At one point in my gaming life I had made a pact with myself to never pay for a micro-transaction. “The game is fun with what it comes with,” was my usual rationale. “Cosmetics don’t really improve the gameplay.” It sufficed, and it saved me a few bucks here and there.

Flash forward to last month’s Overwatch Uprising event. RNG had yet to smile upon me, and I was struck with envy each time I saw another player in one of the new Blackwatch skins or, my personal favorite, the beardless Torbjörn get-up—“Hobo Torb” I called him.

It escalated to a point where I had convinced myself “skin advantage” was a real thing and I was only losing games because the other team had the Uprising skins I wanted and I did not.

So, I did what I had sworn to never do. I bought loot boxes. At first I was ashamed. It felt wrong to me. Dirty, almost. But from that first batch of loot boxes emerged the magnificent Blackwatch McCree skin.

Suddenly everything felt oh-so right. I bought a few more. And then another couple. I had only spent the equivalent of a couple meals, but it changed something in me. I was a micro-transactioner. I used my hard-earned coins to mop up the few remaining items I wanted (Hobo Torb, in case you were wondering. Curse you, RNG) and called it a day.

Just yesterday, however, I awoke to equal parts hype and horror. Another Overwatch event was leaked. Less than two weeks since I had drained my coins on one event, another loomed around the corner, and I feel I may only have my wallet to turn to for help this time around.

The leak came by way of True Achievements which scanned the Xbox Store and turned up some hidden Overwatch items—a new Overwatch: Game of the Year Edition (which looks to be identical to the Origins edition with the addition of 10 free loot boxes, so don’t worry about missing out on exclusives) and Overwatch Anniversary Loot boxes.

The description for the loot boxes mentioned “more than 100 Anniversary goodies” available in this event. This is on-par with every preceding event Overwatch has released, so we have no reason to expect anything less than another full-fledged event and, for me at least, an unreasonable number of hours grinding for whichever skin I fall in love with this time around.

Overwatch’s twitter account seemed to have confirmed the event in a roundabout way after the leak. Asked when they will announce the event officially, Overwatch replied, “No timing details yet.”

With no official announcement, we’re left with only speculation. Overwatch events run for about three weeks. The loot box description said they are available for purchase until June 5, 2017. If this event isn’t shortened or postponed for any reason, we could reasonably see it released next week at some point. Part of me is hesitant to speculate that much, however, as Overwatch’s actual anniversary lands on May 24th.

Regardless of when it actually drops, I still have my fingers crossed (and wallet opened) for a new legendary Pharah skin. One can hope.

Source: True Achievements, Twitter