Why is Jesse McCree called Cassidy?
Jesse McCree, the Overwatch character, was renamed to Cole Cassidy as part of Blizzard’s efforts to remove references to real-life developers and former employees involved in the Activision Blizzard lawsuit, which alleged sexual harassment and a “frat boy” culture at the company. The name change was made to distance the character from its namesake, Jesse McCree, a former Blizzard game designer who was let go from the studio due to his alleged involvement in the “Cosby Suite” scandal.
Overview of the Name Change
The decision to change McCree’s name was a result of Blizzard’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and respectful environment, both in their games and in their workplace. This move was seen as a step towards healing and rebuilding the company’s reputation, which had been damaged by the allegations of misconduct and toxicity.
The Story Behind the Name Change
The Overwatch team had originally named the character McCree after Jesse McCree, a long-time Blizzard developer. However, when the allegations against Jesse McCree surfaced, the team decided to rename the character to Cole Cassidy, inspired by the American train and bank robber and leader of the “Wild Bunch” gang in the Old West.
FAQs
- What was the reason behind the name change from McCree to Cassidy? The name change was made to remove the association with Jesse McCree, a former Blizzard game designer involved in the Activision Blizzard lawsuit.
- Who was Jesse McCree? Jesse McCree was a Blizzard game designer who was let go from the studio due to his alleged involvement in the “Cosby Suite” scandal.
- What is the “Cosby Suite”? The “Cosby Suite” refers to a group chat and room at BlizzCon where Blizzard employees would allegedly engage in inappropriate behavior and harassment.
- What inspired the new name, Cole Cassidy? The new name, Cole Cassidy, was inspired by the American train and bank robber and leader of the “Wild Bunch” gang in the Old West.
- Is McCree still a playable character in Overwatch? Yes, McCree is still a playable character in Overwatch, but his name has been changed to Cole Cassidy.
- What is the gameplay impact of the name change? The name change from McCree to Cole Cassidy does not affect the character’s gameplay or abilities.
- How did the community react to the name change? The community reaction to the name change was generally positive, with many players supporting Blizzard’s decision to distance themselves from the allegations of misconduct.
- Will other Blizzard characters be renamed? It is unclear if other Blizzard characters will be renamed, but Blizzard has stated their commitment to creating a more inclusive and respectful environment.
- What is the current status of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit? The Activision Blizzard lawsuit is ongoing, with Blizzard facing allegations of sexual harassment and a “frat boy” culture.
- How has Blizzard addressed the allegations of misconduct? Blizzard has taken steps to address the allegations of misconduct, including the renaming of McCree and the implementation of new policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- What is the significance of the name change for the Overwatch community? The name change from McCree to Cole Cassidy represents a step towards healing and rebuilding the Overwatch community, which had been affected by the allegations of misconduct.
- Will the name change affect the character’s backstory or lore? The name change from McCree to Cole Cassidy will not affect the character’s backstory or lore, but may lead to future updates or changes to the character’s narrative.
- How does the name change reflect Blizzard’s values? The name change from McCree to Cole Cassidy reflects Blizzard’s commitment to inclusion, respect, and accountability, and demonstrates their willingness to take action to address allegations of misconduct.
- What can players expect from Blizzard in the future? Players can expect Blizzard to continue taking steps to create a more inclusive and respectful environment, both in their games and in their workplace.
- How can players support Blizzard’s efforts to create a more inclusive environment? Players can support Blizzard’s efforts by reporting incidents of harassment or misconduct, respecting other players, and engaging with the Overwatch community in a positive and constructive way.