Overwatch 2 Launch Issues, Bugs & SMS Protect Change

The launch of Overwatch 2 didn't exactly go as planned, with server downtime and issues due to a couple of massive DDoS attacks. There are several launch issues for Overwatch 2, and Blizzard knows this quite well, as the developer has detailed all the common issues and bugs.

This article explains the Overwatch 2 known issues, the bugs, fixes, and a change to the SMS Protect feature that didn't go down well with some gamers.

Overwatch 2 Known Issues & Fixes

In a recent post, Blizzard outlined the known issues Overwatch 2 has been struggling with since its launch.

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First up, Blizzard notes that this is not a complete list of currently tracked issues affecting Overwatch 2 but rather a list of specific issues with the game's release.

The biggest one has to be those nasty server disconnect issues. Blizzard provided an update on this launch issue: "We’ve patched a server that is critical to the login experience. This change has increased login reliability. Beyond queues, we’re in progress with another server update that will reduce the occurrences of players being disconnected once they’re already in game.

"We’re also adding nodes to ease the pressure of our player database being overloaded. Adding nodes requires replication of data, which inherently adds more pressure to an already stressed system, so we’re doing it slowly to not cause any further disruption."

Next up, we have the Overwatch 2 issue where those who merged their console and PC accounts got the "Unexpected Server Error". Blizzard explains that half of reports are coming from players who have not yet completed their account merger.

Blizzard states: "In the other half of reported cases for this issue, things are just taking longer than expected for items from the original Overwatch to transfer and populate in Overwatch 2. If you’re experiencing this issue, please perform your account merge if you’ve played Overwatch on multiple platforms previously, and re-login to see if this addresses the problem."

The biggest takeaway here is that no data has been lost or wiped at all, and the developers will continue to monitor the issue.

The last big known issue is that some players have seen incorrectly locked items or heroes. Blizzard explains: "These cases are almost certainly related to our new First Time User Experience (FTUE) flow incorrectly being applied to existing players. We have seen relogging into the game resolve this issue in most cases, and we will continue to work towards a complete fix."

That's it for the biggest Overwatch 2 known issues list. Now, onto an important SMS Protect change.

Overwatch 2 SMS Protect Requirements Change

The SMS Protect feature for Overwatch 2 was needed due to the game's free-to-play nature, as it makes bad actors' lives more difficult.

However, many players didn't like that they needed a phone number to play Overwatch 2. This will change for some, while remaining intact for others. 

Starting on Friday, 7th October 2022, Battle.net accounts for Overwatch players which have been active since 9th June 2022 will not require a phone number to play.

New accounts or accounts not connected to Battle.net will still have to meet the SMS Protect requirements. You can read our handy guide on how to enable Overwatch 2's SMS Protect in five minutes or less.

Blizzard notes: "If a player is caught engaging in disruptive behavior, their account may be banned whether they have a new account or not. As a team, we will keep listening to ongoing feedback and will make further adjustments in this area if it is required."

Overwatch 2 Bugs & Fixes

Alongside the known issues at Overwatch 2's launch, Blizzard is also aware of several bugs, some of which have already been fixed.

Current Overwatch 2 Bugs:

• Some players to fall through the map when spawning in the Bounty Hunter Arcade mode.
• Some players may be unable to invite their friends or recent players using the Social UI due to an in-game error stating they are on a different version.
  • Using “/invite” in chat and typing in their battletag is a possible workaround.
• Kiriko and Sojourn’s Heroic poses are incorrectly locked and priced.
• Prices for dynamic bundles in some Just For You sections aren’t populating.
• Using Alt + Tab in fullscreen and windowed borderless can result in a blackscreen.
• The camera may be misplaced on the level when viewing your Highlights.
• Hero Unlock challenges may fail to progress in Total Mayhem.
• Workshop Green Screen and Workshop Island are loading incorrect maps and may break some existing codes.
• Numbani, Necropolis, Illios CTF, and Temple of Anubis are temporarily disabled.
• Echo is playing Kiriko, Sojourn, and Junker Queen ultimate lines in English for non-English languages.
• Mitigating Bastion’s damage as many heroes will not grant proper credit for the System-Wide Malfunction season challenge.
• SMS protect - Using a number that is already in use on another account can leave the client in an unusable state. If you encounter this, close the title, log into the affected account via web browser and change the number to one that is unique.

Fixed Overwatch 2 Bugs:

• Kiriko and Sojourn’s heroic victory poses were intended to be free, so players who purchased them will receive a refund. Their heroic victory poses will be available for free to all players in our next scheduled release.
• Players who owned Happi Genji prior to launch and purchased the skin again after launch will get their tokens returned
  • We’re starting to process of granting tokens back into their accounts today and will continue into late tomorrow
• Match History and Replays are now present in Career Profile

So there you have it, all the known issues and bugs in Overwatch 2 at launch, alongside a vital requirement change for the SMS Protect feature.

It remains to be seen how swiftly Blizzard can squash all the bugs and sort out Overwatch 2's launch issues.

For more on the game, check our section dedicated to Overwatch 2 news, guides, and features.

Featured image courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.