Players have found disgusting and misogynistic custom games in Overwatch 2 – this needs to stop! Even 4 months after the incident, the harassment simulator remains in the game.
Content warning: This article contains references to simulated sexual assault and abuse.
The scandals involving Blizzard don't seem to stop. This time, however, it's about the online shooter Overwatch 2, which was released in October 2022. Again, the incidents are particularly shocking and unpleasant. It started at the end of October, with reports of a 12-year-old boy finding a custom game mode in which sexual assault is simulated. Here is what happened.
Disturbing Custom Game In Overwatch 2 Still Online
This custom game mode in Overwatch 2 allows players to make their own rules and create game modes apart from the official ones that are already in Overwatch 2. These fan-made games can be accessed by anyone.
The problem with inappropriate and disturbing sexual custom games has always existed in Overwatch. In fact, it even happened in Overwatch 1, but very little was done about it back then and it seems like this time, they still don't care. Even 4 months after the incident, this disgusting game mode is still there.
Not only is Overwatch 2 free-to-play, but the game has also been rated PEGI 12, which creates a much bigger issue. A lot of Overwatch 2 players are minors who could easily get traumatized by the inappropriate contents, which custom game modes might contain.
A mother on Twitter talked about how her 12-year-old son found a sexual harassment and sexual assault simulator in custom games. This is just disgusting and wrong...
Do not let your children play Overwatch. My 12yo son found custom games within it, one called, 'sexual harassment' and one game that simulated the female characters being raped. Thankfully my son realised it was bad, closed the game and told me. Don't play #Overwatch
— Lynn MBE (@Lynn_McGoo) October 23, 2022
The whole story caused an uproar on Twitter, including a comment by famous streamer and comedian Limmy, which highlighted the issue and spread it more widely.
Here's some screengrabs I found on Twitter of this Overwatch 2 sexual harassment simulator. Apparently it's been going on since the first game. It would be easy for Blizzard to prevent it, but they're not.This is a game marketed to 12 year olds. https://t.co/xg4BtKXT8M pic.twitter.com/oLLrehkchx
— twitch.tv/Limmy (@DaftLimmy) October 23, 2022
Blizzard reacted to the accusations, saying that inappropriate and explicit content had no place in Overwatch 2 and that they removed the custom game immediately after they were aware of its existence. If only Blizzard would stick to their word and fix the problem once and for all.... Spoiler alert: They didn't.
Millions Affected: Blizzard Shuts Down Overwatch 2, WoW, And Other Games In China
It seems like Blizzard only removed the game mode from the listing, meaning that it is still available to anyone who has the game code. With this code, anyone can very easily re-list it and make it public again. And it's (sadly) no surprise, that several months after this scandal happened, the game mode is back in the list and very easy to find.
Blizzard just can't manage to completely remove inappropriate content from the game. A big disappointment...
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