Overwatch 2 Battle Pass Grind Sparks Player Backlash

The introduction of Overwatch 2’s battle pass system has players seeing red, and not just because of Kiriko’s crimson aesthetic. For the first time in franchise history, new heroes are locked behind a progression wall, forcing free-to-play users to grind like there’s no tomorrow. Let’s break down why this mechanic has become such a hot potato in the community.

The 49-Hour Reality Check

Reddit user Hot-Silver-8140 dropped a truth bomb by revealing it took them 49 hours of gameplay to unlock Kiriko on the free battle pass track. That’s equivalent to:

• 🕒 4.5 hours daily since launch

• 🗓️ 31 hours weekly

• 💀 Nearly two full days of non-stop gaming

Other players’ estimates are even grimmer. User TheKephas calculated that Blizzard’s “two weeks of dedicated play” promise translates to a soul-crushing 5.5 hours daily – basically treating Overwatch 2 like a part-time job. Talk about ‘grinding for the 9-to-5’!

Pay-to-Skip: The Premium Advantage

Here’s the kicker: Premium Pass buyers get Kiriko instantly at Tier 1. This creates a two-tier system:

Player Type	Time Investment	Real-World Cost
Free	49-77 hours	$0
Premium	0 hours	$10

For students or casual players, that time investment could mean choosing between unlocking characters and actual real-life responsibilities. As one Twitter user put it: “Blizzard really said ‘choose between sleep or heals’” 😴💤.

Community Outcry Goes Viral

The subreddit has become ground zero for complaints:

• 🚨 “This isn’t dedication – it’s exploitation”

• 🚩 “New players will quit before unlocking half the roster”

• 💸 “Remember when $40 bought you all future heroes? Pepperidge Farm remembers”

Even content creators are feeling the heat. Twitch streamer Emongg recently admitted: “I love OW2, but telling my viewers to no-life the game for a hero feels icky.” 👾

People Also Ask

1. “Can I buy Kiriko after the season ends?”

Blizzard’s been cagey, but data miners suggest she’ll cost 1,500 Legacy Credits (≈$15) later. 💰

1. “Is the grind faster in Competitive?”

Nope – XP gains are identical across modes. Your best bet? Group up for that sweet 20% XP boost. 🎯

1. “Will future heroes require less grind?”

Devs say “we’re listening,” but Season 2’s leaked battle pass still locks heroes at Tier 45. 🔮

The Clock’s Ticking ⏳

With the Season 1 battle pass expiring in December, free players are stuck between a rock and a hard place:

• Option 1: Treat OW2 like a second job (RIP social life)

• Option 2: Open wallets (Cha-ching for Blizzard)

• Option 3: Quit and play something else (Ouch for player counts)

As the community meme goes: “First they took our loot boxes…now they want our sleep?” 😂🔫 While the gameplay itself shines brighter than D.Va’s MEKA, this monetization model has players wondering if the grind is truly “worth the juice”. Only time – and maybe 77 hours of gameplay – will tell.