'Overwatch' is about to get just a little bit gayer.
MEDIA REPORT #2
In December, Overwatch title character, Tracer, was revealed to be a lesbian via Christmas-themed comic, Reflections. The comic, a back-story partner to the award-winning video game, features the young British woman zipping about London searching for the perfect gift for an out-of-frame significant other. At the end, she returns to the apartment, giving her gift to her girlfriend and receiving a kiss in return.
The community exploded with mixed responses. Some were incredibly thankful to see themselves reflected in this hero, while others denounced the decision for Tracer to “come out” as “SJW Tumblr fodder” (”Overwatch’s Tracer is Gay and Here Are Some People Who Lost Their Minds,” Crave Online). Overall, despite gamers being notoriously toxic in the way of homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny, the response ultimately came out positively, with people being overwhelmingly accepting.
The backlash seems to be a result of heteronormativity as Chrys Ingraham describes it. Ingraham describes heterosexuality as “taken for granted and unquestioned,” going further to say “[b]y leaving heterosexuality unexamined as an institution we do not explore how it is learned, how it may control us and contribute to social inequalities” (Location 12258). Ingraham describes heterosexuality as “imaginary,” as something that is considered “’just the way it is’ while creating obligatory social practices” which is ultimately harmful to those who are not heterosexual (Location 12258). Since Tracer is not heterosexual, she is going against “just the way it is,” inciting backlash from those who ascribe to an unquestioned view of heterosexuality.
Tracer’s same-sex relationship, therefore, goes against the culture of heteronormativity, which, as Ingraham describes, “render[s] real people’s relationships and commitments irrelevant and illegitimate” (Location 12297). The backlash against Tracer’s relationship seemed to come in two forms: outright homophobia and comments of the likes of “why does it matter that she’s gay? It’s just a video game!” (”Overwatch’s Tracer is Gay and Here Are Some People Who Lost Their Minds,” Crave Online). It does matter, though, as same-sex couples are seen so rarely in video games, much less as the cover character of the game.
Therefore, it is important that Blizzard Entertainment has not shied away from keeping Tracer out of the closet. With the newest update, including the new map Horizon Lunar Colony referenced in the article, Tracer will now have a new voice line referring to her girlfriend. The Overwatch team, therefore, is refusing to bow to heteronormativity and is giving the LGBTQ+ community visibility. Hopefully, other gaming companies will take note and put more LGBTQ+ characters in the spotlight.
EDIT: This piece was published by Mic.com, a rather progressive news source. Tim Mulkerin, the author, is the writer for Multi Player, the video game spotlight of Mic.com. He seems to have a particular interest in Overwatch, publishing an article about the game at least ever other day. I chose to focus more heavily on Blizzard’s/Overwatch’s release and response, as Mulkerin is simply the messenger of this information.
Questions:
1. Is it important that games- even first-person shooter games like Overwatch- provide LGBTQ+ characters? Is Tracer’s back-story important in a game with all-online game play and no story mode?
2. Do you think, given the information from the article, that Blizzard Entertainment has done enough in the way of supporting Tracer as a lesbian character? Do you think they are treating her as a genuinely fleshed out character or as a gimmick?
3. In your opinion, should games follow in suit and provide more visibility to the LGBTQ+ community, or is it not their responsibility?
4. Overwatch has provided a very feminist alternative to the misogynist history of first-person shooter games like Call of Duty and Halo, with 11 of the 24 heroes being female, and all new characters since the official release of the game being female. They have also showcased different races and body types, something not usually seen in games of this sort. Do you think increasing inclusivity is a step in the right direction for first-person shooters, or should they be condemned in totality due to their depiction of violence?
5. Do you think having an openly gay character in this incredibly popular game will increase acceptance in the notoriously homophobic gaming community, or do you think it will have little impact?