Overwatch Event Loot Boxes on Sale Ever Again
In 2021, Overwatch's loot box obsession feels out of touch
Of all the multiplayer shooters I play, I don't think whatsoever has inverse more in its lifetime than Overwatch. Equally the game's identity has evolved, Blizzard hasn't hesitated to completely redefine hero roles, experiment with offbeat game modes, or force a balanced meta with Role Queue. Remember when 'no limits' was the default mode and Defence force heroes were a thing? I'm glad those days are behind us.
Practically every corner of Overwatch has been tweaked, scrapped, or reworked in one way or another, and all that piece of work is a testament to Blizzard's flexibility and effort. That makes it all the more baffling that v years later the economic system hasn't materially changed. I'k still opening disappointing loot boxes, a form of microtransaction that it feels like we fought a state of war over in 2017.
Overwatch is one of the last havens of the loot box, and I'one thousand over information technology. Every bit a player with hundreds of hours across two platforms, I dread getting yet another haul of three sprays I'll never use and a indistinguishable peel for a hero I don't even like. And if I desire to buy a particular skin a la carte with in-game credits? Keep opening loot boxes, because that's the only way to (maybe!) earn them.
What if I want that incredible new Ashe pare from the Lunar New Yr event? I have 3 terrible options:
- Hope I become it in a loot box over the few weeks information technology'southward bachelor (chances are slim through normal play)
- Buy it with credits (event skins cost 3X as much every bit normal legendaries)
- Buy purchase buy boxes until options 1 or 2 happen
Defending a monetary model that's inconvenient at best and grossly predatory to kids and susceptible adults at worst is no longer possible. It hasn't been for a long time. Equally videogames new and old largely moved on from loot boxes subsequently that whole Battlefront 2 debacle, Overwatch's boodle boxes have remained at the eye of its business organisation model. Blizzard should become with the times and look at what other games are doing to create seasonal progression that doesn't rely on random chance.
Blizzard only has to look to its corporate neighbor Activision to discover that boxing passes are pretty expert, actually. If you already play a lot of Phone call of Duty: Warzone, Fortnite, or Noon Legends and like what that latest laissez passer has to offer, the $ten buy-in feels like a good deal. And if you're not a fan, it's easy to skip it. Even improve, all of the games I simply listed likewise offer the bulk of their premium cosmetics separately for a straight fee (you still have to purchase currency bundles, though). Combing through a pass feels more similar window shopping and less like a trip to the casino. I've personally bought a few passes in Rainbow Half-dozen Siege and Warzone and haven't regretted information technology.
The battle laissez passer model isn't perfect—I don't love the FOMO time-sensitive unlocks cause or the often steep delivery they require. That satisfying sense of progression can easily backfire when the item I desire is nonetheless 30 levels away and I only have a day left. Skipping tiers is an pick, but you can apace end up paying four or five times the initial buy-in. In that manner boxing passes are still a gamble of sorts, but at to the lowest degree the only variable is your own dedication. I'll take transparency over a random number generator whatever day.
I'll be disappointed if Blizzard doesn't effigy something else out for Overwatch two. To game director Jeff Kaplan'due south credit, information technology seems like he's considering a change to the current model. He told PCGamesN equally much in a 2019 interview.
"Overwatch 2, in terms of business model, we're exploring different options that move usa abroad from loot boxes, but I recall that will exist more for Overwatch 2 than the core game. I would never dominion anything out," Kaplan said. He went on to say that he thinks battle passes are "cool," but wouldn't commit to a similar system in Overwatch 2.
And hey, nosotros tin can probably exercise improve than battle passes, too. Cartel I say, Overwatch ii would probably nonetheless brand a ton of coin if it simply released cosmetics for a gear up price and chosen it a day. Simply don't become overboard similar Riot has with Valorant and try to convince me that making a few guns breathe fire is worth $100.
Conveniently, BlizzCon 2021 is starting tomorrow and Overwatch 2 is on the schedule. As a fan that wants to enjoy Overwatch's excellent cosmetics equally much as I do the game itself, I hope Blizzard has an update to share on the future of boodle boxes. Their eradication is long overdue.
And later they're gone, it'd be helpful to know more about how Overwatch 2's cosmetics will interact with the first game. Nosotros know our cosmetics will behave over in the new game, but practise I have to have Overwatch 2 to purchase new cosmetics moving forward? It'due south a tangled mess of ownership that will hopefully become clearer as we learn more than about the unconventional sequel.
Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/in-2021-overwatchs-loot-box-obsession-feels-out-of-touch/