“Cheers love, the calvary's queer.”
December 21, 2016 8:55 PM Subscribe
A New Overwatch Comic Celebrates the Holidays and Establishes That Tracer is Gay [PC Gamer] “The newest Overwatch digital comic, entitled Reflections, follows the high-speed holiday adventures of Tracer as she races through the streets of London in search of the perfect gift for her partner. Because yes, as it turns out, Tracer has a partner in Blizzard's official lore, and her partner is a woman. The comic itself is a fairly straightforward heartwarming tale of what really matters during the most hectic season of all. But the reaction to Tracer's identity has been anything but. Messages decrying Blizzard's "mistake" have cropped up all over the Overwatch forums and other social media, countered by others praising the studio for explicitly stating—in a low-key fashion—that the face of one of the biggest games of the year is gay.”
- Overwatch Webcomic Not Released in Russia Over Gay Character [Eurogamer]
- Overwatch Webcomic Not Released in Russia Over Gay Character [Eurogamer]
“Blizzard has clarified to Eurogamer that not releasing the webcomic in Russia was the company's call. "Blizzard decided not to publish in Russia to comply with Russian legislation," a studio representative told Eurogamer. When pressed for comment on why the company didn't at least try to issue a Russian release, Blizzard told us "We preemptively decided not to publish given the climate in Russia and Legal feedback."”- Winston Hosts Christmas Dinner With Tracer and Her Girlfriend (!) in Overwatch Holiday Comic [The Mary Sue]
“Of course, the main aspect of this comic that’s getting the most coverage online so far—including in this very article, because I can’t help it—is the fact that Tracer has a girlfriend. It’s not the focus of the story at all, and it’s treated normally, and the girlfriend character doesn’t even get a name (which is actually a little disappointing), but it’s still a big deal and I can’t help but focus on that aspect, simply because it’s important and special. The comic serves as a subtle way to let us know something about Tracer’s life, and since Tracer is one of the most-seen characters in the game—she’s in the tutorial, she’s on the front of the official game box, and so on—it’s pretty incredible to also have her be a queer character. It’s also a very long time coming for Blizzard. I don’t want to run through the company’s entire history here, but suffice it to say that they’ve put out many games that I wouldn’t consider to be bastions of storytelling or particularly good depictions of women characters (*cough* StarCraft II). Blizzard had said previously that there was exactly one gay character in Overwatch, but they never revealed who it was. Honestly, I didn’t expect them to ever bother to reveal it, given their track record. So, I’m pleasantly surprised to see the reveal happen in a cute comic that also has a lot of other great moments, and I’m also surprised that such a prominent character in the game’s marketing is the one who turned out to be “the one gay character”. What’s more, I’m not ashamed to admit that this comic made me misty-eyed and meant a lot to me.”- Tracer’s Sexuality Didn’t Make Overwatch Political – It Always Was [Bleeding Cool]
“However, predictably, the conversation on portions of the internet have moved to Blizzard pandering to some mandate of being politically correct. To some, it seems Overwatch has suddenly become ‘political’. That could be a shock to those who have an invented idea about who these characters are. The hero they ‘main’ might be something very specific in their minds, so when Blizzard messes with the lore, I understand that can ruin that. Especially if that character has a political belief or an aspect of themselves they don’t share. Let’s get real though. Firstly, their Blizzard’s creations to mess with, but more importantly, Overwatch was political from day one. In fact, a ton of the game is based on some political basis, be it in the heroes or maps. I think pretending there isn’t any political subtext to this world, misses the point of what makes this universe interesting. While mostly just an online shooter, spending but a few minutes looking at character interactions, any map or wiki should tip you off there is something more going on here.”- Our Thoughts On Overwatch's Tracer Being Gay [Kotaku]
“I hope that the way that Tracer’s sexuality can be handled in the future in the way that like, Max Blum’s sexuality is handled in the television show Happy Endings. Here’s a dude that’s definitely gay, and embedded in gay culture, but his problems don’t revolve around being gay and dating. Given that the world of Overwatch is steeped in international conflict, that seems pretty likely—but there is also the fear of Tracer’s queerness being totally incidental, too! All in all, I guess I’m just happy for every young person that really needed to see a lesbian in their favorite videogame. You got that, and I know I wish I had that when I was younger. I mean, I know this isn’t Dykes to Watch Out For, but you know!”- New Overwatch Comic May Have Sunk Your Favorite ‘Ships’ [Polygon]
