Blizzard Entertainment’s collaboration with anime studio Sunrise brings the world of Cowboy Bebop To Overwatch 2 was met with great excitement when it was first revealed in its stylized, animated form. But when Blizzard released a full overview of the in-game skins for Cassidy, Ashe, Mauga, Sombra and Wrecking Ball, a pinch of reality emerged.
There was really one character that stood out: Cole Cassidy, the outlaw cowboy formerly known as and dressed as McCree Cowboy BebopSpike Spiegel. The animated promise of this crossover seemed like a perfect fit. But the in-game model of Cassidy as Spike looks a lot less appealing, at least in comparison Original concept art.
It is common for 3D character models to differ significantly from 2D concepts. In 2D, artists don’t have to worry about reduced details or hitboxes. Cassidy isn’t nearly as lithe or looks as young as Spike.
But the Overwatch community’s reaction to the in-game models was swift and extremely unkind to Mr. Cassidy. “All I know is that the developers cried when they tried to recreate Spike’s hair in 3D, bro.” reads a top comment on the Overwatch subreddit. “They all look good except Spike,” reads another. “It’s like Cass ate a bee right before they were supposed to go to mass.”
Overwatch players also pointed out how strange Mauga looks as Jet Black. Typically, Mauga sports a huge mane of jet black hair (with a distinctive white stripe) that defines his broad silhouette. But as Jet Black, Mauga takes on the bald head of the anime character.
Still, it is Cassidy who is attracting the most negative attention on social media platforms X
An obvious design choice Overwatch 2 Players are having issues with Cassidy’s hair, which was covered by a hat in the original animated trailer. Strangely, Cassidy’s Spike skin in the game does not have a hat, despite the character wearing one in all of his other skins.
Overwatch 2 said art director Dion Rogers ComicBook.com that the unusual decision to leave Cassidy without a hat was intended to better suit Spike Spiegel’s appearance.
“That was something where we went back and forth on how he would feel in terms of the silhouette,” Rogers said. “There’s a lot of playability when we remove something from a hero. But to really capture the Spike and make this hero feel like he is him or playing as him. We decided to take off his hat.”
Rogers points out an important design decision in this quote Overwatch 2The characters are “cosplaying”. This isn’t supposed to be Spike Spiegel in the world of Overwatch, but Cole Cassidy dressed up as him. The same was true for Blizzard One punch man Collaboration for Overwatch 2which explains why Overwatch’s heroes look like themselves and not closer to their anime inspirations.
It’s a design decision that will remain consistent, say the game’s artists.
“[Overwatch] wants to keep the identity [and] “We changed the art style of the characters through the different collaborations, something that other IPs don’t always care about as much,” said Overwatch 2 Main artist Mike Hardison at Xin response to feedback on Cowboy Bebop Character skins. “That’s our line in the sand.”
Overwatch 2‘S Cowboy Bebop Crossover is now live in the game.