Tracer Confirmed To Have A Girlfriend In Overwatch 'Reflections' Comic

Blizzard has been telling us for weeks now that LGBT characters will be confirmed soon.

[gangsta_red]

But of course, it was either going to be Tracer or Widowmaker. Two of the only really sexualized characters of the game.

[littlefatgirl]

Doesn't Widowmaker have a dead husband?

[Activemessiah]

Dead husband = New girlfriend.. :/

[Goldby]

^dead husband because of new girlfriend

[Summons75]

Really? I was better on Zarya since she looks very stereotypical. Not that having a gay character in the game is a bad thing, it's great. I've seen a lot of great reception to it.

[ravinash]

The Russians would love that.

[gangsta_red]

Zarya would have been the obvious choice but what you also have to remember is this "gay" character is catering to a male audience. So what we get is the typical lipstick lesbian that hetero males want to see, not a bull dog dyke if it was Zarya.

"Not that having a gay character in the game is a bad thing, it's great."

Why is it so great though? I mean I have no problem with it and it won't have any negative effects from me because I love Overwatch. But this seems more like publicity and catering to a group rather than being gay to further her character or character story.

[Summons75]

@gangsta_red

You do realize she was probably written as a gay character long before this game was even revealed right? When you create characters you think up everything possible for them. This wasn't a sudden spur of the moment decision and it isn't catering. You nailed this exactly. It isn't a problem, because being someone who is LGBT isn't, and it doesn't have any effect on the enjoyment of the game. This homophobic reaction a lot of people have on N4G right now is uneducated hate. If you liked the character before this reveal then you should have absolutely zero problems with her now.

[Goldby]

^ someone actually understands how characters are created.

+1 from an author

[gangsta_red]

"You do realize she was probably written as a gay character long before this game was even revealed right?"

Possibly and then again maybe not. It still feels all too convenient/forced that Tracer would be the one that would be gay, the "attractive", bubbly, high spirited female character. It's exactly who a hetero male would pick to be gay if they had to pick from the roster.

When this character was created for this game I am sure more effort went into abilities, look, balancing and other factors that actually deal with the design and play of the game. Not really certain if the check box of "being gay" was a high priority.

Playing Overwatch there is an overall story but that doesn't seem to be the focus or main interest of the game. As it feels right now Blizzard appears to be making up the story as it goes along.

[Simon_the_sorcerer]

Love is in the air :3

[Kreisen]

Except when youre straight, white and male.

[kevnb]

you poor guy you.

[Sm00thNinja]

Well guess I'm not going to main tracer anymore /sarcasm. I do hate that they felt a NEED to do this instead of letting fan fiction and the like run its course. This feels forced and I really thought it would be Mei.

[Summons75]

Honestly in creating characters for books, movies, games, whatever there is generally a character sheet that has EVERYTHING about the character on it. It's just her character. It's not forced, it is what it is. Like in real life. People aren't FORCED to be gay or straight they just are what they are and there is nothing wrong with that. I really don't understand this homophobic hate but sadly certain leaders to be say it's okay to hate gays and anything that is not white or christian so people are going full force on the hate train. Sad that creators are being so disrespected for their creation.

[Sm00thNinja]

Tf are you on about mate

[Goldby]

Characters are built with back story. Some of that may be the sexual orientation. Its not that hard to understand

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

Guess I'm glad I didn't support this game...

@below

Yes I am serious. I have to vote with my wallet on things I disagree with. I don't support the ideas of the LGBT community. I do so because of my Christian beliefs primarily. At least they were kind enough to say they would be adding LGBT stuff to their comic unlike Naughty Dog with the last of us dlc.

[MeteorPanda]

why would this even matter gameplay wise? unless she suddenly causes in game changes...why. would. this. matter?

You're not a gamer you're just online too much.

[GEORGIAN_GRENADE]

The idea to have LGBT everywhere is just getting very obtrusive. It's almost like everything needs to have a gay character or a pro LGBT message in it. It's just not considerate towards Christians, Muslims, Jews, and many other religions. Why not just leave it out? Why have it in there? Is it necessary? I can't recall a game that has got a pro religion message or theme in it that's praised by media and/consumers.

[Goldby]

^never played final fantasy x then Eh?

[Number_9]

Every single game that has any sexual relationship between unmarried people is against Christianity, Islam, Judaism and many other religions. I've never understood why people lose their minds over homosexuality on the basis of religion but have no problem with unmarried people going at it like rabbits. If you are going to use religion as a basis to certain things and people then exclude everything else that religion has a problem with, not just the stuff that conveniently lets you off the hook.

