Overwatch 2 is making the switch to a free-to-play model, which means that there will be many adjustments made to the game, its content, and its post-launch support. Battle Passes are replacing Loot Boxes, PvE content is coming through seasonal updates, and Mythic skins are on the way to give fans access to the series’ first customizable cosmetics.
Overwatch 2 will also feature Virtual Currency, with players able to secure 2,000 credits early through the Watchpoint Pack. While fans currently have no idea what the price points will be for packs of this Virtual Currency, Blizzard needs to ensure that real money is not the only way to acquire it. If players can not earn skins like in the original game, there will surely be a great deal of anger within the community.
A Stand-In For Overwatch’s Credits
In the original Overwatch, Loot Boxes were not the only way to obtain cosmetics, as players could also use an in-game currency called credits to buy specific items they were interested in. These credits were acquired in one of two ways. First, players would get some coins whenever they received a duplicate item from their Loot Box, and they could receive larger coin drops from Loot Boxes on occasion. Secondly, and more importantly, players could earn 25 credits by playing the lesser-used roles in the Role Queue.
While players will surely get Overwatch 2 Virtual Currency by progressing in the Battle Pass, it is crucial that some of this currency can still be received by playing as the Support role or choosing the Flex option. The improvements to Tanks and the massive number of Damage characters guarantees that these roles are always filled. With Support being the least fun tole to play at the moment, though, players simply need more encouragement to choose it. Priority Passes will surely not be enough, but small drops of Overwatch 2 virtual currency would be.
Even if players get 5 credits per match in Overwatch 2, being able to slowly build up to unlocking a cosmetic is a necessity. If Overwatch 2 holds an event like Anniversary Remix, only being able to obtain the skins through real money would make the event less exciting. Hopping on Overwatch weeks before an event to stock up on coins has always been enjoyable, and it would be a shame to see that go away. While a lack of Loot Boxes will make it harder to earn Virtual Currency, keeping currency as a match reward would help.
Early looks at the Overwatch 2 Battle Pass have shown that Blizzard is planning to include challenges for players to complete. While these will surely be more focused on providing Battle Pass XP than Virtual Currency, an extension of this challenge system outside the Battle Pass could be a good way to reward players. Daily, weekly, and seasonal challenges could provide small, medium, and large drops of Virtual Currency, allowing players to get some cosmetics just by playing the game. When combined with match rewards, challenges would be a fair way for players to earn Virtual Currency, and by extension cosmetics.
With fans already concerned about things like the original Overwatch client being replaced, Blizzard needs to avoid any controversy that could come from Overwatch 2’s release. A Virtual Currency that can only be required through real money and not through gameplay would go against a lot of the ideals seen in the first Overwatch, so hopefully Blizzard provides a way to earn some of these credits in-game. If it does, then many fans could quickly warm up to the idea of Loot Boxes being retired in favor of a new system.
Overwatch 2 launches on October 4 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.