Please be aware this article contains descriptions of sexual assault as well as discussions about ongoing issues relating to sexual assault and harassment at Activision-Blizzard.
Overwatch 2 has removed a highly inappropriate game mode for the second time, after initially removing the custom mode in 2022. The removed mode makes references to sexual assault and an incident related to a former Activision-Blizzard employee.
The removed mode in question is called “sexual harassment simulator”, which forced players to use Cassidy (formerly McCree) to knock down female heroes to assault them. A similar mode was discovered back in October and was quickly taken down. The content of this mode is highly insensitive, not just to those who have faced assault and harassment at Activision-Blizzard, but to victims everywhere.
What makes this even more tone-deaf is the connection to Jesse McCree. While the mode would be offensive regardless, no matter who the player embodies it takes on a more disturbing edge by forcing players to be Cassidy. Cassidy’s original name was a reference to Jesse McCree, who worked on Diablo III and was the lead designer for Diablo IV before he was fired.
McCree was caught in abuse allegations and was part of the group that posed for the photo in the “Cosby Suite” which was linked to abuse. Even with the name change it’s hard to separate Cassidy from his former namesake. It seems like the individual behind these modes is intentionally playing up this connection. If this is meant to be a critique of how Blizzard swept McCree’s behavior under the rug, then it is one that is in incredibly poor taste that disregards the pain of the victims.
PC Gamer reported the initial game mode back in October which Blizzard banned shortly after their reporting. The developer also gave PC Gamer the following statement, “Inappropriate or explicit content has absolutely no place in our game. We immediately removed the user-created game mode once made aware of its existence. We are continually working to improve automatic filters to prevent inappropriate user-created content, and manually removing any that are not caught by the system.”
Given that this statement was given in October it begs the question of what Blizzard is actually doing to prevent further inappropriate content from being uploaded. PC Gamer notes that the reporting system allows players to mark “Abusive Custom Game Text” but not detail what the offending content is. At this time Blizzard has given no statement with regard to how this mode has appeared for a second time.
If you see such offending content in Overwatch 2 or any game, report the content using the in-game tools and use the best contact method to alert the developers. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual harassment reach out to RAINN at 1(800)656-HOPE for confidential reporting and support.