Overwatch 2’s ‘sexual harassment’ mode returns

A controversial game mode in Overwatch 2 has been unbanned, and quickly shot to the top of the game’s most popular custom modes.

A controversial Overwatch 2 game mode which depicts sexual harassment has returned to the game after being previously banned, where it’s shot to the top of the game’s custom game mode listings.

Previously known as “Sexual Assault Simulator”, the Overwatch 2 custom game mode depicted sexual assault and was quickly pulled from the game, although players with the room code could still access the controversial content.

Now it seems to have been unbanned by Blizzard and, having been renamed “Sexual Harassment Simulator”, has become one of the most popular custom modes in the game. Versions and variants of the game mode have been around since the days of the first Overwatch game.

The user-made game mode had players taking control of the cowboy hero Cassidy, who was previously named McCree. McCree was named after a former Blizzard employee, who left the company after being accused of sexual harassment.

Overwatch 2 allows players to create custom game modes and share them publicly. Picture: Activision Blizzard

In the game modes, players would use the character’s stun grenade to knock down female characters, then mimic sexual assault by repeatedly crouching, or “teabagging”, on top of the character. The character would then become ‘pregnant’, and ‘give birth’ to another player character.

Blizzard pulled the custom game mode from Overwatch 2 last year after widespread outrage and press coverage, but it has now returned.

“This is version 1.*** of the new and unique Sexual Harassment Simulator,” the game mode’s description reads, “Find new friends, live a normal life, and give birth to a child”.

Interestingly, unlike the last time the mode got attention, players seem to be divided on the custom mode. While previous conversation around the mode was dominated by outrage, some have taken to the game’s subreddit to praise the updated mode, saying that it exists for “satirical” purposes to highlight issues at Blizzard.

Others were aghast that the mode was allowed to return, saying that kids playing the game shouldn’t be able to see content like this.

Overwatch 2 is very popular with younger players, due to its low barrier to entry. Picture: Activision Blizzard

“I coach a youth eSports league and have had to talk to MANY parents about the fact their 9 y/o’s are playing ‘sexual harassment simulator’ when they are on OW2 playing alone,” one player wrote, “Those are really sh***y conversations. I really don’t understand how they allow these game modes to reach the ‘popular’ page, it’s deplorable”.

It comes as Overwatch 2 is testing live audio transcription to help its developers crack down on harmful behaviour in-game. The new system will record some players’ audio and immediately transcribe it, then send the transcription to moderators to deal with reports.

Written by Oliver Brandt on behalf of GLHF.