Blizzard Entertainment has announced a major crossover between Overwatch 2 and Street Fighter 6, set to launch on May 20, 2025. This collaboration introduces eight new skins, transforming Overwatch heroes into iconic Street Fighter characters. While some fans are enthusiastic about the event, others have expressed concerns over the choice of character pairings and the frequency of such crossovers.
The Skins: Who’s Who in the Crossover
The upcoming event features the following Overwatch heroes donning Street Fighter personas:
- Hanzo as Ryu
- Juno as Chun-Li
- Kiriko as Juri
- Widowmaker as Cammy
- Soldier: 76 as Guile
- Zenyatta as Dhalsim
- Winston as Blanka
- Sigma as M. Bison
These skins are designed to capture the essence of their Street Fighter counterparts, with some incorporating signature moves as emotes. For instance, Hanzo’s Ryu skin includes animations resembling the Hadouken and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku.
Community Reactions: Praise and Criticism
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from the Overwatch community. While some players appreciate the creativity and nostalgia, others question the logic behind certain pairings.
A notable point of contention is the assignment of the Chun-Li skin to Juno instead of Mei. Given that both Chun-Li and Mei are Chinese characters, some fans feel Mei would have been a more appropriate choice. Similarly, the decision to give the Cammy skin to Widowmaker, rather than the British character Tracer, has raised eyebrows.
Additionally, the absence of a skin for Doomfist, a character known for his melee combat style, has surprised many, especially given the fighting game theme of the crossover.
Concerns Over Frequent Crossovers
Some players have expressed fatigue over the increasing number of crossovers in Overwatch 2. Comparisons to games like Fortnite have been made, with concerns that the game’s original identity is being overshadowed by external collaborations. While crossovers can introduce fresh content, there’s a sentiment that they might be detracting from the game’s core universe and storytelling.
Pricing and Availability
As of now, Blizzard has not disclosed the pricing details for the new skins. However, based on previous collaborations, players can anticipate premium pricing, potentially around $20 per skin. It’s also unclear whether these skins will be available through the battle pass or as standalone purchases.
The Overwatch 2 x Street Fighter 6 crossover is set to go live on May 20, 2025. As the date approaches, players are eager to see how these skins will look in-game and whether additional content, such as themed emotes or game modes, will accompany the event. While the collaboration has sparked debate, it undeniably showcases Blizzard’s commitment to introducing diverse content to the Overwatch universe.
