types of characters, but they may not be able to rely on the Overwatch 2 endorsement system of the new game compared to being guaranteed a loot box with each improvement in the original.
Although MihaiN00B first thought that their reward was one experience point, the single Overwatch 2 battle pass level also left them underwhelmed. Most cosmetics outside of the battle pass are acquired using Overwatch Coins at the shop, and although many fans remain critical of the offerings there, some may be expecting currency as a replacement for the free loot boxes that they used to get. Because Overwatch 2 is a live service title, the endorsement rewards may be changed in the future, just as unreleased battle passes may offer currency in order for players to get the next progression system or something from the shop.
While some endorsed players voiced their own criticisms of the system and its benefits, others pointed to the free-to-play model of Overwatch 2 as the cause of diminished rewards. Being a higher endorsement level than other Overwatch 2 fans, MihaiN00B noted that every level so far has offered the same level up in the battle pass as its perk, meaning it doesn't improve notably beyond the initial levels.
Overwatch 2 is available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
