Numerous complaints have flooded the Blizzard forums from Overwatch 2 players who claim they have been wrongfully banned from ranked matches, despite not violating any rules. This situation has raised concerns among players who suspect a flaw in the Overwatch 2 penalty system might be the cause of these mistaken bans, prompting a response from the developer.
Overwatch 2 is a popular free-to-play first-person shooter game created by Blizzard Entertainment. It retains the hero-focused gameplay of its predecessor, featuring 40 characters divided into damage, support, and tank roles, while reducing team sizes from six to five for faster gameplay. The game centers on player versus player battles with modes like Push. Overwatch 2 has adopted a battle pass model, eliminated loot boxes, and introduced cross-platform play with cross-progression. Recently, a new penalty system was rolled out for Season 10 in Overwatch 2, but it seems to be malfunctioning.
The issue came to the forefront when a player known as winkle1 shared their ban experience on the Blizzard forum, detailing how they and their friends were banned without engaging in toxic behavior or leaving matches prematurely. Many other players echoed similar experiences, expressing frustration and confusion over the sudden bans. One player highlighted the absence of a mechanism to detect server crashes, underscoring the adverse effects of bans on players facing penalties even during unforeseen technical difficulties. This sentiment reverberated throughout the forum, with numerous players voicing their disappointment at being penalized due to circumstances beyond their control, missing out on participating in the new Overwatch 2 Season 10.
How Did Blizzard Address the Concerns of Overwatch 2 Players?
In response to the escalating worries, a Blizzard developer acknowledged the issue and reassured players that they are actively looking into the incorrect leaver penalties. The developer advised impacted players against submitting individual appeals, as the team is focused on resolving the matter comprehensively for all affected individuals. The bans seem to be connected to the new penalty system introduced in Overwatch 2 Season 10, which includes specific thresholds for Unranked Leave Penalties. Now, leaving numerous games within a certain period can lead to increasingly longer suspension durations, ranging from a 5-minute ban to a 48-hour prohibition from queuing for most game modes.
Despite Blizzard's commitment to investigating the issue, players are still apprehensive about how it might impact their gaming experience, particularly given the severity of the penalties and the absence of a failsafe mechanism to differentiate legitimate player actions from system errors. Like many other online multiplayer games, Overwatch 2 encounters various bugs. Nevertheless, the community eagerly anticipates further developments and solutions regarding the reported bans, anticipating prompt and fair resolutions to ensure an enjoyable gaming environment for all players.