The Sound of Silence? Not for Overwatch 2 Gamers
Gamers have always been vocal about their likes and dislikes, and they don’t hold back when it comes to digital expression. Whether it’s a chat in X (formerly Twitter) or a long Reddit thread, you can count on gamers to air their grievances with a mix of logic, humor, and sometimes pure rage. This time around, it’s Overwatch 2 at the center of the storm, particularly over its recent crossover with Diablo 4.
Hell hath no fury like a gamer scorned, after all.
The £35 Battle Pass That Sparked Outrage
When Blizzard decided to bring the worlds of Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 closer, they probably didn’t anticipate the backlash. The issue at hand? Exclusive skins for Moira and Pharah modeled after Diablo baddies Lilith and Inarius. But these aren’t just any skins; they’re locked behind a £35 Battle Pass.
One player noted that this is the same launch price ($40) as the original Overwatch back in 2016.
Yeah, you read that right. The very price you could have bought the original Overwatch for is now just a ticket for a couple of skins. To make matters worse, even those who bought the Overwatch 2 Premium Battle Pass aren’t immune.
Those who have purchased the Overwatch 2 Premium Battle Pass will be feeling even more burned, as it doesn’t include the contents of the Ultimate Battle Pass, meaning they will have to shell out even more cash for the privilege of looking like their favourite Diablo 4 characters.
What Gamers Are Really Saying
Social media platforms are buzzing with all kinds of reactions. A user named u/YayoProtocal chimed in with a rather harsh but candid opinion on Reddit. Another voice on X flatly described the situation as “a joke.”
Over on X, the reception wasn’t much better, with one user describing the situation as “a joke.”
$53.99? Go f**k yourself Blizzard.
byu/YayoProtocal inOverwatch
And let’s not forget about those who drew comparisons with past controversies.
Some, such as X user Fusa, have likened Blizzard’s behaviour to the heavy-handed approach Electronic Arts took in the 2010s when it comes to microtransactions.
The Economics of Frustration
When it comes to numbers, Overwatch 2 is no small fry. According to activeplayer.io, the game boasts an average of 25 million monthly players. Now, let’s do some quick math. If just one percent of these gamers decided to splurge on the Battle Pass, Blizzard would net a whopping £8,750,00. So the question isn’t whether people will buy it, but rather, should they?
The Future Holds… More Skins?
Blizzard isn’t backing down. They’re hyping up Season 7 as the “Mother of all Seasons,” complete with new game modes like Trials of Sanctuary and a new Control map called Samoa. Oh, and more skins, of course.
The developer is also promising an impressive update, describing season 7 as the “Mother of all Seasons”, with a new LTM, Trials of Sanctuary, and a new Control map, Samoa, coming alongside the aforementioned skins.
Final Take
So, where does this leave us? With a fanbase divided and a company seemingly intent on pushing the envelope. Sure, outrage sells, but so do happy customers. As the “Mother of all Seasons” draws near, one wonders whether Blizzard will heed the call of their fans or continue down a path that, for now, seems fraught with peril.
Still, plenty of players are enjoying Overwatch 2 and are likely to stick around. But the question remains: Will the goodwill be enough to smother the fires of discontent? Only time will tell.
