Highlights
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate could address player criticisms of Overwatch 2's monetization by offering perks such as free cosmetics and credits.
- There is precedent for Game Pass Ultimate offering Overwatch 2 perks, such as unlocking new heroes and providing cosmetics, suggesting more perks may come in the future.
- Fans may learn more about Xbox Game Pass Ultimate perks for Overwatch 2 at BlizzCon 2023 after Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is complete, but that remains to be seen.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate could become Overwatch 2's secret weapon whenever Microsoft finally closes its deal to acquire Activision Blizzard. Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard will bring all of the company's biggest franchises under the Xbox umbrella. This would include the popular hero-shooter Overwatch 2. And while Overwatch 2 has proven plenty popular, there are some things about it that fans have criticized heavily.
Since its launch as a free-to-play game, Overwatch 2 players have criticized the game's monetization. Whereas the original Overwatch featured loot boxes that let players get free items with each level up, Overwatch 2 very rarely gives players any free cosmetics. Almost all the game's cosmetics must be purchased with real-world money, plus the game has a premium battle pass that is required to get instant access to new heroes. These issues have seen many fans complain about Overwatch 2, but Xbox Game Pass Ultimate could help rectify those issues, at least for Xbox players.
It's very likely that Xbox will introduce more perks for Activision Blizzard games through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate after the Activision Blizzard acquisition is complete. No actual plans have been announced at the time of this writing, so this is purely speculation, but it's easy to see how Overwatch 2 players could be enticed to play on Xbox through Game Pass Ultimate perks that give players free cosmetics, credits, or other bonuses.
Even though Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is still pending at the time of this writing, there is already precedent for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to feature Overwatch 2 perks. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has given Overwatch 2 players a bundle that immediately unlocked all the new heroes added in the sequel, which includes Junker Queen, Kiriko, Sojourn, Ramattra, Lifeweaver, and Illari. This bundle also came with some cosmetics for each hero. Once Overwatch 2 effectively becomes a first-party Xbox game, it would make sense for even more OW2 perks to come to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. And in turn, this could make Xbox gamers have a more positive opinion on the game.
Microsoft's plans for Overwatch 2 and Xbox Game Pass, if any exist, have yet to be revealed, but fans may learn more details in the relatively near future. Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is expected to close in October, and BlizzCon 2023 is set to take place in early November. Overwatch 2 will be featured at BlizzCon, and it's entirely possible that the event will include what perks, if any, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate users can expect post-acquisition. Overwatch 2 fans on Xbox will just have to stay tuned to find out more.
Overwatch 2 is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
