Blizzard shared a glimpse at the future of Overwatch 2 yesterday. The future, apparently, includes the return of loot boxes along with several other changes and additions coming to the game.
Come the start of Season 15, Overwatch 2 players will once again be able to earn loot boxes. These loot boxes will again be earnable by playing the game normally. Upon opening said loot box, you will be rewarded with random Overwatch cosmetics.
The whole loot box thing was a huge point of contention in Overwatch. It was a massive part of the monetization for the original game and the main way players were able to earn cosmetic items. In the original game, players were able to purchase bundles of loot boxes for real world money.
Loot boxes, even those outside of Overwatch, were always a hotly debated topic. They are seen as a form of gambling and are heavily restricted in several countries around the world. They have been included on studies of addiction and been called exploitative. Some companies even called them "surprise mechanics" in order to avoid the negative stigma associated with loot boxes.
Blizzard had ditched loot boxes a few years back. Around the same time they switched Overwatch over to a free-to-play model supported by season passes and direct cosmetic purchases. Those cosmetics, especially in Overwatch 2, have often been seen as excessively pricey, which has caused many to basically beg for loot boxes to return to the game.
The return of loot boxes to Overwatch will not be a straight up return to the old model. The loot boxes will be free and can be obtained via the free track in the Battle Pass or via weekly rewards. Unlike the first iteration, you will not be able to purchase loot boxes directly.
Overwatch 2 game director Aaron Keller confirmed that duplicate drops can be re-rolled for items you do not already own. Loot boxes will also be offered via various free promotions through Discord and Twitch, as two examples. These boxes may also contain items that are not available in the current item shop.
Another major change to these new loot boxes will be the fact that you can see the odds of what you could possibly get before you open up a loot box. This is more than likely done because it's required by law in several countries around the world.
Since this announcement, the community response has been rather evenly split. Many are thrilled to see the return of loot boxes to overwatch. Their reason being that they really wanted a free way to get some of those cosmetic items that could cost as much as a full new game release. Several streamers also seem to be thrilled about the return of loot boxes because opening up loot boxes, or loot box like items such as card packs, tends to pull in big viewer counts for some reason.
Still, others aren't quite as sold on the return of loot boxes to Overwatch. Fears over the gambling and addiction aspect are the main points being made against their return. The general feeling about loot boxes has also shifted to be quite negative in the years since Overwatch first launched in 2016.
When Season 15 launches on February 18th, other changes to Overwatch 2 will be implemented. Players will now be able to "level up" their hero during the course of a match. Each level will offer a choice between two different perks. The first level is a minor, passive perk. The second level up perk will alter gameplay in several different ways based on the chosen hero. For instance, Torbjorn has the choice to either put his turret on walls and ceilings or allow his turret to be upgraded to level 3.
Season 16 in April will add in the Stadium game mode. This mode will introduce game altering power-ups and an optional third-person mode.
In Stadium’s best-of-7 system, you’ll earn in-game Stadium coins each round to unlock and customize abilities for your heroes. These powerful upgrades will be able to alter your survivability and damage while even completely revamping your hero’s abilities. Stadium is packed with transformative powers and strategic encounters that enhance the hero fantasy beyond anything we've released, focused on letting you play how you want.
Reinhardt flying through the air to charge behind the enemy line before unleashing a lava-spreading Firestrike. Soldier:76 buffing attack speed of allies standing within Biotic Field. A triple kunai throwing Kiriko that can teleport to enemies. Or a battle Mercy that not only can clear the battlefield of enemies, but has a shield to protect fallen allies while being resurrected. All of that (and more) are possible in Stadium!
Beyond amazing new abilities that come together in the ultimate Hero builds, Stadium also includes the option to choose how you play in either first-person or an entirely new third-person perspective. In third-person, you will be able to see more of the battlefield and the direct impact your upgraded abilities (and those of your teammates and enemies) have in action, such as the lava trail left behind your D.Va mech while you fly through a map.
Reinhardt flying through the air to charge behind the enemy line before unleashing a lava-spreading Firestrike. Soldier:76 buffing attack speed of allies standing within Biotic Field. A triple kunai throwing Kiriko that can teleport to enemies. Or a battle Mercy that not only can clear the battlefield of enemies, but has a shield to protect fallen allies while being resurrected. All of that (and more) are possible in Stadium!
Beyond amazing new abilities that come together in the ultimate Hero builds, Stadium also includes the option to choose how you play in either first-person or an entirely new third-person perspective. In third-person, you will be able to see more of the battlefield and the direct impact your upgraded abilities (and those of your teammates and enemies) have in action, such as the lava trail left behind your D.Va mech while you fly through a map.
Season 16 will also add in the crossbow wielding hero, Freja. After Freja another hero, codenamed Aqua, will be added. As their name implies, Aqua will make use of water based abilities.
