Blizzard says Overwatch 2 loot boxes are ending in the game in the next few weeks as it introduces an all-new Battle Pass system and a new in-game store.
The massive change in the first-shooter game comes after the nearly month-long run of the Overwatch Anniversary Remix Vol. 3.
Blizzard Confirms Overwatch 2 Loot Boxes Are Ending Soon
The publisher of Overwatch, Blizzard, previously promised to stop selling loot boxes last June in favor of new monetization systems.
The gaming firm vows to replace them with battle passes and an in-game store as a new monetization system that shies away from the controversial loot boxes.
As per a news story by IGN, Blizzard wants to give its players "a lot more control" in their gaming experience.
The news outlet further notes that the loot box system of Overwatch, along with other phenomenal games like Call of Duty, has been highly criticized due to its monetization system.
Not to mention that the loot box system is also consistently linked with gambling. Thus, some countries in Europe prohibits games from including such monetization methods.
Overwatch 2 to Stop Selling Loot Boxes
And as such, Blizzard plans to ditch loot boxes on Overwatch 2 before the free-to-play gaming title formally debuts this October.
The game publisher discloses that Overwatch 2 is leaving out loot boxes starting August 30.
A recent blog post regarding the upcoming Overwatch Anniversary Remix Volume 3 event mentions that the controversial loot boxes would "no longer be available for sale" by the end of this month.
On top of that, Blizzard also states that all of the currently unopened loot boxes in the first-shooter game would automatically be open before Overwatch 2 releases on Oct. 34.
But it is worth noting that the end of loot box sale does not necessarily mean that Overwatch players would no longer get their hands on standard loot boxes while playing the game.
According to a recent report by Polygon, players of the first-shooter game could still earn loot boxes as part of the gameplay after the Overwatch Anniversary Remix Vol. 3 event.
However, they could no longer purchase loot boxes as Blizzard halts its sale altogether.
Battle Pass and In-Game Store
That said, Polygon highlights that the upcoming Overwatch sequel is releasing this October sans the controversial loot box monetization system.
Instead, Blizzard is implementing a new method, which provides its players an option for a free and paid battle pass, which offers various cosmetics.
Besides the seasonal battle pass option, players could also buy cosmetics items straight from the in-game store.
