Blizzard has confirmed details about how they will transition the currencies and loot boxes from the original Overwatch into Overwatch 2, when it launches into early access on 4th October.
Overwatch 2 comes with a completely different business model to the original game. The sequel, which will completely replace Overwatch when it launches, will be shifting to a free-to-play model with seasonal content, battle passes and a store, while the old loot boxes are being taken out back and put out of their misery before lawmakers pay too much attention. So what happens to all of that existing stuff? Blizzard explained in an AMA on Reddit.
Well, Credits, OWL tokens and competitive points will simply be transferred straight over to Overwatch 2 and remain usable for unlocking certain in-game items, though not everything. Blizzard will be creating a new currency that is intended to apply to most of the new stuff.
And what about the unopened loot boxes? Blizzard will pry them out of your tightly clenched hands and open them all for you automatically, feeding anything unlocked right back to your account.
Blizzard’s response reads:
We’ll share a more detailed explanation on all of these topics before Overwatch 2 goes live in October. To give you a quick answer now though, those existing currencies (credits, OWL tokens, and competitive points) will come with you into Overwatch 2. We are not transitioning loot boxes into Overwatch 2, and ahead of launch, any unopened loot boxes will be automatically opened with your account receiving all the contents directly.
[…] OW1 credits come with you to OW2, but our new virtual currency will be the main currency, and there will be things in OW2 that will not be purchasable with those OW1 credits.
Blizzard is gearing up for one of the biggest relaunches we’ll see in video games history, with the immensely popular Overwatch being completely subsumed by its sequel Overwatch 2. The game is going free-to-play, and any Overwatch game client you have installed will be completely replaced by the new game.
This will have the effect of bringing the entire Overwatch community forward to the new game, which will bring with it some really major changes. From 6v6 battles, Overwatch 2 will now have 5v5 fights, there will be complete visual overhaul for a lot of maps and characters, there’s also new game modes and new heroes. A lot of this was outlined in the Overwatch 2 Reveal Event stream last week.
If you simply cannot wait until October, though, Blizzard has revealed that the next Overwatch 2 beta will take place for PC and consoles later this month. Overwatch 2 is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, and all systems will get to take part in the beta, starting on 28th June. To take part you need to sign up and opt into the beta, which you can do at PlayOverwatch.com/beta.
Source: Reddit
