Included in the new battle pass for Overwatch 2 is a legendary skin for Ashe with a nauseating feature. Now in its fourth season, Overwatch 2 is still going strong with its pace of fresh content, but some fans feel they might have been better off without one of the game's newest cosmetics.
Season 4 for Overwatch 2 released on April 11, bringing with it the highly-anticipated Lifeweaver support hero, along with new game modes, a cadre of new unlockable and purchasable cosmetics, as well as the community-designed Talantis map, which is available for a limited time. Overwatch 2 has faced its hills and valleys since launching, but the game is currently in a good place with the newest season of the Overwatch League set to kick off on April 27. As fans remain critical of certain aspects of the game, Blizzard has been solid in regards to addressing player feedback, and 2023 should prove a vital year for the hero shooter.
At tier 50 of the season 4 battle pass for Overwatch 2 is the Intergalactic Smuggler skin for Ashe, and some fans are taking issue with one of its components. The science fiction-inspired getup shows Ashe and her cohort Bob in a new light, sporting leather vests and other space-faring accessories, with Bob transformed into an alien life form with aquatic sensibilities. Blizzard's design team goes all-out with its new skins, with every aspect of the hero and their kit receiving attention. With the Intergalactic Smuggle skin, Ashe's Dynamite skill has gotten a Lovecraftian makeover, as the bundled sticks of explosives are turned to slick purple tentacles. Misphonia sufferers beware, as the sound effect associated with the new dynamite is a sickly wet sound that is discomforting its users, prompting calls for changes to the design alongside jokes about the noise.
Blizzard has previously made changes to Overwatch 2 based on numerous factors, though a sound effect that is grossing some fans out may not be enough incentive to do so. A Sojourn skin that was making the hero invisible to players was removed from the game, and infamously, the namesake for the hero McCree was sullied in a scandal within Blizzard, as it promptly changed the hero's name to Cassidy. Whether that precedent is enough to get Ashe's new skin into a less gross state is yet to be seen, but chances are good that if it garners enough negative attention, Blizzard will take action. At the same time, not every fan is going to be bothered by the audio, with some appreciating the extra thought that went into the skin.
As Overwatch 2 maintains its momentum with consistent fresh content and balance patches, it will be fascinating to see how Blizzard reacts to this latest debacle. While not a deal-breaker, the Intergalactic Smuggler skin's noise could gross many fans out.
Overwatch 2 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
