Blizzard Teases New ‘Overwatch’ Character’s Weapon Of Choice
Blizzard Entertainment is slowly building up to reveal a new Overwatch character. The studio shared a “confidential” file via Twitter on Wednesday, with two characters arguing whether it could be used for good or evil in the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC hero shooter.
The blueprint image shared by the official Overatch Twitter account is of a Prototype Biotic Rifle sent to Soldier 76 (J. Morrison) and Reaper (G. Reyes). Presumably, this file was shared before the internal civil war between Overwatch members that turned Reyes into a villain. That split is important, as apart from defining the game’s current universe, it also sets the stage for the weapon to be used against a new villain.
[ARCHIVE] Communications Records of Ziegler, A. – Overwatch File 00231 – Security Classification: CONFIDENTIAL pic.twitter.com/lLAxTL2DhO
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) July 6, 2016
Here is the text between Torbjörn and Mery.
Torbjörn Lindholm: “As discussed, this is the proposed rifle that could be equipped by medics in the field. Despite what my esteemed colleague will surely suggest, the application of her biotic technology is only intended to be used for healing.”
Angela Ziegler (Mercy): “While Torbjörn has, as ever, put forth a very clever design for his latest weapon, I would like to remind everyone that my intention when agreeing to the development of different biotic delivery mechanisms was to save the lives of Overwatch agents and others in need of medical aid,” Mercy said of the rifle. “With this latest proposal, it is clear to me that we are on the slippery slope to modifications that will inevitably result in a weaponized version of this technology: something that I have been completely opposed to from the beginning.”
This appears to set up the scenario where a new evil Overwatch character obtains the Biotic Rifle and uses it in a support sniper role. It is possible it could be used similar to Zenyatta, with one attack that heals teammates and another attack that makes enemies more susceptible to damage. Or, it could have a vampiric life drain effect that depletes health from an enemy and restores it to the shooter.
As for what character will wield the Biotic Sniper, the popular theory in the Overwatch community is a character named Sombra. Reddit and NeoGaf users have scoured promotional trailers, shorts, and teasers, as well as zoomed in on and enhanced different images, to come up with a potential profile of the character. The popular theory is the character is actually Pharah’s mother, Ana Amari (pictured at top).
If the speculation does come to fruition, it will bring a welcome villain to the ranks. Overwatch currently has only four of the 21 characters that can be considered outright villains – Reaper, Widowmaker, Roadhog, and Junkrat – while a couple of others straddle the line between good and evil.
As previously covered by the Inquisitr, all maps and heroes that are added to Overwatch will be free. The game supports all DLC additions through in-game microtransactions for loot crates, which randomly reward character skins, voice lines, icons, and more.
“We have ideas for additional maps and heroes that we’d like to add to the game,” game director Jeff Kaplan explained at the time. “So we thought about this and we decided the best way to add them to the game is to patch them in as free content and not as DLC. Hopefully that alleviates some concern that people have.”
“We’re excited. Some of these heroes we’ve event hinted at. For those of you are paying attention to our maps, there’s some Easter Eggs,” he said, sending fans scurrying for clues on future heroes.
What do you think of Blizzard’s tease of the new Overwatch weapon? Does it belong to Sombra as many are speculating or someone else? Sound off in the comments below.
[Image via Blizzard Entertainment/YouTube]
