Blizzard Addresses Overwatch 2 Launch Issues, Including Account Merge and Long Queues

Blizzard Addresses Overwatch 2 Launch Issues, Including Account Merge and Long Queues

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Matt Lorrigan

Blizzard has come out and addressed several issues that have marred the free-to-play launch of Overwatch 2, including long queues and missing items.

“Hello, heroes. Yesterday was an exciting day for the Overwatch team—a day that we know you have been looking forward to for a long time. While millions of people have been enjoying the game, the launch has not met your, or our, expectations,” said Blizzard in a blog post.

“First, we want to apologize to our players. We expected the launch of Overwatch 2 to go smoothly. We hold ourselves to a higher standard and we are working hard to resolve the issues you are experiencing.”

One of the biggest problems that players have faced with Overwatch 2 are long queues and unstable servers, with players seeing queue numbers jump dramatically. Blizzard has made changes to simplify the queuing process, while it has also patched a server that is “critical to the login experience”, with another server update on the way to reduce instances of disconnecting. Additionally, Blizzard is adding nodes to the player database to prevent it from being overloaded.

Blizzard is also removing phone number requirements for all Overwatch players with a connected Battle.net account, which will go live on Friday 7th October.

As for players who are missing items and data, due to their account merge not being completed, Blizzard says that one cause is a bug that doesn't prompt an account merge, which is in the process of being fixed. The other cause of the problem appears to be that it's taking longer than expected for items to transfer from Overwatch to Overwatch 2.

“In all cases, no player data has been wiped or lost. We have a client-side fix for this that cannot be deployed until next week, so we are exploring server-side fixes and will provide updates as more information becomes available,” says Blizzard.

You can read the full statement from Blizzard here. Overwatch 2 is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Comments
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  • "We hold ourselves to a higher standard..." said no one ever at Activision Blizzard.
  • Finally got in after about a 70min queue last night, it was a blast! Really felt great, like in the first two years of OW1. The cosmetic prices are ridiculous (similar to the prices of Halo Infinite at launch which were walked back) and I fully see them adjusting that. You also only earn premium currency from a few weekly challenges, that needs to be on the battle pass and from other sources as well or it'll take months to purchase a Legendary skin which is horrible. Also just needs to be more freedom in purchasing skins outside what the BP gives you in general. But the gameplay is fantastic and the switch to one tank doesn't feel out of place at all to me, if anything it gives the fights more focus. Sucks that the launch was hampered by the cyber attacks, and definitely some things they need to tweak, but overall I'm impressed.
  • I haven't played yet due to the issues. Glad they got rid of phone requirement.
  • Sure as shit not waiting an hour for a match, lol. Agree, it's good to see they got rid of the phone number requirement.
  • "Any Overwatch player with a connected Battle.net account, which includes all players who have played since June 9, 2021, will not have to provide a phone number to play. We are working to make this change and expect it to go live on Friday, October 7."

    Well guess what I just opened an account to try and play, but still need a number because I haven't played since April of 2021. Lastly my phone number is Cricket, which they don't accept. I have 100% literally every game I played and now this will prevent me since they decide to not make a new achievement list (I do understand for those who didn't 100% the original though). Wished I never got this game....
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