Since its release in 2016, Overwatch has become a cultural phenomenon. Not only has it been a massive financial success for Blizzard Entertainment, but it has also been praised for its diverse cast of characters. Overwatch has been celebrated for its portrayal of characters from various racial, cultural, and gender backgrounds, including a number of LGBTQ+ characters. With the sequel, Overwatch 2, on the horizon, many fans have been wondering which characters will continue to be represented within the LGBTQ+ community. In this blog post, we will discuss which characters are confirmed to be gay in Overwatch 2.
Tracer
Tracer, the poster child for Overwatch since its release in 2015, is the game’s only confirmed lesbian character. This was confirmed in a comic published by Blizzard Entertainment in 2016, which showed Tracer in a long-term relationship with a side character called Emily. The comic shows that the two are in a healthy and happy relationship, dispelling any stereotypes that LGBTQ+ relationships are unhealthy or toxic.
It’s important to note that Tracer being a lesbian is not just some insignificant detail. Her sexuality is a part of her character and is portrayed in a way that is both genuine and authentic. This is especially important when considering the representation of LGBTQ+ characters, as all too often, characters are reduced to mere stereotypes or token gestures.
Soldier: 76
Soldier: 76 is another character that has been confirmed to be gay in Overwatch 2. This revelation came from a short story that was released in 2019, which shows Soldier: 76 reflecting on his past and falling in love with a man named Vincent. While the short story doesn’t explicitly state that Soldier: 76 is gay, it’s heavily implied, and the character’s sexuality has been confirmed by the game’s lead writer, Michael Chu.
It’s worth mentioning that Soldier: 76 is in his 50s, making him one of the oldest characters in the game. This is significant because it shows that love and relationships are not just for young people, but can occur at any stage in life, regardless of age. This is another example of Overwatch’s commitment to breaking down stereotypes and offering more diverse representation in gaming.
Other LGBTQ+ Representation in Overwatch 2
In addition to Tracer and Soldier: 76, there are other characters in Overwatch 2 that are widely speculated to be LGBTQ+, although they have not been explicitly confirmed by Blizzard Entertainment. One such character is Symmetra, a damage hero who is known for her precision and her control over electromagnetic energy. Symmetra is often described as “coded as queer,” meaning that the way her character is portrayed in the game hints towards her being LGBTQ+. This is due to her unique fashion sense, understated but noticeable, and her detachment from others. While Symmetra’s sexuality may not be confirmed, it is still a significant step forward in terms of representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in gaming.
Another character that has been heavily speculated to be gay is Zarya, a tank hero who was added to the game in 2016. Zarya’s butch appearance, short-cropped hair, and muscular build all contribute to speculation that she may be a lesbian. While there is no concrete evidence to suggest this, many fans believe Zarya’s butch look is indicative of her sexuality and is a positive step forward in terms of representation for LGBTQ+ players.
Conclusion
Overwatch has been praised for its diverse cast of characters, and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters is a significant step forward in terms of representation in gaming. Tracer and Soldier: 76 are the only two characters that have been confirmed to be gay in Overwatch 2, but other characters such as Symmetra and Zarya are heavily speculated to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. As we move forward, it’s essential that gaming continues to push boundaries and offer a more diverse representation of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
FAQ
Is Zarya LGBT?
The question of whether Zarya is a member of the LGBTQ+ community has been one that has been circulating among Overwatch players for some time. Zarya is a female character in the game, known for her impressive strength and physique. However, her vague backstory and lack of romantic involvement or attraction to any characters in-game has left room for interpretation.
When Overwatch confirmed that there were multiple LGBTQ characters in their roster, the speculation increased. Tim Mulkerin of Mic suggested that Zarya could possibly be one of them. His reasoning was that, as a Russian weightlifter, Zarya would be an interesting addition to the roster to break stereotypes, likely facing discrimination in both her profession and her sexual orientation. However, there has been no official confirmation from Blizzard, the game’s creator, about Zarya’s sexuality.
Furthermore, some players have speculated that Zarya’s design was changed from that of a male character to that of a woman in response to fan outcry. Jess Joho of Killscreen reported that her design had originally included a beard, and that her backstory had originally stated that she was a man. The reasoning behind this change has also never been confirmed by Blizzard.
Regardless of Zarya’s sexuality or her original design, what is important is the representation and inclusivity that Overwatch has aimed for in its diverse characters. The game has given a platform for many players, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, to feel seen and heard in the gaming community.
What overwatch characters are in 2?
Overwatch 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the popular first-person shooter game, Overwatch. One of the most exciting aspects of Overwatch 2 is the introduction of new characters that players can use in the game.
In Overwatch 2, players can expect to see a range of familiar characters from the first game, including Ana, Ashe, Baptiste, Bastion, Brigitte, Cassidy, D.VA, and Doomfist. Each of these characters has undergone a range of updates and changes to their abilities, to create a more dynamic and exciting gameplay experience.
Ana, for example, still features her signature long-range rifle, but her abilities have been modified to include the ability to heal allies over a larger area. Baptiste, on the other hand, has a new ultimate ability that can grant allies the ability to shoot through walls temporarily. Bastion, the robotic turret, has been given a new ultimate ability that allows it to deal massive amounts of damage in a short period of time, making it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
Players will also be excited about the introduction of new characters to Overwatch 2. Sojourn is one of the most highly anticipated new characters, who is expected to be a damage dealer with a high rate of fire. Another new character, Echo, is versatile enough to act as a damage dealer or support character, depending on how players choose to use her abilities.
Overwatch 2 features a wide selection of characters for players to choose from, including old favorites from the first game, as well as new and exciting additions. Each character has their own unique abilities and playstyles, making Overwatch 2 an engaging and dynamic gaming experience for players of all skill levels.
Will Overwatch 2 have all new characters?
Overwatch 2 is an upcoming first-person shooter game developed by Blizzard Entertainment and is a sequel to the popular game Overwatch. Given that the game is a sequel, many fans are wondering whether Overwatch 2 will feature all new characters or if the old characters will make a return.
Currently, there is no official statement confirming whether the game will feature a completely new roster. However, it has been confirmed that Overwatch 2 will have some new characters added to the mix. According to the developers, we can expect a new hero to be added to the game every other season.
Blizzard has been tight-lipped about the exact details of how many new heroes will be added, or who these heroes will be. Still, the developers have hinted that one of the new characters will be Sojourn, a Canadian military officer who was first introduced in the game’s background story. It has also been speculated that another hero could be Echo, an Omnic robot that has appeared in previous Overwatch teasers.
While the exact details of Overwatch 2’s character roster remain a mystery, it’s expected that the game will have a mix of new and familiar characters. Fans of the old game do not need to worry, as the old characters will be returning to the game, with new skins and updated abilities. Although the introduction of new characters is always an exciting prospect, it’s good to see that the developers are not completely abandoning the already established characters.
Overwatch 2 will feature new characters, but it is not certain whether the game will have an entirely new roster. However, based on the developer’s track record, we can expect at least a few new heroes to be added to the already beloved Overwatch universe. Fans should keep their ears to the ground for further news and developments.
