Purchasing cosmetics and loot boxes have always been a core part of what drives people to spend money in Blizzard’s hero shooter, Overwatch. With limited edition, legendary, and event cosmetics popping up every few months, it’s difficult to keep up with your favorite Overwatch characters’ changing aesthetics. Even though microtransactions continue to be a sore spot with the gaming community, Overwatch somehow usually gets a pass.
Blizzard decided to capitalize on that good faith within their community by offering a special skin that would only be available for a limited time. This skin, Pink Mercy, was created to raise money for breast cancer research. And, as of the end of the skin’s run on Overwatch, it had raised a staggering $12.7 million for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Initially, Blizzard had intended to donate a minimum of $250,000, but Overwatch players loved Pink Mercy so much (and why not — she’s adorable) that Blizzard was able to sign a check for $12.7 million. Granted, this wasn’t just from the cosmetic sales themselves. According to Eurogamer, this was a combined effort from streaming, merchandise sales, and in-game purchases of Pink Mercy. Jeff Kaplan, Overwatch’s game director, presented the check to the BCRF himself.
Fundraising season is just around the corner, so Blizzard might be able to raise more money for different causes like Take This and Able Gamers, which would play well to their overall dedication to inclusivity in their game universe.
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