In line with Polyon, gamers will likely be required to hyperlink a cellphone quantity to their Battle.internet accounts in the event that they need to play Overwatch 2. “The identical two-factor step, known as SMS Shield, may also be used on all Name of Obligation: Trendy Warfare 2 accounts when that sport launches, and new Name of Obligation: Trendy Warfare accounts,” the report provides. From the report: Blizzard Leisure introduced SMS Shield and different security measures forward of Overwatch 2’s launch. Blizzard mentioned it carried out these controls as a result of it wished to “defend the integrity of gameplay and promote optimistic conduct in Overwatch 2.” Overwatch 2 is free to play, not like its predecessor. With out SMS Shield, Blizzard reasoned that there isn’t any barrier to poisonous gamers or trolls creating a brand new account if an present one is sanctioned. SMS Shield, subsequently, ties that account to one thing beneficial — on this case a participant’s cell phone.
SMS Shield is a safety function that has two functions: to maintain gamers accountable for what Blizzard calls “disruptive conduct,” and to guard accounts in the event that they’re hacked. It requires all Overwatch 2 gamers to connect a novel cellphone quantity to their account. Blizzard mentioned SMS Shield will goal cheaters and harassers; if an account is banned, it’s going to be tougher for them to return to Overwatch 2. You’ll be able to’t simply enter any previous cellphone quantity — you truly should have entry to a cellphone receiving texts to that quantity to get into your account.
Overwatch 2 lead software program engineer Invoice Warnecke advised Forbes that, even when accounts are now not tied to Overwatch’s field value — as a result of the sport is now free-to-play — Blizzard nonetheless needs gamers to make an “funding” in upholding a protected sport. “The important thing thought behind SMS Shield is to have an funding on behalf of the proprietor of that account and add some limitations or restrictions behind the way you might need an account,” Warnecke mentioned. “There is no exclusions or sort of loopholes across the system.” The report notes that Blizzard has refunded one participant after they contacted buyer help and mentioned they did not have a cell phone, nevertheless it’s unclear if this coverage will apply extra broadly.
