Why isn’t Blizzard removing the “abuse simulator”?

Overwatch 2 Abuse Simulator remains the most popular custom game despite Blizzard’s intervention. The mode is the first option you see when you select a custom game, and it makes you wonder why Blizzard doesn’t just remove it.

Sexual Harassment Simulator is once again the most popular custom game in Overwatch 2, despite Blizzard’s previous criticism for failing to prevent these violent, misogynistic lobbies from appearing in the game. Blizzard had promised to improve moderation filters to ensure such simulators didn’t appear again – but it looks like that hasn’t worked.

Abuse simulator is the first option in Custom Games

Now, not only is there another lobby being promoted as a sexual harassment simulator, but it’s also the first option you see when you go to “Custom Games”. That means it’s one of the most popular game modes right now, and it’s unclear why Blizzard hasn’t or couldn’t remove it yet.

This has been pointed out by a Reddit user who shared that the game mode is back on the Custom Games home page. Many in the replies say this has been a persistent problem since the first Overwatch and Blizzard isn’t doing anything about it.

Simulator causes massive criticism

As the simulator name suggests, it is a virtual space where female game characters are abused. The server caused a huge controversy back in October when Overwatch 2 was first released. There was a massive backlash and it was even reported in news.

Not only is Overwatch 2 free to play, but the game has also been rated PEGI 12. Parents were shocked to find such things in the game, especially since it is playable in Europe for ages 12+ and in North America for ages 13+. In short, many Overwatch 2 players are underage and could easily be traumatized by the inappropriate content. 

Many parents joined the backlash, tweeting about how their underage children found a sexual harassment and assault simulator in Overwatch 2 Custom Games.

Blizzard is working on removing Simulator

Back then, Blizzard said that such content had “no place” in Overwatch.

“We removed the user-created game mode immediately upon learning of its existence,” the statement said. “We’re continually working to improve automatic filters to prevent inappropriate user-generated content and manually remove any content that isn’t caught by the system.”

Despite the statement, Blizzard simply failed to completely remove such inappropriate content from its game, creating another major disappointment for the gaming community.

Header: Blizzard Entertainment