Summary

We, the undersigned players, call upon Blizzard Entertainment to restore the competitive integrity of Overwatch 2. "Smurfing" (experienced players intentionally playing on new accounts to dominate lower ranks) is consistently harming the experience for newcomers and veterans alike. We demand that Smurfing be officially classified as match manipulation and that technical measures be implemented to sanction the offenders' main accounts.

 
Why is this urgent?

Overwatch 2 is designed to be a game where skill, teamwork and strategy decide the outcome. However, the matchmaking system is currently being exploited at scale.

1. Unfair Matches: Players with Master or GM skill levels dominate Bronze, Silver, or Gold lobbies. This results in frustrating "stomps" where the opposing team has zero chance of winning.
2. Sabotaging the Matchmaking: In Overwatch 2, fresh accounts frequently appear mirrored across both teams. This means that when a smurf appears on one side, the other side often receives a genuine newcomer to "balance" the lobby. The result is an inherently unbalanced match that is effectively decided before the spawn doors even open.
3. Driving Away New Players: Newcomers who are immediately crushed by disguised veterans lose interest. Smurfing actively harms the growth and future of the player base.

The common excuses are no longer acceptable:

• "MMR fixes it quickly": No, it doesn't. The sheer volume of burner accounts overwhelms the system.
• "You learn from better players": Beginners learn nothing from being spawn-camped or eliminated in split seconds.
• "It's just Quickplay/Fun": It might be fun for the smurf, but it is a waste of time for everyone else.

Smurfing is not a "harmless hobby." It is the intentional circumvention of the matchmaking system to gain an unfair advantage. It is a form of intentional matchmaking manipulation.

 
Our Demands to Blizzard

We request the implementation of a "Fair Play Enforcement" Plan including the following:

1. Official Definition: Smurfing = Griefing/Matchmaking Manipulation Blizzard must clarify in the Terms of Service (ToS) and In-Game Code of Conduct: Creating new accounts with the intent to manipulate MMR or play against significantly lower-skilled players ("noob stomping") is a bannable offense.

2. Main Account Accountability (Chain Bans) Banning a throwaway "burner account" is ineffective. We demand systems that link accounts (via Hardware ID, behavioral patterns, or phone numbers). If a smurf account is banned for gameplay sabotage or toxicity, the user's Main Account must also face penalties. Smurfing will only stop if the main account is at risk.

3. Hardware ID (HWID) & Behavioral Analysis Simple IP bans are ineffective due to VPNs. We call for modern detection methods:

• Hardware Fingerprinting: Flagging or banning the specific device from creating new accounts after repeated abuse.
• AI-Driven Analysis: If a fresh account demonstrates Top 500 mechanical skill, it must immediately be placed in high-tier lobbies ("Smurf Queue") or suspended from Ranked until further verification.

4. Stricter SMS Verification for Ranked "Competitive-Ready" status must be harder to exploit.

• One Number = One Ranked Access: VOIP and prepaid burner numbers must be strictly blocked.
• Time-Gating: New accounts should require a significant amount of active playtime (not just wins) before entering Ranked to deter botting and account buying.

5. Transparency & Consequences We demand that Blizzard publishes regular reports on Smurfing bans (similar to "Defense Matrix" updates on cheating). Other developers (such as Riot Games or Valve) already use account-linking, behavioral detection, and hardware-based penalties in severe cases of repeated abuse or cheating. Similar modern tools should be adopted in Overwatch 2.

We love Overwatch. Please help us save it.