What Happened to My Overwatch 1 Loot Boxes?
As of August 30, 2022, Overwatch loot box sales came to an end, and with the launch of Overwatch 2, all remaining unopened loot boxes were automatically opened, ensuring that players could access their contents. The decision to end loot box sales was largely driven by the need to avoid potential legal battles and comply with regulations in various countries where loot boxes have been outlawed due to their resemblance to gambling mechanisms.
Understanding the Transition
Background on Loot Boxes
The removal of loot boxes from Overwatch marks a significant shift in how game developers approach monetization, especially in games with a young player base, where the concern about predatory practices is more pronounced.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are Overwatch loot boxes gone? Overwatch loot boxes are gone to avoid potential legal issues and to adapt to the changing regulatory landscape regarding loot boxes, which are now considered akin to gambling in many jurisdictions.
- What will happen to Overwatch 1 items? All cosmetics, including skins, from Overwatch 1 will be available in Overwatch 2 once the accounts are unified under a Battle.net ID.
- How do you get loot boxes in Overwatch 1? Before their removal, loot boxes could be earned by leveling up, receiving them as gifts during special events, or as a one-time reward for first-time access during a seasonal event.
- What happened to loot crate? Loot Crate, a subscription box service, underwent significant changes, including filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and eventually being sold to Money Chest LLC, now operating as The Loot Company.
- Why did I lose everything from Overwatch 1? It’s unlikely that progress was truly lost, as Overwatch is designed to prevent loss of in-game progress; issues are usually display-related and can be resolved by logging out and back into the game and Blizzard Battle.net Desktop App.
- Is everything from Overwatch 1 gone? No, Overwatch 1 items, such as skins and progress, are not gone; they are transferred to Overwatch 2 when accounts are merged.
- Do Overwatch 1 owners get anything? Yes, owners of Overwatch 1 receive all their items, heroes unlocked, access to new hero Kiriko, and additional content like the Founders Pack.
- Did Blizzard remove loot boxes? Yes, Blizzard removed the ability to buy loot boxes with real money as of August 30, 2022, though they could still be earned through gameplay until Overwatch 2 launched.
- Why are loot boxes illegal? Loot boxes are considered illegal in some jurisdictions because their chance and rarity mechanics make them similar to gambling, which is regulated or prohibited, especially when targeting minors.
- How much is 50 loot boxes Overwatch? Before their removal, 50 loot boxes in Overwatch could be purchased for $39.99 as part of the game’s microtransaction model.
- Can you get old Overwatch skins? Yes, old Overwatch skins can be transferred to Overwatch 2 by merging console accounts with a Battle.net account.
- Why did Overwatch cancel PvE? The PvE (Player versus Environment) mode in Overwatch was not canceled but rather postponed due to the team trying to accomplish too much at once and losing focus, as stated by the developers.
- Why are games removing loot boxes? Games are removing loot boxes due to regulatory pressures, the desire to avoid predatory monetization practices, especially towards young players, and to find more player-friendly monetization models.
- Is Overwatch 1 down forever? Yes, Overwatch 1 servers are officially shut down, and the game is no longer playable as it has been replaced by Overwatch 2.
- Are Overwatch 1 stats gone? Competitive stats from Overwatch 1 are no longer accessible, marking a clear transition to Overwatch 2, where new stats and progress tracking begin.