Blizzard scales back Overwatch 2’s controversial phone number requirement
Enlarge / Overwatch 2 characters offer varied reactions based on whether or not they are now exempt from Blizzard's "SMS Protect" system.
Blizzard has partially walked back a controversial policy that required Overwatch 2 players to confirm a valid mobile phone number to play the game. Now, players "with a connected Battle.net account"-a group Blizzard says includes "a majority of existing Overwatch players"- will be able to avoid that requirement.
Blizzard originally announced late last month that all Overwatch 2 players would be required to sign up for its "SMS Protect" service with a valid phone number. The move was sold as a way to bring "meaningful change when it comes to disruptive play" in the game.
In free-to-play games like Overwatch 2, problematic players can easily create new accounts in an attempt to evade bans. By linking all Overwatch 2 player accounts to a distinct phone number, Blizzard said it was "mak[ing] it more difficult for [disruptive players] to return to the game."