Blizzard has clarified that the story missions in Overwatch 2 will require players to purchase the $15 Invasion bundle to access - they will not be free to play when Season 6 launches on August 10. The way Blizzard is handling the Overwatch 2 story missions has not sat well with fans of the hero shooter, especially since the game is presenting itself as a free-to-play experience.
Blizzard's handling of the Overwatch 2 PvE content has been rocky, to say the least. Fans were at first upset when Blizzard went months without providing any kind of substantial update on the game's story mode, and then even more disappointed when it was confirmed that Hero Mode was canceled. There was some hope when Blizzard clarified that Overwatch 2 story missions were still on the way, but now a lot of that goodwill has been dashed with the latest revelation.
It was recently confirmed that Overwatch 2 would be selling a $15 Invasion bundle that would give players "permanent access" to the game's first three story missions. This wording suggested to some that Overwatch 2 players would be able to access story missions for free in the season that they're added to the game, but would have to pay real money to keep them. This was enough to create significant backlash in the Overwatch 2 community, but now things are likely to get worse as Blizzard has clarified that the story missions will not be free at all. Players have to pay $15 to play the missions in the supposedly free-to-play game.
Will Overwatch 2 Story Missions Be Free?
- No, the first three story missions require the $15 Invasion bundle
The $15 bundle does come with more than just the story missions, to be fair. Players also get 1,000 Overwatch Coins, a Sojourn legendary skin, and access to Sojourn in non-PvE modes, though the latter is something hardcore fans have likely had since the game's early access launch last year. Regardless, charging players $15 to access important content like this in something that's supposed to be a free-to-play game is predictably not sitting well with the Overwatch 2 community, especially because of the implications it has for the game's future.
Blizzard has said that it plans on telling an ongoing, linear story with the Overwatch 2 story missions. That's all fine and good, except now that sounds like it's going to be an especially expensive prospect for those that want to follow the game's ongoing storyline. If each set of story missions costs $15, it may easily get to a point where players are paying full price or even more than full price for a game that's supposed to be free-to-play. This controversial decision has already been the subject of intense backlash, but it remains to be seen if Blizzard will adjust its approach at all leading into Overwatch 2 Season 6 on August 10.
Overwatch 2 is out now in early access for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
