Blizzard launched a new in-game event called Cole Cassidy’s New Blood Challenge.
Blizzard announced in August that Overwatch gunslinger Jesse McCree would be renamed as part of a larger effort to remove in-game references to real people, particularly developers accused of widespread discrimination and harassment at Activision Blizzard. It also postponed a new Overwatch narrative arc that had been scheduled for September to accommodate the planned change.
In October, McCree was renamed Cole Cassidy, and the story arc kicked off with Overwatch: New Blood, a new digital comic written by Ray Fawkes and illustrated by Irene Koh.
Despite the new in-game event title, Overwatch: New Blood begins with old blood: Cole Cassidy and his space chopper on Route 66, reflecting on the long, difficult years that have passed him by. However, he has unfinished business in Egypt! After locating Overwatch veteran Ana, the two share a drink and discuss their future plans, which devolves into a large gunfight and Cole’s major decision.
Ana’s daughter Pharah makes an appearance at the end of the comic, but no mention of his new name is made but this is only the first of five issues, and people have no doubt that as the story progresses, it will surely expand to address all of them.
The Overwatch digital comic isn’t the only thing that’s new today. Cole Cassidy’s New Blood Challenge is also live in-game, with a new player icon, spray, and epic Sandstorm Cassidy skin available for winning games in Quick Play, Competitive, or Arcade. Between now and November 23, you can earn up to three more sprays by watching Twitch streamers play Overwatch—one spray for every two hours of cumulative viewing, two more sprays for every four hours, and three more sprays for every four hours of total viewing.
All the details on the New Blood Challenge is in playoverwatch.com including a list of partnered Twitch streamers.