Blizzard's highly anticipated sequel to popular team-based shooter Overwatch 2 has made headlines yet again. This time, it's because it was revealed that the game's story missions will cost money. The first three story missions will cost $15 to unlock for players, which has upset and disappointed some fans.
The initial set of story missions would be included as part of the season's content, Blizzard revealed in a recent blog post outlining the specifics of Overwatch 2's upcoming season. However, players looking forward to experiencing the game's story-driven PvE content were taken aback when Blizzard stated that these missions would only be accessible by purchasing the Overwatch 2: Invasion Bundle for $15.
The bundle not only grants access to the story missions but also includes 1000 Overwatch Coins, a new legendary skin for the character Sojourn, and permanent access to Sojourn as a playable hero upon completing the story missions. While some players may appreciate the additional perks, the introduction of a fee for the story content has sparked controversy within the Overwatch community.
This news comes on the heels of another disappointing announcement from Blizzard. Last month, the company revealed that it would be scrapping the much-anticipated main PvE mode called Hero missions. This mode was intended to provide players with replayable battles against robot invasions, allowing them to level up their heroes and unlock customization options.
The cancellation of Hero missions left many fans disillusioned, as it was one of the primary features emphasized during the official announcement of Overwatch 2 back in 2019. The addition of story-based PvE content was a significant selling point for the sequel, leading players to expect a robust and immersive experience.
The whole reason for Overwatch 2 was PvE. Then after MONTHS, they scrapped it all. Now they’re trying to sell it to you for $15 as seasonal content. Shit is staying uninstalled, good lord. #FuckActivision https://t.co/0snC5SHzzq
— Minty (@MintyFit) June 13, 2023
Unsurprisingly, the decision to charge for story missions has triggered strong reactions from Overwatch enthusiasts. Reddit user ceboww criticized Blizzard's marketing strategy, stating, "Announcing that you are cancelling most of something right before you try to sell it isn't a good marketing strategy." Others, like user killsillbill, expressed disappointment that the story content wasn't included as part of the Battle Pass, a feature commonly seen in many games.
In a developer livestream held last month, executive producer Jared Neuss addressed the decision to remove Hero missions. He explained that the resources required to develop the PvE experience had not progressed as expected. The development team had created exciting missions, engaging enemies, and unique hero talents. However, the immense effort required to deliver a high-quality experience within a reasonable timeframe had become a significant challenge.
Blizzard faced a difficult choice—continue investing resources into the PvE content with an uncertain release date or shift their focus to the live game, prioritizing the current player base. Ultimately, they chose the latter, aiming to provide ongoing support and improvements to the existing Overwatch community.
The recent announcement that Overwatch 2's story missions will carry a price tag has generated mixed reactions among fans. While some players are willing to pay for the additional content and bonuses, others feel disappointed and believe that story missions should have been included in the base game or offered as part of a Battle Pass. Blizzard's decision to scrap the Hero missions mode only added to the frustration of fans who were eagerly anticipating the story-driven PvE content.
As Overwatch 2 continues its development, Blizzard will need to navigate these challenges carefully. Balancing the expectations of the player base while maintaining a sustainable business model is a delicate task. Only time will tell how the game's story missions and subsequent pricing will be received by the community.