It is 2026, and Jeff Kaplan, the previous boss of Blizzard’s hero shooter Overwatch, remains to be getting questions on Tracer’s butt nerf.
Take your thoughts again to an easier time in 2016, when the world was quieter and greener and Overwatch was nonetheless in beta. Amidst the thrill for Blizzard’s subsequent massive collection, one main controversy stood out that made some followers uncomfortable in regards to the sport’s promise. It was Blizzard’s determination to vary the pose of the principle character, Tracer, to give attention to her butt.
Blizzard known as again in March 2016 to regulate Tracer’s “over-the-shoulder” victory pose after Tracer’s considerably suggestive placement drew criticism from gamers. Their criticism, which Kaplan stated he in the end agreed with, was that it lowered Tracer to “one other bland feminine intercourse image.”
After some dialogue, Kaplan agreed to vary the pose. Inside every week, the modifications had been full, changing her authentic look with an “over-the-shoulder” pose that gave followers a extra side-view.
Maybe predictably, Blizzard’s determination to make this modification additionally drew fireplace – this time from gamers who declare the corporate caved in to “SJW” complaints. (Keep in mind that acronym?) And now, 10 years later, with Kaplan lengthy gone from Blizzard and busy selling his subsequent sport, the choice nonetheless appears to be one which bothers some folks.
“‘Why did you nerf Tracer’s butt?'” Kaplan stated, studying out questions from viewers as he performed Legends of California, a cowboy survival shooter he was creating. βNicely, we didnβt really nerf Tracerβs butt, it stayed precisely the identical.
“That was a great blowback that I simply acquired,” he added.
The previous Blizzard icon is making headlines as he tries to drum up curiosity for his new sport. First, there was a revealing interview wherein he talked about why he left Blizzard, the place he labored for nearly 20 years, a call Kaplan stated he blamed. Excessive monetary stress on Activision Blizzardin any other case they are going to be held personally accountable for the lack of 1,000 jobs.
Kaplan then provided some well-chosen recommendation for online game followers who wish to criticize titles they’d by no means play themselves. “What if a sport comes out and you do not need to play it and you have not performed it? Shut up. No person cares,” he stated once more whereas streaming Legends of California.
On the subject of Overwatch, the sport continues to reply to fan suggestions relating to character design and presentation. Simply this week, Blizzard introduced a brand new search for the hero Unlan, which it stated was a departure from the “baby-faced” design that gamers and the character’s voice actor had beforehand criticized.
Tom Phillips is videogameaddicted’s information editor. You’ll be able to contact Tom at tom_phillips@videogameaddicted.com or discover him on Bluesky. @tomphillipseg.bsky.social