Source: Microsoft News
Before Microsoft stepped in with its massive $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, some big changes were reportedly in the works for Diablo 4 and Overwatch. In his new book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, author Jason Schreier reveals that former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra had a bold vision: scaling back microtransactions in Diablo 4 and potentially rebooting Overwatch.
While details are still somewhat fuzzy, Ybarra’s departure from Blizzard ahead of the Microsoft takeover meant these plans never saw the light of day. And it’s hard to say how far he would have gotten, especially with Diablo 4’s in-game cosmetic shop being a major moneymaker, reportedly pulling in over $150 million in revenue. Even with some fan frustration over the shop, eliminating or cutting back on these features would have been a significant shift, likely requiring a complete overhaul of the game’s monetization model.
Changes to Diablo 4’s Microtransactions?
Ybarra’s plan to reduce microtransactions in Diablo 4 would have likely been met with resistance internally, given how successful the game’s paid cosmetic system has been. Fans have been vocal on forums like Reddit about their dissatisfaction with the shop, but a complete removal would be no small feat. Expanding the game’s free armor transmogs or offering more non-paid customization options might have been a possible solution, but it would have required serious work from the development team.
As it stands, Diablo 4’s shop may not be the most egregious example of live service monetization, but it’s a sore point for some players. Whether Ybarra’s idea would have been a win for the community is something we’ll never know.
Overwatch Reboot Rumors
Perhaps more surprising was Ybarra’s reported plan to reboot Overwatch. After the mixed reception to Overwatch 2 and its heavy reliance on microtransactions, a reboot might have addressed some of the concerns players have had about the game’s live service model. But with so many players already deeply invested in Overwatch 2, both financially and time-wise, rebooting the franchise would have been risky.
That said, an Overwatch that wasn’t built on a foundation of microtransactions could have appealed to fans who miss the original’s simpler approach. Whether a full reboot was necessary—or even feasible—remains unclear, but Ybarra’s vision shows there were conversations happening internally about the long-term future of Blizzard’s titles.
Ybarra’s time as Blizzard’s president wasn’t without controversy. Appointed in 2021, he faced criticism from employees, especially after a contentious all-hands meeting in early 2023 about the company’s return-to-office policy. His ideas to move away from the live service model might have been well-received by fans, but it’s unclear how that would have translated for the teams working on the games.
