Overwatch 2 will remove loot boxes, shifting to battle pass system

Controversial and akin to gambling, the loot box system has been at the center of heated debates within the gaming community in the past few years. Overwatch, launched in 2016, may have not been the first, but certainly, the most successful game to implement such a scheme, forcing players to pray to the RNG gods and wasting money on randomized cosmetics.

That's all going to change with Overwatch 2, as developers Blizzard Entertainment confirmed the inevitable: loot boxes will be removed from the game, with a seasonal battle pass system taking its place.

The decision many fans and industry analysts expected to happen was confirmed on 16th June, during a special Overwatch 2-centric reveal stream. Blizzard devs said this would give players more control over the rewards they earn in-game.

Overwatch 2 will ditch loot boxes

Overwatch 2, similar to other free-to-play shooters released in recent years, will move to a seasonal schedule, letting them create a steady flow of content players can expect. Paired alongside it, the battle pass will function as the main way players can earn cosmetics inside the game.

There will also be an in-game store for them to acquire specific cosmetics they desire, completely removing the randomness of purchasing a loot box just to get duplicated items or ones you didn't want to.

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When the game initially launches, Overwatch 2 season 1 will feature more than 30 skins to earn, including a new "mythic" skin, sitting a tier above legendary ones.

First look at all-new cosmetics coming to #Overwatch2 on October 4.

Check out an all-new tier of hero skins✨Mythic✨

👀Mythic Genji - Cyber Demon pic.twitter.com/yuqkwEoDvd

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) June 16, 2022

No other specifics regarding the Overwatch 2 battle pass were shared, including cost or whether it will be time-gated or not. Games like Halo Infinite have season passes, however, players can choose to progress previous passes even if the season associated with them has ended.

When more information is shared about Overwatch 2's seasonal battle passes, we'll be sure to update you accordingly.

For more game content, check out our section dedicated to Overwatch 2 news, hero guides, tier lists, and more. We'll keep you in the loop with all the latest from Blizzard Entertainment.

Featured image courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.