Overwatch Confirms More LGBTQ+ Representation on Their Roster
Award-winning game title, Overwatch, confirmed their second LGBTQ+ character in a new content release. Overwatch won Game of the Year in 2016 and continues to be a favorite of gamers all over the world. The team-based, first-person-shooter has one of the most diverse casts of characters in a video game to this date. The roster of twenty-nine playable characters represents at least 19 countries, and with more characters constantly being added, the representation only grows. Not only does game developer, Blizzard, work to build diversity in their storytelling, but also in their casting. Lead designers and producers at Blizzard worked diligently to ensure that every voice actor cast to bring life to the characters of Overwatch spoke the language of their character’s home country fluently as to ensure the most accuracy possible.
In December of 2016, Blizzard made waves with their Christmas comic, Reflections. The comic was meant to show how each of the characters spent their holiday. We saw many different storylines in this comic, but the one that drew the most attention was that of game poster girl Tracer. Tracer has been the mascot for Overwatch since its release and is a fan favorite across the board. She is an enthusiastic and fierce fighter and she would do anything for her friends. Perfect for the face of this cooperative game, right? Well, what we also learned about Tracer in the Reflections story is that she spent her holidays with her girlfriend, Emily.
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This was the first time that Blizzard officially confirmed any of their heroes to be on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and the fact that it was the most well-known character in the game meant a lot to fans all over the world.
Well, just this week Blizzard has confirmed another member of their hero team is on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. In a new content release for special in-game event, Bastet, fans were treated to the release of a short story about characters, Soldier 76 and Ana, both old soldiers fighting to bring peace to the world. In this story, we see the two reminiscing about the days past and those they used to love. We then learn that Soldier 76, also known as Jack Morrison, was once in love with a man named Vincent.
BASTET: A fierce protector arises from the shadows . . .
🔎 https://t.co/YLLH1vb5XB pic.twitter.com/OcA6mceQP1
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) January 7, 2019
As another fan-favorite character, Soldier 76’s character being confirmed as non-heterosexual was another very impactful move for Blizzard to make. They have ensured that these are not the only two characters who are LGBTQ+, and the amount of representation the company works to promote is uplifting.
Thank you for working hard to represent all of your fans Blizzard, we can’t wait to see what you do next.
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Washington studying Musical Theatre and Psychology. I live and work in Seattle, a city I am totally in love with, and am a born and raised Pacific Northwest baby. I love music, dancing, video games, comic books, coloring, and gluten free pasta.