“The most obvious relationship that figures into “Reflections” is that of Tracer, Overwatch’s de facto mascot, and the new character Emily. It’s our first confirmation of a queer character in the game’s cast, following developer Blizzard Entertainment’s repeated promises that it’d reveal one soon enough. It’s huge news for fans that Tracer is interested in women, but many who’d hoped that she would be are disappointed that it’s Emily, not fellow playable character Widowmaker that Tracer is hooking up with. Players have paired off Widowmaker and Tracer since a pre-release animated short cast them as close rivals. “Don't let this sink Widowtracer!” wrote a member of the “Widowtracer” Reddit forum, named after the portmanteau given to the Tracer and Widowmaker relationship. “It's still a fantastic pairing, so while I know seeing the comic can feel a bit rough, there's still a lot of love to be had from the ship.””- Overwatch’s Tracer is Gay and Here Are Some People Who Lost Their Minds [Crave]
“Blizzard revealing that Tracer is Overwatch‘s first LGBTQ hero is a welcome move, with the time-travelling British gunslinger being the face of the game’s marketing and, as such, a bold choice for its first queer character. While it wasn’t exactly a surprise that Blizzard’s blockbuster FPS features a gay hero, with the developer previously stating that the shooter actually has “multiple” LGBTQ characters (though the rest have yet to be revealed), right-minded people were still pleased with their championing of diversity. But not everyone felt that way. After the big “reveal” in Overwatch‘s latest comic, in which Tracer is depicted sharing a Christmas kiss with her girlfriend, many took to Blizzard’s official forums and the Overwatch subreddit in order to furiously explain why this, in their backwards-ass opinion, is not okay. The curious thing about bigots is that despite their thoughts resembling the kind of mad ramblings you’d expect to find scrawled on a public bathroom wall in excrement, they have no problem with sharing them with others for everyone else to point and laugh. As such I dived into forum discussions regarding the Tracer comic, pulling out a selection of the most absurd opinions these morons farted out from whatever occupies the space in their head that is typically reserved for a brain, and have compiled them for your viewing (dis)pleasure.”
My favourite tweet about this: posted by Fizz at 8:57 PM on December 21, 2016 [18 favorites]
I wonder if this is why Tumblr seemed to be down this afternoon...
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:00 PM on December 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:00 PM on December 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
Winston Hosts Christmas Dinner
with the four food groups.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:02 PM on December 21, 2016
with the four food groups.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:02 PM on December 21, 2016
Well, I did think it could have been handled a LOT worse. I sort of liked the "Welp, there it is" presentation.
posted by Samizdata at 9:06 PM on December 21, 2016
posted by Samizdata at 9:06 PM on December 21, 2016
Some of these articles are getting some fairly big facts pretty wrong. Tracer's girlfriend is named - her name is Emily - and certainly "Blizzard had said previously that there was exactly one gay character in Overwatch, but they never revealed who it was." is completely untrue. They've never said there is only one queer character, actually they've said the exact opposite.
posted by kafziel at 9:10 PM on December 21, 2016 [15 favorites]
posted by kafziel at 9:10 PM on December 21, 2016 [15 favorites]
Everyone knows that Genji was writing, "I need healing".
posted by Slackermagee at 9:18 PM on December 21, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by Slackermagee at 9:18 PM on December 21, 2016 [12 favorites]
My favorite
tracer: "guys, i'm gay"posted by 0xFCAF at 9:21 PM on December 21, 2016 [36 favorites]
soldier 76: [clenches fist]
mercy: "jack no"
soldier 76: [sweats profusely]
soldier 76: "hi gay, i'm dad"
Junkrat and Roadhog are totally gay, according to my gay daughter. She was completely ecstatic today about this. I was all, ok, whatever. I'm also dad.
posted by Windopaene at 9:45 PM on December 21, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by Windopaene at 9:45 PM on December 21, 2016 [5 favorites]
My boyfriend was so excited about this it was one of the first things he told me about when I woke up. He then put on an Overwatch shirt.
*runs upstairs to check*
He's also now wearing Overwatch socks.
posted by lepus at 9:46 PM on December 21, 2016 [29 favorites]
*runs upstairs to check*
He's also now wearing Overwatch socks.
posted by lepus at 9:46 PM on December 21, 2016 [29 favorites]
@leeflower on Twitter made a good point this evening about how we should be careful not to jump to conclusions that simplify Tracer's identity and, in doing so, erase members of the LGBTQ community. Dating a woman doesn't necessarily make Tracer a lesbian; she could also be bisexual, pansexual, and/or several other flavors of queer.
posted by zebra at 10:23 PM on December 21, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by zebra at 10:23 PM on December 21, 2016 [10 favorites]
I wonder if this is why Tumblr seemed to be down this afternoon...
