Overwatch 2 Removes Phone Requirement after Public Backlash

Overwatch 2 has already been in hot water due to it’s server issues, switch to 5v5 gameplay, and Blizzard’s toxic culture, but its latest (unintentional) publicity stunt came from a controversial requirement that has swiftly been taken down

Overwatch 2’s phone number requirement axed by Blizzard "for a majority of players" as game’s rocky launch continues https://t.co/I3t3JaoMhA pic.twitter.com/ZRVcYGPtIA

— Polygon (@Polygon) October 6, 2022

Phone Requirement Quickly Reeled Back

Overwatch 2 already forces players to jump through a number of frustrating hoops, in order to play. However, Blizzard has removed one hoop that made it straight up impossible to play for some.
Overwatch 2 previously had a system called SMS Protect, which uses two factor authentication in order to protect player data. While typical for many online games, this system had a few types of phones it blacklisted, which includes prepaid phones.
Many people in the US use prepaid phone plans as it tends to cut phone prices down to as little as $15 a month. With this type of restriction on a game marketed as “free-to-play” it can feel like an ironic punch in the gut to people who don’t have the funds for an expensive phone plan.

Fortunately, the backlash has caused Blizzard to redesign their system. On October 5th the company announced in an update that they plan to redesign the system, and remove the phone requirement for a “majority of players.”