Racist and misogynist Overwatch game goes viral and Blizzard responds

gabhernandez Published 11/04/2019

Twitter user @Yes_ItsRose posted a disturbing video highlighting both sexism and racism in a recent Overwatch match.

The two-minute video depicts Rose playing Mercy in her match. While trying to heal she is badgered with racist remarks about her skin color. Several members of her team even hone in on the color of her skin being the reason for her “mediocre” gameplay.

When one teammate tries to stand up for Rose and tell the offenders that they are being disrespectful, they respond by escalating their toxicity with even worse racial slurs.

Developer Blizzard, who is normally silent about such reports, spoke up in response to the video.

“Thank you and those others who shared this report. While we won’t be able to share any specifics, we did want to let you know that we will be looking into this,” Blizzard said on Twitter.

Videos like this are unfortunately not uncommon, and many female gamers are unable to move into the competitive scene because of this kind of behavior. And it isn’t always possible to simply mute the offenders since communication at higher levels and into the professional scene is so essential.

Twitter user ohadelaide expanded on this challenge.

“‘Just mute them.’ Oh okay, so you want ME to sacrifice MY gameplay in a team-based game that revolves around good communication instead of actually addressing the real problem here, got it,” the user said.

While Blizzard knows about and is actively grappling with the situation, many fans are calling for transparency in issues like this one. Players sometimes get a notification that actions were taken in response to a report, but some players would like to see detailed results such as what kind of ban the offending players are receiving. Many are calling for even harsher consequences for every incident like this one, and not just for cases that gain traction on social media.

In an effort to reduce toxicity and promote effective and polite communication, Overwatch implemented an endorsement system that reduced toxic behavior by about 40 percent. Regardless, these videos and anecdotal reports from people of color and women remain common and show little sign of letting up any time soon.

Read Also

Twitch

What is Twitch’s Creator Sponsorship Certification, and how can it help small streamers? Khizar Mundia Twitch's Creator Sponsorship Certification is expanding, and it has the potential to help smaller streamers get off the ground when it comes to partnerships. Sponsorships are an essential part of many streamers’ career, as they provide a steady and potentially lucrative income for broadcasting sponsored content. While there is no guaranteed method for a streamer to get signed by a brand, Twitch has a course that could be beneficial. Twitch's ...

Slots

Thrill announces new Original Roulette — here is how it plays Fariha Bhatti Thrill has made another addition to its stacked range of Originals, with the crypto casino announcing the release of Roulette. The classic table game rounds off the list with timeless mechanics and a distinctly modern twist. Thrill is a leading crypto casino and hosts a vast library of online slots and games that appeal to players of all tastes. From mainstream heavyweights like Hacksaw Gaming to underrated studios like Endorphina, ...

Big Wins

Roshtein hits huge Graffiti Ways win after losing day Fariha Bhatti Roshtein’s most recent win on Graffiti Ways came out of nowhere, leaving the streamer $4.8 million richer. Graffiti Ways comes from Colorful Play, a software provider that launched in 2025 and exists only within the Stake ecosystem. The slot is set in a graffiti-sprayed alley, and is known for its vibrant symbols and a five-scatter hidden bonus, a combination that turned it into an instant streamer favorite on release and ...

Twitch

Nina Lin arrested and banned on Twitch following New York Knicks celebrations Fariha Bhatti New York Knicks championship celebrations turned sour for streamer Nina Lin after the NYPD arrested her for climbing on top of a moving Amazon delivery van. Nina Lin has become synonymous with controversy on Twitch, so you'd think a recent ban would become her cue to lay low. Instead, she's back in the spotlight, and this time she's gone too far. The streamer spent the night of June 13 in ...

Twitch

MrBeast reaches 500 Million subscribers amid claims of $24 million in YouTube revenue Khizar Mundia Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson is one of the most popular content creators in the world. The YouTube star recently surpassed 500 million subscribers, and an alleged leak of his creator dashboard appears to reveal the platform revenue generated by his channels. MrBeast started small, but his ambition and drive helped him transform viral challenges and philanthropic stunts into some of YouTube's most ambitious productions. That success recently culminated in him becoming ...

Twitch

Pokimane comments on Sykkuno’s comeback as xQc weighs in Khizar Mundia Sykkuno's return to streaming after a roughly two-month hiatus prompted criticism from Imane "Pokimane" Anys, sparking another beef between her and Felix "xQc" Lengyel. Pokimane and xQc have clashed publicly on several occasions, with their latest disagreement centering on Sykkuno. After Pokimane criticized the streamer and voiced support for those affected by the controversy, xQc pushed back, arguing that the situation was being mischaracterized. The situation has even seen Sykkuno ...

News

This is how the UK’s under-16 ban could affect streaming platforms Conn Mc Gillion Recent political events have sparked debate across the UK, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for a ban preventing under-16s from accessing major social media platforms. The measures are expected to come into force in early 2027. Platforms that could fall within the scope of the ban include Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch and Kick. The proposals could also restrict under-16s from livestreaming on certain platforms. This new ...