I'm a straight, male, Christian man by the way. I don't advocate for homosexuality but if you are going to use my religion to persecute people then persecute all the offenders not just the ones you don't like or fall under

[Alexander1Nevermind]

I would suggest that they are being rather inclusive than obtrusive.

What's the big deal if they're all gay? Would that make the game less fun? Everyone always seem to have the same complaint - (I don't care if a char is gay, just don't throw it in my face) yet I don't see many gamers complaining of all the heterosexual love in say the Witcher Yet they throw gobs of sex scenes in your face in that game (see the term throw it in-your face). I mean damn if you dont really care then you wouldn't complain about them "Forcing" it on you - lol like someone has your eyes taped open with a gamepad/keyboard in your had and making u play/watch the game. And the crazy thing is its not even in game its only a comic. So why all the fuss?

[DragonKnight]

FFX is about the theme of overcoming religion Goldby.

As to inclusion, this isn't it. The LGBT community is being overrepresented in all media. They make up approx. 3 to 5% of the populace and yet are given disproprtionate clout and representation. That's just a fact whether you like it or not. Overwatch is a 5 on 5 MP FPS with no in-game story. Making a character's sexuality matter in such a game is unnecessary and blatant pandering at its peak. While it takes nothing away from the game, it also does not benefit it either and as gamers we should be more concerned with receiving more benefits than in pandering overrepresentation of a special interest minority group.

[Christopher]

***They make up approx. 3 to 5% of the populace and yet are given disproprtionate clout and representation.***

23 Overwatch characters, 1 is a lesbian. 1/23 = 0.04 (4%).

I get what you're saying in games in general, but in Overwatch it seems to line up. My biggest issue with LGBTQ representation is the hammer with which BioWare uses to include it at the level they do. It never feels organic but forced. Let alone romance in their games always seems taboo up until it's not. "No, we can't, we're too different, I've got my priorities, you've got yours, this is wrong, OKAY LET'S DO THIS!"

[DragonKnight]

@Christopher: That is almost exactly what happens when you try to romance the elf in Dragon Age Inquisition except you don't get to do it in the end because he's apparently some Elf God incognito.

[DragonKnight]

@ginganinja: "No, it's just being represented and you don't like it."

Hahaha. For starters no, it's being overrepresented. For the population numbers, this topic is inflated. But you don't like facts that refute your narrative so you go on the offensive. Second, one does not have to like or dislike something to talk about it. What I dislike is pandering, the kind of shame tactics people like you use, thought policing, and identity politics. I don't care about the non-existent sexual orientation of non-existent humans in fictional worlds because my identity is not so fragile that it needs constant validation in all things. Something you should learn yourself.

[ginganinja]

@dragonknight
What 'facts' are these or have you just plucked them out your arse ?
And how do we go about deciding who gets to represent who? Should there be a list somewhere and we tick off whenever a minority gets a mention so if too many get used up in a year or so, no-one can until the next year.
"Hey, Blizzard, sorry the gaming media's used up its yearly quota of lesbians. There is space for a black pansexual, though."

[Christopher]

***A developer cuts/edits content to comply with age ratings or what it believes the market wants and that we get offended 'gamers' whining that the creative wishes of the devs shouldn't be compromised.
A developer releases a COMPLETELY OPTIONAL WEBCOMIC as background and this is seen as forcing an agenda down everyones' throat. ***

Where did I say anything negative about Blizzard's Web Comic? And, I'm not saying developers shouldn't have creative wishes, only I greatly disagree with the handling of their creative wishes when it comes to romance in general. Did you see anywhere in my comment where I demanded them to change or anything? No. All I did was share my opinion.

[ginganinja]

@Christopher
My humble apologies. I had a brain fart and thought you were still refering to Blizzard instead of Bioware - even though I copy/pasted your comment and still managed to miss it.
Though I still stand by the sentiment of the comment - that of the blatant hyprocrisy of some of the folks here - it was obviously directed at the wrong target.

[DragonKnight]

"What 'facts' are these or have you just plucked them out your arse ?"

