Overwatch 2’s highly anticipated Season 16 has been released. Complete withOverwatch’s new Stadium game mode, hero bans, a DokiWatch theme, and a new damage hero, there’s plenty going for it. However, while Blizzard continues to innovate and add fan-requested features to its hero shooter, like improved streaming protection and a more robust reporting system, it might also take a cue fromMarvel Rivalsby adding one more feature to the cosmetic side.
SinceOverwatch 2debuted in 2022, it has released a variety of cosmetics and skins in its battle pass and in-game shop. Even before the sequel, the franchise had already boasted hundreds of cosmetics since the first game’s launch in 2016. With so many options available to customize heroes and express oneself, it would make sense forOverwatchto implement a cosmetic gifting system similar toFortnite,Marvel Rivals, andValorant.
Cosmetic Gifting Should Come to Overwatch 2 Sooner Rather Than Later
Why Overwatch 2 Season 16 and Beyond Is Perfect For Gifting
Though Season 15 sawlootboxes return toOverwatch, they can’t be acquired as often now. Furthermore, players can’t count on getting the cosmetics they want from them, as their contents, beyond sometimes being guaranteed to be of certain value, are random. Therefore, despite the odds of being able to get more cosmetics for free by simply playing the game, participating in challenges, and getting Twitch Drops, it would still be logical forOverwatch 2to adopt its own gifting system.
Season 16, in particular, has garnered significant attention for its magical girl-themed skins, which include Juno’s Mythic Skin, Mercy’s Mythic Weapon, D.Va, Brigitte, Freja, Kiriko, and Widowmaker. Given the positive reception to past cosmetics, such asOverwatch 2’s LE SSERAFIM collaborationsandWorld of Warcraftcrossover, a gifting option is something that would have likely been well-received early on and still would be today. Though it’s likely too late to roll out a full gifting system for Season 16, it’s a feature Blizzard should consider adding to its drawing board, if it hasn’t already.
Marvel Rivals Cosmetic Gifting System Is Ideal For Overwatch 2
Season 2 ofMarvel Rivalsintroduced the Cosmetic Gifting system. While this isn’t a new feature in gaming, it does draw direct parallels toOverwatch 2, as both are popular titles in the hero shooter space. InMarvel Rivals, players have the option to send bundles to anyone on their friends list. Once a gift is sent, it cannot be returned or refunded, and there is a gifting limit of five per day.
The gifting limit makes sense as something to consider for Blizzard’s game. Not only can it help prevent hackers from spending large amounts of money on someone’s account, but it can also discourage bots from creating accounts solely to gift and abuse the system. In this manner, gifting can remain a meaningful and intentional feature shared between friends.
WhilecomparingMarvel Rivals' andOverwatch 2’scustomization options may not be entirely fair, especially sinceMarvel Rivalsis still a relatively new title,Overwatch 2’s more robust inventory makes the lack of cosmetic gifting feel like a missed opportunity. With high-value items like Mythic Aspects, Mythic Weapons, crossover skins, and other variations available, adding a gifting system could beOverwatch 2’s next big thing after Season 16. Team 4 even has the opportunity to go a step further than NetEase Games by allowing players to gift Premium Battle Passes.
