So you can't play Overwatch 2 if you have Cricket Wireless

General Discussion
#1

I found out through tons of Twitter responses that the SMS verification is not working for those who have a phone under Cricket Wireless. When attempting to submit your phone number, it will state “please enter a post-paid phone number.”

It’s a monthly-paid service but I guess it’s considered pre-paid? It looks like tons of people are having this issue with Blizzard’s SMS verification system and Cricket Wireless. I understand the need for keeping people from buying burners to make smurf accounts, but I have a monthly billing date where I pay ~$50 for service.

Absolute insanity that I can’t play Overwatch 2 because I’m not using Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T’s service.

148 Likes
#2

nope. metro PCS as well. it really sucks. im seriously upset and i can’t do anything.

i wish all those that can the best and to have fun though.

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#3

It took me until today to realize I can’t play on Switch now when I’m traveling. My main is on xbox and already hooked up to my number. Looks like I just uninstall from switch. Bummer.

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#4

They should change it to allow month-to-month paid phones. It’s not cool to exclude them for not wanting to be a part of a predatory phone service that just hounds you with bills and charges and is significantly more expensive.

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#5

I was told that the issue is on Cricket’s side, not Blizzard’s. Cricket apparently blocks Blizzard’s SMS verification for some reason, so Blizzard doesn’t allow Cricket as a provider to avoid more help desk headaches from people registering Cricket numbers and not getting the verification SMS.

1 Like
#6

Most of player from my country also can’t play, for us here pre-paid number are common one.

I will just waiting to see what Bliz going to do about this. If not, I have to request a refund.

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#7

It’s honestly shocking to me. Like, I’m lost for words with trying to structure an argument for Blizzard in this instance.

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#8

Just make sure everyone who is having this problem is being loud about it - post on the forums, post on twitter (make sure you tag Blizzard and Overwatch) and wherever else you can.

Just keep making it known.

Not much else we can do

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#9

theres a thread that has like almost 8k views maybe post there? if a thread with almost 8k views doesn’t get seen, nothing will i think…

post everywhere you can though just in case.

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#10

Which may be the case, I’m not sure. However, if that is the case, why don’t they state that instead of requesting a ticket be submitted? I feel like that’s, if anything, causing even more of a help desk headache. This makes me think that it’s on Blizzard’s end.

Beyond that, this process – even without taking Cricket into consideration – is alienating so, so, so many individuals who use prepaid phone services. It’s insane. Growing up in poverty, I had nothing but burner phones until I graduated high school. Screw those folks, I suppose.

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#11

Being loud and explicit in the customer support chats because I literally don’t have a game to lose. It’s already gone. Because I have Cricket so f@#$ me I guess.

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#12

Source? This is the first I’m hearing of this.

And as asked above: If that’s the case, why wouldn’t Blizzard just say that and get themselves off the hook?

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#13

Im really annoyed because one of my best friends can’t play because she has cricket.

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#14

Yeah, I don’t know about that either. Because people on Metro, StraightTalk, and some other providers are having the same exact issue.

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#15

eu prepaid works. i assume there is a way to get one shipped where you are and only charge it once per 3 months or smth. idk, i would try it if i was you

#16

Sounds like it could work, but also seems like a huge hassle and continued cost to play a game that should be free and shouldn’t have these sorts of accessibility issues.

I do appreciate the idea, however.

3 Likes
#17

Yup, in that same boat. None of the phones on my account are pre-paid but I am getting labeled as that. You would have thought some effort to test this might have gone into it if they made this a requirement.

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#18

Flood their support services with demands to fix this

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#19

Same issue. Requested a refund for the watchpoint pack. Game isn’t worth the headache.

5 Likes
#20

Im going to keep posting on twitter, youtube comments, twitch chats, reddit, and of course here. This issue is unreasonable and outrageous. According to Stylosa’s poll this effects around 15% of legitimate players and probably blocks about 0% of bad actors. ITS HORRIBLE.

13 Likes