Uncategorized
Are Fortnite-style branded collaborations the key to Overwatch 2’s future success?
It’s been a rough month for the launch of Overwatch 2. In the first few days of its release, Blizzard’s long-awaited sequel to the 2016 team-based shooter was plagued with connection issues, leaving millions of players unable to enter matches. While many of the problems relating to server issues have now been addressed, Blizzard now has another challenge on its hands: making enough sales from microtransactions to support the franchise’s move to a free-to-play model.
So far, that’s been pretty difficult. Overwatch 2’s recent Halloween event, Halloween Terror, introduced a variety of themed character and weapon skins into the game for the ‘discounted’ price of 2000 Overwatch Coins each, roughly the equivalent of $20. A legendary skin for the character Kiriko was available for 2600 Overwatch Coins, a discount on the original price of 3700 Overwatch Coins. As you might imagine, this is already causing upset amongst some players, especially as this year’s Halloween update removed the option to earn unlockable skins simply by progressing through the game.
Evidently, some players aren’t willing to spend over $20 for an alternative outfit for their character. However, we do know that players are more than happy to spend roughly the same price in other free-to-play games such as Fortnite to unlock characters from popular franchises, whether that’s Goku from Dragon Ball Z or Marvel’s Spider-Man. This is something that Jon Spector, Overwatch’s commercial leader and vice president at Blizzard, seems well aware of, according to a recent interview with GameInformer.
In the interview, Spector announced that while he isn’t a Fortnite player, he thinks it’s ‘super cool’ and ‘awesome’ to see branded collaborations such as Naruto appear in Fortnite.
“As we look at the Overwatch 2 space, those are things that we’re interested in exploring,” he says.
So, with Overwatch 2’s current monetisation strategies leaving a lot to be desired, could we see a shift towards branded collaborations as a core monetisation strategy rather than the traditional legendary and epic skins? Dropping the price of skins and embracing Fortnite-style collaborations would make a lot of commercial sense for Overwatch 2, especially as the company still seems torn on its pricing, according to a recent survey sent out to select players.
We know that Fortnite’s collaborations with the likes of Marvel, NFL, Nike and Ferrari have been hugely successful for Epic, largely due to the amount of revenue they generate from the sale of cosmetic items such as skins, emotes, banners and emoticons. As an example, the game’s collaboration with NFL resulted in 3.3 million NFL-themed skins being sold for $15 each in November and December 2018, according to leaked court documents from the Apple v Epic case. That’s nearly $50 million in revenue.
The big question now is how easily Overwatch 2 can replicate Fornite’s primary business model, and how well-suited these collaborations are for the Overwatch brand.
One of the biggest challenges facing Overwatch 2 is the fact it’s a hero-based shooter, with each hero boasting their own unique set of skills, traits and playstyles. As is often the case with team-based shooters, players often find themselves favouring specific heroes, whether that’s offensive heroes or defensive heroes that suit their preferred styles of playing.
This means Overwatch 2 will have to think carefully about how it rolls out branded collaborations. As an example, will a Marvel collaboration introduce special themed skins for every single hero in the game, or will it introduce a new limited-time character into the game? The introduction of any new character will have to be calculated carefully, so it doesn’t negatively impact the balance of existing characters.
It’s more likely that Overwatch 2 will introduce themed skins rather than new characters such as those seen in Dragon Ball Z. Depending on the popularity of the IP that Overwatch 2 pursues, I suspect players will be more susceptible to investing $15 or $20 into a skin that turns their favourite Overwatch hero into an alternative version of their favourite anime, film, TV or comic book characters, whether that’s Spider-Man, Darth Vader or one of The Transformers.
The hero-based mechanics of Overwatch 2 could also mean skins are only available for specific characters. While this might cause backlash amongst some fans at first, it could also open up alternative revenue streams. As an example, the style and appearance of the tank hero Reinhardt lends itself well to a Transformers skin. Players that don’t typically choose Reinhardt but are huge Transformers fans may be tempted to purchase a Transformers skin for him and start using him more. In turn, this could lead to a knock-on effect for players who go on to purchase Reinhardt’s wider cosmetic items.
There’s no denying that Overwatch 2 is a great game; the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. If Overwatch 2 continues to struggle with monetisation models, branded collaborations like those in Fortnite might be the answer to its future success. But taking an established franchise that previously carried a full-price retail tag and moving it over to a free-to-play model is no easy task.
