Overwatch 2 Cracks Down on Cheaters: Half a Million Accounts Banned

Blizzard has announced a major crackdown on cheating in Overwatch 2, banning over 500,000 accounts found to be using hacks and mods. The company is also introducing new features to improve the in-game experience and combat disruptive behaviour.

Fighting Against the Cheaters

Cheating is a persistent issue in online games, and Overwatch 2 is no exception. Blizzard has taken a zero-tolerance approach, actively working to identify and remove cheaters and those who collude with them. This has resulted in the suspension or banning of over 40,000 accounts linked to cheating activity.

"Cheating is a premeditated act that deliberately ruins the experience for others and is not tolerated in our community," stated Blizzard in a recent blog post. "Cheats like aimbots and wallhacks significantly impact the enjoyment of the game for all players."

Beyond account bans, Blizzard is also focusing on eliminating the tools that enable cheating. The company is developing new anti-cheat technologies and implementing proactive measures to prevent cheats from infiltrating the game. While specifics are being kept under wraps, the success of the recent ban wave demonstrates Blizzard's commitment to maintaining a fair playing field.

Console Cheaters Get the Boot

Season 11 saw the introduction of preventative measures to detect and ban players using unauthorised peripherals to gain an unfair advantage on console platforms. This crackdown resulted in thousands of bans, and players caught using such devices are now relegated to the PC input pool for unranked modes. This move has significantly improved the quality of ranked gameplay on consoles.

Taking Control of Your Team

The "Avoid as Teammate" feature is getting a major overhaul in Season 12. Players can now add up to 15 players to their avoid list, allowing them to tailor their match experience and avoid being teamed with players they dislike. The list can be prioritised, letting players choose which teammates they absolutely want to avoid. While lower ranked players can avoid all 15 on their list, higher-ranked players may encounter some of their avoided players due to limited matchmaking pools.

Reporting and Social Features Enhanced

In-game reporting and social features are also being improved. The scoreboard will gain a new feature allowing players to mute text and voice chat for teammates and opponents. Individual volume control is also being introduced. A quick, two-click reporting button will make it easier for players to flag disruptive behaviour. These enhancements are particularly aimed at console players, streamlining the reporting process with intuitive button presses.

Streamer Protect Update

Blizzard has recognised that disruptive players have been misusing the "Streamer Protect" tool to hide their identities and continue their negative behaviour. To address this, access to the "Hide My Name" feature will be restricted to players who have completed the "Unrelenting Hero" challenge, requiring 1,750 Overwatch wins. This change aims to ensure that Streamer Protect is used by its intended audience: long-standing players and content creators, not by those seeking to disrupt games.

A Ongoing Fight for Fairness

Blizzard's commitment to a fair and enjoyable Overwatch 2 experience is evident through its ongoing efforts to combat cheating and disruptive behaviour. With the introduction of new technologies and features, the company is taking a proactive approach to ensuring a more positive gameplay experience for everyone.