Public Custom Games
Hosting Public Custom Games now requires Endorsement Level 3.
Developer Comments: A reminder that we’ve been actioning accounts that post disruptive content in the Game Browser and we’re serious about removing problematic players that don’t follow our Code of Conduct. Whenever an account is actioned for a social penalty, they’re reduced to Endorsement Level 0, so the combination of social actions and this feature will allow for one chance to change their behavior before they’re permanently banned. Anyone that is below Endorsement Level 3 can still host games with the “Friends” or “Invite Only” settings, but they will not have access to the “Everyone” setting.
It’s great to see that Blizzard is addressing disruptive behavior, but this change seems problematic for the workshop/custom game community.
First of all, players who only play in custom games can’t even receive endorsements. Endorsements are limited to quick play/competitve and maybe(?) arcade? But never custom games. This system, therefore, feels like an unnecessary hurdle for a large group of players who aren’t disruptive, yet are being affected by a rule they can’t directly influence. You’re basically filtering a majority of the custom game player base now for no reason.
I’ll have to invite a friend in order to make a lobby public and that’s just a big unnecessary hassle for the same result I had before.
Additionally, what happens if a player with an Endorsement Level below 3 becomes the host? Does the game remain public? If so, then this change seems pointless. If not, why is this restriction applied only to custom games and not to competitive mode or arcade (As in, why not block these players from playing)? There’s a lot of inconsistency going on here.
It feels like this policy is targeting custom game players, almost as if it’s trying to push us into playing quick play or competitive modes. The custom games community is diverse, and yes, there are some issues, but this approach feels heavy-handed and misplaced. It feels targeted like you’re forcing players who only play custom games to play in quick play.
If I go into the custom games tab now, none of the games I loved playing are even there anymore. I’m forced to play what’s popular with others. We just want to have fun and play what we want with others man.
13 Likes
This is so true. we have a group of korean overwatch workshop creators who’s main focus is creating modes, NOT playing quickplay or comp. We are actually screwed now and a lot of them just quit overwatch due to this. I don’t think Blizzard cares about the impact they’d have on such communities. I don’t know if Blizzard can read this but can you PLEASE have some respect for the custom game creators who literally maintained your game by providing fun custom games during the long period when OW1 basically died. I know that we might be a smaller community compared to the people who play normal modes(quickplay or comp), but cmon, this really ain’t it. The love I had for developing workshop was just too sincere and I’m pretty sure there are other people like me.
6 Likes
Blizzard does not care at all about workshop players. It’s actually insane
4 Likes
For now just invite someone with the right endorsement level, make them owner and then set the lobby to public. Then when they make you owner again you’ll have a custom lobby that’s public!
From the patch notes, I assumed that players without the required level would no longer be able to change lobbies from “Friends Only” to “Public.”
But in reality, I can’t even create a custom lobby, let alone debug and test run my own mods. Is this just me?
It’s hindering development and maintenance for many modders, including myself, and is certainly ruining the Workshop experience.
Is this really really the developer’s intention?
Custom game players have a different needs of game experience than competitive and quick mode players. so, it’s really ridiculous to restrict custom games with an approval level that only competitive and quick mode players get.
Isn’t the reporting feature enough to weed out toxic players in custom games? I really hope this stupid policy is reverted…
I’m currently trying to increase my approval level in quickplay, while being extremely frustrated by unpleasant one-sided games and chat abuse…
4 Likes
There’s been some issues with lobby creation lately for some players. That’s a separate issue but it “fixes itself” after two days or so.
There’s been some issues with lobby creation lately for some players. That’s a separate issue but it “fixes itself” after two days or so.
Thanks for the reply, I’ll check later.
2 Likes
Yet another laughably pathetic demonstration of how completely out of touch Blizzard
is from its player base. Bravo.
2 Likes
Still need a new update either undoing this patch or allowing players that only play custom games to receive endorsements!
Found out that yes, you can just invite someone to make the lobby public. Yes, it stays public even if you’re under the level. So there really is no point in this “feature” it’s just a way to make it even more annoying to do something basic that we could’ve done ourselves before.
There’s been some issues with lobby creation lately for some players. That’s a separate issue but it “fixes itself” after two days or so.
Unfortunately, this has not been resolved yet.
Should I contact support?
I’m a weekend shooter, so I can’t play quick matches or competitive matches for long periods of time…
Looks like I’ll have to give up on maintaining my own mods…
1 Like
Yeah contact support I suppose 
Which platform are you on?
I’m using PC with Battle.net
I can’t even create a custom lobby, let alone debug and test run my own mods. Is this just me?
If anyone has the same issue please post.
… Can we get endorsements in custom games?
Idk something? We don’t want to play quick play or especially competitive and that should be perfectly fine. Why are you guys trying to force the way we play the game? that’s just weird and unfair
2 Likes
Would like to comment just to say, you’re not alone in wanting this OP.
2 Likes
Please fix this issue. I’m too broke to play Marvel Rivals which i hear has a custom game itself apparently.
It’s getting harder and harder to start a simple game because the playerbase is slowly giving up on this game. If you’re not going to allow the majority of your playerbase to start a game of course people are going to leave. This is just an inherently flawed system on so many levels.
Guys, what we have to admit is that Custom game players can’t contribute to the revenue, so for Blizzard our experience doesn’t matter.
On a similar note, Mecry has some issues with her skills and values, but it doesn’t stop her from being a higher pick hero because her skins are so popular that even simple color change skins can make money, so almost every season Mecry has a new skin.
1 Like
MR is free I think, but their custom games dont have a workshop.