Do you REALLY want me to go into this ginganinja? Because we both know that I can, that I can show you things like, for example, the actual number of LGBT people in the world and how if they really wanted equality (which they don't) in representation then having relatively few LGBT characters in gaming is actually equality and going over that number is overrepresentation. Christopher already did the math. Tracer is the exact amount of representation necessary to equal the number of LGBT people in the world, and Blizzard is hinting at Tracer only being the first gay character, implying that there will be more. 1 more character would be overrepresentation by equality standards. But we all know that you regressives don't want equality, you want preferential treatment and elevation.

"And how do we go about deciding who gets to represent who? Should there be a list somewhere and we tick off whenever a minority gets a mention so if too many get used up in a year or so, no-one can until the next year."

All of that already exists and is used by you regressives. Remember AC Unity? No playable female character? SHAME!!!!! EVERY GAME MUST HAVE A PLAYABLE FEMALE CHARACTER THAT PASSES THE BECHDEL TEST OR THE DEVELOPERS ARE SEXIST!!

Hell, even having Tracer is not good enough. Your Lord and Saviour Johnathan McIntosh literally said that Tracer isn't gay enough because she's hot and doesn't make men uncomfortable.

But it's all about "representation" right?

[warriorcase]

??
I hope your just trolling/joking?

[littlefatgirl]

You realize that Bill from The Last Of Us, who was only in the main game - not the dlc - was gay?

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

Funny thing is I didn't at first cuz he talked about his friend as just a partner.

[Goldby]

@sharingan

Hate to break it to ya, Ellie was lesbian in Last of Us even before Left Behind came out (no pun intended)

But hey maybe its time we all grow up and learn that what people do in the privacy of their own home and who they love has no effect on any of us.

Unless its a love triangle

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

I remember when Fear Effect 2 revealed homosexual characters, there wasn't really any hype behind it. And even though it was a talked about subject after the fact, it only lasted a month like any other relationship.

Equality, ladies and gents.........

[Chexs1990]

I don't really care, but... why? Wasn't there talk about the new char being a lesbian as well? Feels kinda forced in there to be honest.

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

I don't think that the relationships in their games are forced however I do believe that they are hyped unnecessarily especially when sexual orientation doesn't affect how your battle stats.

[Chexs1990]

Exactly! It's so unnecessary to emphasize sexual orientation, other than trying to create that "controversial" hype and that's why i feel it's kinda forced in there. Their target audience isn't the gay community and it doesn't really enrich any of our lives in any way. Only thing they got out of this is being banned in Russia :P

[Goldby]

And publicity, and acknowledging that some of their audience is a part of the LGBTQ community.

[Inzo]

Pushing the agenda. They are really specific in their selection.

[stokedAF]

"Many are wondering if this is merely perpetuating the "hot lesbian" trope. Basically, the argument is that Blizzard is taking a shortcut to LGBT representation by using the identity that is most accessible to straight men, who often fetishize lesbian relationships."

Lol you can't win with these idiots.

[r3f1cul]

why wasnt her girlfriend at least another champion so it felt more relevant then just the "oh hey look at us we have a gay character, arent we forward thinkers" that this seems to be ... :/ either way i guess it gives the community some more insight into her as a character so not all bad... maybe... dunno still felt kinda cheap and half hearted IMO

[PaleMoonDeath]

Ugh, we live in an age where being gay or black gives you points.

Regardless, can't wait for the dope porn that'll come from this, We win gentlemen.

[ILikeGamesYeah]

Being black gives you points? As it's an advantage to be black? Are you braindead?

[ILikeGamesYeah]

What a privilege it must be to not care about racism as it will never effect you.

[ILikeGamesYeah]

And poor poor you! Why cant white men catch a break in this world? Where is the advantage for ignorant white men? Such injustice

[DragonKnight]

You just showed your immense racism by assuming an anonymous individual's race and then going on a racial tirade. Congratulations.

[PaleMoonDeath]

Talk about triggered, racism seems to be fine against white, asian or blue smurfs, people but not black folks? get on your bike lad straight back to wonderland, you been living in a bubble the past year? didn't you know its cool to hate white people? god forbid the black man does something wrong, lets find a way to blame the white fella, not anymore though! luckily we've had enough of you folks playing victim, facts are exactly what we use to denounce such bull, still waiting on my privilege to pay my bills, do my work, feed my family! oh and screw SJW's also, nobody cares if you're gay, barely anybody in genuinely gay nowadays, just a fashion statement or its hip to be so, it'll pass, 2016 dawn of the weaklings xD

