Overwatch 2 reveals new cosmetics and map changes for Pride month event
Blizzard has announced a new month-long Pride event for Overwatch 2, which comes with several cosmetics to celebrate the diverse cast of heroes found in the game and allow players to freely express their identity. The Overwatch 2 development team stated that this event aims to allow players to celebrate their identity with exclusive cosmetics and some map changes that will be available starting June 1st.
The game’s developers have expressed their need to expand on character identities and relationships ahead of the release of Overwatch 2’s upcoming PvE content. This event is just one of many ways that Blizzard will continue to expand on the game’s lore and characters to provide an update to the game world, with the overall story and lore being expanded upon in coming seasons and years.
To kick off the Pride Month celebration, everyone who logs into Overwatch 2 will receive a collection of Player Icons and Name Cards. The name cards will also feature some of the game’s heroes such as Tracer and Soldier 76. Additionally, a new short story will reveal Baptiste’s previously hinted sexual orientation alongside Pharah. This short story was written by Jen Stacey and focuses on the identities of the aforementioned heroes. The game will also have Name Card cosmetics for people like Intersex, Genderfluid, Asexual, Aromantic and other crowds that are part of the LGBT+ movement. Icons will also feature various flags representing Pride.
The month-long Overwatch 2 event will also come with some cosmetic changes to the game’s maps, mirroring the game’s Pride Month festivities. A new spray featuring Tracer and his partner Emily will also be available for the Tracer network to equip. This image can also be found on an updated version of Watchpoint: Gibraltar, which will also be available during Pride Month.
It’s worth noting that cosmetics from this event will be added to every player’s account starting June 1st, along with all future accounts created for the game. Blizzard will also have Pride-themed apparel available for purchase in its Gear Store, with net proceeds from sales going to the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE). With all of this, the development team hopes players will find a new way to express their identity while celebrating the Overwatch 2 heroes that have come to prominence over the years with it.
Overwatch 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Source: Overwatch Team Blog