Why Overwatch 2’s Cowboy Bebop collab looks a little weird

Blizzard Leisure’s collaboration with anime studio Dawn to deliver the world of Cowboy Bebop to Overwatch 2 was met with nice enthusiasm when it was first revealed in its stylized, animated type. However when Blizzard launched a full take a look at the in-game skins for Cassidy, Ashe, Mauga, Sombra, and Wrecking Ball, a dose of actuality set in.

It was actually one character specifically who stood out: Cole Cassidy, the outlaw cowboy beforehand referred to as McCree, who was dressed up as Cowboy Bebop’s Spike Spiegel. The animated promise of that crossover regarded like an ideal match. However the in-game mannequin of Cassidy dressed up Spike seems lots much less interesting, not less than in comparison with the unique idea artwork.

Picture: Blizzard Leisure

It’s frequent for 3D character fashions to deviate considerably from 2D ideas. In 2D, artists don’t should concern themselves with decreased element or hitboxes. Cassidy’s not practically as lithe or as younger wanting as Spike.

However response to the in-game fashions from the Overwatch group was swift and extremely unkind to Mr. Cassidy. “I simply know the devs have been crying attempting to copy Spike’s hair in 3D, bro,” reads a prime touch upon the Overwatch subreddit. “All of them look good aside from Spike,” reads one other. “It’s like Cass ate a bee proper earlier than they have been meant to go to the con.”

Overwatch gamers additionally identified how bizarre Mauga seems as Jet Black. Usually, Mauga sports activities an enormous mane of jet black hair (with a distinguished white streak) that helps outline his broad silhouette. However as Jet Black, Mauga adopts the anime character’s baldness.

Nonetheless, it’s Cassidy who’s getting probably the most damaging consideration on social media platforms like X and TikTok.

One apparent design alternative Overwatch 2 gamers are taking concern with is Cassidy’s hair, which, within the unique animated trailer, was coated by a hat. Surprisingly, Cassidy’s Spike pores and skin in-game doesn’t characteristic a hat, regardless of the character carrying one in every of of his different skins.

Overwatch 2 artwork director Dion Rogers instructed ComicBook.com that the bizarre option to make Cassidy go hatless was supposed to extra intently match the look of Spike Spiegel.

“That was one thing that we went backwards and forwards on how he would really feel silhouette-wise,” Rogers stated. “There’s quite a lot of gameplay selections after we take away one thing from a hero. However to actually seize the Spike and have that hero really feel like they’re them or cosplaying as them. We selected to take away his hat.”

Rogers factors out an necessary design alternative in that quote, noting that Overwatch 2’s characters are “cosplaying.” That’s not speculated to be Spike Spiegel on the earth of Overwatch, however Cole Cassidy dressed up as him. The identical was true of Blizzard’s One Punch Man collab for Overwatch 2, which helps clarify why the heroes of Overwatch appear to be, effectively, themselves and never nearer to their anime inspirations.

It’s a design alternative that may stay constant, the sport’s artists say.

“[Overwatch] desires to maintain the id [and] artstyle of the characters via the varied collabs, one thing different IPs should not at all times so involved with,” stated Overwatch 2 principal artist Mike Hardison on X, in response to suggestions concerning the Cowboy Bebop character skins. “That’s our line within the sand.”

Overwatch 2’s Cowboy Bebop crossover is now stay in recreation.