Edit: Thought I'd throw in Western civilisation was created by white men, top countries in the world.. funnily enough run and crafted by white men, greatest armies and warriors of all time? yeah we got that covered, sad thing is.. black people are unfortunatey told they are victims of some kind, instead of doing something they usually play victim and hope it sorts itself out, highest crime rate in America? yep black folks, rape, murder etc? yep, for the minority of the United States that says something right? you'll probably scream racist but facts are facts and you can't tussle that by screaming bull, I hope things change for the better in 2017 where forcing these things into our games and movies to satisy middleclass twerps that usualy wear fake glasses and live off mother and father, the real world is harsh for everybody, hate knows no gender, colour or religion, better stop playing victims and get yourselves sorted out, all SJWs have done is create hate and racism, funny right? itll die out in 2017, normal people can't be bothered with holding up folks that can barely hold themselves together from "offensive language" nevermind true working people. Said my piece, come at me bruh :D

[ILikeGamesYeah]

The only thing i can take out of getting down voted by just disagreeing that black people don't have any advantage growing up in America is that nearly 2/3 people on N4g are ignorant redneck white people. Btw i'm not black but I am a lesbian and its almost laughable if it wasn't so tragic that you think that people like me had 'points'. And the fact that people are backing you up is actually incredible. Glad I live in England

[PaleMoonDeath]

Figured you'd be either of the two, some would say you're triggered? Guess what, I'm English too :) way to assume and discriminate an entire website, absolute hypocrite racist twerp. Yes, you just went racist on white people, that's racism :P practise what you preach!

[ILikeGamesYeah]

Hardly a racial tirade, and the very fact that you think what i said which was assuming the person saying that they think black people have special privileges was white, was actually worse that the comment in question kinda proves my point and why its such a toxic problem. Still there is nobody backing me up who could word this better, i'm not very articulate cos of my silly lesbian brain so it's a little frustrating how i cant really put into words of how backwards some of these comments are.

[DragonKnight]

You assumed the person was white and made a male tears post. That's both racist and sexist unless you're a Tumblrina that thinks being lesbian excludes you. Btw, how are those unpunished rape gangs doing?

[PaleMoonDeath]

Agreed with Dragon, funny thing, luckily people aren't afraid too speak against you nut jobs anymore, protecting criminals and psychopaths just won't do anymore. Oh 2017 will be glorious, until then though I'll happily keep roasting you snowflakes.

[ILikeGamesYeah]

And the porn will be dope!

[PaleMoonDeath]

Yeah.. shame you've just gone all racist upon us white folks, would've agreed. Now we just hate you :D

[The_Devil_Hunter]

That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Being black gives points, are you serious?

[sonic989]

I didn't get the game because I don't like fps games, but to honest I had a feeling deep down that they would pull such a move glad I did not support it.
To the next topic

[Summons75]

Got some issues you need to resolve? Nothing wrong with anyone being gay, sorry bud get with the times. Stop hating on what you are afraid of and don't understand.

[sonic989]

"get with times" you don't know how much I hate that phrase, time can never make what's wrong to be right, and as long as that coward silent majority don't do anything we will keep getting those kind of silly nonsensical indoctrinations, hence how corrupt and untrustworthy the medical industry is yet people are still championing it "naive" it's made for their misery it's made by capitalist, yet you find people pointing left and right ohhhhhh that individual is corrupt and that one is a satanist but in real life they don't do anything because they are afraid to do anything other than what they allowed to do, the homo agenda is well within that range it has been in the making for sometime the over sexualization of everything led to the point we are at right now they successfully invaded every home to show how shameless and ethicless they could get, people were afraid to speak because governments have weapons and because many were silent they didn't know how many others had the same opinion .
Sorry bud it has always been me who decides what I accept and what I don't, not politics and certainly not other people, and if you are wondering there is a whole lot of things I don't accept.

[DragonKnight]

You can completely understand and be unafraid of something and still want no part of it. Homosexuality isn't inherently evil, it is an abberation though and that will be reflected in society. That's something everyone needs to get used to. Tolerance must be reached individually at one's own pace. It isn't tolerance when it's forced.

[Derceto]

Jean Luc. We need a facepalm here.

[SynestheticRoar]

Deep sea divers.

[JCW2005]

smh.... sjwatch....

[EazyC]

I look forward to the day where this is a non-point. Their sexuality should be incidental, it's not a big deal The "OMG LOOK WHO'S QUEER" stuff is pathetic

[Chexs1990]

The PC/Diversity trend bro - Ruining every entertainment platform since 2012.

