Overwatch 2 Devs Explain The Idea (And Challenges) Behind Their Customizable Mythic Skins

Overwatch 2’s release is only a little over a week away and so far in the months leading up to the release, we have received a flood of information on new maps, new modes, and new characters. Overwatch is also doing away with loot boxes and bringing in their new free-to-play model in the form of a Battle Pass which allows for F2P fun as well as a premium track for those with coin they’re dying to spend.

While all players will be able to unlock the new support character Kiriko, those who opt for the premium option will be able to collect cyberpunk-themed cosmetics, weapon charms, souvenirs, and legendary skins. Players who are able to complete the full 80-tier premium Battle Pass will even receive Cyber Demon Genji, which will be Overwatch’s new class of customizable cosmetics called Mythic Skins.

In an interview with Game Informer and Overwatch 2’s General Manager Walter Kong, they discussed Overwatch’s new F2P mode. "When we looked at making this transition to free-to-play, one of the great goals we had was to give Overwatch players what they wanted, which was just continuous delivery of content. We know this because players have been telling us that keeps them engaged over the long term," says Kong.

When it comes to free-to-play content, a proven business model is continuous updates filled with content. To make this idea a reality, Overwatch 2’s core team needed to nearly triple what it was in 2016. “We spent a long time thinking through how to be able to fund continued development of the game in a way that would still present fair and enjoyable experiences for all players, whether they choose to pay or whether they choose to play for free. And our approach, in terms of players who pay, is to deliver tremendous value."

Yes, players will be able to receive a new skin of tremendous value, for tremendous value–these skins don’t come cheap.

Every season will have a different theme accompanied by a Mythic Skin featuring multiple layers that players can customize to their liking. When asked why the Mythic Skin was placed into the Battle Pass instead of the shop, Overwatch’s Commercial Lead and Vice President, Jon Spector, had this to say: “We really wanted [the Mythic Skin] to be one of the centerpieces of our Battle Pass system. One of the pieces of player feedback I've seen since Mythic Skins were first announced is people feeling like [the skins] are more special if there's an aspect of earning them. So I think the ability to look back and say, 'I got Mythic Genji because I was playing in Season One and completed the Battle Pass,' will make it feel even more special," says Spector.

Now, I don’t know too many players who would want time-gated content. While there are some for sure, I cannot wrap my head around the idea that it would be a vast majority of the player base, making it seem like a cop-out excuse pretending to make a decision for the player's benefit when in actuality only the company has something to gain.

If readers would like to take a look at the full interview, please head over to Game Informer for all the details.

Note: Activision Blizzard is still under investigation by the state of California for serious harassment charges. CEO Bobby Kotick is alleged to have known about such actions within his company – and performed some himself – and shielded the perpetrators from consequences.