Overwatch 2 Attempts to Strike a Balance Between Attracting New Players and Retaining Existing Ones

As the year's major game releases dwindle, attention turns to the remaining titles, including Overwatch 2, which is set to launch soon. Nintendo and Sony have a strong lineup, with Bayonetta 3, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and God of War Ragnarok, but Overwatch 2 is the most interesting game from a business perspective. Blizzard is overhauling the game's business model, transitioning from a $60 premium game to a free-to-play model, which is a complex and challenging task. The company's goal is to make this change without disrupting the player experience, much like a time-lapse video of Shibuya Station's train line reconfiguration. The First Time User Experience (FTUE) has been unveiled, and it has sparked controversy, with some critics arguing that it is too long and grindy. New players will have to play around 100 matches to unlock all the characters, which has raised concerns that it may deter new players. However, the FTUE is designed to ease new players into the game, introducing characters, modes, and functionality gradually. The Watchpoint Pack, which costs $40, allows players to skip the FTUE, but this has been perceived as a cash grab. Despite the controversy, the FTUE is an important part of Blizzard's experiment, and it is designed to allow the company to change its acquisition method for new players without disrupting the existing player base. The game's existing player base needs to be considered, and the FTUE is a way to balance the needs of new and existing players. The 100-match figure is misleading, as players will unlock new characters every two or three games, making the experience feel more enjoyable and less grindy. The requirement to win 50 quick play games to unlock competitive games is more challenging, but players will likely reach this milestone while unlocking all the characters. The bigger picture is that Blizzard is facing a delicate challenge in balancing the needs of its existing player base with the commercial requirement to overhaul the game and attract new players. The company's experiment is ongoing, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out in the coming weeks and months. The sparse release schedule leading up to Christmas could be a clear opportunity for Overwatch 2 to find a new audience, especially in a time of economic uncertainty and expensive games.