Do You Need Xbox Live to Play Overwatch 2?

Overwatch 2 is one of the most popular free-to-play multiplayer games out there, but do you need Xbox Live to play on Xbox consoles?

As free-to-play titles continue to dominate the gaming industry, it's never been easier to game on a budget. Be it on PC or console, free-to-play, online multiplayer games like Fortnite, Warzone and Apex Legends continue to have healthy player counts.

Overwatch made the switch to free-to-play with the launch of Overwatch 2, adopting the battle pass system. With the original, players needed to purchase the base game before being able to experience what the game had to offer. Now, with Overwatch 2, players simply need to download and go.

But, given that it's an online game, do you need an Xbox Live subscription to play the game on Xbox consoles?

Do You Need Xbox Live to Play Overwatch 2?

No, you do not need an Xbox Live subscription in order to play Overwatch 2 on Xbox consoles. In this case, free-to-play really does mean free-to-play. As long as you have an internet connection, you can play Overwatch 2.

It used to be the case that any online game on consoles also required an active Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus subscription. But, a number of free-to-play titles have scrapped that requirement. Players can now experience everything Overwatch 2 has to offer without spending a single penny, unless you want to buy a premium battle pass or cosmetics.