Maybe, but mostly what killed tumblr was Yuri!!! on Ice.
posted by betweenthebars at 10:27 PM on December 21, 2016 [7 favorites]
Maybe, but mostly what killed tumblr was Yuri!!! on Ice.
posted by betweenthebars at 10:27 PM on December 21, 2016 [7 favorites]
Also the scarf she's shopping for is clearly intended for Winston. Tracer just doesn't have the heart to tell Emily it's not actually hers.
posted by Scattercat at 11:02 PM on December 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Scattercat at 11:02 PM on December 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
rewil: "thanks she's fast and we love her"
Sorry, but every game I played as Tracer (during the free weekend) did not go well. 80% of my D.va games, I had Play of the Games. So I'm going to love the MECHA! with NO NEED TO RELOAD! for obvious reasons.
Also, JUMP JETS!
posted by Samizdata at 12:06 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Sorry, but every game I played as Tracer (during the free weekend) did not go well. 80% of my D.va games, I had Play of the Games. So I'm going to love the MECHA! with NO NEED TO RELOAD! for obvious reasons.
Also, JUMP JETS!
posted by Samizdata at 12:06 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
My English teacher may be dead and in her grave but enough of her spirit lives on in my restless mind that I heard her voice nitpicking "DO YOU MEAN THE HILL THAT JESUS DIED ON IS QUEER?"
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 1:41 AM on December 22, 2016 [16 favorites]
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 1:41 AM on December 22, 2016 [16 favorites]
It says a lot about patriarchal entitlement that straight guys are throwing tantrums about the fact that a fictional female character isn't romantically available to them anymore.
I encourage all such offended fellows to boycott Overwatch, as well as all other online multiplayer games, until Blizzard rescinds this revelation.
posted by NMcCoy at 2:14 AM on December 22, 2016 [26 favorites]
I encourage all such offended fellows to boycott Overwatch, as well as all other online multiplayer games, until Blizzard rescinds this revelation.
posted by NMcCoy at 2:14 AM on December 22, 2016 [26 favorites]
it's too late, their money is gay
posted by zombieflanders at 3:25 AM on December 22, 2016 [25 favorites]
posted by zombieflanders at 3:25 AM on December 22, 2016 [25 favorites]
Maybe, but mostly what killed tumblr was Yuri!!! on Ice.
Not trying to derail my own thread, but, OMG , what a finale. I was in tears.
posted by Fizz at 3:40 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Not trying to derail my own thread, but, OMG , what a finale. I was in tears.
posted by Fizz at 3:40 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
We all know, in our hearts, that this is the winner.
TRACER 👏🏽 BEING 👏🏽 GAY 👏🏽 WILL 👏🏽 NOT 👏🏽 CHANGE 👏🏽 THE 👏🏽 GAME 👏🏽 YOU 👏🏽 FUCKERS 👏🏽 STILL 👏🏽 IGNORE 👏🏽 THE 👏🏽 GOD 👏🏽 DAMN 👏🏽 PAYLOAD 👏🏽posted by Talez at 4:06 AM on December 22, 2016 [20 favorites]
Cosplayers are already embracing the adorable.
posted by Talez at 4:10 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Talez at 4:10 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
“Cheers love, the calvary's queer.”
Um...I think that should be cavalry.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:13 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Um...I think that should be cavalry.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:13 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
One thing that occurred to me when I was reading the comic: speaking of potentially LGBT characters, where's Zarya?
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:38 AM on December 22, 2016
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:38 AM on December 22, 2016
Just because she's butch and has pink hair doesn't necessarily mean she's gay.
posted by Talez at 4:57 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Talez at 4:57 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Not necessarily.
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:07 AM on December 22, 2016
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:07 AM on December 22, 2016
I'm hoping Tracer is bi, just to remind people that bisexuals exist... and yet committed to Emily to remind people that bisexual doesn't mean promiscuous.
posted by Foosnark at 5:26 AM on December 22, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by Foosnark at 5:26 AM on December 22, 2016 [11 favorites]
Oh man! I wish Overwatch would stop doing cool things, because I both already really want to play it, and also really suck at and dislike first person shooters.
posted by corb at 5:28 AM on December 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by corb at 5:28 AM on December 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
My wife wants an Overwatch movie, corb. She's very into the lore even if she can't play the games.
posted by Talez at 5:30 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Talez at 5:30 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Just gonna leave this one here.
posted by tobascodagama at 5:32 AM on December 22, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by tobascodagama at 5:32 AM on December 22, 2016 [8 favorites]
Some of these articles are getting some fairly big facts pretty wrong. Tracer's girlfriend is named - her name is Emily - and certainly "Blizzard had said previously that there was exactly one gay character in Overwatch, but they never revealed who it was." is completely untrue. They've never said there is only one queer character, actually they've said the exact opposite.
Yes, this was one of the things I noticed. Of course, Blizzard being Blizzard, Emily might be a telepathic biotic zerg queen time traveler from an alternate past/future that never was who was raised by Night Elves, oh wait, that's likely Widowmaker. (To be fair, Metzen was burning out pretty badly before he took a break.)
