Blizzard renames Overwatch's McCree to Cole Cassidy

A new beginning for an iconic character.

What you need to know

• Blizzard Entertainment previously announced plans to rename Overwatch hero McCree.
• This decision was made due to McCree's namesake being fired from Blizzard Entertainment as a result of recent allegations.
• McCree's new name is Cole Cassidy.
• The developer's parent company Activision Blizzard is facing a lawsuit, alleging a sexist workplace environment.

Blizzard Entertainment announced on Friday that Overwatch's McCree has a new name: Cole Cassidy. This comes after the company announced a plan to rename the character back in August 2021. Cole Cassidy arrives in Overwatch as a full rework and part of a new story arc on Oct. 26, 2021.

McCree's renaming comes about due to Jesse McCree, his namesake, being fired from Blizzard Entertainment in the wake of allegations following the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard. McCree is one of over 23 employees removed from the company in the past months, alongside the former game director of upcoming action role-playing game Diablo 4, Luis Barriga. An additional 20 employees reportedly faced disciplinary action. McCree specifically is one of multiple high-level employees seen in the "Cosby Suite" named in the ongoing lawsuit.

Part of the reason the change to McCree in Overwatch took so long was because the developers had to rework the existing planned storyline to accomadate the change, as well as remove voice lines in the game referencing McCree. Blizzard previously confirmed that moving forward, characters in its games will not be named after employees. This change will also extend into the planned sequel, Overwatch 2, which like Diablo 4 does not currently have a release window.

Activision Blizzard is currently seeking a pause in the lawsuit in order to investigate Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claims that the California (Department of Fair Employment and Housing) DFEH lawyers committed ethical violations.