Overwatch is developed by Blizzard Entertainment and released in 2016 is a cooperative first-person shooter for several players. The PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox One versions of the game were launched in May 2016, with the Nintendo Switch version following in October 2019. Playing on different systems simultaneously was possible.
Overwatch is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where two teams of six players each choose a character (or “hero”) from a wide roster of characters, each with their own set of skills and abilities. Teams raced against the clock to fulfill challenges unique to each map. After the game’s initial release, Blizzard released new playable characters, maps, and game modes at no extra cost to players, with the only monetary investment being in the form of optional loot boxes for in-game cosmetics.
Is Soldier 76 Gay?
Another prominent character in Overwatch has been canonically revealed to be LGBTQ by Blizzard in a recently published short narrative. In the next patch, we hope to see him outfitted with gorgeous rainbow skin. Despite the fact that Ana is the story’s protagonist, Soldier 76 (also known as Jack Morrison) learned a shocking secret about his past when he spoke of his romance with a “dark-haired man” named Vincent.
There’s no mistaking the connotation of Ana’s question to Jack regarding him:
“Vincent… I haven’t thought about him in years,” Ana said. “Still keeping a candle lit for him?”
Jack shook his head. “Nothing like that.”
“You’ve never looked in on him? You must have been curious. All the surveillance power in the world. I bet Gabe would have put a Blackwatch agent on him if you asked,” Ana said.
Jack glared at her.
“Okay, touchy subject.”
Jack laughed. “He got married. They’re very happy. I’m happy for him.”“Ana was unconvinced. In the early days, Jack talked about him often, floating a dream that the war would end quickly, and maybe he’d have a chance to return to a normal life.”
“But a normal life was never the reward for people like us.”
“Vincent deserved a happier life than the one I could give him.” Jack sighed. “We both knew that I could never put anything above my duty. Everything I fought for was to protect people like him… That’s the sacrifice I made.”
“Relationships don’t work out so well for us, do they?” Ana said, unconsciously running her thumb over where her wedding ring used to be.
While their relationship may have ended a long time ago, both Jack and Vincent still identify as gay, as confirmed by writer Michael Chu on Twitter.
i can’t believe overwatch made their grizzled old soldier archetype canonically queer???? i’m pic.twitter.com/fGkCaKiry1
— adri ♛ (@adriofwands) January 7, 2019
Additionally, this is not the first time that the LGBTQ community’s inclusion has been subtly confirmed in the wildly successful Overwatch comics and short tales. Tracer and her current lover Emily are shown here enjoying a holiday party in 2016.
The internet just like last time erupted in celebration and admiration of Blizzard for its dedication to diversity and inclusion in one of its hallmark games. Soldier 76, the lone stereotypically manly white male protagonist in Overwatch, was first disregarded by many players. But it seems we were wrong to assume that about him; he is, in fact, our new homos*xual hero.
Some have argued that this is just another instance of queerbaiting in popular culture, in which LGBTQ characters are treated as tokens or given a marginal role in the main plot rather than being given prominent billing. It’s usually a sign of queerbaiting when characters are retconned into superficial LGBTQ partnerships.
You can also check out these articles in which we covered games characters:
- Who are the New MultiVersus Season 2 Characters?
- Persona 5 Voice Actors: Here Are the Cast Behind Every Phantom Thief
While Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Solo: A Star Wars Story are two recent examples of this, Overwatch is unique in one important respect. Overwatch’s narrative and plot are mainly conveyed through these types of supplemental literature, rather than through traditional mediums like movies or television shows.
I know a random nobody ex-boyfriend is not anyone’s ideal way to reveal this but soldier 76 being gay gives me so much satisfaction because he’s one of the ones that will make the straight men maddest
— france’s favorite monsterfucker (@voxybunch) January 7, 2019
Frequently, the mythology provided in the comics and such is implemented into the main game as unlockable voice lines, sprays or other customization options. Unfortunately, LGBTQ histories are rarely acknowledged openly.
The fact that players can keep using Tracer and Soldier 76 despite knowing nothing about their s*xual orientations in the canon feels like a deliberate design choice. Now is the time to celebrate the fact that two of the most significant protagonists in one of the most popular video games of all time happen to be homos*xuals. It is an honor to have you both, Tracer and Soldier 76, serving our country.
Have you heard about the Overwatch game? Above we talked about the character Soldier 76 from the game. Everyone is talking about his se*uality for some days. It is true, he is gay it has been announced by Blizard itself. The fans of Overwatch are so happy for him. You can also share your views regarding this in our comment section. You can also follow our site Facebook page on which you can find many interesting articles to read.