I.e.
Star Wars - The Force Awakens
Obligatory black male lead with reverse damsel in distress moments - PC/Diversity check
Obligatory female lead who kicks ass and handles everything with little to no effort - PC/Diversity check

Ghost Busters.... Not even going to go there

And it's the same in games. Developers crippling their own creations because of humans and SJW's (see what i did there ;)) and all of this "i hope i don't go offending nobody" nonsense.

Edit:
I never got around to watching Korra, although I like the first Series :)

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

Minor addition to your list Chexs, Legend Of Korra.

[DragonKnight]

Legend of Korra is inferior to Last Airbender in every way, the tacked on lesbianism at the end is just more of that.

[Christopher]

I blame the media's infatuation with race, sex, and gender on how it is promoted and supported. If it was just accepted, rather than made front and center, others wouldn't put so much emphasis on it either.

[Yohshida]

Speaking of things noone should care about...

[WelkinCole]

Its fine. Makes for great hot stuff. Yeah I know I am terrible.

[ZaWarudo]

Don't worry, i'm terrible too. *lenny face*

[gamer7804]

Can't we just have a single player story game using the cast? coop would be fun too. webcomics are great and all but it seems like blizzard has enough here to make a good story based game

[ZaWarudo]

That's hot.

[kevnb]

Is it really that big a deal?

[stokedAF]

That's hot. Scissor me timbers.

[Tetsujin]

Can someone make a hentai out of this? I need something new to watch.

OT

It's a story based off a game, people are allowed to love whoever they want.

[feedthereaper]

I would be more shocked if I was to find a single character in the game aside from Soldier 76 and McRee, that was straight! They ALL seem to be bisexual, gay, a-sexual or just lacking sex organs to give a feck! Even Reinhardt is Hardt for the guys!

[InTheZoneAC]

This world can be a sad place when this bs becomes a topic

[MilkMan]

ZZZzzzzzzzz

[Liqu1d]

This shouldn't even be news. People who applaud and cheer this like it's a huge accomplishment are just as bad as people who say being gay is wrong.

[steammpunk]

Ellie was gay now tracer is gay.. no wonder a lot of gamers remain singles

[Goldby]

That make absolutely no sense

[Psychotica]

Thiss thizz tho thhilly..

[DivineAssault]

Why couldnt they make her Bi? Thats discrimination!!! Someone call Anita Sarkeesian!!

[Bjorn-c-blocker]

Overwatch is alright.. but it is paper thin when it comes to any meaning to what you are doing in the game. Repetitively capturing point A or escorting a stupid car is hardly a story. The fact Blizzard tacks this lore on to it is fine but.. there is more story development in game play in a 2D mario game than this. Overwatch is almost already done. I mean, once the real arena shooter is released next year on PC the PC crowd will move on fast. ID's Doom engine is going to be sick for Quake Champions and the fact they are not bringing it to consoles shows they are making a big boy's game.

[Bjorn-c-blocker]

Why do digital creation need to have a sexual orientation in the first place? They dont exist.

[X-23]

I read the article and I swear millennials and sjw's really disgust me man. For groups of people who rant and rave about social acceptance so much (as if this is some new type of topic) they sure can't tolerate anyone else's opinion or freedoms very much.

Like everything is a "Trope" ... "She's Hot, She's a Lesbian that's a trope." Or its some kind of (Insert Generalist Term Here) Culture. Damn. Its so backwards the way these people think. Tracer's a lesbian, oh she can't be hot....but weren't people thinking she was hot before the fact? So now its some kind of Trope...oookay...so then what if Zaraya was the gay one technically this would have been a trope too isn't it?

Just saying...I get tired of these over sensitive, politically correct to the point of being wrong, overly intrusive, analytics monitoring entitled ass brats finding a way to nitpick and ruin everything commenting on Cultures and Hobbies that they've never been a part of in the beginning.

If Tracer is gay, let her little narrow pulse bomb dropping ass be gay without trying to analyze the thought patterns of every mofo involved...damn Data can you take yo ass back to the Next Generation or something, can they beam you up out of our lives?

There was nothing about Tracer that screamed she was gay, that is why when it gets revealed individuals making it seem like it was something obvious is lame. I swear I was thinking she might have had something for Winston. Messed up, I know...but I was raised in the 90's I've seen worse combinations.