Thanks for posting about this issue again. Only someone as high profile as you even brought about a Blizzard response even if that response was a stock excuse for not building it.

Fellow colorblind players, since Blizzard continues to ignore us, we have to move beyond verbal advocacy and try a different strategy. Don’t tilt, this is winnable.

Option 1: Quit Overwatch (for real)

Commit. This isn’t saying “I’m quitting Overwatch” and then picking it back up again 10 days later when you start getting the shakes. This is quitting the game for real. Pick up another game, ideally one with colorblind support, that you also enjoy and switch to that, permanently. Don’t forget to uninstall. Note: giving up Overwatch to return to Hearthstone or WoW negates the gesture. Remember, you’re aiming for Blizzard’s pocket book, just shifting around where they get your money from doesn’t send the desired message. Let Blizzard know. After 30 days, send a support message to Blizzard explaning to them politely that you have moved on to a competing product because of lack of proper colorblind support. Make sure this is done from the same account you had played Overwatch with so that they can confirm the facts if they want. Politely let them know that you will be advocating to other frustrated players that they do the same. Avoid making this an ultimatum or “I’ll come back if…”. This should reasonably be you having moved on from the game, possibly never coming back even if they finally add support. Post an honest and informative account of what you feel you’ve had to do to be heard by Blizzard to social media (reddit or wherever). Find colorblind players with similar complaints and share a link to this informative thread. Help make others aware that they are in control of a few aspects of the situation, even if it isn’t the outcome we’d all prefer (obviously, that would be a functional colorblind mode).

Option 2: Spend no additional money on Overwatch or other Blizzard Products

If you don’t realistically think you can or want to give up Overwatch, this is the next best statement you can make. This isn’t nearly as strong a gesture; even if Blizzard makes no more money from you beyond what they already have, you remaining active in the game keeps the game afloat and successful and draws in new customers, so you are still considered an asset to them. Nonetheless, companies make decisions based on the bottom line; if Blizzard thinks they’re losing enough revenue to justify development of colorblind support, they will finally invest in it.

Give Blizzard only your time, not money. Don’t buy loot boxes. Don’t buy t-shirts or any other memorabilia. Don’t purchase an alt-account. If you play WoW, this actually becomes Option 1 as you should give up your subscription to make the strongest point. Similar to step 2 above, send Blizzard support a polite message explaining that you have stopped making purchasing in-game and out of game gear across their product line. As in step 3 above, publicize your strategy in social media. Don’t be spammy.

Tone

Avoid approaching this as punitive, getting even, or throwing a tantrum. Blizzard as a business must prioritize their development work; if they don’t do this, they’re running their team badly. In this circumstance I just think they’ve made an incorrect assessment.

Keep in mind, Blizzard has already implemented a large portion of what they need for colorblind support when they added custom colors for broadcasting OWL tournaments.

Since Blizzard still doesn’t think the minimal work remaining is important, and that ignoring the player feedback is an acceptable risk, this campaign is about changing the equation. The risk of ignoring is higher because it has consequences that effect their bottom line. Or the benefit of adding it is larger because it may bring players back or result in them making additional in-game purchase or buying gear.

Bottom line, be reasoned and polite.