In an attempt to appeal to a wider audience, Blizzard is changing some of its characters’ names. The most obvious candidates are Overwatch’s canonically straight character McCree and the demon hunter Doomfist, whose model was first seen at last year’s Blizzcon. The others? Well, they’re a little more obscure – the hero-turned-vampire Tracer also got a new title, and has been named Ashe, while the troll-turned-archmage Leoric got a new code name, Yorick.
Overwatch is generally a pretty decently-written game, but one character in particular has given the Overwatch community reason to be irate over the past few weeks. His name is McCree, and he’s a great hero, but Blizzard is making him a little less so.
Blizzard has recently announced that it’s renaming two Overwatch characters in the upcoming PTR (Public Test Realm) beta patch. McCree, the “lone wolf” gunslinger, will be renamed to Jesse McCree in the game. His new in-game model looks the same, but the game will change his in-game name to Jesse making it look like he’s replaced by his younger brother, Joey McCree.
We previously reported on Blizzard’s declaration that the character McCree in Overwatch would be renamed after Jesse McCree, one of the devs fired after the outrage caused by the Activision-Blizzard sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit and scandal. As we previously said, the shift would need a new storyline and has led Blizzard to state that it will no longer name characters after actual individuals.
But McCree isn’t the only character receiving a rename, and the Overwatch animated series wasn’t the only one with his name. Blizzard is also deleting allusions to McCree in World of Warcraft, as well as tributes to Luis Barriga and Jonathan LeCraft, who all left the business last month, presumably for their roles in the controversy, according to The Washington Post (yeah, really). Shortly after the lawsuit was made public, all references to Alex Afrasiabi, who was named in it, were removed. The information comes from anonymous individuals inside the business, so don’t be shocked if the official announcement comes shortly – Friday afternoon is a strong bet.
If you’re not a die-hard World of Warcraft fan, you may not even know that any of these characters were based on actual individuals, much alone these particular creators. Icy Veins has a great lineup:
“Aside from the obvious Mac’Aree city/ruins on Argus, the characters mentioned for Jesse McCree would be Jesseriah McCree, Jessup McCree, Marshal McCree, Jenny McCree, and Jessera of Mac’Aree, while Crafticus Mindbender, Torturer LeCraft, and Jonathan Le Karf for Jonathan LeCraft, and at least Senior Scrivener Barriga for Luis Barriga.”
Additional reading:
• Blizzard is altering the name of Overwatch’s character McCree • Blizzard is changing the name of Overwatch’s character McCree A new lawsuit in California has been filed. Evidence was actually destroyed by Activision-Blizzard HR. Complete coverage of the Blizzard sexual harassment and discrimination controversy As employees reveal Activision-hostile Blizzard’s atmosphere, the Overwatch League loses more sponsors. • • The WoW Factor: What does Blizzard’s new leadership imply for World of Warcraft? Blizzard has reportedly fired three more important developers, including the game director for Diablo IV. A shareholder group representing Activision-Blizzard criticizes the company’s reaction to the controversy and wants a board change • Blizzard employees discuss the negative effects of boycotts, while fans bemoan the game’s steep fall . Poor salary, a sexually threatening culture, and abuse at Blizzard • Diablo community manager describes low pay, a sexually threatening culture, and harassment at Blizzard Activision-Blizzard: Frances Townsend resigns from one of her studio posts, while Jeff Kurtenacker leaves the company • • Activision-Blizzard sexism scandal day 17: More esports sponsors consider abandoning Overwatch League • Vague Patch Notes: Blizzard may live on, but it will never be Blizzard again • Activision-Blizzard Day 14: Brack and Meschuk exits, fraud lawsuit, proto-union, and Q2 financials • Activision-Blizzard Day 15: Brack and Meschuk exits, fraud lawsuit, proto J. Allen Brack, the CEO of Blizzard, is stepping down ahead of today’s investor call. Jeff Strain, a former co-founder of ArenaNet, has called for gaming developers to form a union. In 2018, an Activision-Blizzard employee was arrested for toilet peeping. Has Blizzard’s sexism lawsuit caused you to reconsider your gaming plans? • The WoW Factor: What makes this new Blizzard controversy stand out? • • Activision-Blizzard walkout organizers react to Kotick, Kotaku exposes ‘Cosby suite’ attendees • Blizzard Day 9: Ubisoft stands in sympathy, Ashes of Creation gives Blizzard employees lunch • Activision-Blizzard walkout organizers respond to Kotick, Kotaku exposes ‘Cosby suite’ attendees ‘The executive team has heard you loud and clear,’ says Activision-Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. Does Every Voice Matter at Blizzard? • Massively OP Podcast Episode 332: Does Every Voice Matter at Blizzard? Blizzard employees are planning a strike over a sexism controversy, and the World of Warcraft team is addressing the playerbase. • Casually Classic: Deciding whether or not to leave World of Warcraft The sexism issue at Blizzard continues, with 2500 developers signing a letter criticizing Acti-reaction. Blizz’s MMO Week in Review: The Blizzard You Thought You Knew Has Passed Away • Blizzard’s culture of “abuse, inequity, and apathy” has been apologized for by Chris Metzen. • WoW Factor: No king rules forever • J Allen Brack addresses Blizzard workforce over sexism controversy, Activision doubles down on deflection • Mike Morhaime tells female Blizzard employees: ‘I am very sorry that I failed you.’ California sues Activision-Blizzard for discrimination and a sexist, poisonous work environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is McCree getting a name change?
No, McCree will not be getting a name change.
What is McCrees new name?
McCrees new name is The One True God.
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