In the event you had been completely happy that Blizzard principally scrapped the SMS Shield requirement, a technique to curb the creation of free Overwatch 2 accounts from potential unhealthy actors, I’m sorry to disappoint you however it’s again. Sure, the writer introduced in an up to date weblog submit that SMS Shield has been re-enabled, which means whether or not you’ve received a pay as you go cell phone or not, you’ll quickly want to attach a telephone quantity to your Battle.internet account so as to play Overwatch 2.
Overwatch 2 has been considerably of a large number because it got here out on October 4. Maps had been eliminated. Servers had been flooded at launch, making the sport largely unplayable. A third of the roster was locked and sure heroes, like Bastion and Mei, had been pulled in order that Blizzard might iron out points with their kits.
Overwatch 2 has been going by way of it, and the SMS Shield quantity requirement was one other thorn in avid gamers’ sides. Some advised Kotaku it felt like “being punished for being poor” as a result of SMS Shield didn’t enable for pay as you go numbers, successfully barring low-income people from ever enjoying the free-to-play hero shooter. Following the swift backlash to this controversial requirement, Blizzard reversed the choice, saying that individuals with a linked Battle.internet account “won’t have to supply a telephone quantity to play” Overwatch 2.
Learn Extra: Overwatch 2‘s Telephone Requirement: ‘It’s Like Being Punished For Being Poor’ [Update: Gone For Most]
Effectively, Blizzard has modified its thoughts once more. In a weblog submit up to date on November 17, the writer stated that SMS Shield for Overwatch 2 is making a comeback.
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“Starting at the moment, we’re increasing international SMS Shield entry to pre-paid telephones,” Blizzard wrote within the replace to the weblog submit. “We’re excited to welcome extra gamers to Overwatch 2 whereas persevering with our dedication to combating disruptive conduct and defending the integrity of the participant expertise. This replace could take a number of hours to roll out fully, and we will’t wait to see you in-game!”
Kotaku reached out to Blizzard for remark.
Whereas Blizzard stated in its November 17 up to date weblog submit that SMS Shield would make an look in “a number of hours,” I used to be simply required so as to add a telephone quantity to a newly created Battle.internet account. So, I assume the requirement has gone dwell earlier than the corporate anticipated. Nice.
On the identical time Blizzard introduced SMS Shield is again, Overwatch 2‘s new govt producer Jared Neuss posted a separate weblog about updates to the sport. This contains tweaking the development system so that you “be ok with the time you simply spent within the sport,” bettering queue instances in order that they’re “extra correct within the UI,” adjusting matchmaking to raised “decide a participant’s talent tier and division,” and making stability adjustments to heroes which are “good for the present state of the sport.”
There are additionally experiments within the works to the battle go so rewards really feel extra rewarding and fewer grindy, however these updates “could take extra time to lock-in,” Neuss stated.
“A fast be aware: Sharing plans earlier than they’re finalized is dangerous,” Neuss wrote within the weblog submit. “Growth on a dwell sport like Overwatch 2 requires fixed juggling of pressing participant wants, long-term ambitions, and dwell points. It’s simpler, and safer, to speak in regards to the work as soon as it’s almost accomplished and able to ship. That stated, I believe sharing our ideas early is the proper factor to do, so we will create a greater dialogue between the event staff and the neighborhood. Please maintain your suggestions coming: we learn it, we’re impressed by it, we use it in our growth plans. Finally, we want it to make sure that we’re constructing a sport that you just wish to maintain enjoying for years to come back.”
Blizzard, which is infamous for its poisonous office tradition, has introduced Overwatch 2‘s second season will kick off on December 6. This batch of content material will embrace a brand new map, one other battle go, and the tank hero Ramattra, who’s unlockable after you hit degree 55 on the battle go. Bummer.