Blizzard Isn’t Afraid To Mute Jerks In Overwatch On Xbox One

A new patch has been introduced to Overwatch today that introduces a number of new features, including the debut of the Junkertown map, which a lot of fans have been looking forward to. But, more significantly, it also provides the opportunity to shut out players that sound less than favorable on Xbox One.

There's a neat little thing wherein players that have built a bad reputation on the Xbox Live service, deemed as the "Avoid Me" types, will actually have to live without voice chat in Overwatch, as they'll actually be muted in the game. No matter what options they take, you won't be able to hear them.

Said the publisher about the new feature, "Players whose Xbox Live reputation has been downgraded to 'Avoid Me' will remain in the same matchmaking pool as other Overwatch players. However, they will no longer be able to use the in-game voice communication."

So they can play in matches, but they won't be able to smack-talk folks. It's certainly a step in the right direction when it comes to enforcing the company's new procedures to lower the "rising tide of toxicity" with the game. There's no word yet if Blizzard intends to introduce the feature on PlayStation 4 and/or PC, but it would certainly do a lot of good, especially since it's not looking to divide up the "jerks" into "naughty pools" so they can yell at one another that way.

Hopefully, Blizzard will continue to come up with solutions that prove viable within the game, so that more people can enjoy the fruits of multiplayer without the possibility of running into "jerks".

We'll see what comes from the game in future updates. For now, the new patch has plenty to offer, including that new map and a few other tweaks. Jump in and have a good time!

Overwatch is available now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.