Overwatch 2 found itself in the midst of controversy--not just because of the multiple DDoS attacks it suffered on launch--when it decided to force players to use a phone number to verify their account. The game uses a 2-factor authentication system called SMS Protect, which in theory is designed to prevent disruptive behavior, but in doing so also limits what types of phone numbers are accepted: prepaid phone plans and VOIP numbers are blocked. This led to a lot of outcry from fans, to the point that Blizzard had to partially walk back some of the restrictions, though it still requires having an aged Battle.net account.

Now, with all the ensuing drama regarding the SMS Protect restrictions, Activision Blizzard is going right ahead and implementing it yet again, in the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. A new FAQ page for Battle.net details that in order to access Modern Warfare II at all, you'll need a phone number, and once more, VOIP services and WhatsApp will not work, while prepaid phone numbers "may not work".

Source

 

[shaunj66]

Gaming is really going down the shitter. It's unfortunate that they have to do this in the first place but how did it get to this? Requiring a phone number to play the game you paid $60 for.

 

[DinohScene]

Waah waah waah I don't want to give up my phone number, I just want to grief and troll people online waah waah waah.

 

[Arras]

Waah waah waah I don't want to give up my phone number, I just want to grief and troll people online waah waah waah.

The system doesn't even work properly. From what I know it locks out anyone using a prepaid phone and apparently even some cheaper full plans.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Look on the bright side, they're not hiding their intentions anymore.

Own a game! Hah!
Have privacy? Hah!

Post automatically merged: Oct 8, 2022

Waah waah waah I don't want to give up my phone number, I just want to grief and troll people online waah waah waah.

Is trolling even as good as it was back then? I used to play MW2 online on the 360 and I'd laugh at the comments I'd hear from others. Today's kids have no idea what online gaming with voice chat was like.

This isn't about keeping "trolls" out.

 

[RedoLane]

Is that also required for playing the campaign?

 

[ChanseyIsTheBest]

I can understand the system in F2P games but even then for those F2P games they should take away the requirement as soon as you make an in-game purchase. A full price $60 game shouldn't have the requirement at all.

 

[Marc_LFD]

I can understand the system in F2P games but even then for those F2P games they should take away the requirement as soon as you make an in-game purchase. A full price $60 game shouldn't have the requirement at all.

Haven't they increased to $70 now? Consoles appear to be, while PC is $60.

 

[ChanseyIsTheBest]

Haven't they increased to $70 now? Consoles appear to be, while PC is $60.

I forgot that games are $70 now just helps my point further lol

 

[Chary]

Is that also required for playing the campaign?

It's required for "accessing" the game, according to the FAQ. Which sounds like the game entirely, not just the online

 

[Marc_LFD]

It's required for "accessing" the game, according to the FAQ. Which sounds like the game entirely, not just the online

Sounds like games as a service, except the customer pays $70 to access it.

 

[osaka35]

isn't sms not the safest option? personally it just sounds like they want better tracking of their players, and more data to sell.

now if they had some sort of data which showed this sort of thing would likely produce results, then more data which verified it...probably not even then. there are better ways. either lazy or sleazy, but probably a mix of both.

 

[RedoLane]

It's required for "accessing" the game, according to the FAQ. Which sounds like the game entirely, not just the online

Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Marc_LFD]

isn't sms not the safest option? personally it just sounds like they want better tracking of their players, and more data to sell.

Email verification is very safe, too. And this is just a game, not a banking account.

SMS texts are indeed safer in terms of a comparison, it's like 2FA codes.

 

[Aheago]

Waah waah waah I don't want to give up my phone number, I just want to grief and troll people online waah waah waah.

Some of us legit don’t have phone numbers and can’t afford them though

Sometimes even a monthly prepaid plan isn’t in the budget

 

[Foxi4]

I’m fine with Warzone then, no problem Activision.

 

[Aheago]

Email verification is very safe, too. And this is just a game, not a banking account.

SMS texts are indeed safer in terms of a comparison, it's like 2FA codes.

If they are so worried about safety and just verifying users

They could probably implement a system using one of the million already available 2FA authentication app’s available. At least that option should be available for most devices and free

But like others have mentioned for a $70 game(any game that’s not free really) this shouldn’t even be considered imo

 

[tsam2]

Some CEO must be into sadomasochism and likes to be taunted. There's no other logical explanation for this.

 

[MeleeMaster500]

as with overwatch as well, they already hardware id ban people. having this requirement on top of that does nothing to stop banned players

the only reason this exists is to discriminate against low income individuals and as a way to sell people's data

 

[The Catboy]

Oh hi, past me! What’s that?

Bet they will try to do it again

Oh me~