Overwatch players are abusing Custom Games for XP

Blizzard released a detailed new custom game platform for Overwatch last week, allowing players to create and join other players unique games. Jeff Kaplan expressed his excitement with the new system, saying that it will allow players to experience the game in new and unique ways. Although Jeff Kaplan and the Blizzard developers had good intentions with this new custom game system, they knew it had the potential to be exploited, but wanted players to have the benefit of the doubt before potentially taking extreme measures.

Surprise surprise, shortly after launching the new custom game system, players have been creating lobbies to farm XP quickly or even idle. You have to respect Blizzard's intentions with trusting the community, but sadly there will always be players out there who would rather exploit the developers trusting nature for personal benefit, rather than enjoy the game responsibly. Kaplan released a statement on the battle.net forums sounding relatively disappointed, and rightfully so.  

When we introduced the Game Browser and new Custom Game features we were excited to allow players to earn experience playing the game in unique and different ways. We also knew that there was the potential for this system to be exploited but we wanted to give everyone the benefit of the doubt before becoming overly restrictive with the system. Its very disappointing to us that players abused the system to gain experience while inactive.

Unfortunately, these exploiters have forced Blizzard to make changes, enforce rules and even take disciplinary action. Blizzard has already taken matters into their own hands by implementing an AFK timer and removing experience game during Skirmish. There is also a possibility of bans for people who abused the system, but at the very least, they have to sleep knowing Jeff Kaplan is disappointed in them. In all seriousness, sadly a few irresponsible players have ruined the new system for the majority of the community. With how harsh Overwatch is with cheaters, it astonishes me how players still attempt to pull the wool over Blizzard's eyes.

Read Kaplan's entire statement here.