Modern Warfare 2 Will Include Overwatch 2's Controversial Feature

ign.com:

The controversial Overwatch 2 feature that required players to connect a phone number to their account before playing is also coming to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

As reported by PC Gamer, the requirement will seemingly be applicable to all Modern Warfare 2 players instead of just the minority of those playing Overwatch. "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, newly created Overwatch 2 accounts, and newly created Call of Duty: Modern Warfare accounts require a phone number," a Blizzard support page reads.

It's unclear if Activision will backtrack the phone number requirement just as Blizzard did for Overwatch 2, reducing it so that only new players had to add a number, but the Modern Warfare 2 phrasing wasn't changed alongside Overwatch 2's on the support page.

A phone number is required by Blizzard for account security, as notifications will be delivered after suspicious login attempts, password changes, and security features change. It also lets players unlock their accounts without a password and recover lost account details.

One other snag to the service is its lack of compatibility with pre-paid phone services. While its website states that "pre-paid plans may not work" instead of it being a definitive feature, this essentially means that those who don't have a rolling phone contract cannot play Overwatch 2 and, potentially, Modern Warfare 2.

It's not the only controversary surrounding Blizzard following the release of its hero-shooter sequel, as the game has so far been plagued by DDoS attacks that led to lengthy wait times for those eager to play.

Whether Modern Warfare 2 suffers from similar issues remains to be seen, but fans will find out when the game launches on October 28.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer. He'll