In accordance with Polyon, gamers can be required to hyperlink a telephone quantity to their Battle.web accounts in the event that they wish to play Overwatch 2. “The identical two-factor step, known as SMS Defend, can even be used on all Name of Obligation: Trendy Warfare 2 accounts when that recreation launches, and new Name of Obligation: Trendy Warfare accounts,” the report provides. From the report: Blizzard Leisure introduced SMS Defend and different security measures forward of Overwatch 2’s launch. Blizzard mentioned it applied these controls as a result of it wished to “defend the integrity of gameplay and promote constructive conduct in Overwatch 2.” Overwatch 2 is free to play, not like its predecessor. With out SMS Defend, Blizzard reasoned that there is no such thing as a barrier to poisonous gamers or trolls creating a brand new account if an current one is sanctioned. SMS Defend, subsequently, ties that account to one thing worthwhile — on this case a participant’s cell phone.
SMS Defend 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 singular telephone quantity to their account. Blizzard mentioned SMS Defend will goal cheaters and harassers; if an account is banned, it’s going to be more durable for them to return to Overwatch 2. You possibly can’t simply enter any previous telephone quantity — you really need to have entry to a telephone 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 not tied to Overwatch’s field value — as a result of the sport is now free-to-play — Blizzard nonetheless desires gamers to make an “funding” in upholding a protected recreation. “The important thing thought behind SMS Defend 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 form 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, but it surely’s unclear if this coverage will apply extra broadly.
