4 ms·

I think there is a reasonable explanation for removing OW1. Queue times were already a huge problem (which is a large reason why they moved to one tank, as nobo

I think there is a reasonable explanation for removing OW1. Queue times were already a huge problem (which is a large reason why they moved to one tank, as nobody wanted to play tank). Keeping around OW1 would have fragmented the player base and would have hurt the OW2 launch. That said, there are plenty of more cynical reasons why Blizzard removed OW1 which are likely also true…

gigaflop 4y ago
I have no sources on hand and no desire to find any, but I think that OW2 was a partial refactor of OW1, if that makes sense. They'd always planned to sunset OW1 for the release of 2. Ages ago, there was a large update to OW1, which I believe had something to do with 'readiness' for OW2 in the form of major engine changes, etc. Nothing was really new after that patch, but it was massive, and may have actually been a full reinstall. Memory is flaky there, and I don't want to look for details while at work. I'd bet $1 that the megapatch (and patches since) would have been designed with OW2 in mind, since OW2 took a long time in the oven. Extrapolating a bit, I think of it as running the OW2 engine in OW1 compatibility mode, or something.
LawTalkingGuy 4y ago
Sure, that's their motives of course - to move people to a newer game and not have any distractions like lingering old stuff. If you only played for free then it may sting but you have no right to compensation, only to annoyed venting. But people are saying they paid $60 for it. They have a right to compensation. Moreover, it feels like this should not only be handled by individual damages related to the value of the product but also a fine or punitive damages related to what they thought they would gain from the scheme.
lghh 4y ago
But I paid for OW1, right? They don't come and repossess my car when a new model comes out.
- govg 4y ago
  To be super pedantic, you bought a license for the software. That is just the truth us consumers have to deal with, and you can support DRM-free purchases like via GOG to help turn the tide. Also existing owners of OW1 were given additional stuff for OW2. Of course, I (as an owner myself) don't think it was a good compensation and hate Blizzard for removing the old game. But there is enough justification that your original price has been repaid in content.
- hypertele-Xii 4y ago
  You purchased a licence to play OW1 that definitely included a clause that they can stop providing the service at any time for any reason. Unsure if these have been rigorously tested in court though.
AlexandrB 4y ago
> Queue times were already a huge problem This one is self-inflicted. The whole role queue system sucks.

gigaflop 4y ago

I have no sources on hand and no desire to find any, but I think that OW2 was a partial refactor of OW1, if that makes sense. They'd always planned to sunset OW1 for the release of 2. Ages ago, there was a large update to OW1, which I believe had something to do with 'readiness' for OW2 in the form of major engine changes, etc. Nothing was really new after that patch, but it was massive, and may have actually been a full reinstall. Memory is flaky there, and I don't want to look for details while at work. I'd bet $1 that the megapatch (and patches since) would have been designed with OW2 in mind, since OW2 took a long time in the oven. Extrapolating a bit, I think of it as running the OW2 engine in OW1 compatibility mode, or something.

LawTalkingGuy 4y ago

Sure, that's their motives of course - to move people to a newer game and not have any distractions like lingering old stuff. If you only played for free then it may sting but you have no right to compensation, only to annoyed venting. But people are saying they paid $60 for it. They have a right to compensation. Moreover, it feels like this should not only be handled by individual damages related to the value of the product but also a fine or punitive damages related to what they thought they would gain from the scheme.

lghh 4y ago

But I paid for OW1, right? They don't come and repossess my car when a new model comes out.

govg 4y ago
To be super pedantic, you bought a license for the software. That is just the truth us consumers have to deal with, and you can support DRM-free purchases like via GOG to help turn the tide. Also existing owners of OW1 were given additional stuff for OW2. Of course, I (as an owner myself) don't think it was a good compensation and hate Blizzard for removing the old game. But there is enough justification that your original price has been repaid in content.
hypertele-Xii 4y ago
You purchased a licence to play OW1 that definitely included a clause that they can stop providing the service at any time for any reason. Unsure if these have been rigorously tested in court though.

AlexandrB 4y ago

> Queue times were already a huge problem This one is self-inflicted. The whole role queue system sucks.