Nearly two years and a platform-worst rating later, Overwatch 2 is finally revolutionizing its approach to hero accessibility, marking what could be the start of its redemption arc.
According to Blizzard Entertainment, it will start making premium heroes available to every player free of charge starting in Season 10. Previously, players had to purchase a premium battle pass or grind for dozens of hours to unlock a new hero.
With this update, Blizzard hopes that by letting players enjoy the complete Overwatch 2 roster, starting with Venture’s arrival in April, it can revive interest in the “dying” game.
Ideally, Blizzard’s announcement of a more inclusive model will enhance the gameplay experience by ensuring equal access to all characters, thereby leveling the playing field and fostering a more competitive and enjoyable environment. But the actual results of the decision remain unclear. However, it does reflect Blizzard’s response to feedback from the Overwatch 2 community, which has long voiced their concerns over the accessibility of new heroes.
By making Overwatch 2 heroes free for everyone upon their release, Blizzard is showing its players that it’s willing to listen and adapt even if it takes them a while.
Aside from making every Overwatch 2 hero free to play starting on April 9, Blizzard will be enhancing the player experience by making improvements to the battle pass system and introducing a new Mythic Shop. The latter offers players flexibility in unlocking and customizing Mythic skins, a feature that represents Blizzard’s ongoing efforts to provide players with more control over their in-game assets. Finally, players will have a chance to earn Overwatch Coins through both the free and premium tracks of the game’s battle pass, with the potential to earn up to 600 coins per season. This change is designed to make the game’s premium currency more accessible to all players, enabling them to unlock additional content without the need to spend real money.
As a bonus, Blizzard is introducing new game modes and maps, including Clash and its map, Hanaoka, alongside the Season 10 update.
Ultimately, by removing the barriers to accessing new heroes and enhancing the overall player experience, Blizzard aims to sustain and grow the Overwatch 2 community.
Unfortunately, we still have no clue when Overwatch 2 is coming to Xbox Game Pass. Earlier this year, Diablo 4 was confirmed for a Game Pass release on March 28.