Just some random thoughts: Other than the romantic reveal, the story could be a Hallmark ad, which makes it perfect for this. And yes, having an explicitly LBQ box-art character for an AAA game (beyond the playersexual mad libs of Shepard, Dovahkin, the Inquisitor, etc.) is a big deal. Especially when that game is the hit of the year. I'll take this over the pronoun subtext and "Word of God" for Dishonored 2 .
I wonder how many of the people complaining about this comic being too much character development for the genre have entire shelves of game novelizations.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 5:44 AM on December 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
Yes, this was one of the things I noticed. Of course, Blizzard being Blizzard, Emily might be a telepathic biotic zerg queen time traveler from an alternate past/future that never was who was raised by Night Elves, oh wait, that's likely Widowmaker. (To be fair, Metzen was burning out pretty badly before he took a break.)
Just some random thoughts: Other than the romantic reveal, the story could be a Hallmark ad, which makes it perfect for this. And yes, having an explicitly LBQ box-art character for an AAA game (beyond the playersexual mad libs of Shepard, Dovahkin, the Inquisitor, etc.) is a big deal. Especially when that game is the hit of the year. I'll take this over the pronoun subtext and "Word of God" for Dishonored 2 .
I wonder how many of the people complaining about this comic being too much character development for the genre have entire shelves of game novelizations.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 5:44 AM on December 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'm hoping Tracer is bi, just to remind people that bisexuals exist... and yet committed to Emily to remind people that bisexual doesn't mean promiscuous.
Unfortunately with fandom being fandom these days you can't have an ambiguous wlw without a label flamewar.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 5:49 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Unfortunately with fandom being fandom these days you can't have an ambiguous wlw without a label flamewar.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 5:49 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I just spent a bunch of money at Blizzard (Wow mount and pet sale) and an thrilled to be able to feel good about supporting that company.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:53 AM on December 22, 2016
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:53 AM on December 22, 2016
Oh man! I wish Overwatch would stop doing cool things, because I both already really want to play it, and also really suck at and dislike first person shooters.
The great thing about Overwatch is, you don't necessarily have to be good at first person shooters, in the aiming/shooting sense. There are so many different characters with different play modes, you might find something that works for you.
For instance, you could play Lucio and just zip around passively healing people just by being nearby. Plus, it's so satisfying to use his knockback ability to shove people off ledges. Boop!
posted by Fleebnork at 5:58 AM on December 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
The great thing about Overwatch is, you don't necessarily have to be good at first person shooters, in the aiming/shooting sense. There are so many different characters with different play modes, you might find something that works for you.
For instance, you could play Lucio and just zip around passively healing people just by being nearby. Plus, it's so satisfying to use his knockback ability to shove people off ledges. Boop!
posted by Fleebnork at 5:58 AM on December 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
Oh man! I wish Overwatch would stop doing cool things, because I both already really want to play it, and also really suck at and dislike first person shooters.
I am not a huge FPS fan either, but I really like Overwatch. There are a number of heroes that don't overly rely on twitchy gun skills, and the game itself plays pretty differently than COD or Battlefield.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 6:01 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I am not a huge FPS fan either, but I really like Overwatch. There are a number of heroes that don't overly rely on twitchy gun skills, and the game itself plays pretty differently than COD or Battlefield.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 6:01 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I kind of stopped playing OW for a while sometime early in November, on some reports of people being rather uncharitable regarding some sort of real-world happenings thereabouts, and just started coming back to it a week or so ago.
Tracer's my favorite to play, and this is lovely. I may have to go against my usual pattern and throw some money at Blizzard for loot boxes.
posted by mrgoat at 6:02 AM on December 22, 2016
Tracer's my favorite to play, and this is lovely. I may have to go against my usual pattern and throw some money at Blizzard for loot boxes.
posted by mrgoat at 6:02 AM on December 22, 2016
Nthing the sentiment above, Overwatch is my first FPS game and I love it.
What originally pulled me in was the colourful, vibrant world and its characters - and Blizzard just keeps on giving in that respect. I'm so thankful.
posted by Gordafarin at 6:06 AM on December 22, 2016
What originally pulled me in was the colourful, vibrant world and its characters - and Blizzard just keeps on giving in that respect. I'm so thankful.
posted by Gordafarin at 6:06 AM on December 22, 2016
So I'm going to love the MECHA! with NO NEED TO RELOAD! for obvious reasons.
