Overwatch 2’s 2024 Mercy for a Cause campaign witnessed an incredible achievement, gathering a whopping $12.3 million for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). This feat adds to a total of over $25 million raised by Overwatch games for BCRF since 2018.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to May 2018 when Overwatch first introduced a special BCRF Charity Event. Players had the chance to snag a $14.99 Pink Mercy skin, with all proceeds going to the BCRF, a nonprofit based in New York. Fast forward more than six years, and the beloved Pink Mercy cosmetic made a comeback in Overwatch 2. From June 25 to July 8, 2024, this was available as part of the Mercy for a Cause initiative, capturing the hearts and wallets of fans once again.
Recently, the second round of the event surpassed expectations, raising a cool $12.3 million shortly after Season 11 of Overwatch 2 commenced. Blizzard’s President, Johanna Faries, expressed her gratitude in a statement to Game Rant, emphasizing the heartwarming generosity of the Overwatch community. Similarly, Donna McKay, BCRF’s President and CEO, was deeply touched by the results, highlighting how these funds will fuel crucial advancements towards combatting breast cancer.
Overwatch now proudly holds two BCRF donation records—the 2024 event nearly matched the previous $12.7 million raised in 2018, thus claiming both the top spots for largest onetime corporate donations to BCRF. Over the years, Blizzard’s contributions have exceeded $25 million. Besides the return of the $15 Pink Mercy skin, players could also purchase the $20 Rose Gold Mercy Bundle which included additional exciting features such as new skins, player icons, sprays, and name cards, designed by Angela Ziegler and Dani Ellis. The bundle was further sweetened by a Mercy Heroic Weapon Skin.
Some initial offerings from the 2018 Charity Event, like sprays and Twitch emotes, didn’t make a comeback in the 2024 event, hinting that some Overwatch 2 exclusives might also remain one-offs. Although specifics on how the new funds will be utilized remain forthcoming, Blizzard and BCRF have assured details will be shared “in the months ahead,” likely in early 2025. Previously, the 2018 funds supported innovative AI mammography technology and predictive models for assessing risk of triple-negative breast cancer, among other health solutions.
Overwatch 2, a dynamic and ever-evolving free-to-play game, continues to bring excitement with its team-based battles set in a hopeful future. Whether you’re powering up as Sojourn or commandeering the arena as Junker Queen, the game consistently delivers fresh experiences. Challenges and updates keep the adrenaline kicking, inviting players to explore iconic global locations from New York to Rio. Since its release on October 4, 2022, Overwatch 2 has embraced cross-platform play, ensuring a seamless gaming experience across various devices, including PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
