Overwatch 2 Developers Reveal Their Plans to Combat Smurfs and "Unranked to GM" Streams

Smurfing is a common problem in many multiplayer shooters, and Overwatch 2 is no exception. Players often create new accounts to dominate lower-ranked opponents or use them for "Unranked to GM" content. While the latter may be less malicious, both contribute to a frustrating experience - especially for new players who end up facing high-level opponents and getting steamrolled. Fortunately, Blizzard has announced plans to tackle these issues. Let’s dive into the details below.

Overwatch 2 Developers Reveal Their Plans to Combat Smurfs and "Unranked to GM" Streams

As previously mentioned, Blizzard has taken steps to address the issues of Smurf accounts (where experienced players create new accounts to dominate lower-ranked players) and "Unranked to GM" streamers (who create new accounts to grind from unranked to Grandmaster on a single character, such as "Mercy Unranked to GM"). It appears Blizzard is tackling these problems head-on.

Smurfing = Cheating
byu/ltats99 inOverwatch

In a blog post from January 30th, the developers revealed they’ve been testing a new feature designed to identify seasoned players on fresh accounts and prevent them from facing newer players. “We’re confident that we’re going to be able to make an impact on our community at all skill levels when this system fully launches,” they said.

The feature aims to quickly identify Smurf accounts and move them up in MMR, limiting their times and negatively impacting the experience for newer players. To further combat smurfing, new players will be placed in lobbies against AI bots, allowing them to familiarize themselves with Overwatch mechanics without being overwhelmed by veteran players.

As for "Unranked to GM" streamers, while they might be entertaining to watch, Blizzard is stepping in to curb this trend. “We expect ‘Unranked to Grand Master’ videos and streams to be easier to watch, given how much shorter they’ll be,” the developers stated. “While we don’t restrict players to one account, it is encouraged that you spend the time developing your skills on only one account when possible.”

At the time of writing, it’s unclear exactly when this new feature will be released for Overwatch 2, but it’s likely to coincide with the next major update for the game, along with Blizzard's ongoing efforts to address the cheating problem. For now, stay tuned as we await more details on how this feature will help tackle smurfing and cheating in Overwatch 2.