Overwatch 2 will not only record your voice but will also require your phone number to continue playing.
The thought of being recorded while playing a video game can be a little uncomfortable. However, there’s a reason why it happens in other games, as well as being introduced in Overwatch 2.
We’ve all heard gamers say things like “you should have heard the Modern Warfare lobbies back in the day”. Though I wouldn’t recommend that, as it could be a very toxic place. This is why to this very day, if I’m not in a private group chat with friends, I’ll mute the public lobby.
Sadly, to this day, it seems that online toxicity hasn’t gotten all that much better. Though some companies have taken certain steps in the hope of making it not only an enjoyable but safe space to play. Some companies have introduced being able to record voices in lobbies.
If someone is reported for using racial or sexist slurs, it’s a way to ensure reports are accurate.
After all, while extra steps can be taken to report players for the greater good, those report features can also be misused by salty players.
As reported by Game Rant, Activision Blizzard is implementing the “Defense Matrix”. In order to play Overwatch 2, you not only have to consent to the possibility of voice chat being recorded, but you must also provide an active phone number.
How will Overwatch 2 reports be handled?
If a player is reported, Activision Blizzard will analyse transcribed chat samples for “disruptive behaviour.”
The Blizzard team will then receive “a temporary voice chat recording” and once a decision has been made, that recording will be deleted within 30 days.
Why must a phone number be provided?
There are a couple of reasons why a phone number will be necessary to play Overwatch 2.
Firstly, it’s to take measures to ensure those playing Overwatch 2 are who they say they are.
Secondly, should an account be hacked, the extra security steps that will be put in place are said to provide a failsafe in the “unforeseen event of an account compromise.”
Therefore, players must attach a phone number to their Battle.net account whether they play on PC or consoles to activate SMS Protect. Only one phone number can be attached to the account.
Furthermore, prepaid phones and VOIP cannot be used. This not only takes measures to accurately identify player accounts, however, if a player is banned, it also aims to prevent them from creating a new account.
When is the Overwatch 2 release date?
Overwatch 2 will release in early access via an update to the original game on October 4 2022. It will also be a free-to-play title for PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.
What are your thoughts on the Activision Blizzard security measures? Let us know your thoughts across our social media channels.
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Featured Image Credit: Activision Blizzard/Source: Game Rant