Blizzard says it’s ‘actively working towards’ making Overwatch 2 heroes playable for everyone at launch
Blizzard Entertainment is currently working on a way to create something new Overwatch 2 heroes free at launch.
Unlike its predecessor, Overwatch 2 features a system that allows players to purchase a premium battle pass that will give players immediate access to brand new heroes in their respective seasonal releases.
It's a feature that has received quite a bit of criticism because it means players have to use real money to be able to play new characters immediately. If you decide not to buy the premium battle pass, there's the free version, but even then you're stuck grinding through levels until the heroes are eventually unlocked for you.
However, according to Overwatch 2 executive producer Jared Neuss, it's something the team wants to change given the discussion about pay-to-win benefits.
“Would I want every player to be able to experience a hero on the day a season ends? Yes,” Neuss said during the SVB Group Up! podcast (via GameRadar+).
“Do I think we're getting there? Yes, I think we're getting there and we're actively working on it now. Can I talk about the details? No, we can't.”
He continued, saying: “I recognize it is an issue and it is something we want to address in the match because we are not actively achieving that first goal. Part of that is also just making sure we balance that out. 'we're free to play' with fairness, so it's like, obviously, you can earn any hero, you don't have to buy the (premium battle pass).”
In response to the pay-to-win criticism, Neuss added that the development team is aware that there can be a competitive advantage if some players get access to new heroes earlier than others, and “that's one of the reasons why we want to change our model. in the future, because it doesn't feel great in a game like this that relies so much on heroes to stop people.”
Overwatch 2 just received its newest hero Mauga in season eight, a tank hero and the first Samoan character in the game.