How diverse is Overwatch?
Overwatch is widely seen as one of the most diverse rosters in mainstream games. Its more than 40 heroes come from every inhabited continent — plus a gorilla raised on the Moon and a hamster in a mech — and they vary in age, body type and ability. Blizzard has also confirmed several LGBTQ+ heroes through comics, stories and in-game content.
Where heroes come from (examples)
- Africa: Doomfist (Nigeria), Ana and Pharah (Egypt).
- Americas: Soldier: 76, Cassidy and Ashe (USA), Sojourn (Canada), Lúcio (Brazil), Sombra (Mexico), Baptiste (Haiti), Illari (Peru).
- Asia: D.Va (South Korea), Hanzo, Genji and Kiriko (Japan), Mei (China), Symmetra (India), Lifeweaver (Thailand).
- Europe: Tracer (UK), Widowmaker (France), Reinhardt (Germany), Torbjörn and Brigitte (Sweden), Zarya (Russia), Moira (Ireland), Sigma (Netherlands).
- Oceania: Junkrat, Roadhog and Junker Queen (Australia), Mauga (Samoa).
- Non-human: omnics such as Zenyatta, Orisa and Ramattra; Winston and Wrecking Ball.
LGBTQ+ representation
Confirmed examples include Tracer (lesbian, revealed in a 2016 comic), Soldier: 76 (gay, revealed in a 2019 short story), Lifeweaver (pansexual) and Baptiste (bisexual). Representation mostly lives in lore rather than gameplay.
Other kinds of diversity
- Age: from teenage D.Va to older heroes like Ana, Reinhardt and Torbjörn.
- Body types: Zarya's bodybuilder build and Roadhog's size were deliberate departures from typical character designs.
- Disability: Symmetra is autistic in the lore, and several heroes use prosthetics.
Criticism exists too: some players point out that certain regions have few heroes, and that some stories stay mostly outside the game.
FAQ
Who is the Russian girl in Overwatch?
Zarya (Aleksandra Zaryanova), a tank hero and former weightlifter.
What ethnicity is D.Va?
D.Va (Hana Song) is South Korean, a former pro gamer who pilots a mech.
Is Zarya LGBTQ+?
Blizzard has not officially confirmed Zarya's orientation, though fans often ship her with Mei.
What is the least popular role in Overwatch?
Tank is usually the least-played role, which is why damage players often wait longest in queue.