A new map set in Australia was announced for Overwatch recently, depicted Junkertown which inhabits the likes of Junkrat and Roadhog. However, some angry fans have branded the map “culturally insensitive,” for which Blizzard has now apologized.
Firstly, the voiceover for the announcement railer used the words “they thought the could take our land and give it to the machines,” which has caused upset, minus the giving it to the machines part. This is considered insensitive to some, given Australia’s history with indigenous communities. This isn’t the only reason Australian people may be offended by what is in the map. There is also a sign that says “take out,” whereas the Australian term, as it is in the UK, is “take away.”
The mistake has apparently been fixed since the complaints were made, with Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan issuing the following statement: “I’d like to offer a direct apology to the entire country of Australia. Please forgive our cultural insensitivity. We will fix this in an upcoming patch (the sign travesty will most likely go live for some period before being fixed). I’ve also been told by Muselk that our coffees are too large as well. We’re learning… trying, over here…”
