Blizzard is introducing a brand new initiative referred to as Defense Matrix alongside Overwatch 2 that can assist the studio “disincentivize disruptive conduct and gameplay” because the franchise embraces free-to-play..

The studio stated it is conscious that pivoting to a freemium mannequin will introduce new challenges the place participant behaviour is worried by opening the franchise as much as a extra individuals, together with some potential unhealthy actors.

As a outcome, it desires to “defend the integrity of gameplay and promote constructive behaviour” utilizing Defense Matrix, which is described as an “infrastructure of techniques” designed to ship nice experiences throughout the board.

The Defense Matrix staff is being spearheaded by a bunch of cross-functional groups all through Blizzard which have outlined a set of a targets to information the initiative.

Those targets embody nurturing applications that can encourage positivity inside the participant neighborhood, guaranteeing aggressive integrity at each degree of play by “quickly figuring out and eliminating cheaters,” and making a safer neighborhood each out and in of the sport by “embracing a agency stance in opposition to disruptive gameplay.”

In apply, these targets might be achieved by implementing quite a lot of protecting and preventative design philosophies and safety techniques corresponding to SMS Protect, which Blizzard defined will assist Overwatch 2 gamers confirm possession of their account within the “unforseen occasion” it turns into compromised.

“Starting October 4, 2022, all gamers throughout all platforms, together with consoles, are required to have a telephone quantity hooked up to their battle.internet account to launch Overwatch 2. The similar telephone quantity can’t be used on a number of accounts on the similar time, and gamers can’t use the identical telephone quantity to create a number of accounts,” wrote the corporate.

“A telephone quantity can solely be used as soon as when making a brand new account, and sure kinds of numbers, together with pre-paid and VOIP, can’t be used for SMS Protect.”

Other applied sciences corresponding to machine studying and audio transcriptions may also be used to detect and forestall behaviour corresponding to dishonest and toxicity, together with aggressive or abusive textual content and voice communications — though Blizzard famous these instruments will lean closely on participant reporting, and is encouraging individuals to report disruptive behaviour as quickly as they encounter it in-game. 

Designing in opposition to disruption

Blizzard has additionally revamped the First Time User Experience (FTUE) in Overwatch 2 particularly for brand spanking new gamers who’ll be creating an account post-launch.

The new-look FTUE contains notable modifications that can see new gamers unable to entry sure recreation modes and heroes in a bid to steadily onboard them, whereas additionally stopping extra nefarious characters from shortly creating burner accounts that can be utilized to wreak havoc.

“New gamers start with entry to a restricted set of recreation modes, heroes, and another restrictions to onboard them extra steadily. The first part of our new FTUE quickly unlocks all the sport modes and the flexibility to talk in-game, and the second part unlocks all the unique Overwatch heroes over the course of roughly 100 matches,” stated Blizzard.

“This targeted expertise eases new gamers into the world of Overwatch by instructing them about totally different modes, guidelines, and different high-level features of the sport in an approachable means.”

Notably, Blizzard can be altering the necessities for coming into Competitive mode by eradicating participant ranges and as a substitute requiring gamers to win 50 Quick Play matches earlier than Competitive unlocks. According to the studio, the tweak will give new gamers extra time to hone the talents wanted for aggressive play, whereas additionally guaranteeing Overwatch veterans aren’t being paired with much less experiences teammates.

“In the method of unlocking Competitive, we analyze new participant talent ranges to optimize matchmaking in a means that feels good to everybody,” added Blizzard. “While this course of helps new gamers be part of the enjoyable, it’s additionally an efficient method to discourage disruptive conduct and dishonest.

“FTUE is an funding to finish as a result of it takes time to unlock recreation options – Competitive, particularly, can’t be accessed with out profitable matches. Disruptive gamers are unable to right away have an effect on the bigger neighborhood, with issues like voice chat and match chat unlocking later in FTUE. Brand-new accounts made by cheaters or disruptive gamers will all need to play by way of this expertise, giving us the prospect to determine suspicious accounts earlier than they enter different recreation modes.”

All of the modifications talked about above, together with further tweaks such because the elimination of normal chat from the sequel and a brand new ping system that lets teammates talk non-verbally, might be rolled out when Overwatch 2 debuts on October 4, 2022. To hear Blizzard run by way of its new Defense Matrix initiative in higher element, take a look at the complete weblog put up