Overwatch will re-name McCree after dismissal of namesake
"We believe it's necessary to change the name of the hero currently known as McCree to something that better represents what Overwatch stands for," dev team says
Overwatch will be renaming one of its heroes after his namesake was dismissed from the company earlier this month.
The Overwatch development team today released a statement saying the gunslinger character McCree will soon receive a new name, with the studio refraining from naming characters after Blizzard employees in the future.
"We built the Overwatch universe around the idea that inclusivity, equity, and hope are the building blocks of a better future," the team said. "They are central to the game and to the Overwatch team.
"As we continue to discuss how we best live up to our values and to demonstrate our commitment to creating a game world that reflects them, we believe it's necessary to change the name of the hero currently known as McCree to something that better represents what Overwatch stands for."
Blizzard lead level designer Jesse McCree was among a number of employees dismissed from the company earlier this month.
While no reason was given for those dismissals, they came just weeks after the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed suit against the company alleging violations of civil rights and equal pay laws, calling the company "a breeding ground for harassment and discrimination against women."
The new name for the character has not yet been revealed, but a planned story arc featuring him has been delayed until after the change has been made.
In place of the planned new story content, Blizzard will release a new map for Overwatch next month.
"Work on these updates is underway, and they are just a part of our ongoing commitment to honest reflection and making whatever changes are necessary to build a future worth fighting for," the team said.
"We know that actions speak louder than words, and we hope to show you our commitment to making Overwatch a better experience in-game and continue to make our team the best it can be. "