The sexual harassment lawsuit towards Activision Blizzard may have extra repercussions for recreation content material. Blizzard is changing Overwatch character Jesse McCree’s identify now that his real-life namesake has left the corporate. The developer desires a reputation that “better represents” Overwatch beliefs, in accordance with an announcement.
The firm had deliberate a narrative arc for September that might have featured McCree, however is delaying that narrative till later in 2021 to mirror the identify change. Players will as an alternative get a brand new free-for-all map that month. Blizzard additionally promised that it could not identify characters after staff, and stated it could be extra “thoughtful and discerning” about referencing the actual world in Overwatch.
The actual Jesse McCree left Blizzard earlier in August, simply weeks after his identify surfaced in a California lawsuit over sexual discrimination and harassment on the gaming big. McCree was reportedly noticed in pictures of BlizzCon’s infamous “Cosby Suite” lodge room the place Blizzard employees allegedly harassed girls.
This is not the primary time Blizzard has altered content material following the lawsuit. It pulled World of Warcraft‘s references to Alex Afrasiabi, straight accused of harassment, quickly after the go well with emerged. However, this could be extra noticeable. McCree is among the best-known characters in Overwatch — the identify change might simply draw consideration to the lawsuit and the “frat boy” tradition that reportedly endured for years.
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