Key considerations when choosing your target IP
If you’re a game developer looking to emulate Fornite’s IP success, there are a few things you need to consider before bringing IP into your game.
- Don’t pick a target IP just because it’s a really popular brand or character. Look at your game and your players and ask yourself if it’s something that will resonate with them. For example, a clever partnership between The Walking Dead and State of Survival brought 20 million new players to the game. So a good understanding of your player demographics is a must. Be prepared to prove this to the license holders, too, as they’ll be just as interested to know if there’s any audience overlap.
- It may sound simple, but make sure you do your homework. Different IP rights holders can have very different priorities and strict requirements for usage. Bigger properties, especially ones that are popular with children, can be especially stringent as its in the holders interests to carefully limit their use. So, it’s up to developers to demonstrate their ability to comply with them. Being prepared can give you a huge advantage, and help clear some of the initial screening phases and get in front of the right decision-makers.
- There are more ways to integrate IP into your game than ever. So think carefully about your main goals, as simpler in-game items, like cosmetics and skins, are often much easier to negotiate with rights holders due to less complicated terms, plus, lighter development and creative costs can make them much quicker to roll out. FIFA 23 recently brought Apple TV’s Ted Lasso as well as Marvel cards to Ultimate Team, with these simple, smart deals opening the door for more collaborations in future.
Powered by WPeMatico
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has released over Php30.41 million worth of food and non-food aid to communities devastated by the recent onslaught of heavy rains and floods in the country.
The state gaming agency reported that as of Saturday, July 26, a total of 33,250 relief packs consisting of 17,000 food packs and 16,250 non-food items have been released to local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
“As millions in Metro Manila and other provinces suffer from torrential rains and floods triggered by the southwest monsoon and tropical storms, we quickly mobilized our relief operations teams,” said PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.
“As the government’s partner in nation-building, we are morally- and duty-bound to come to the aid of Filipinos in times of need, and that includes being one of the first responders when calamities strike,” he added.
The LGUs that received relief assistance from PAGCOR included the City of Manila, Quezon City, Marikina, Parañaque, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Bulacan, Occidental Mindoro, La Union, and Laguna.
Distribution was facilitated through PAGCOR’s Imus and Angat warehouses in coordination with LGUs and logistics partners.
The agency also extended support to ACT Teachers Partylist and Nanay Partylist by providing relief goods for distribution to affected constituents.
“Our relief operations are ongoing and will continue in the coming days as we aim to reach out to more communities affected by the recent calamities,” Mr. Tengco said.
“Hopefully, we would be able to bring not just food and other essentials but also much-needed hope and support.”
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest report, the recent severe weather events have affected 5.29 million people or 1.46 million families across 17 regions.
The post PAGCOR sends Php30M in relief aid to storm-hit families appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Uncategorized
Joona “Serral” Sotala Secures the StarCraft II at the 2025 Esports World Cup Crown Following a Dominant Display
Joona “Serral” Sotala has been crowned the StarCraft II at 2025 Esports World Cup champion, following a 5-2 victory over Virtus.Pro’s Doh-Woo “Classic” Kim in a dominant Best-of-Nine series.
After a tough result in 2024, Serral returned stronger to take the title. With his 2024 rival Clement “Clem” Desplanches exiting earlier in the event, Serral entered the final as the clear favourite following a flawless 4-0 fight in his semi final bout.
While Serral was expected to perform well, the level of control and dominance across the series caught many off guard. Serral started strong, claiming the first two maps of the series, with Classic able to fight back to claim two games. With the scores at 3-2, however, Serral was able to push on to claim the final two maps and secure the series win.
This victory in StarCraft II at EWC 25, confirmed his place as one of the greatest players in the game’s history. En route to the final, Serral remained unbeaten, dropping only two maps across the entire event. This also marks his third world championship title – he won his first world championship at Intel Extreme Masters Katowice in 2022 and successfully defended that crown in 2024.
“To be honest, after a 2-0 start, I was extremely confident. A couple of hiccups did not bother me too much,” said Joona “Serral” Sotala. “It feels absolutely fantastic, this is what I came for, and this is what I got. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Joona “Serral” Sotal earns 1000 Club Championship points for BASILISK with his victory. The win moves BASILISK up to joint eighth place as Serral manages to secure the side their first points of the Esports World Cup 2025.
