Overwatch has finally decided to jump on the skin creation contest bandwagon after almost a decade, and Chinese artists are currently battling it out for the chance to see their costume concept featured in the popular hero shooter game. It’s a bit disappointing that this contest is limited to China, especially when Overwatch 2 has a global player base, but it’s still an exciting opportunity. The competition has made it clear that AI art is a big no-no, so it’s all about human creativity here. The final decision on which designs make it into the game rests with the Blizzard team, but fan voting could sway their choices. The theme for this contest is “What if the Omnic Crisis never happened?” which imagines a world where all the heroes live peaceful lives without the need for combat.
Leading the pack in fan voting are three standout skins: one each for Cassidy, Kiriko, and Ramattra. Kiriko is rocking a donut store employee look, complete with a fox spirit companion carrying a pastry. Cassidy is depicted as a fugitive on the run, still staying true to his criminal roots but now sporting a prison orange jumpsuit. Ramattra, on the other hand, has taken on a domestic role as a housekeeper, a far cry from his radical Omnic origins. The second-place skin for water hero Wuyang has him dressed as a firefighter, a concept that seems like a natural fit for his character.
While some designs may seem a bit off-theme and more like artists’ personal preferences (which is totally valid), the most intriguing skins are the ones that truly explore where these characters could have ended up in a peaceful world. Zenyatta as a traffic police officer handing out tickets instead of orbs is a stroke of genius. However, one submission has been making waves on social media and in the competition. The Chew Time-Huskyrat skin for Junkrat, featuring him in a diaper and embracing furry culture, has garnered significant attention. Despite its controversial nature, fans can’t seem to get enough of it as it climbs the ranks in the competition.
In the end, eight winners will be chosen, including a first-place winner, two second-place winners, and two third-place contestants. Additionally, a popularity award will be given to the top three most-voted designs. Personally, I’m rooting for the Ramattra skin since it’s for a character I play, but there’s a small part of me that’s secretly cheering on the furry Junkrat entry because, hey, who doesn’t love a bit of chaos? Whether these designs make it into the game or not, the creativity and passion of the Overwatch community are truly shining through in this contest.
