Blizzard Aims To Promote Positive Player Communication With Overwatch 2's Defense Matrix Season 9 Update

Stay positive!

Blizzard announced the Defense Matrix Season 9 Update for Overwatch 2, focusing on promoting positive player behavior and enhancing the Endorsement system.

Building on the shooter's previous efforts to discourage disruptive behavior and deter leavers, the developers said they are aiming to give Endorsements greater impact (based on player feedback). Notable improvements include adjustments to prevent endorsement rating decay too quickly and the removal of restrictions on endorsing friends.

The update also extends leaver queue restrictions to additional game modes, such as Mystery Heroes and the upcoming Hero Mastery: Gauntlet. This reasoning is to mitigate the impact of frequent leavers on game integrity. Players who leave multiple games will face queue restrictions until they complete matches, reinforcing the importance of commitment to gameplay sessions. 

Also, Blizzard emphasized transparency regarding account actions, notifying players through email when their accounts face suspension or silence due to disruptive behavior — with repeat offenders potentially facing bans. Apparently over 380,000 accounts were identified and banned for cheating since the game's launch, along with additional measures against those who knowingly group up with cheaters.

The Defense Matrix Season 9 Update is set to launch on February 13.

Note: Activision Blizzard has been sued by California’s Civil Rights Department, alleging violations of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and Equal Pay Act. CEO Bobby Kotick is alleged to have known about the alleged violations within his company. These allegations have all been denied by Activision Blizzard and the company points to additional diversity and inclusion training as past examples of taking the accusations seriously at the time they were made. This case has been settled for $54 million.