LEGO is officially halting the release of a new Overwatch 2 themed set due to the sexual harassment allegations still orbiting the game’s publisher, Activision Blizzard.
Originally, LEGO had planned to launch the first in its range of Overwatch 2 products next month. The Overwatch 2 Titan (76980) was due to hit shelves on February 1, 2022, though this is no longer the case.
In a statement, LEGO explains the reason behind the delay:
We are currently reviewing our partnership with Activision Blizzard, given concerns about the progress being made to address continuing allegations regarding workplace culture, especially the treatment of female colleagues and creating a diverse and inclusive environment. While we complete the review, we will pause the release of a LEGO Overwatch 2 product which was due to go on sale on February 1, 2022.
Activision Blizzard is still mired in controversy following allegations of serious sexual harassment and assault, culminating in a lawsuit filed in July 2021. This has led to the high profile departure of senior employees and a tumble in share price, the company claiming that it will do better to improve its workplace culture. However, current and former staff have been vocal in saying that change hasn’t been felt, especially with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick still in charge.
This isn’t the first time Overwatch has been effected by these ongoing allegations. Fan favourite hero, McCree, was renamed last year when character’s namesake, Jesse McCree, left Blizzard after photographs emerged implicating him in the ongoing DFEH investigation and lawsuit.
Where is Overwatch 2?
Overwatch 2 was announced a couple of years back at BlizzCon 2019. Currently, the game has no firm release date set though it’s expected to release some time in 2022. Development on the standalone sequel has undoubtedly been impacted by the ongoing pandemic crisis, as well as the fallout from the recent sexual harassment allegations and lawsuits.
Featuring a roster of both new and returning heroes, Overwatch 2 will features additional competitive game modes as well as co-op missions and a much bigger emphasis on storytelling.
Source: The Brick Fan