Blizzard unveiled the latest elements of the safeguarding system for players’ matches in Overwatch 2. The freshly updated Defense Matrix aims to facilitate a more enjoyable, secure and inclusive gaming environment for all.
The primary objective is to enable more gameplay with your friends while limiting interaction with disruptive players. Given that friends might have different ranks, Overwatch 2 will introduce a new feature in the 10th Season known as “Broad Groups” allowing competitive play irrespective of the players’ ranks.
The parameters defining a “Broad Group” are as follows:
– Groups with players ranked Diamond or lower diverging by more than five Divisions;
– Groups with players of Master rank having a difference exceeding three Divisions;
– Groups containing a Grandmaster or Champion rank player, independent of the Division differences among its members.
Queue times will be extended due to the necessity to match you with other large groups. Role technology will be employed in the matchmaking process to ensure maximal compatibility.
A Modifier is also being introduced at the end of a match in a Broad Group. Blizzard posits it would be inequitable for less skilled players to leap to higher ranks by teaming with more proficient players. Hence, depending on the skill differential, your progression might not undergo a significant surge.
Overwatch 2 will also incorporate numerous measures to dissuade casual match quitting. Players who abandon four out of their previous 20 matches will have to endure a 20-minute wait before they can queue again. This penalty increases to four hours if the player abandons at least six out of the last 20 matches.
Two additional levels of penalty will be created: a five-minute penalty for quitting two out of the last 20 matches and a 48-hour suspension for those who quit 10 (or more) out of their last 20 matches.
For further details, visit the official Overwatch 2 website.