Blizzard’s Phone Number Requirement

I came across a news article a few days ago regarding Overwatch 2 that seemed somewhat odd. According to Kotaku “every single Overwatch 2 player, including those who had previously purchased Overwatch, need to provide a phone number that fits certain requirements [numbers cannot be attached to a prepaid phone plan, landline, or use VOIP] in order to start the game (see: https://kotaku.com/overwatch-2-phone-requirement-fps-blizzard-cricket-mint-1849620021). The developer posits that this is to prevent cheating and abusive behaviour in the game, however, many players have argued that this new requirement may disadvantage players who don’t have access to phones, at least phones that meet Blizzard’s requirements.  Looking further into the issue I found out that the new Call of Duty will also adopt Blizzard’s phone requirement. CNET states that the “phone number verification system is part of the company’s defense matrix, aimed at improving security in-game and helping deal with disruptive players” (see: https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-joins-overwatch-2-in-requiring-phone-number-verification/).

(photo from: https://kotaku.com/overwatch-2-phone-requirement-fps-blizzard-cricket-mint-1849620021)

I agree with implementing security measures to protect end-users, however, Blizzard’s choice to limit phone numbers to those effectively linked to a data contract is somewhat bizarre. Are there not any alternative options that can be made available to players such as a device 2FA (two-factor authentication)? Do players now have to consider what kind of phone plan they have before purchasing a game? This seems like an unnecessary hurdle with respect to game accessibility. I think Gamespot captures it best: “restricting VOIP and prepaid numbers might stop hackers from worming their way back into the system, but it also has the unfortunate side effect of blocking people who rely on such services from playing the game entirely. Given that Overwatch 2 is supposedly a free-to-play game, this would seem contrary to the company’s intentions. Additionally, given that prepaid phones are often cheaper than their competition, this policy definitely hits poor and underprivileged people the hardest, as well as kids who are too young to own their own phones” (see: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-will-require-phone-number-verification/1100-6508136/).