Blizzard Entertainment’s collaboration with anime studio Sunrise to bring the world of Cowboy Bebop to Overwatch 2 was met with great enthusiasm when it was first revealed in its stylized, animated form. However, the in-game skins for Cassidy, Ashe, Mauga, Sombra, and Wrecking Ball have received mixed reactions from the Overwatch community.
One character that stood out to fans was Cole Cassidy, the outlaw cowboy previously known as McCree, who was dressed up as Cowboy Bebop’s Spike Spiegel. The animated promise of this crossover looked like a perfect fit, but the in-game model of Cassidy dressed up as Spike fell short of expectations. Comparisons to the original concept art showed that Cassidy’s in-game model looked less appealing.
The disappointment in the in-game models is a common occurrence when comparing 2D concepts to 3D character models. The transition from 2D to 3D often results in reduced detail and changes in proportions. In this case, Cassidy’s portrayal as Spike Spiegel lacked the same lithe and youthful look as the original character.
The Overwatch community has been quick to voice their opinions on the in-game models, particularly criticizing Cassidy’s portrayal. Comments on the Overwatch subreddit and social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok have been unkind, highlighting the disappointment with Cassidy’s design. Many fans felt that the developers struggled to replicate Spike’s iconic hair in 3D, leading to an underwhelming portrayal of Cassidy.
Another character, Mauga, who is usually depicted with a massive mane of jet black hair, also received criticism for his bald appearance when dressed up as Jet Black from Cowboy Bebop. These design choices have caused some backlash and negative attention for Cassidy and Mauga on social media.
One design choice that fans took issue with was Cassidy’s lack of a hat in the in-game model, despite wearing one in all of his other skins. However, Overwatch 2 art director Dion Rogers explained that the decision was made to closely match the look of Spike Spiegel. According to Rogers