Beginning on June 1st, the vibrant spirit of the Overwatch 2 Pride event will be palpable across the Midtown map, adorned with an array of Pride flags. In a touching tribute, the beloved hero Tracer, who identifies as a lesbian, will have a poignant picture featuring her and her partner prominently displayed in the barracks of the iconic Watchpoint: Gibraltar map.
The Verge had an exclusive opportunity to engage in a candid conversation with the developers behind Overwatch 2, delving into the creative process that underpins the conception of this groundbreaking event.
“We want it to feel like the game is reflecting what’s happening in the real world. We do it for Halloween. We do it for Lunar New Year, too. It’s important to carry this forward for Pride as well,” stated the game’s director Aaron Keller, according to the report.
Overwatch 2 Pride event is an important step towards LGBTQ+ representation in the gaming sphere
Overwatch has garnered widespread acclaim for its commendable efforts in championing diversity, exemplified through its diverse roster of characters hailing from various backgrounds and cultures. Shortly after the game’s initial release in 2016, the Overwatch team made a significant stride towards representation by releasing a comic that officially revealed Tracer, who has become the game’s recognizable face, as a lesbian. This milestone not only solidified Tracer’s identity but also highlighted the game’s commitment to inclusivity.
In 2019, another pivotal moment unfolded when Soldier: 76, the rugged and stoic hero, was confirmed to be gay, further broadening the LGBTQ+ representation within the game. Demonstrating a continued dedication to diversity, Overwatch’s latest support character, Lifeweaver, was recently introduced as pansexual (You can learn how to unlock Lifeweaver in Overwatch 2 by visiting our guide, by the way). Notably, this marked the first instance in which an Overwatch character’s sexuality was openly shared as part of their official announcement, rather than being added as an afterthought.
PHARAH MERCY OVERWATCH 2 VOICELINE AAAAAA pic.twitter.com/nofLHPGujz
— Skiesti 🌻 (@skiesti_) September 29, 2022
As part of the Overwatch 2 Pride event, a captivating short story has been released, showcasing the rocket-wielding hero Pharah revealing her lesbian identity to Baptiste, a recent addition to the Overwatch team following his departure from the militant group Talon. Although Baptiste’s sexuality is not explicitly stated in the story, there are implications that he is attracted to men, hinting at his potential bisexuality. This revelation is further reinforced by the in-game player cards, which prominently feature Overwatch’s LGBTQ+ heroes and their respective flags.
What sets Overwatch apart from other shooters in terms of LGBTQ+ representation is its reluctance to establish romantic pairings between characters. In contrast, games like Destiny 2 feature a gay relationship between Saint-14 and Osiris, while Apex Legends showcases queer romantic connections among several of its heroes. With Pharah now confirmed as a lesbian, it is likely to ignite fervent speculation among fans who have long believed in a romantic connection between Pharah and Mercy. Interestingly, Overwatch itself does not shy away from subtly encouraging these fan-made interpretations, adding fuel to the already enthusiastic fire.
Fans of the Pharmercy ship will need to exercise patience as the official confirmation of their relationship within the canon of Overwatch has yet to materialize.
The Pharah and Mercy friendship is so pure 🫶
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) September 29, 2022
“We can’t talk about the relationships of the characters in our game. We’re always excited by the relationships the players find for our characters. We’re always developing things, so who knows,” stated senior game producer Brandy Stiles, the report suggests.
The forthcoming Overwatch 2 Pride event will introduce a Pride-themed map and player cosmetics to celebrate diversity and inclusivity. However, it’s important to note that voice lines explicitly addressing the queer identities of characters will not be included in this event. In the past, Overwatch has faced criticism for not explicitly outlining the LGBTQ+ identities of characters like Tracer and Soldier: 76 within the game itself. Instead, their queerness was initially revealed in comics, leaving the in-game representation somewhat lacking. While a spray depicting Tracer’s girlfriend, Emily, was included, there was minimal direct allusion to the characters’ identities.
The absence of voice lines pertaining to the characters’ queerness could be perceived as an extension of this ambiguity. Some argue that by not including explicit affirmation of these identities in the game, Blizzard, the developer of Overwatch, may seek to maintain plausible deniability for players who may have reservations about queer representation. However, the developers have stated that this is not their intention and they are aware of the perception surrounding this issue.
“We want it to be clear who these heroes are in all aspects of themselves. Their identity is not a secret. It’s a part of them, and we want to make that clear to our players,” stated Stiles.
While the Overwatch 2 Pride event may not include specific voice lines addressing the queer identities of characters, it does not mark the end of queer expression within the game.
According to the developers, the intention is to continue expanding the portrayal of queer characters and their experiences in Overwatch. While the specifics may not be immediate or limited to the current event, the team is dedicated to incorporating meaningful representation and dialogue related to LGBTQ+ identities in the game.
Jen Stacey, the senior narrative designer, further affirmed that the Overwatch team has voice lines planned for the game where characters’ sexualities and identities are acknowledged. This indicates that future updates will include more explicit references to queer representation within the game’s narrative.
While the Overwatch 2 Pride event introduces exciting new LGBTQ+ cosmetics, there is a valid concern about the potential for increased harassment towards players who choose to use these cosmetics in an online shooter environment.
When asked about this, Aaron Keller, the game director, emphasized that the team takes harassment seriously and highlighted the technology they have already implemented to combat such issues. Additionally, Eric Elliott, the public relations manager, confirmed that the customer service team is actively planning increased moderation to address any instances of harassment.
The Overwatch team remains hopeful that not only will their moderation tools be effective in dealing with harassment, but also that the Overwatch community itself will unite to support and uplift one another.
“I’ve seen such beautiful moments come out from could have been really dark moments. I’ve been called out for having a rainbow icon, then my team rallied behind me and got us out of gold,” Stiles stated.
The Overwatch Pride event is scheduled to launch on June 1st, but it will not be accessible in all regions. The unfortunate reality is that acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals is not universal, even within countries like the United States. When questioned about countries where LGBTQ+ content is censored or banned, the developers acknowledged that there are regions where the Pride event would be blocked. This is due to legal constraints and the team’s commitment to protecting players in those countries.
However, the developers were unable to provide a specific list of the countries where the event would be blocked, citing legal reasons. When asked if the team would comply with a request from a country’s regulator to ban the content, Aaron Keller, the game director, stated that they strive to follow the laws of different countries. He expressed his personal belief that it is better to engage with players where possible, rather than not being able to engage with them at all.
The Overwatch 2 Pride event is a significant and welcome development, particularly considering the game’s appeal that stems from its diverse characters. The celebration of LGBTQ+ characters and players holds vital importance in a time when the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender individuals, face an alarming rise in social and legislative animosity.
