Overwatch 2 Fan Imagines Outrageous Pay-to-Win Mechanics in Viral Video

An Overwatch 2 fan has created a video envisioning some egregious pay-to-win mechanics. Overwatch 2 has adopted a more live-service model than its predecessor, and this concept could be the logical conclusion of such changes.

When Overwatch 2 was released, it replaced its predecessor with mixed reactions. Some fans wanted to retain the ability to play both games, while others appreciated the free nature of the sequel. Blizzard enhanced the seasonal approach of the original game by introducing a Battle Pass and additional shop items available for purchase using Overwatch Coins. For a brief period, new characters were locked behind the seasonal Battle Pass, allowing only a portion of the community to play them. Though some gamers viewed this as a pay-to-win issue, one fan has created a concept that would make paying players exponentially more powerful than those playing for free.

Reddit user RuskiLynx recently shared a video highlighting potential pay-to-win ideas for Overwatch 2. The clip shows Tracer in Training mode with massive hitboxes, along with text indicating that players could get larger enemy hitboxes for 2,900 Overwatch Coins. The video then transitions to a menu resembling the Overwatch 2 shop, featuring items like a 20% DPS healing reduction for 3,900 Coins, and a bundle to avoid the Push game mode. While the standard shop includes emotes, skins, weapon charms, and more, this concept illustrates how far Blizzard could potentially take pay-to-win mechanics if desired.

How Could Overwatch 2 Pay-To-Win Get Even Worse?

This concept includes Overwatch 2 Competitive Rank increases, a Sombra EMP that can target an enemy's Wi-Fi, avoid slot tickets, and a Green Mercy. These items are listed in a "for you" section that would likely adjust automatically to match each player's needs. Avoid slots allow gamers to list certain players to avoid in matchmaking, and there have been forum posts requesting an expansion of this system. Competitive Rank currently has to be improved by winning matches in the corresponding game mode, and a Sombra Wi-Fi EMP could be devastating to an enemy team. The Green Mercy appears to be more of a joke than a pay-to-win mechanic, showcasing RuskiLynx's range of ideas.

Given that Overwatch 2 includes a Premium Battle Pass and tier skip options, there are minimal ways in which gamers can outpace others. Players who abandon too many matches can already be hit by debuffs in both ranked and unranked matches. This concept could be expanded to affect players who don't participate in the pay-to-win mechanics illustrated by RuskiLynx. While Blizzard continues to update Overwatch 2, it's unlikely that it will ever introduce such egregious pay-to-win offerings as those depicted in the video.