My most hours played are on Symmetra, even before the buff that made her terrifying. Auto-targeting death laser lasso! I love her, but she loves nothing but the physics of light reflection and refraction.
posted by rewil at 6:26 AM on December 22, 2016
My most hours played are on Symmetra, even before the buff that made her terrifying. Auto-targeting death laser lasso! I love her, but she loves nothing but the physics of light reflection and refraction.
posted by rewil at 6:26 AM on December 22, 2016
Yay Tracer! I'm sort of impressed they didn't go with Zarya as the lesbian; she's the butch woman stereotype. Zarya is awesome but I like they broke type a bit with Tracer. Also why is everyone saying "Tracer is gay"? She's got a girlfriend; but maybe she's bi or queer or something.
One thing I like about Overwatch is how carefully Blizzard has designed the game to encourage positivity. I come from playing a lot of League of Legends which is a big toxic shitheap of humanity. Overwatch has its flaming too, but mostly it's pretty chill. I have to think decisions like not showing player deaths on a scoreboard and giving characters random lines like "Look at this team; we're gonna do great!" helps set up a more positive community.
Do Omnics have sexuality? Because I'm kinda gay for Zenyatta.
posted by Nelson at 6:56 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
One thing I like about Overwatch is how carefully Blizzard has designed the game to encourage positivity. I come from playing a lot of League of Legends which is a big toxic shitheap of humanity. Overwatch has its flaming too, but mostly it's pretty chill. I have to think decisions like not showing player deaths on a scoreboard and giving characters random lines like "Look at this team; we're gonna do great!" helps set up a more positive community.
Do Omnics have sexuality? Because I'm kinda gay for Zenyatta.
posted by Nelson at 6:56 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I wonder if this is why Tumblr seemed to be down this afternoon...
Maybe, but mostly what killed tumblr was Yuri!!! on Ice.
It was actually a ddos attack, but yeah, my dashboard is completely flooded with both Gay Tracer and Gay Skaters excitement, with a side of "my ship has been ruined/saved/etc" drama. Very gay Christmas week we're having in the geek world.
posted by picklenickle at 6:56 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Maybe, but mostly what killed tumblr was Yuri!!! on Ice.
It was actually a ddos attack, but yeah, my dashboard is completely flooded with both Gay Tracer and Gay Skaters excitement, with a side of "my ship has been ruined/saved/etc" drama. Very gay Christmas week we're having in the geek world.
posted by picklenickle at 6:56 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
GAYS INTO THE IRIS
posted by poffin boffin at 7:14 AM on December 22, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 7:14 AM on December 22, 2016 [10 favorites]
Yay Tracer! I'm sort of impressed they didn't go with Zarya as the lesbian; she's the butch woman stereotype.
Sometimes I see "but butch erasure..." complaints alongside queer Tracer praise (tho one could argue Tracer is "futch" and Zarya is a muscular femme... whatever, I don't want to get into that). It's somewhat reminiscent of the women who got salty over Cassandra from Dragon Age not being a gay option. I think the solution is to just make every single character in the game queer and then drink the tears of any haters. Also...
posted by picklenickle at 7:16 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Sometimes I see "but butch erasure..." complaints alongside queer Tracer praise (tho one could argue Tracer is "futch" and Zarya is a muscular femme... whatever, I don't want to get into that). It's somewhat reminiscent of the women who got salty over Cassandra from Dragon Age not being a gay option. I think the solution is to just make every single character in the game queer and then drink the tears of any haters. Also...
posted by picklenickle at 7:16 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Goddammit do I have to start playing video games again
posted by schadenfrau at 7:28 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 7:28 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
I think I do
posted by schadenfrau at 7:28 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by schadenfrau at 7:28 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Tracer has a girlfriend? Who cares... what I want to know is WHY ARE THESE CHARACTERS ALL FIGHTING EACH OTHER??
posted by jeff-o-matic at 7:30 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by jeff-o-matic at 7:30 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Tracer's girlfriend is named - her name is Emily
Heh. I'm not even sure what exactly Overwatch is, but my RSS feed has blown up over this to the point that I am quite sure that Tracer's girlfriend is named Emily. Whoever they are.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:32 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Heh. I'm not even sure what exactly Overwatch is, but my RSS feed has blown up over this to the point that I am quite sure that Tracer's girlfriend is named Emily. Whoever they are.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:32 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Tracer has a girlfriend? Who cares... what I want to know is WHY ARE THESE CHARACTERS ALL FIGHTING EACH OTHER??
Same reason as in Super Smash Bros.: because the game requires it!
Since they're all theoretically working together as a part of the Overwatch, let's just say that the in-game fighting is sparring/training. It's an X-men style Danger Room scenario, not real fighting.
posted by explosion at 8:01 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Same reason as in Super Smash Bros.: because the game requires it!
