Overwatch 2 going free-to-play was a necessity for success

News of Overwatch 2 going free-to-play has been a breath of fresh air to anyone who still calls themself a fan of the game.

Fans were immediately skeptical of Overwatch 2 when the multiplayer beta was released. Almost everyone had the same opinion: this looks like an Overwatch patch rather than a new game.

After the early access beta, most players were solely relying on the co-op campaign to carry the game. If it didn’t, then what have Blizzard been working on for the past three years?

Would we really pay another $60 for an updated list of characters and maps for a four-year-old game? I’m not too sure.

Overwatch 2 goes free-to-play

Apparently, the Overwatch 2 team wasn’t too sure, either. During a June 16 live stream, Blizzard announced that Overwatch 2 would be going free-to-play.

Not only that, but the new release will ditch the loot boxes that its predecessor had in favor of the modern Battle Pass model – accompanied by an in-game store.

This is, in my opinion, the only way that Overwatch 2 has a chance of succeeding.

Overwatch is a relatively dead game. People won’t come back for the same experience if they need to pay a $60 price tag.

People will, however, jump back into a “new” Overwatch for free – or jump into the game for the first time.

This is a big win for gamers – especially on the heels of fellow Blizzard title, Diablo Immortal, posting big gains with a horrific loot box economy.

I would have tried Overwatch 2, regardless. Now, I’m actually excited to see what it has to offer.