Overwatch decides to discontinue loot boxes soon

Author

SB

Date

Aug, 10.2022

Overwatch will soon discontinue monetized Loot boxes, which shall delight players all over the
world. Some of the most contentious elements in contemporary video games are loot boxes.
Developers and publishers are constantly seeking new methods to commercialize their goods
outside of the typical $60 purchase as gaming becomes more and more popular. Sometimes it's DLC
or another type of one-time payment, but many online games now allow players to buy certain
products more than once.

A key component of this is loot boxes, which players may buy with real money or in-game cash and
then let a box spit out a random assortment of goodies, sometimes including ones you already
possess in the game. Since gamers may spend real money in an attempt to win amazing stuff from
these boxes, this activity has been linked to gambling. After significant debate, several publishers
have abandoned this approach, with many opting instead for items like battle passes that are far
more upfront about what you're purchasing.

At the end of August, premium loot boxes are anticipated to be eliminated from the original game
due to the upcoming release of Overwatch 2. Loot boxes will no longer be available for purchase
with real money, but players will still be able to earn them through gameplay. Players may also earn
and buy Anniversary Loot Boxes, which contain skins and equipment from prior events and
anniversaries, up to August 30. Players will no longer be able to win traditional loot boxes after
September since Overwatch 2 will replace them entirely with seasonal passes like other well-known
titles when it launches in October.

One of the last big games to still use loot boxes is Overwatch however, it shall not be the last. Given
their popularity, it may be difficult to picture games like FIFA and Madden abandoning card packs,
but it may be a reality that the sports genre in video games must come to terms with. Nevertheless,
it's encouraging to see the phasing away of treasure boxes.