Overwatch 2’s beleaguered PvE content material has reportedly been scrapped.
That is in accordance with Bloomberg, which reported yesterday that following “poor” gross sales of its prior PvE missions, the corporate “doesn’t plan to complete” any PvE content material presently in growth, and can as a substitute “double down” on PvP gameplay.
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The report additionally intimated {that a} “decade-long battle” between Blizzard and mother or father firm Activision had divided administration over bonuses. Blizzard had all the time shared bonuses company-wide to keep away from “everybody [wanting] to work on essentially the most profitable video games quite than experiment with new concepts”, however former Activision boss, Bobby Kotich, had lengthy argued that solely these “behind essentially the most profitable merchandise needs to be rewarded”.
Moreover, Overwatch 2 devs have been instructed in August 2023 that as a result of sequel’s middling efficiency, they “should not have obtained something” however on the time, the corporate had allegedly agreed to cowl “a number of the bonuses” to make up for the shortfall.
Earlier this week, nonetheless, Overwatch 2 employees have been instructed they’d obtain nothing, although beforehand, Blizzard employees would get a bonus primarily based on the general efficiency of the corporate, not simply the person video games individuals labored on. However that is now seemingly modified.
“Failing to get any profit-sharing bonus is uncommon at Blizzard and is the results of a serious coverage change that was enacted in 2023,” Bloomberg stated. “Beforehand, staff would obtain bonuses primarily based on the general efficiency of the corporate. However final summer season, the payouts turned tied to the efficiency of every particular franchise. Since their titles have been extra profitable in 2023, groups on video games similar to Diablo and World of Warcraft obtained bonuses this month, however the Overwatch builders weren’t so fortunate.”
Final month, Activision Blizzard stated it was making “main adjustments” to Overwatch 2 as a part of a “revitalisation” of the free-to-play shooter that hopes to “make PvP gameplay extra rewarding and enjoyable”, in addition to “present higher transparency for gamers in-game”.
In a candid weblog, the group insisted it had “heard [the] suggestions” from gamers in regards to the aggressive play during the last eight seasons, and has plans to introduce “massive updates” to allow you to higher construct in your abilities and “see the way you progress by means of the aggressive ranks”.
Final week, Blizzard additionally stated it was overhauling the way in which it introduces new heroes into Overwatch 2 beginning in Season 10, by making them free and instantly out there to all gamers as a substitute of locking them behind the sport’s premium battle cross or a development grind, as was beforehand the case.
600 Activision Blizzard high quality assurance (QA) staff lately voted to unionise.
