Overwatch 2 has new anti-cheat protection that might mean you can't play

techradar.com:

Overwatch 2 players will need to cough up their phone numbers to play the hero shooter, as Blizzard rolls out a new SMS security system.

When the shooter launches next month, Overwatch 2 will require all players on all platforms to link an active phone number to their Battle.net account. In a blog post(opens in new tab), Blizzard says the new SMS authentication system will form part of a wider initiative to clamp down on disruptive behavior.

“The security of your account is important, and SMS Protect helps verify ownership of your account in the unforeseen event of an account compromise,” said Blizzard. “Similarly, if a disruptive player has been suspended or banned, SMS Protect makes it more difficult for them to return to the game.”

Every player will need access to a mobile phone to play Overwatch 2, even those who bought an original boxed version of Overwatch. Blizzard says SMS verification is “an industry-proven solution in combating both cheating and disruptive behavior” and hopes it will improve the game’s overall experience.

There are a few limitations though. A phone number cannot be linked to multiple accounts at once or used to create several different profiles. Certain types of numbers, including those tied to pre-paid SIM cards and VOIP phones, also don’t qualify. That should prevent disruptive players from cycling through lots of burner phones to create new accounts for the free-to-play game.

As well as better preventing abusive and disruptive players from returning, it will also combat smurfing – whereby an experienced player creates a fresh account so they can deliberately play against lower-tier players. It’s thought the cost of buying a new SIM card will deter players from deliberately picking on newbies.

SMS