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Blizzard to shut down sales of Overwatch loot boxes this month

The preparations for the switch to Overwatch 2 are in full swing, which also includes changing things in Overwatch.... Daria Belous | 10. August 2022

The preparations for the switch to Overwatch 2 are in full swing, which also includes changing things in Overwatch. Blizzard Entertainment recently announced a new update for the game, as a part of which the developers will shut down sales of in-game loot boxes. However, before that, the latest Overwatch update includes the Anniversary Remix event with a selection of recolored skins and returning events to say farewell to the first edition of the shooter before launch of Overwatch 2 in October. 

The Overwatch Anniversary Remix event runs from August 9 to August 30 and after it ends, Blizzard will take down purchasable loot boxes from the game permanently. That means players won’t be able to spend real money on in-game items, with the exception of bundles distributed along with the account’s progression. 

Overwatch in-game loot boxes are considered to be controversial, as fans weren’t pleased with random drop chances, having to spend excessive amounts of money to get the desire item. Some countries’ governments even banned loot box purchases in accordance with their local laws about gambling. One of such countries is for example Belgium. 

Overwatch 2 is the main reason for loot boxes removal 

The decision to remove loot boxes was reportedly made because of the switch to the new seasonal monetization model. First off, the second iteration of Overwatch will be a free-to-play title, while the original one needed to be purchased. Blizzard developers sought other ways to monetize the project and decided to follow the seasonal model, which is widely used, including other modern titles like Apex Legends, and Fortnite, among others. 

Seasonal distribution includes free and paid Battle Passes where players earn unique cosmetic items and other perks based on their in-game progression and time spent playing. Blizzard will also provide a separate shop where players can buy specific pieces for real money. Apart from cosmetics, content such as maps and heroes will be free and promised to be updated every season. That means each new season we will see new heroes, skins and maps. 

Moreover, Blizzard Entertainment is now reportedly developing the PvE experience for Overwatch players, which simply means that fans can look forward to a story mode that is scheduled for 2023. The initial launch of Overwatch 2 is set for October 4, 2022, and will include only a player-vs-player mode, which is familiar to Overwatch fans. However, the teams will consist not of six but five members. The developers explained that such composition will ease the game’s understanding and, in addition, almost all major gaming titles feature teams either of three or five members. 

Header credit: Overwatch, Blizzard Entertainment