Since they're all theoretically working together as a part of the Overwatch, let's just say that the in-game fighting is sparring/training. It's an X-men style Danger Room scenario, not real fighting.
posted by explosion at 8:01 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
I am away from my computer for the next few days and am already jonesing for OW (must.have.more.winter.loot.boxes!). It's such a great game. I played last night, and played Tracer a lot, and enjoyed knowing about her family!
posted by gemmy at 8:13 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by gemmy at 8:13 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have no idea what Overwatch is, but according to my comedy- and Mefite-heavy Twitter follows, two fellas named Reaper and McCree are definitely gay for each other.
posted by infinitewindow at 8:20 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by infinitewindow at 8:20 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
greg's favourite character is the space monkey
posted by poffin boffin at 8:50 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by poffin boffin at 8:50 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
corb: "Oh man! I wish Overwatch would stop doing cool things, because I both already really want to play it, and also really suck at and dislike first person shooters."
Truthfully, it is a lot of fun, and there is a player for about every play style, so I would recommend giving it a shot. Plus, IMO, everything is surprisingly well balanced so anyone can have an awesome moment or two. (Also, I sure seem to get asked to keep playing Mercy a lot. No big surprise to any MeFi's that ever played TF2 with me. I always play Engineer or Medic.)
posted by Samizdata at 9:18 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Truthfully, it is a lot of fun, and there is a player for about every play style, so I would recommend giving it a shot. Plus, IMO, everything is surprisingly well balanced so anyone can have an awesome moment or two. (Also, I sure seem to get asked to keep playing Mercy a lot. No big surprise to any MeFi's that ever played TF2 with me. I always play Engineer or Medic.)
posted by Samizdata at 9:18 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
rewil: "So I'm going to love the MECHA! with NO NEED TO RELOAD! for obvious reasons.
My most hours played are on Symmetra, even before the buff that made her terrifying. Auto-targeting death laser lasso! I love her, but she loves nothing but the physics of light reflection and refraction."
I have been (pre-buff - Only played on the free weekend since I am a plastic-less poor) SO murderously annoying with Symmetra it was a blast.
posted by Samizdata at 9:21 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
My most hours played are on Symmetra, even before the buff that made her terrifying. Auto-targeting death laser lasso! I love her, but she loves nothing but the physics of light reflection and refraction."
I have been (pre-buff - Only played on the free weekend since I am a plastic-less poor) SO murderously annoying with Symmetra it was a blast.
posted by Samizdata at 9:21 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
infinitewindow: "I have no idea what Overwatch is, but according to my comedy- and Mefite-heavy Twitter follows, two fellas named Reaper and McCree are definitely gay for each other."
Reaper is only gay for mass death.
posted by Samizdata at 9:21 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Reaper is only gay for mass death.
posted by Samizdata at 9:21 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yesterday my Twitter was full of people sharing screenshots of people complaining that Overwatch is now ruined forever by this. And I was like, wait, I thought that ALL four hundred and sixty-five characters in this game were queer, at least that sure is the impression I get from the fan art that's most of my exposure to it.
posted by egypturnash at 10:18 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by egypturnash at 10:18 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Yesterday my Twitter was full of people sharing screenshots of people complaining that Overwatch is now ruined forever by this.
Tracer being queer is great.
The only thing ruining Overwatch are the ridiculous loot boxes. It's a system designed to extract the maximum amount of money out off impatient players.
And don't tell me it's just cosmetic ( "It doesn't impact gameplay"), the cosmetics are an important part of the game. People are invested in the look and sound of their favourite characters.
I have linked to Jim Sterling before, but this is exactly how I feel about loot boxes.
posted by Pendragon at 10:31 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Tracer being queer is great.
The only thing ruining Overwatch are the ridiculous loot boxes. It's a system designed to extract the maximum amount of money out off impatient players.
And don't tell me it's just cosmetic ( "It doesn't impact gameplay"), the cosmetics are an important part of the game. People are invested in the look and sound of their favourite characters.
I have linked to Jim Sterling before, but this is exactly how I feel about loot boxes.
posted by Pendragon at 10:31 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
It's somewhat reminiscent of the women who got salty over Cassandra from Dragon Age not being a gay option.
Speculation about the options in Mass Effect Andromeda is already pretty hot and heavy.
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:41 AM on December 22, 2016
Speculation about the options in Mass Effect Andromeda is already pretty hot and heavy.
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:41 AM on December 22, 2016
Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
The very next day
They made Tracer gay
posted by solarion at 10:51 AM on December 22, 2016 [10 favorites]
I gave you my heart
The very next day
They made Tracer gay
posted by solarion at 10:51 AM on December 22, 2016 [10 favorites]
On the heels of this announcement, I would like to announce that my character in No Man's Sky is also gay.
Of course, years of isolation on hostile planets have left him bitter and twisted inside. He no longer seeks the comfort of human affection, only to expand his mining and trading empire. His only love is the color, and his only passion the thought of his next big strike.
