Update (6/13/23) - Blizzard confirmed to IGN that players will actually need to buy either of the Invasion Bundles to even access the PvE missions.
"Players must purchase either of the Invasion Bundles to access PvE," a Blizzard spokesperson said. "Missions won't be free, and access to Story Missions are part of the $15 bundle. This includes access to the content during the season and then access permanently after the season concludes."
The original story follows.
Overwatch 2 players will have to pay $15 for permanent access to the PvE story missions in the upcoming sixth season, Invasion.
Blizzard wrote in a blog post published today that the $15 price tag is attached to the Invasion Bundle, which will launch alongside the upcoming season of the same name. Purchasing the Invasion Bundle will also give you 1,000 Overwatch Coins, which usually cost $10, and the Sojourn Legendary Skin.
The most expensive bundle to come out of Overwatch 2: Invasion is the Ultimate Invasion Bundle, which will run you $40. Getting that bundle in addition to the regular Invasion Bundle will net you another 1,000 OW Coins, Legendary skins for Cassidy and Kiriko, and the Null Sector Premium Battle Pass with 20 Tier skips.
The $15 price point for the PvE story missions have ignited backlash from fans on social media who expressed surprise over being charged for what they perceive as core content. Blizzard didn't clarify whether the story missions will be temporarily free.
This follows the PvE Hero Mode being canceled by the development team last month due to it pulling too much time and resources away from the actual game to develop. At the time, director Aaron Keller apologized to the Overwatch community for pulling the plug on the mode knowing that fans have been anticipating its release, saying that it will focus on straightforward story missions going forward.
Overwatch 2: Invasion launches August 10.
Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.
