From McCree to Cassidy: Unpacking Overwatch’s Name Change
The simple answer to why Overwatch’s gunslinger McCree is now known as Cole Cassidy is this: the change was implemented by Blizzard Entertainment to distance the character from his namesake, a real-life former Blizzard employee named Jesse McCree, following allegations of misconduct against him within the company. This decision came amidst a broader effort by Blizzard to address and rectify a company culture marred by reports of sexual harassment, discrimination, and toxicity.
The Context: A Storm at Blizzard
The gaming world was rocked in the summer of 2021 when Activision Blizzard faced a lawsuit filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). The lawsuit detailed shocking allegations of a “frat boy” workplace culture, including instances of sexual harassment, unequal pay, and discrimination against female employees.
This lawsuit opened the floodgates, prompting numerous current and former Blizzard employees to share their experiences publicly, further exposing the extent of the problems within the company. The real Jesse McCree, then a lead designer at Blizzard (though not on Overwatch itself, but on Diablo IV), was implicated, having been allegedly connected to a group chat related to the infamous “Cosby Suite” incident at BlizzCon, an event synonymous with accusations of misconduct.
The Decision: A Symbolic Shift
In the wake of these allegations, Blizzard took several steps to address the situation. This included firing or taking action against several employees implicated in the misconduct, as well as promising to change their workplace culture. One symbolic measure was to remove references to real-world individuals associated with the problematic behavior from their games.
Hence, the decision to rename McCree in Overwatch. The character, initially named after the real-life Jesse McCree, had become inextricably linked to the controversy. Maintaining the name was seen as insensitive and potentially triggering to victims of harassment and abuse.
The New Identity: Cole Cassidy
Blizzard chose the name Cole Cassidy to represent a fresh start for the character. The company’s official communication emphasized that the change was also part of the character’s own narrative, portraying Cassidy as a man running from his past and striving to be honest with his team and himself. This in-lore explanation allowed Blizzard to integrate the name change seamlessly into the Overwatch universe, making it a part of Cassidy’s personal journey rather than just an arbitrary replacement.
More Than Just a Name Change
The renaming of McCree to Cole Cassidy represents more than just a simple alteration in a video game. It signifies a commitment (or at least an attempt) by Blizzard to address its internal issues and create a more inclusive and respectful environment. It also reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry towards greater accountability and awareness of social issues.
While some fans were resistant to the change initially, many understood the reasoning behind it and accepted the new name. Ultimately, the name Cole Cassidy stands as a reminder of the challenges faced by the gaming industry and the ongoing effort to build a better future. Games Learning Society continues to explore the impact of such changes on game design, narrative, and player engagement, more information can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Cole Cassidy name change in Overwatch:
1. Did Cassidy used to be called McCree?
Yes, Cole Cassidy was previously known as Jesse McCree in Overwatch.
2. Who was Jesse McCree named after?
The character Jesse McCree was named after a real-life Jesse McCree, a former lead designer at Blizzard Entertainment.
3. Why did Blizzard choose Cassidy?
Blizzard chose the name Cole Cassidy to distance the character from the real-life Jesse McCree following allegations of misconduct and to give the character a fresh start within the Overwatch narrative.
4. What is Jesse McCree’s rename?
Jesse McCree’s in-game character was renamed to Cole Cassidy.
5. Why is he called Cassidy overwatch?
He is called Cole Cassidy in Overwatch as part of Blizzard’s effort to remove references to problematic individuals and themes following reports of sexual harassment and toxicity within the company.
6. What happened to Mccree’s arm?
McCree/Cassidy’s robotic arm came about in lore after he escaped prison and needed to remove the tracking device attached to his arm. In the process, he lost the arm to a laser cutter.
7. Why Cassidy and not McRee?
The name Cole Cassidy was chosen over Jesse McCree due to the real-life Jesse McCree’s alleged involvement in a workplace scandal at Blizzard.
8. Who is Cassidy based off of?
While the initial name was based on a real person, the character Cole Cassidy takes inspiration from the archetypal Western gunslinger, reminiscent of figures like Butch Cassidy.
9. Is Mcree a good guy?
In the Overwatch lore, Cole Cassidy is portrayed as an anti-hero. He was once an outlaw but now seeks to atone for his past actions and often tries to do the right thing.
10. What did Jesse McCree do?
The real-life Jesse McCree was allegedly implicated in the “Cosby Suite” controversy at BlizzCon and other incidents related to the alleged toxic workplace culture at Blizzard.
11. Why was mcree banned?
The character Jesse McCree was not banned. His name was changed to Cole Cassidy to distance the character from the real-life individual following misconduct allegations.
12. Is Ashe McCree’s girlfriend?
According to Overwatch lore, Ashe and Cole Cassidy have a complex history, but they were never in a romantic relationship.
13. Is McCree a sniper?
Cole Cassidy is not a sniper in the traditional sense. He is a gunslinger who excels at medium-range combat and precise shots with his Peacekeeper revolver.
14. What is Cole Cassidy’s personality?
Cole Cassidy is characterized as a calm, often carefree individual who, despite his past as an outlaw, strives to do what is right and atone for his actions. He can be polite and respectful but also displays moments of cockiness.
15. Did overwatch 2 remove mcree?
Overwatch 2 did not remove Cole Cassidy. The character is still playable, but his name has been permanently changed from Jesse McCree to Cole Cassidy.