Overwatch 2 will certainly need a telephone number to play — also if you’ve played the initial


Overwatch 2 hero Sojourn wearing a futuristic space suit and pointing a gun at the camera

Image: Blizzard Entertainment

When Overwatch 2 changes the initial Overwatch on Oct. 4, gamers will certainly be needed to connect a telephone number to their Battle.internet accounts. If you don’t, you won’t have the ability to play Overwatch 2 — also if you’ve currently bought Overwatch. The very same two-factor action, called text Protect, will certainly additionally be utilized on all Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 accounts when that game launches, as well as brand-new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare accounts.

Blizzard Entertainment revealed SMS Protect and other safety measures in advance of Overwatch 2’s launch. Blizzard stated it executed these controls since it intended to “protect the integrity of gameplay and promote positive behavior in Overwatch 2.”

Overwatch 2 is totally free to play, unlike its precursor. Without SMS Protect, Blizzard reasoned that there is no obstacle to harmful gamers or giants producing a brand-new account if an existing one is approved. SMS Protect, as a result, connections that account to something beneficial — in this situation a gamer’s cellphone.

Why does Blizzard need my contact number?

SMS Protect is a safety function that has 2 objectives: to maintain gamers responsible of what Blizzard calls “disruptive behavior,” as well as to secure accounts if they’re hacked. It calls for all Overwatch 2 gamers to affix a unique contact number to their account. Blizzard stated text Protect will certainly target cheaters as well as harassers; if an account is outlawed, it’ll be harder for them to go back to Overwatch 2. You can’t simply get in any kind of old contact number — you in fact need to have accessibility to a phone obtaining messages to that number to enter into your account.

Overwatch 2 lead software application designer Bill Warnecke told Forbes that, also if accounts are no more linked to Overwatch’s box rate — since the game is currently free-to-play — Blizzard still desires gamers to make an “investment” in supporting a secure game.

“The key idea behind SMS Protect is to have an investment on behalf of the owner of that account and add some limitations or restrictions behind how you might have an account,” Warnecke stated. “There’s no exclusions or kind of loopholes around the system.”

What sort of contact number can I utilize?

Blizzard said its Battle.internet alerts, as component of SMS Protect, are just for “text enabled mobile phones.” That suggests that messaging applications like WhatsApp or Apple’s iMessage can’t be utilized. Likewise, (some) pre-paid phones won’t function, as well as neither will certainly VoIP numbers (which utilize IP networks to make telephone calls or send out messages). Likewise, a landline contact number won’t function either.

A telephone number can just be utilized when; gamers can’t have actually numerous accounts linked to a solitary number.

Can I obtain a reimbursement if I can’t include my contact number?

Blizzard assistance has reportedly refunded the $39.99 one gamer invested in the Overwatch 2 Watchpoint Pack, afterwards gamer gotten in touch with Blizzard client assistance as well as mentioned they did not have a cellphone that satisfied SMS Protect’s needs. But that’s just one situation. We’ve connected to Blizzard for additional information on its reimbursement plan concerning Overwatch, Overwatch 2 as well as SMS Protect’s compatibility.

Where do I include my contact number?

On the Battle.internet account web page, you’ll require to head to the Account Details tab on the sidebar, ideal under Account Overview. The 3rd box down is where you input your number. You can do so by clicking Add Phone Number. Blizzard will certainly send out a confirmation number to the phone affixed to your number. Enter it in package as well as you need to be excellent to go.

If you alter your contact number, you’ll have the ability to change it right here later on, as well.

Can I still have numerous accounts?

Sure — if they’re connected to specific contact number that link to an energetic cellphone.

Does this in fact boost safety and security?

Blizzard stated these phone alerts will certainly be utilized to accept password resets — suggesting somebody else won’t have the ability to alter your password without the alert code it’ll send out to your cellphone. Blizzard stated it will certainly additionally send you a text if your account is shut out after a “a suspicious login attempt,” or if your password or safety and security attributes are transformed.

 

Source: Polygon

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