Ever since its inception, Blizzard Entertainment has been all about diversity. Overwatch 2 is, naturally, no exception, especially not with this affectionate statement on Pride Month. The official Overwatch Twitter spilled a visual treat for this occasion, with the caption: “Celebrate who you are. The future depends on it. đłď¸âđ⨠Welcome to the Overwatch 2 family! We couldn’t be prouder đŤś.” The post included some prettier-than-ever rainbow-themed artwork of Tracer, Baptiste, and Pharah; this elicited a whirlwind of reactions, for and against.
In the manner of every thunderstorm, so came the backlash from the community. However, some did pay their respects to the game, writing, “Happy Pride!” and “As a closeted gay man, I wish I could celebrate it too. But I can’t, just because I’m from Hungary,” laying down the bittersweet reality for LGBTQ+ gamers in restrictive areas. In contrast, others fully went for a boycott: “Donât force this on people,” “Itâs just June”; stock bitter remarks whenever a game shows any bit of embrace toward Pride.
Some started taking the piss: “Overwatch for pride should give these six a 100000% damage and movement speed buffânow THAT would be allyship,” while another disturbed that mood from genuine pride talks: “Yeah yeah, very proud… But whatâs happening with Stadium? This is the second time it doesnât advance past the loading screen, and itâs penalizing me for inactivity!!!” Classic Overwatch community, always managing an appropriate reaction with the inappropriate one, toward side of random anger.
There was a certain divide between genuine support and corporate facade advocacy. Another user remarked about regional disparities: “You say ‘Celebrate who you are’ đ unless youâre in my region, then itâs ‘Celebrate quietly, and maybe indoors.’ We got a rainbow icon and a charm. Thatâs it. No voicelines, no lore, just â¨corporate hope and lag.⨔ Ouch.
Of course, the keep-politics-out-of-games comments followed. “Please donât implement those things in our games. Let this be a political-free zone pls,” another player pleaded. Or so they thought, before other players shot back sarcastically with: “You have no right to promote these controversial issues that conflict with human nature… There are children playing them and they have the right to live naturally đđźđđźđđź.”
Amid the noise, some players just wanted clarity on missing representation: “Wait, whereâs Zarya? Isnât she a lesbian?” Good question. Maybe next update?
This isn’t a new position from Blizzardâone that Overwatch was largely credited with being a game possessing a diverse cast: LGBTQ+ heroes like Tracer and Soldier: 76, and heroes of various ethnicities and backgrounds. But, as replies would indicate, that good intention never seemed to escape the endless debating that the internet hive-mind so loves. Whether you call it true advocacy or just performative activism, there’s one clear thingâOverwatch 2 is firmly moving down its road of inclusivity.
Also, hey, if nothing else, those rainbow cosmetics look terrific, don’t they? At least, till hoards of bugs resurface…
