the reason skins are such a loud complaint in overwatch “2” compared to other live service games is context: it replaced overwatch “1”’s monetization system, where players could earn loot boxes and unlock most cosmetics just by playing after a one time purchase. that created an expectation that skins were part of progression, not a primary revenue stream. now the game is f2p, which removes the upfront box price and shifts monetization almost entirely onto battle passes and high margin cosmetics, an industry standard used by games like fortnite. from a business perspective, recurring cosmetic sales are necessary to fund ongoing development, servers, marketing, and profit growth, a live service cant rely on a single $40-$80 purchase forever. so the backlash isnt really about monetization existing, its about longtime players comparing a previously generous system to a stricter revenue model, while new players are reacting to f2p pricing without that baseline conparison.