Overwatch’s McCree gets a new name: Cole Cassidy
A new beginning for an iconic character.
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What you need to know
Blizzard Entertainment announced on Friday that Overwatch’s McCree has a new name: Cole Cassidy. This comes after the company announced aplan to rename the characterback in August 2021. Cole Cassidy arrives in Overwatch as a full rework and part of a new story arc on Oct. 26, 2021.
Meet Cole Cassidy.Rides into Overwatch October 26.pic.twitter.com/CT6PmaNXNsMeet Cole Cassidy.Rides into Overwatch October 26.pic.twitter.com/CT6PmaNXNs— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch)October 22, 2021October 22, 2021
McCree’s renaming comes about due to Jesse McCree, his namesake, being fired from Blizzard Entertainment in the wake of allegations following thelawsuit against Activision Blizzard. McCree is one of over 23 employees removed from the company in the past months, alongside the former game director of upcoming action role-playing gameDiablo 4, Luis Barriga. An additional 20 employees reportedly faced disciplinary action. McCree specifically is one of multiple high-level employees seen in the “Cosby Suite” named in the ongoing lawsuit.
Part of the reason the change to McCree in Overwatch took so long was because the developers had to rework the existing planned storyline to accomadate the change, as well as remove voice lines in the game referencing McCree. Blizzard previously confirmed that moving forward, characters in its games will not be named after employees. This change will also extend into the planned sequel,Overwatch 2, which like Diablo 4 does not currently have a release window.
Activision Blizzard is currentlyseeking a pause in the lawsuitin order to investigate Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claims that the California (Department of Fair Employment and Housing) DFEH lawyers committed ethical violations.
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Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter@SamuelTolbert.
