Among the big changes in Overwatch’s latest patch notes is a small update for players on Xbox One.
In an effort to fight toxicity in the space, Blizzard will now automatically mute Xbox Live accounts that have been labeled with “Avoid Me.” Players won’t be separated into a separate queue, which is an option for some games.
“Players whose Xbox Live reputation has been downgraded to ‘Avoid Me’ will remain in the same matchmaking pool as other Overwatch players,” Blizzard said in its patch notes. “However, they will no longer be able to use the in-game voice communication.”
Related: Overwatch players on console can now report bad behavior
On Xbox Live, players can report other players through Microsoft’s system. Players who’ve been reported a bunch eventually earn a “reputation” and get an “Avoid Me” label on their profiles. Likewise, Blizzard recently implemented its own reporting system for Overwatch players on console.
Serious offenders should instead be reported through Blizzard’s own system so the team can investigate properly.
This adjustment on Xbox One is a reiteration of Blizzard’s earlier statements on toxicity in the game. Last week, Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan spoke in Developer Update on its incoming adjustments to the Overwatch punishment system. Kaplan said that bad players will never get a “low priority” queue. Blizzard simply doesn’t want them playing the game at all.
To date, more than 480,000 Overwatch accounts have been punished by Blizzard.
Published: Sep 20, 2017 08:25 am