Though there is plenty to appreciate about Overwatch 2, such as quality of life upgrades and a more balanced gameplay experience, nearly all players have taken issue with the game’s approach to monetization. While Overwatch 2’s bugs and server errors have been problematic, these are issues that will be fixed. Monetization, on the other hand, could always be problematic without some changes - and adding Loot Boxes would make a big difference.
Since the gaming industry as a whole has pushed back against the concept of loot boxes, with the approach even leading to legal cases in some situations, it makes sense that Blizzard moved on to something different. However, while the Battle Pass features some good content and can be progressed through fairly quickly, the price of content outside the Battle Pass has raised red flags. While there are many potential solutions to the issue the community has, some earnable Loot Boxes could be a good route for Overwatch 2 to take.
Letting Overwatch 2 Players Earn Old Items and Legacy Currency
Overwatch 2 going free-to-play meant that monetization was a must, as there needs to be a consistent stream of revenue to justify a consistent stream of content. Unfortunately, asking players to spend nearly $20 worth of in-game credits on old skins has led to controversy, especially with players only being able to earn a measly 60 credits per week through challenges. Considering that Legendary skins cost 1900 coins, players need to grind for 38 weeks for one free Legendary skin.
Blizzard could solve this issue by adding new ways to earn credits, increasing the weekly challenge payout, or lowering the price of cosmetics, though Loot Boxes are another viable option. Obviously, these should not be paid, as this would put the studio in even more hot water. Instead, they could be earned, giving gamers a chance to unlock some of the many cosmetics that are currently locked behind a pay wall.
Even if Blizzard wanted to keep Legendary and Epic skins paid-only so that players are pushed to spend money, adding Rare skins to Loot Boxes would still give new gamers something to grind for. Highlights Intros, Emotes, Voice Lines, and Sprays could also be in the earnable crates, letting players feel like there is some sense of progression and content that can actually be unlocked through gameplay. The legacy currency could also be dropped like coins in the old Overwatch Loot Boxes, eventually allowing players to spend earned credits on voice lines and blue-rarity skins that they want.
A Perfect Post-Battle Pass Reward
As for how these Loot Boxes could be distributed, challenges are an option, though they would make even more sense as a reward once players have finished grinding through Overwatch 2’s Battle Pass. With some players already finished with the grind less than two weeks after release, there needs to be something else to work on. Removing player ranks and Loot Boxes has resulted in a lack of progression outside competitive play, so bringing one of the systems back would be ideal.
After hitting tier 80 in the Battle Pass, players could work on bonus levels. These levels could take the same amount of time to get through as a regular Battle Pass level, and when each is complete, players could get a Loot Box filled with random items. This way, once gamers finish the Battle Pass, they can still have content to grind for. Though the Loot Box system in the original Overwatch was not perfect, it was still one of the most prominent and generous approaches to Loot Boxes in the industry. As such, it became part of Overwatch’s personality, so seeing Loot Boxes return as a form of reward would likely be welcomed by many fans. As long as they are only acquired through gameplay, they could serve as a way to satisfy frustrated fans.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.