McCree is the stereotypical cowboy within Overwatch, with a stetson errantly placed upon disheveled hair, a permanent cigar stuck in his mouth, and a poncho draped over his shoulders.
Time was a little bit different in the proverbial wild west, where hangings were conducted consistently as punishment to outlaws and bandits. Thus, McCree had a spray that painted a noose onto walls.
This noose has been removed yesterday from Overwatch, lest someone find it out of touch with the current state of social upheaval stemming from police officers wantonly killing citizens of all races and creeds in new and creative ways, from electrocution with stun guns to chokeholds, and everything in between.
In today's update, the Overwatch McCree "Noose" spray has been removed and replaced with the "BAD LUCK" spray. pic.twitter.com/rpMAfJlB2y
— Naeri X 나에리 (@OverwatchNaeri) July 15, 2020
Instead of the noose, there is now a ‘Bad Luck’ horseshoe in an interestingly futile gesture coming from Blizzard; the same corporation that was notably silent during the Chinese police killings of Hong Kong citizens.
Some fans are hoping that D.Va’s police skin will be removed next, others believe that removing weapons entirely should ensure that Overwatch is a far safer game.
It’s obviously a symbol of lynching which may prove controversial to some playing the game in the same way that those of the Jewish faith recoil at the sight of a crucifix thanks to Roman means of persuading their population thousands of years ago.
Goofs aside, and this is the crux of the issue; empty platitudes coming from another developer that has absolutely no inclination of actual helping spur (heh) police reform, which is the crux of the entire movement. Instead, they’ll utter empty statements and make some fancy decals while attempting to be trendy; some might believe that is more than enough for the company.
Black lives matter, today and always.
To our Black community, colleagues, and partners, Blizzard stands with you.
Read more from President J. Allen Brack regarding some of our actions going forward: https://t.co/0LssRetTl4
— Blizzard Entertainment (@Blizzard_Ent) June 19, 2020
It’s hypocritical to turn a blind eye when injustices are caused by a government that could bring you money, as happened with Hong Kong, then turn around and attempt to bring some measured voice into the space of upcoming reform.
Standing up for human rights may be difficult for many companies when China is involved, yet the world watches and measures responses as some kowtow to demands while silently sweeping dissidents under the rug.
Note that we aren’t saying that the icon isn’t controversial or that it couldn’t be taken offensively; more so that Blizzard is using BLM as a campaign platform to bring the beleaguered studio some positive PR instead of actually doing anything to help those that are attempting to bring change through protest. This is precisely what all of this seems to comes down to; a measured response for PR.