Preceding Overwatch 2's upcoming release date, users in the Overwatch community did the math and discovered that the cost for new players to purchase free cosmetics from the first game adds up to over $12,000. Since its original release in 2016, Overwatch has been a popular team-based multiplayer shooter for many years, but it will be replaced by its sequel, Overwatch 2, within the coming days. While its launch has been highly anticipated for some, players are divided when it comes to how the new game will measure up to the first.
Overwatch 2 will make the switch from a base price of sixty dollars to a free-to-play model that includes a multitude of in-game purchases. Players who have accounts and played the first game will continue to have access to cosmetics they earned while playing. However, there are ways for new players to earn these same cosmetics in its sequel. These first-time players can purchase the items, which were freely available in Overwatch 1, with an Overwatch 2 Battle Pass that includes skins, emotes, and other cosmetics or earn credits from weekly challenges in the game.
According to a Twinfinite article, Reddit user loliscoolyay4me took the time to do the math and find out how much money new players would have to spend to fully purchase all cosmetics available in Overwatch 1. The total comes out to a staggering $12,000 total that does not include new items, heroes, or other cosmetics that will be available within the new launch of the game. loliscoolyay4me further elaborates on the hefty $12,000 price tag by mentioning that it would take around 450 years to get all the cosmetics for free, given Overwatch 2’s model when it comes to credits.
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Many players have been shocked by this number. Users in the Reddit thread comment about how Overwatch 2 has become a Blizzard cash grab with its attempt to monetize every aspect of the game. A few users have attempted to see the bright side by snidely commenting on how much money their old accounts are now worth. This is understandable, given that many loyal fans have been playing the game since its first launch and have been able to unlock these cosmetics freely over time.
The high price tag of in-game cosmetics has some players worried that Blizzard is more concerned about what will turn a profit than it is about producing a satisfactory gameplay experience. However, Overwatch 2 will likely still see many returning players for its launch and even more new players taking part in the now free-to-play game. The Overwatch 2 community has remained divided since its announcement, and time will tell how long these players decide to remain given these contentious changes.
Source: Twinfinite, loliscoolyay4me/Reddit
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