Why Did Cassidy Change From McCree? Exploring the Name Change of Overwatch’s Gunslinger
The reason Cole Cassidy, formerly known as Jesse McCree, underwent a name change in Overwatch is rooted in the real-world controversy surrounding his original namesake, Jesse McCree, a former Blizzard Entertainment developer. The change was initiated to distance the character from the developer who was implicated in allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment at Blizzard. The decision reflects Blizzard’s efforts to address these issues and create a more inclusive and respectful environment within the game and its community.
The Shadow of the “Cosby Suite” and a Cultural Reckoning
The catalyst for the name change lies in the lawsuit filed against Activision Blizzard in 2021 by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). The lawsuit alleged widespread sexual harassment, discrimination, and a “frat boy” culture within the company. Jesse McCree, the developer, was among those implicated, particularly due to his alleged involvement with the infamous “Cosby Suite” photo that circulated online. This photograph, taken at BlizzCon, depicted a group of male Blizzard employees in a hotel room, allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior. The association with the toxic environment at Blizzard became untenable for the Overwatch team. Having a beloved character bear the name of someone connected to such behavior was deemed unacceptable.
Blizzard’s Response and the Community’s Reaction
Following the lawsuit, Blizzard Entertainment pledged to take action to address the allegations and create a more positive work environment. This included changes in leadership, policy revisions, and a commitment to removing problematic references from their games. The decision to rename McCree was a direct result of this commitment.
The Overwatch team announced the name change in August 2021, stating their intention to rename the character Cole Cassidy. They emphasized that the decision was made to ensure that the game reflected their values and to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for players. The community response to the name change was mixed. Some applauded Blizzard’s decision, seeing it as a necessary step toward accountability and inclusivity. Others expressed frustration with the change, arguing that it was an overreaction and that it unfairly punished players who had grown attached to the character under his original name. Still others were concerned about the retconning of lore.
Cole Cassidy: A New Identity
The name Cole Cassidy was chosen to reflect the character’s history and personality. “Cole” suggests a sense of atonement and “Cassidy” evokes the Wild West theme that is central to the character’s identity. The name change was not merely cosmetic; it was accompanied by subtle changes to the character’s lore and dialogue to better align with his new identity. The new name allowed for a fresh start. It let Blizzard create a narrative separated from the real-world controversies that had become associated with the previous moniker. This narrative focus helped to re-establish the hero’s identity on its own terms.
FAQs: Diving Deeper into the McCree/Cassidy Saga
1. Was Cassidy called McCree in Overwatch 1?
Yes, the character was originally named Jesse McCree in Overwatch 1 from the game’s launch until the name change occurred.
2. Did McCree change his name to Cassidy?
No, the character McCree did not choose to change his name within the Overwatch lore. Blizzard Entertainment made the decision to rename him Cole Cassidy due to the real-world controversy surrounding the character’s namesake.
3. What did they rename McCree?
Blizzard Entertainment renamed the Overwatch hero Jesse McCree to Cole Cassidy.
4. Who was Jesse McCree named after?
The character Jesse McCree was originally named after Jesse McCree, a former Blizzard Entertainment developer who was the lead designer of Diablo 4.
5. What did Jesse McCree do?
The real-life Jesse McCree was a former Blizzard employee implicated in the Activision Blizzard lawsuit due to his alleged involvement with the “Cosby Suite” and the broader toxic work environment. He was reportedly spotted in photos of BlizzCon’s notorious “Cosby Suite” hotel room where Blizzard workers allegedly harassed women.
6. Why did Jesse McCree get fired?
While Blizzard did not explicitly state the reason for Jesse McCree’s departure, it coincided with the surfacing of his name in the California lawsuit over sexual discrimination and harassment at the gaming giant. He left the company shortly after the allegations came to light.
7. Why did Blizzard rename McCree?
Blizzard renamed McCree to distance the character from the real-life Jesse McCree who was implicated in allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment at Activision Blizzard.
8. Why did Cassidy change his name lore?
The name change was not integrated into the Overwatch lore. It was solely a real-world decision made by Blizzard Entertainment to address the controversy surrounding the character’s original namesake.
9. Who is Cassidy based off?
While the character’s appearance and theme draw inspiration from Wild West figures, Cassidy’s name change was not influenced by any specific historical figure. His previous name was based on a real-life developer, whereas the current name Cole Cassidy has no connection to the real-life Butch Cassidy or similar characters.
10. What is Jesse McCree full name?
Cole Cassidy, also known as Jesse McCree, is one of the main protagonists and playable characters in the video game Overwatch.
11. What is Cassidy’s backstory Overwatch?
A founding member of the notorious Deadlock Gang, Cassidy was eventually coerced into joining Blackwatch, Overwatch’s covert-ops division. He came to believe he could make amends for his past by righting the world’s injustices.
12. What happened to Mccree’s arm?
After escaping prison and defeating a robot with a laser cutter, McCree took action as the arm lock had a tracking device. He ended up losing his favorite arm after using the laser cutter, which wasn’t strong enough to cut the arm lock, so he had to go with option 2 and cut his arm off.
13. Why is Cassidy so hard to play?
While he feels amazing to play, Cassidy can be quite hard to master because almost all of his abilities have a high skill ceiling. The first reason for this is the requirement of a good aim. You only have six shots in a magazine, so you automatically have to make them count.
14. Who is Cassidy shipped with Overwatch?
There are many ships in the Overwatch community, but one of the more popular ones is the ship between Hanzo and Cassidy.
15. Is it appropriate to call Cassidy, McCree?
Referring to Cassidy as McCree is generally discouraged, especially by those who support Blizzard’s decision. Using the former name can be seen as insensitive to the issues raised by the Activision Blizzard lawsuit. While it may be acceptable in casual conversation among friends who understand the context, it is best to use Cole Cassidy in more formal settings.
The Broader Implications: Representation and Accountability
The Cassidy/McCree name change highlights the growing importance of representation and accountability in the gaming industry. As games become more diverse and inclusive, developers are facing increased scrutiny regarding the characters they create and the individuals who work on them. The Games Learning Society explores these intersectional issues through research and community engagement. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org. This incident serves as a reminder that representation extends beyond the screen, impacting the real-world values and culture of the industry.