"I gazed upon the millennia-old ruins of the mighty Gek empire and felt nothing. Only an emptiness into which I poured plutonium, and calium, and omegon, and ever larger ships."
I like to think he looks a bit like Daniel Day Lewis.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 11:00 AM on December 22, 2016 [8 favorites]
Of course, years of isolation on hostile planets have left him bitter and twisted inside. He no longer seeks the comfort of human affection, only to expand his mining and trading empire. His only love is the color, and his only passion the thought of his next big strike.
"I gazed upon the millennia-old ruins of the mighty Gek empire and felt nothing. Only an emptiness into which I poured plutonium, and calium, and omegon, and ever larger ships."
I like to think he looks a bit like Daniel Day Lewis.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 11:00 AM on December 22, 2016 [8 favorites]
also just as an aside for everyone convinced that they are ONLY good at one character: play the winter mystery brawl in which you are randomly assigned a character to play that you can't change until you die. everyone is terrible, your terribleness will not stick out, and you will learn new heroes and it will be excellent, good day.
posted by poffin boffin at 2:19 PM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 2:19 PM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
I'm hoping Tracer is bi, just to remind people that bisexuals exist... and yet committed to Emily to remind people that bisexual doesn't mean promiscuous.
Unfortunately with fandom being fandom these days you can't have an ambiguous wlw without a label flamewar.
Well, that's settled.
posted by kafziel at 7:05 PM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Unfortunately with fandom being fandom these days you can't have an ambiguous wlw without a label flamewar.
Well, that's settled.
posted by kafziel at 7:05 PM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
According to Blizzard (so this is a game thing, yeah?)
Tracer is a lesbian on the LGBTQ+ spectrumposted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:06 PM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'm really glad Blizzard came out and said this. There;s an annoying tendency displayed by many people though-- and I say this a bi person myself-- where people will say "hey maybe they're bi instead of gay huh” when presented with specifically gay or lesbian characters instead of characters shown to be in male-female relationships or otherwise presumed straight.
Like people zip right to "Yracer could be bi or pan" right away when shown to have a girlfriend, yet I saw zero people on the interwebs say anything about Tjorborn maybe beung bi when he was shown to have a wife and kids.
posted by ShawnStruck at 9:42 PM on December 22, 2016 [10 favorites]
Like people zip right to "Yracer could be bi or pan" right away when shown to have a girlfriend, yet I saw zero people on the interwebs say anything about Tjorborn maybe beung bi when he was shown to have a wife and kids.
posted by ShawnStruck at 9:42 PM on December 22, 2016 [10 favorites]
Nobody wants to talk about Torbjorn's sex life.
posted by kafziel at 9:52 PM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by kafziel at 9:52 PM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
I'm really glad Blizzard came out and said this. There;s an annoying tendency displayed by many people though-- and I say this a bi person myself-- where people will say "hey maybe they're bi instead of gay huh” when presented with specifically gay or lesbian characters instead of characters shown to be in male-female relationships or otherwise presumed straight.
There's a lot of representational issues to unpack there. Partly due to low expectations that mass media will bring one of those characters out as bi, and partly due to the fact that fans are already slashing them. (Although that can get a bit ridiculous. Sherlock foolishness is heating up again.) Blizzard's announcement came a full day or so after it was left open to multiple readings.
There is, unfortunately, a whole ugly culture of spats on certain sites between people who tend to interpret characters as bi vs. people who tend to interpret characters as gay/lesbian. It has "sides" and everything. The comic unfortunately landed in the middle of an argument that just in the last week has involved Sherlock, Earth's Moon, Yuri on Ice, perpetual Korrasami, perpetual Willow, and Mass Effect 2 of all things. And unfortunately, ships/interpretations have been elevated to the level of political shibboleths. (I really should manage my blood pressure by not doing keyword searches for information on biphobia, or at least not doing it there.)
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 10:41 PM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
There's a lot of representational issues to unpack there. Partly due to low expectations that mass media will bring one of those characters out as bi, and partly due to the fact that fans are already slashing them. (Although that can get a bit ridiculous. Sherlock foolishness is heating up again.) Blizzard's announcement came a full day or so after it was left open to multiple readings.
There is, unfortunately, a whole ugly culture of spats on certain sites between people who tend to interpret characters as bi vs. people who tend to interpret characters as gay/lesbian. It has "sides" and everything. The comic unfortunately landed in the middle of an argument that just in the last week has involved Sherlock, Earth's Moon, Yuri on Ice, perpetual Korrasami, perpetual Willow, and Mass Effect 2 of all things. And unfortunately, ships/interpretations have been elevated to the level of political shibboleths. (I really should manage my blood pressure by not doing keyword searches for information on biphobia, or at least not doing it there.)
