Overwatch is ditching loot boxes ahead of sequel launch

By Cristina Alexander August 10, 2022

Overwatch has been known to be one of the pioneers of loot boxes in the games industry. Now for the first time in its six-year history, Blizzard is officially stopping the sale of loot boxes in the game.

In a recent Overwatch blog update that was published on Tuesday, Blizzard said that the loot boxes sold during the Anniversary Remix Vol. 3 event will no longer be available after the event ends on August 30. Although standard loot boxes will be sold after the event is over, the company still urged players to buy the loot boxes one last time if they’re interested in getting the skins from past Anniversary and seasonal events.

“Earn and purchase Anniversary Loot Boxes throughout the event!” Blizzard said, “Each Loot Box has a chance to contain items from past Anniversary and seasonal events; don’t wait too long to snag those skins you’ve been eyeing for the past year, though — Loot Boxes will no longer be available for sale after the end of the Anniversary Remix Vol. 3 event on August 30. However, you will still be able to earn standard loot boxes after the end of the event.”

Game on!

Shoot for a new high score with six remixed Legendary skins.

Overwatch Anniversary Remix: Vol. 3 is NOW LIVE! pic.twitter.com/jOyz1mgm5u

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) August 10, 2022

The standard loot boxes will be available for a limited time as well. In June, Blizzard announced it is ditching loot boxes in Overwatch 2, which is set to launch on October 4. Instead, it will be using the Battle Pass system, allowing players to earn skins and other items they want via character progression after purchasing the pass. This means that any standard loot boxes that players are sleeping on in Overwatch will automatically open before the sequel comes out.

Studies have found a link between loot boxes and gambling, including a report from the U.K. government urging the games industry to regulate loot boxes themselves following a two-year investigation. Although some game companies implemented policies prohibiting players under 18 from purchasing loot boxes, Activision Blizzard is still putting them in other games, including the controversial Diablo Immortal. Despite it being free-to-play, this game has been banned in the Netherlands and Belgium due to loot box legislation.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Cristina Alexander

Gaming/Mobile Writer

Cristina Alexander has been writing since 2014, from opining about pop culture on her personal blog in college to reporting…

Gaming

Overwatch 2 Sojourn guide: abilities, strategies, counters, and more

Sojourn uses an ability in Overwatch 2.

The most exciting part of any Overwatch update, or in this case sequel, is the new heroes. Overwatch 2 launched with not one, but three brand new heroes across its three classes to expand the already impressive roster. The cast of Overwatch was already quite diverse in terms of design, but also how each hero functioned, with unique abilities, strengths, and roles in the competitive shooter. The new additions for Overwatch 2 include Sojourn, Kiriko, and Junker Queen.

Damage heroes are generally the most popular of the three main roles. They are the most offensive-focused and allow players to get into the action directly with high-powered weapons and abilities. Sojourn fits the bill in this regard, but like every class, has a set of abilities that make her shine differently than the others. If you want to master this Damage class hero, here's a full guide on Sojourn for Overwatch 2.

Gaming

Overwatch 2 Kiriko guide: abilities, strategies, counters, and more

Kiriko throws items in Overwatch 2.

Overwatch 2 launched not only with every single original hero returning, many with tweaks and updates to their kits, but also three brand new heroes to join the fun. These new heroes, as well as all the new ones yet to be released, still fall into the familiar three categories of Damage, Support, and Tank roles. Even so, the diversity in each character within their roles can be massive -- Mercy and Lucio are both Support characters but use very different skills and tactics.

Kiriko is the newest Support hero in Overwatch 2 with a very clear ninja inspiration. If her charming design wasn't enough to interest players in trying her out, then her unique set of abilities certainly will. Support heroes can be the most tricky to learn, and Kiriko is on the more technical side of things in terms of characters, so a quick guide on how she works will help you make the most of this shinobi's prowess. Here's a full Kiriko guide for Overwatch 2.

Gaming

Overwatch 2 ditches phone requirement after fan outcry

Overwatch 2 Junker Queen

Blizzard will no longer ask legacy Overwatch players to verify their phone numbers in order to play Overwatch 2 following criticism from fans with prepaid phones.

On top of the distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and miles-long queues that have plagued Overwatch 2 since its launch on Tuesday, some fans were furious about their inability to link phone numbers tied with their prepaid mobile providers, like Cricket Wireless and Mint Mobile, to Battle.net. Those numbers didn't meet the requirement for SMS Protect, which Blizzard instituted in the game to combat cheating, trolling, and other bad behavior. The company said in the latest status update that it will remove the phone number linking requirement, but remains "committed to combating disruptive behavior."