After Controversy, Sony Says It Isn't Making Profit On New Overwatch Skin

Overwatch's latest Mercy skin--colored pink in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation with the purchase price going to the charity--attracted some controversy when it was released. The cosmetic item costs $15 / £13 / AU $22, with the Xbox Store and Blizzard's official shop listings stating that "100% of the purchase price" will be donated to the BCRF. PlayStation Store entries, however, say "Blizzard Entertainment will donate £10.12, or local currency equivalent, that it receives from PlayStation for your purchase of the Pink Mercy skin to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation."

This suggests Sony is taking an approximate £2.88 cut from purchases of the charitable item in the same way it would any other purchase on the PlayStation Store, despite Microsoft and Blizzard seemingly willing to waive any income it would otherwise receive. Sony has now addressed the controversy, telling GameSpot, "We are not making any profit from sales of the Overwatch Pink Mercy Skin."

Sony did not elaborate on where the £2.88--or local equivalent--is going. Blizzard, meanwhile, simply said it couldn't comment on pricing for platforms other than Battle.net. GameSpot has followed up with Sony for further clarification on the missing £2.88.

Blizzard has released special in-game items for charity in the past. World of Warcraft once had a special pet for Red Cross disaster relief, while Hearthstone added an alternate Mage hero for the World Wildlife Fund.

The most recent Overwatch update, meanwhile, added the new Rialto map to PvP. That patch also served as the release for some big hero changes that had been previewed in the public test realm, most notably to Hanzo.

from GameSpot https://ift.tt/2IcDu6c