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 10:41 PM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Nobody wants to talk about Torbjorn's sex life.
He sure seems to like that turret an awful lot, tho.
posted by Fleebnork at 5:35 AM on December 23, 2016
He sure seems to like that turret an awful lot, tho.
posted by Fleebnork at 5:35 AM on December 23, 2016
I'm pretty sure I've seen McCree hanging around the tearooms.
posted by Nelson at 6:52 AM on December 23, 2016
posted by Nelson at 6:52 AM on December 23, 2016
Earth's Moon
Willow
I am choosing to read this as the celestial body and 1988 Ron Howard/George Lucas classic respectively
posted by Merzbau at 9:16 AM on December 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
Willow
I am choosing to read this as the celestial body and 1988 Ron Howard/George Lucas classic respectively
posted by Merzbau at 9:16 AM on December 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, alas.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 9:50 AM on December 23, 2016
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 9:50 AM on December 23, 2016
kafziel: "Nobody wants to talk about Torbjorn's sex life."
Don't hammershame. This is a safe space.
OTOH, anyone that wants to shoot me in the face will be able to soon. Someone from one of the other sites I visit just gifted me Overwatch so I will be available for faceshooting and mayhem soon enough.
One last lovely thing. My computer is pretty much a potato, albeit a fast potato (It's a 2008 era Core 2 Quad with a GTX 760 (all hand me downs)) and Overwatch runs on it brilliantly. So it looks nice and plays well without the latest and greatest kit too.
posted by Samizdata at 9:52 AM on December 23, 2016
Don't hammershame. This is a safe space.
OTOH, anyone that wants to shoot me in the face will be able to soon. Someone from one of the other sites I visit just gifted me Overwatch so I will be available for faceshooting and mayhem soon enough.
One last lovely thing. My computer is pretty much a potato, albeit a fast potato (It's a 2008 era Core 2 Quad with a GTX 760 (all hand me downs)) and Overwatch runs on it brilliantly. So it looks nice and plays well without the latest and greatest kit too.
posted by Samizdata at 9:52 AM on December 23, 2016
Hey Samizdata, hop over to the Mefightclub thread and say hi and get people's Battle.net handles for your friends list. Mine is Fleebnork#1519.
posted by Fleebnork at 10:13 AM on December 23, 2016
posted by Fleebnork at 10:13 AM on December 23, 2016
Fleebnork: "Hey Samizdata, hop over to the Mefightclub thread and say hi and get people's Battle.net handles for your friends list. Mine is Fleebnork#1519."
I tried, but it errored out. I wonder if I still have an account there. I was there when it first opened and we used to have regular L4D games.
Samizdata#1571 for all your MeFi faceshooting needs. (Pretty much, if you run into a Samizdata online, it is a reasonable chance it is me.)
posted by Samizdata at 10:24 AM on December 23, 2016
I tried, but it errored out. I wonder if I still have an account there. I was there when it first opened and we used to have regular L4D games.
Samizdata#1571 for all your MeFi faceshooting needs. (Pretty much, if you run into a Samizdata online, it is a reasonable chance it is me.)
posted by Samizdata at 10:24 AM on December 23, 2016
Does no one play on PS4?
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:44 PM on December 23, 2016
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:44 PM on December 23, 2016
922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a: "Does no one play on PS4?"
I thought that it was supposed to be cross-platform, thus the whole hullabaloo about Torbjorn's turrent.
posted by Samizdata at 6:59 PM on December 23, 2016
I thought that it was supposed to be cross-platform, thus the whole hullabaloo about Torbjorn's turrent.
posted by Samizdata at 6:59 PM on December 23, 2016
No, each console has their own internet platform, although theoretically XBox and PC could cross play if Microsoft wanted to let them. It's been brought up in the past about other games going cross platform, but often isn't done because keyboard and mouse are so much more accurate and quick vs using a controller. And there's the whole issue about using aim assist or not. It's kind of a can of worms.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:27 AM on December 24, 2016
posted by Fleebnork at 6:27 AM on December 24, 2016
Overwatch went so far as to rebalance the game on consoles. Both Symmetra and Tjorborn's turrets have 30% less damage on console, to offset the relative advantage they get on consoles not having to aim.
I play on PS4! I don't mind the controller at all. But early on I doubled the turning sensitivity and remapped jump to the left shoulder; that makes Lúcio's mobility much more satisfying.
posted by Nelson at 8:01 AM on December 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
I play on PS4! I don't mind the controller at all. But early on I doubled the turning sensitivity and remapped jump to the left shoulder; that makes Lúcio's mobility much more satisfying.
posted by Nelson at 8:01 AM on December 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
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