Alright folks, let's talk about something that's been bugging the Overwatch 2 community lately. Blizzard just dropped Venture, the latest Damage hero, into the roster, and while everyone's busy trying out those sick drill dashes, there's one thing missing... and I mean, crickets on the achievement front. Yep, Venture hit the live servers without a single new Xbox achievement or PlayStation trophy in sight. For a game that's been all about those sweet, sweet digital accolades since 2016, this feels kinda sus, doesn't it? Let's dig into what's going on.

The Glory Days: When Every Hero Had Their Moment

Back in the day, unlocking achievements was a whole vibe. Every single hero—from the original 19 OGs to the 21 post-launch additions—came with at least two achievements tied to their kit. Think about it:

• Tracer's "Smooth as Silk" – Pulse Bomb stick on a flying enemy? Chef's kiss. 👌

• Reinhardt's "Storm, Earth and Fire" – Earthshattering three enemies at once? Pure dopamine.

These weren't just random tasks; they were masterclasses in how to play each character. They pushed players to experiment, to get creative, and to truly git gud. When Overwatch 2 launched, the tradition continued strong. Sojourn, Junker Queen, and Kiriko all had their own sets. Even later additions like Ramattra and Lifeweaver got the royal achievement treatment. It was a core part of the game's identity—a little extra oomph for the completionists and the flexers alike.

The Trend Breaker: Where Did the Achievements Go?

Then, out of nowhere, Blizzard just... stopped. The first hero to debut in the achievement desert was Illari. The support sniper came with her powerful Healing Pylon and Sunstrike, but zero new trophies to chase. The community was like, "Okay, maybe it's a one-off bug?" But then Tank hero Mauga dropped... and again, nada. And now, with Venture, it's a confirmed pattern, and honestly, it's a bit of a letdown.

Some fans were holding out hope that Venture, with their unique underground drilling mechanics, would break the cycle. I mean, imagine the potential:

• "Subterranean Strike" – Get a killing blow on an enemy while they're affected by your Seismic Slam? That's content right there!

• "Core Sample" – Hit a full Drill Dash combo on a tank? Perfection.

But nope. The only things players can earn are in-game challenge sprays. There's "Excavation Annihilation" (eliminate three foes with one Tectonic Shock) and "Pitfall" (knock an enemy to their death with Drill Dash). These are literally the exact kinds of feats that would have been achievements in the old system. So why the change? Blizzard hasn't said a word, and the silence is deafening.

It's Not Just Heroes – The Drought is Spreading

Here's the real kicker: this isn't just about heroes anymore. The lack of new achievements has infected new game modes too. Take Flashpoint, for example. A whole new mode with massive maps and strategic point captures... and not a single associated trophy. Players can predict with near certainty that the upcoming Clash mode (hello, return of multi-point assault!) will likely follow the same, well, clash with tradition.

Let's break down the timeline of the achievement disappearance act:

Update/Addition	Hero/Mode	Achievements/Trophies Added?
OW2 Launch (2022)	Sojourn, Junker Queen, Kiriko	✅ Yes
Season 2 (2022)	Ramattra	✅ Yes
Season 4 (2023)	Lifeweaver	✅ Yes
Season 6 (2023)	Illari	❌ No
Season 8 (2023)	Mauga	❌ No
Season 10 (2024)	Venture	❌ No
Season 6 (2023)	Flashpoint Mode	❌ No

Community Feels: The Split Reaction

The player base is kinda divided on this:

Team "It's NBD" 😐:

• "I just play for fun and comp, don't care about achievements."

• "The in-game challenges give the same rewards (sprays), so who cares?"

Team "This is a Major L" 😠:

• "Unlocking trophies was how I learned new heroes! It's a tutorial system!"

• "It feels like Blizzard is cutting corners. Less content for the same price (or more, with skins)."

• "For us completionists, this sucks the motivation out of trying new stuff. Where's the long-term goal?"

And honestly, the second group has a point. Achievements provided structure, a clear "hey, try doing this cool thing" objective. For many, 100%-ing a hero's achievements was a badge of honor, a sign you'd truly mastered them. Removing that feels like removing a layer of depth and reward from the game's ecosystem.

Theories & The Big Question: Why, Blizzard, Why?

Since Blizzard is keeping radio silence, the community has been cooking up some theories:

1. Development Resource Shift: Maybe the team is stretched thin focusing on the PvE story missions, balance, and new seasons, so small things like trophy lists get axed.

2. Platform Certification Hassle: Getting new achievements approved on Xbox and PlayStation can be a bureaucratic nightmare. Perhaps they're avoiding that pipeline entirely.

3. A Deliberate Design Choice: Could they be moving to a purely in-game challenge system to unify the experience across all platforms (PC, console)?

4. The Sad Reality: It might just be seen as an unnecessary expense for a free-to-play game where engagement is now measured by battle pass sales and shop visits, not achievement hunting.

Whatever the reason, the result is the same: a sense of something missing. The click and the flashy notification when you pulled off something insane was a shared moment of joy. Now, for new heroes and modes, that moment is gone.

Looking Ahead: Is This the New Normal?

As of 2026, the pattern seems set. New content = new gameplay, but not new legacy accolades. For players who've been around since the original Overwatch, it's a noticeable shift in the game's philosophy. The hero shooter that once celebrated mastery with shiny digital badges now seems content to let those feats pass by with only a temporary spray as a whisper of recognition.

So, what do you think, chat? Is the death of achievements in OW2 a small thing, or does it represent a bigger change in how Blizzard views player engagement and reward? Sound off below. And for now, good luck getting that "Excavation Annihilation" spray with Venture—even if no one on your friends list gets a notification for it. 😉

TL;DR: Blizzard has quietly stopped adding Xbox/PlayStation achievements for new Overwatch 2 heroes (starting with Illari, continuing with Mauga and Venture) and modes (Flashpoint). They only offer in-game challenge sprays instead. No official reason given, leaving achievement hunters and lore masters feeling a bit empty. The golden age of hunting for those "Cute" and "Pixel" sprays via trophies might be over. F in the chat, maybe?

According to coverage from VentureBeat GamesBeat, live-service games increasingly optimize around seasonal engagement loops (battle passes, limited-time events, and in-client challenges) rather than platform-level achievement updates, which can help explain why Overwatch 2’s newer heroes and modes may ship without Xbox/PlayStation trophies even when equivalent feats still exist as in-game challenges.