Overwatch 2 comes to Xbox Game Pass — but you can’t play it on the cloud for one annoying reason

Overwatch 2 is being added to Xbox Game Pass, but as a free-to-play title, what does this mean exactly? We’ll explain here.

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What you need to know

What you need to know

Blizzard and Xbox just announced thatOverwatch 2will be added toXbox Game Passon September 17. You might be wondering,“But isn’t Overwatch 2 free-to-play?“Yes, it is—but Game Pass players will receive additional perks. By linking your Battle.net account, you can unlock exclusive bonuses as part of your Xbox Game Pass subscription. Here’s a quick look at what Overwatch 2’s arrival brings to the hugeXbox Game Pass library(and no, it’s not coming to Cloud Gaming).

Overwatch 2 is free-to-play, so what does adding to Xbox Game Pass actually mean?

Overwatch 2 is free-to-play, so what does adding to Xbox Game Pass actually mean?

AlthoughBlizzard’s blogpoststates that “Overwatch 2 is coming to Xbox Game Pass,” the reality is that it works more like Game Pass perks.Starting September 17, linking your Battle.net and Xbox accounts will unlock six exclusive hero skins: Cardboard Reinhardt, Turtleship D.Va, Cyberdragon Hanzo, Street Runner Genji, Bee Mercy, and Cleric Lifeweaver.Additionally, if you link your accounts by November 11, you’ll receive a one-time bonus of 30 Mythic Prisms, which can be used to purchase Mythic Shop cosmetics and upgrades.You’ll also gain access to cosmetics from the past three seasons, offering new players a chance to catch up on previously released skins. On top of that, Game Pass subscribers will enjoy a 10% XP boost, helping you level up your Battle Pass or climb the competitive ranks faster.

Is Overwatch 2 Coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming?

No, Overwatch 2 will not be available onXbox Cloud Gamingat least not for now. This has caused some confusion, with many assuming it would be included—similar to the misunderstanding withDiablo 4. However, due to the terms of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, it won’t be part of the service without separate negotiations.During theacquisition process in 2023, Microsoft’s deal faced scrutiny from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). To gain approval,Microsoft agreed to give up cloud streaming rights for all Activision Blizzard titles, handing them over to Ubisoft instead. As a result, no Activision Blizzard games, including Overwatch 2, are currently available on Xbox Cloud Gaming. The only exception right now is theCrash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy.That said, you can still play Overwatch 2 on other cloud platforms like Nvidia GeForce Now and Boosteroid.

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You’ll need to do the above by November 11, 2024 to recieve all of the rewards.

Overwatch 2 also running World of Warcraft crossover

As reported a few days ago, there is also aWorld of Warcraft collaboration eventrunning on September 17. There will be a Lich King skin for Reinhardt, Sylvanas for Windowmaker, Thrall for Zenyatta and Magni Bronzebeard for Torbjorn. You’ll also be able to choose whether you represent each of WoW’s main factions, Alliance or Horde. So there’s a bunch of new content coming on the same day as the Xbox Game Pass addition!

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Jen is a News Writer for Windows Central, focused on all things gaming and Microsoft. Anything slaying monsters with magical weapons will get a thumbs up such as Dark Souls, Dragon Age, Diablo, and Monster Hunter. When not playing games, she’ll be watching a horror or trash reality TV show, she hasn’t decided which of those categories the Kardashians fit into. You can follow Jen on Twitter@Jenbox360for more Diablo fangirling and general moaning about British weather.