Get ready for a purr-fectly exciting revelation! The voice behind Mass Effect's iconic Commander Shepard is now meowing her way into Overwatch as the hilarious Jetpack Cat. But wait, there's more! A concept for an orangutan tank villain, dubbed "Oranga-tank," has everyone talking.
You might be surprised to learn that the talented Jennifer Hale, renowned for her work in Mass Effect, is the one bringing Jetpack Cat to life with her meows. Blizzard recently confirmed this at their headquarters, revealing that Hale's incredible performance and fun collaboration made Jetpack Cat a reality.
Hale's involvement is especially intriguing given her previous role as Ashe, another Overwatch hero. Jetpack Cat has been a long-awaited addition to the game, and she's finally here, bringing with her the unique ability to tow characters through the air, whether allies or enemies.
I had the chance to play as Jetpack Cat, and let me tell you, she's a blast! Her maneuverability, speed, and healing abilities make her a versatile and fun character to play. She can even airlift Bastion, the chain-gunning hero, over enemy groups, adding a whole new dimension to the game. And her voice lines? All meows, of course, but they're delightfully amusing.
But here's where it gets controversial... Jetpack Cat has been a concept for nearly as long as Overwatch itself. The lead hero producer, Kenny Hudson, revealed that the team has wanted to bring her to life since the launch of Overwatch 1. Early concept art has been hanging in their hallway for eight years! Yet, the idea remained just that - an idea.
The reason Blizzard is finally able to introduce Jetpack Cat is because of their ambitious plan to release multiple new heroes simultaneously. By releasing five heroes on February 10th and another five throughout the year, they created an opportunity to explore and try new things. And Jetpack Cat was always part of the conversation.
Art director Dion Rogers summed it up perfectly: "It just felt like it's time for the cat."
While Jetpack Cat may seem like a silly addition, she's not the first animal character in Overwatch. Winston, the gorilla, has been a beloved character since the game's launch, and Wrecking Ball, a hamster, joined the roster in 2018. And the ideas don't stop there. Rogers teased an even wilder concept: Oranga-tank, an orangutan tank villain.
"We actually have a random idea we joke about... It's an orangutan that's a tank and he's a villain." Rogers said. "It's a funny drawing; there's a bunch of funny drawings everywhere."
Overwatch is currently undergoing an exciting transformation. Blizzard has announced a bold new yearly expansion plan, removing the "2" from the game's name and simply calling it "Overwatch" again. The first expansion, The Reign of Talon, is set to release next week, bringing with it a fresh wave of excitement and innovation.
So, what do you think of these new additions? Do you think Jetpack Cat and Oranga-tank will become fan favorites? And is Blizzard's new expansion plan a step in the right direction? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! We'd love to hear your opinions on these controversial and exciting developments in the world of Overwatch.
