Overwatch is sunsetting a feature that it helped define since its launch in 2016: loot boxes. Next month, after the conclusion of the current anniversary event, loot boxes will no longer be purchasable.
In today's patch notes, the Anniversary Remix: Vol 3 is now available on the live version of Overwatch. The event commemorates six years of Overwatch with new skins for many of the iconic characters, including Tracer, D. Va, Genji and more.
However, the big news is that after the event ends on August 30th, loot boxes will no longer be for sale. They will still be in the hero shooter, just only earnable through gameplay. This is as the team transitions to a more season pass, traditional microtransaction model when Overwatch 2 finally releases into early access in October.
However, that isn't stopping Blizzard from pushing fans to buy loot boxes one more time before they pull sales. The skins as part of the event are available through in-game coins or the loot boxes themselves.
"Earn and purchase Anniversary Loot Boxes throughout the event! Each Loot Box has a chance to contain items from past Anniversary and seasonal events; don’t wait too long to snag those skins you’ve been eyeing for the past year, though–Loot Boxes will no longer be available for sale after the end of the Anniversary Remix Vol. 3 event. However, you will still be able to earn standard loot boxes after the end of the event."
Loot boxes have been a source of contention within the games industry ever since they were introduced. Countries have written legislation against loot box sales, likening them to gambling, with some countries like Belgium outlawing their sale altogether. This has forced gaming publishers like Blizzard and EA to rethink their strategies when it comes to in-game microtransactions.
While loot boxes won't be purchasable after August 30th, players will still be able to earn them throughout September. However, when Overwatch 2 releases, loot boxes will automatically be opened if you have any left unopened in your stash as the company removes them from Overwatch entirely.
