F2P Was a Mistake: The Toxicity, Smurf and Cheater Epidemic

General Discussion
1

I feel like absolutely no measures are being taken against toxic players. I am guaranteed to encounter toxic players in 9 out of 10 games. We constantly receive the “thank you for reporting” messages, but we have no idea what actions are taken against whom (or if any are taken at all)

Since the transition to OW2, there has been a massive surge in cheaters, smurfs, and toxic players, and nothing has been done to prevent it. In OW1, people rarely used the chat, but in OW2, there is constant harassment, disturbing remarks, and toxicity towards players.

There is zero seriousness in Ranked matches, plus people are constantly leaving games. I am genuinely sick of it all. You can’t have a peaceful gaming experience in either QP or Ranked.

Making this game free-to-play was a mistake from the very beginning. I said this when it first launched, and although most people opposed it back then, looking at the forums now, I see they are starting to share my opinion.

I believe the possible solutions are:

1 - Make the game paid again (Those who purchased OW1 shouldn’t pay, and BP/skin prices should be reduced accordingly)

2 - Keep the game free-to-play, but make only RANKED modes paid (Like the Prime Status model used in R6 and CS2)

Unless one of these two solutions is implemented, there is no escaping the toxic, smurf, and cheater player base in this game.

We need to clearly understand this by now. Phone verification is not a solution; most people can easily bypass it online.

Blizzard, please do something about this already. I no longer want to see the type of player base I mentioned above in my matches. I want to see some seriousness at least in Ranked modes, regardless of the skill tier.

Edit : Also, we want an option to enable/disable Cross-Play on PC. I don’t want to keep playing against console players who shoot like they have auto-aim.

26 Likes
2

Should there be a subscription fee like WoW?!

:cat_with_wry_smile:

2 Likes
3

I don’t think this is necessary, a one-time fee, or a one-time fee just to access ranked mode, would be enough.

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4

Toxicity happens in paid games too. It sure as f00k did in OW1. People feel even more entitled when they pay their £60.

The pay model isn’t the point, human behaviour is. People are responsible for their own behaviour, stop giving them a pass. If they act like a scumbag, its their fault for being a scumbag, not Blizzards. All blizzard need to do is ban people that breach the T’s & C’s

9 Likes
5

we got phone verification for new accounts, leaver compensation and cheater compensation. what more do you want. blizzard is already doing way more than other companies when it comes to those things. can they completely eliminate it? nope ofc not.

1 Like
6

if they actioned every player I deem reportable, Support q would be empty

also I made more alt accounts when the game was paid…

for chat, its the opposite in my experience, ow1 people where using chat, ow2 rarely ever uses it, amd when its used its to flame or blame others. (while often beeing the worst player on the team themselves)

2 Likes
7

You are correlating things way too hard. Also your measures not only can’t be done, but they would create more problems and anger to the current player base than benefits.

You can’t do that on the baseline player base. Otherwise you would create 3 splits that would be unmanageable and make the game unplayable for the hybrid.

8

I agree that toxicity is at an all time high and yes f2p has a role in that, because anyone can make an alt and say whatever they want without fear since it’s an alt account and they can always make another. But, a paywall also doesn’t mean people won’t still be toxic.

They definitely need harsher penalties or to implement some other system to keep toxic players in check. I’ve been lucky enough to play in stacks recently, and the main thing I’ve noticed is how I don’t have to hear some random be toxic to me or a teammate every other game.

2 Likes
9

I think it’s sadly just the nature of competitive environments. People get worked up, they haven’t learned any manners and they lash out in the most childish ways. Most people that are toxic I feel are grown ups who should know better than to threat someone over a video game interaction. But alas, here we are.

10

It’s at an all-time high because everyone sucks

Like you played these game and you get stuck with absolutely terrible play players and games over and over and over and over and over and over

You guys need to stop blaming the players for not wanting to play bad games

I mean these same players play Marvel rivals in deadlock they don’t alt f4

How about you fix the matchmaking and make the games enjoyable?!?! no just gas like the 50% of players that are getting absolutely stomped because the matchmaker has no idea what it’s doing

11

because they get to vent against bots ocassionally restoring the fake self esteem.

12

So because you get to vent against bots occasionally in rivals

That’s the reason why every single major content creator left for rivals

And then what about the hundred thousand dollar tournaments they have nonstop?

13

I wouldn’t know, I don’t follow this other game at all. Like 0 interesst.

I do enjoy a first person shooter like overwatch tho.

14

I feel evil today, so they should force a Microsoft account which must be the same as your Windows 11 account, license connected to hardware, maybe something with the security chip, phone verification required every 3 months. This would actually reduce alt accounts. But it would cause more outrage than paid prime matchmaking, so rather do that.

15

Or you know you could just make the game fun to play

There’s plenty of money out there for good games

16

I would quit. Overwatch had a great run. 10 years! It is time to move on to… Fortnite?

:flexed_biceps::face_vomiting:

17

Many reversals when the team had strictly no chance to win can only explained by smurfs in ennemy team hiding their lvl deranking.
Never had so many wrong reversals for last seasons and i’ve played a lot.

1 Like
18

Windrose and deadlock are where its at rn

2 Likes
19

I am a console peasant. It has really limited my options. Hope the new Quake is on console (with no aim assist, of course, or Valorant aim assist which is the perfect version of aim assist). But I doubt it.

:flexed_biceps::weary_face:

20

I went the PS5 VR route, best decision I made. No Mans Sky and Gran Turismo 7 in VR is next level.

2 Likes