McCree Gets a New Title: Overwatch is Rebranding the Cowboy
In a move that’s sparked lively debates online, Activision‑Blizzard announced it’s changing the name of its sharpshooting cowboy character. The decision comes after the real‑life namesake, former Blizzard designer Jesse McCree, was fired amid a sexual‑harassment lawsuit that shook the company’s reputation.
Why the rename?
- A “toxic name” has proven embarrassing for the brand.
- The company wants to distance itself from any association with the scandal.
- Blizzard is pledging to stop naming in‑game heroes after real workers.
In a Twitter post, the dev team said the Overwatch universe is built on “inclusivity, equity, and hope.” It followed up: “We figure it’s time to give the hero we now call McCree a name that better reflects what Overwatch stands for.”
What’s happening next?
- Delays on the upcoming narrative arc featuring the cowboy until later in the year.
- Players can still enjoy a new FFA map in the meantime.
- The character’s current name will be replaced, but the exact new moniker remains under wraps.
The original McCree wasn’t a comic‑book invention—it was a real employee. He left Blizzard after the company’s “Cosby Suite” scandal came to light in an August Kotaku exposé. That story also implicated former WoW creative director Alex Afrasiabi and highlighted a pattern of harassment that California regulators accuse Blizzard of downplaying.
All the Names’re Going Out
Any nods to the real Jesse McCree and his fellow former employees—Luis Barriga and Johnathan LeCraft—will be scrubbed from the game. This extends to World of Warcraft, where the hero was already removed after the lawsuit.
Community Reaction
- Some fans applaud Blizzard’s effort to show values “in a real, tangible way.”
- Others accuse the company of “performative” action, wondering if the renaming is just a PR stunt.
- Anyone pointing out the potential cover‑up angle or the timing raised in the lawsuit gets a bill of confidence‑talk.
Even though it feels in‑classy to step back from the cowboy’s name, it’s a conversation not everyone can roll it away. Some feel the company has brushed a cultural mess into a single rename, thereby leaving many staff feeling powerless—a reminder that change at the top doesn’t instantly shift on the ground.
Time to Get Creative
With the official new title yet to be declared, players can submit their funniest, most out‑of‑left‑field non‑cowboy names. Claim the “We’t looking to keep something that’s unsettling but silly” mindset in the community contest, and you might just see branded humor you didn’t expect.
For now, the renaming has left the studio knock‑knocking at a major wall. While the new title could potentially be “Deadeye” or something more… wild, only choosing a name that truly resonates will prove the long‑term impact. Until then—let’s keep the conversation open, keep it respectful, and, if we’re lucky, keep the cowboy’s guns blazing (just not the name).