The post Joona “Serral” Sotala Secures the StarCraft II at the 2025 Esports World Cup Crown Following a Dominant Display appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Uncategorized
Bety Casino Launches New Premium Platform with Trusted Licensing, Instant Crypto Withdrawals, and Elite Gaming
Bety Casino, owned and operated by Platinum Technology NV, officially launches its new crypto gambling platform Bety.com. It is offering players 10,000+ titles, several unique in-house games, and instant withdrawals via cryptocurrencies. The platform also operates under the license and regulation of the Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB) to ensure players globally enjoy gambling in a secure and fair environment.
The majority of the game titles provided by Bety Casino are sourced from leading suppliers like Pragmatic Play, BGaming, Red Tiger, and Microgaming. With so much focus on responsible gaming, security, player entertainment, and satisfaction, Bety aims to redefine the online crypto gaming industry.
‘’Our vision for Bety Casino was basically to develop a crypto casino where every gamer or bettor feels safe, entertained, and fully in control of their funds.’’. Said a Bety chief executive Durrant Nagra. ‘’Our partnership with reliable software providers is really an assurance of an elite gaming experience. With over 10,000+ titles in our library that include online slots, table games, live dealers, and in-house games, every gamer will enjoy our selection.
‘’At Bety, we believe in creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all our players. We highly promote responsible gaming practices by offering features and/or tools that will help our gamers stay in control. Some of our responsible gambling resources include self-exclusion and setting deposit limits. Besides, our support team is well-trained to assist any player who might need help managing their gaming habits.’’ He added.
Both casual and high rollers can potentially enjoy one of the most competitive welcome bonuses of 280% up to €12,000 (or equivalent value in crypto) plus 150 free spins upon signing. Gamers can also enjoy regular promotions, tournaments, and lotteries. The platform also processes payout requests instantly via more than 10 popular cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, USDT, and BNB.
‘’From the time players register to the moment they want to withdraw their winnings, we have ensured that every step is simple, fast, and rewarding.’’ Continued Bety chief executive, Durrant Nagra. ‘’The overwhelmingly positive feedback from our members is a clear indication that crypto gambling can be a truly premium experience.’’ Bety team.
Bety Casino has set out to be a game changer amongst other crypto casinos, a platform with exceptional value for users and players. From its notable features like its no KYC policy and fast transactions to its curated premium game library and rewarding bonus system, Bety delivers on key expectations for today’s crypto gamblers, combining variety, speed, and security in one platform.
In addition to its active customer support, advanced security features, and transparent operations, Bety is steadily positioning itself as the platform of choice for discerning players in 2025 and beyond.
About Bety Casino
Bety is a globally leading cryptocurrency gaming and betting platform offering an elite casino and sports betting experience. The platform leverages blockchain technology to ensure transparent, secure, and efficient transactions. Supporting 10+ cryptocurrencies, Bety allows players to make instant transactions with no hidden fees or delays.
Users can follow Bety platforms to stay tuned:
Website: https://www.bety.com
Twitter/X: @betyofficial88
Telegram: @Betyofficial08 / @Betyofficial888
Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/BETY/61577217343728/
Instagram: @betyofficial88
The post Bety Casino Launches New Premium Platform with Trusted Licensing, Instant Crypto Withdrawals, and Elite Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Africa6 days agoAltenar appoints Brendon Jeacocks as Regional Director in South Africa
-
Aristocrat Interactive7 days ago
Logifuture goes live in Mexico with Zoom Soccer via Aristocrat Interactive integration
-
Aquisitions/Mergers6 days ago
Pavilion Payments Acquires CasinoSoft
-
Betpro6 days ago
Kambi Group plc signs Turnkey Sportsbook partnership with Latin American operator RedCap
-
Africa5 days ago
Shaden Dre Shabalala (Captain of the MSSA Protea Esports Team for MLBB) will lead his brave, and dedicated, team against Madagascar on 23 July 2025 at 19H00)
-
EurAsia5 days ago
Groove Technologies Partners with “Azərlotereya” OJSC to Revolutionise Digital Gaming Experience
-
Australia4 days ago
Unibet Expands Partnership with Sydney Roosters to Support NRLW Team
-
Africa6 days ago
TigonBet Enters Kenya’s Betting Market
