Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will use the same mobile phone requirements, according to game developer Activision Blizzard.

Notably, the same restrictions are being employed on the gamers of Overwatch 2, as it launched earlier this month, which have been recently a source of their frustration.

'Link an Active Phone Number' Restrictions

In September, Blizzard announced that Overwatch 2 gamers would be required to link an active phone number to their accounts to be able to play the game once it launched. Note that both old and new players were affected.

Friday, Oct. 7, the video game maker released a statement announcing that it is updating the phone number restrictions with a catch.

The update is that gamers no longer need a phone number to sign up for the new game. However, it is only applicable to those who have had an active Battle.net account since June 9, 2021.

As for players of the upcoming first-person shooter game Modern Warfare 2, the same 'link a phone number requirement will apply to them.

Read Also: 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' PS5 Bundle Pre-Order is Now Available on PlayStation Direct

Restrictions on Upcoming Modern Warfare 2

On the Battle.net Phone Notifications page, it said that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and newly created Call of Duty: Modern Warfare accounts require a phone number. Of course, this is apart from Overwatch 2.

"Adding a phone number will allow Blizzard Entertainment to send you notifications when important changes are made to your account. Any mobile phone in a supported country with a data plan and that is not prepaid or a VOIP number, can be used with this service," said the statement on the Battle.net web page.

Gamers' Reactions: Is it Fair to the Players?

Despite these Blizzard games being free to play, the requirement is virtually excluding younger players as well as those who may not have been able to purchase a long-term monthly commitment to the game.

According to PC Gamer, some players have negative reactions as they will be locked out of the game due to this rule.

"This seems very wrong to require videogame players to enter into a contract with a telecom company before being allowed to play the game they paid for," said one of the comments.

Blizzard's Update on SMS Protect

Blizzard once explained that the required step of linking an active phone number is a part of the game's designed SMS Protect system. It is supposed to offer another safeguard against cheating and other forms of player disruption so that everyone can enjoy the game.

However, players reportedly experienced some significant problems over the past few days, including the SMS Protect function. The game developer took down the phone number requirements for Overwatch 2 players even though its original purpose was to discourage negative behavior by holding toxic players accountable.

Read Also: 'Overwatch 2' Founder's Pack Guide: How to Get It, Inclusions, and More!

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Trisha Kae Andrada