Overwatch 2 to Reintroduce Loot Boxes Due to Popular Demand

Overwatch is once again getting loot boxes, Blizzard Entertainment announced. Answering a popular demand, the company decided to reimplement the controversial mechanic, which had so far been missing from the franchise’s second entry, Overwatch 2.

Paid Loot Boxes Have Been Compared to Gambling

Loot boxes are a controversial video game mechanic where players can open digital boxes to get randomized loot containing in-game items and cosmetics. Usually, loot boxes can be earned by playing. Many titles, however, also offer purchasable loot boxes, which many people have related to gambling.

Although most regulated markets are uncertain how to approach loot boxes since they do have some differences from traditional gambling, a few have introduced certain restrictions in order to protect the impressionable youth from developing bad spending habits.

Belgium, for example, banned loot boxes, although this ban has been enforced with mixed results so far. The UK, on the other hand, is still debating the fate of the mechanic.

While loot boxes are controversial, their reintroduction to the Overwatch franchise responds to popular fan demand.

Overwatch 2 to Reintroduce Loot Boxes

The original Overwatch sported paid loot boxes, even though players could also win them by playing. When Blizzard released the second title, fans quickly noticed that loot boxes were missing. While many agreed with this decision, others missed the opportunity to win in-game cosmetics.

Unlike other titles where players can win utility items from loot boxes, Overwatch’s boxes only offered cosmetics which did not affect player performance. This will still be so in Overwatch 2 as Blizzard prepares to return loot boxes with the launch of Season 15. Set to take place on February 18, the launch will once again allow fans to feel rewarded for their gameplay by earning loot boxes.

However, Blizzard will seemingly not be reintroducing purchasable loot boxes, unlike in the original Overwatch. Instead, they could be earned in the free tier of the game’s Battle Pass (a mechanic rewarding regular participation), and through daily rewards.

In addition to that, the new loot boxes will be more transparent and will inform players about the actual drop rates players can expect. The new system will also implement a “pity mechanic” which will provide players with guaranteed rare rewards once they open a certain number of boxes.

This is likely to appease loot box critics who can rest assured that Overwatch players will be risking no real money for a slight chance to win the prize they want.

League of Legends Was Accused of Violating Belgium’s Loot Box Rules

In other news, Belgium filed a complaint against Riot Games, the company behind the famous competitive MOBA game League of Legends. The lawsuit accused Riot Games of offering paid loot boxes to players in the country despite the ban.

This came as League of Legends remained adamant about the removal of free loot boxes. The developers argued that free loot boxes have hurt its profitability, which is why they will remain as paid items only.