Why Overwatch 2's Anniversary Shop is Actually a Double…

Summary

Overwatch 2's Anniversary Shop allows players to obtain missed skins and use Legacy Credits, but some are upset as previously "limited-time" paid skins are being brought back at different price points.
Blizzard's decision to make exclusive skins available for free in limited-time events or through partnerships has caused frustration among players who paid real money for these cosmetics.
While some players appreciate the addition of more free content, there is a concern that it should not come at the expense of players who have already spent money.

The 2023 Anniversary event for Overwatch 2 is officially out, much to the excitement of the community. The event is meant to commemorate one year since Overwatch 2 was released, and there will be about three weeks of festivities. Unfortunately, there are some in the community who are unhappy with a recent decision that Blizzard made concerning its Anniversary Shop.

The Anniversary Shop fixes two issues with Overwatch 2, but it's also a double-edged sword. While it gives veteran players a use for Legacy Credits and allows people to obtain skins that they missed out on in the past, some people are upset. In the past, Blizzard has marketed some paid skins as "limited-time" or "exclusive" only to bring them back a few seasons later, and it seems the Anniversary event is no exception.

Blizzard Has A Recurring Issue With Giving Away Paid Skins For Free

Since Overwatch 2 players can't enjoy the perks of the free loot boxes that came with the first Overwatch, the Shop and Battle Pass have become the main methods for obtaining cosmetics. When this switch was made, it was controversial, but Blizzard hasn't indicated that loot boxes will ever return. However, there are often other ways to get new cosmetics such as bundles in the Battle.net launcher and completing challenges in limited-time modes like Symmetra's Seeds of Order event.

The Overwatch 2 Watchpoint Pack is one bundle in particular that has resurfaced as a point of contention. Space Raider Cassidy was once one of the main features of the $40 Watchpoint Pack, alongside Space Raider Soldier 76, beta access, a Season 1 Battle Pass, 2,000 Overwatch Coins, and more. Since Space Raider Cassidy is now available in the Anniversary Shop for 2,000 Legacy Credits, some people in the community have expressed that they feel a bit cheated.

The issue here is that Legacy Credits in Overwatch 2 can be earned for free by progressing through the battle pass and leveling up heroes. Comments from the player base note that they don't mind so much that limited-time skins like Beekeeper Sigma and Hermes Lucio are being brought back, but it does bother them that they aren't being revived at the same price point they once were. While some players paid real money to get these cosmetics, others are acquiring them for free.

This isn't the first time that Blizzard has done this seeing as Demon Hunter Sombra used to be an exclusive item for virtual ticket holders at BlizzCon 2018. However, she returned as a reward during the Halloween Terror event the following year. For those who spent $49.99 to procure her, it was surprising that others were able to get it at no cost. This issue is ongoing, considering the existence of the Anniversary Shop and the Owl Guardian Mercy skin that's currently free to grab for Amazon Prime users, even though it used to cost 1,000 Overwatch coins.

While there are those who are happy that Blizzard appears to be releasing more cosmetics for free, others think that this shouldn't be at the expense of those who already spent money. Many agree that Overwatch 2 needs more free content, but the way the game goes about it is important. Whether Blizzard plans to address this issue is to be seen, but hopefully it will touch on the matter soon.