Overwatch 2 Devs Break Down New G.I. Joe Collab (Including the Hidden Easter Eggs)

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Prior to the debut of Season 17 in Overwatch 2, the Blizzard team has revealed the next major collaboration for the game, catching fans off guard. Building upon the recent collaborations with Street Fighter 6 and Gundam Wing, Overwatch 2 is set to join forces with Hasbro, introducing the universe of G.I. Joe into Overwatch 2. The upcoming collaboration between Overwatch 2 and G.I. Joe, known as Overwatch 2 x G.I. Joe, will offer fresh skins for players to buy, much like their previous collaborations which were inspired by passionate fans within the Overwatch 2 development team who aimed to make it exceptional.

We had a chat with two crucial members from the Overwatch 2 team prior to the unveiling of their collaboration with G.I. Joe, during which they explained the thought process behind each of the new outfits and the meticulous design decisions that were made for them. Rest assured, these Overwatch 2 x G.I. Joe skins showcase a great deal of intricate detail, and following this discussion, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding. As they say, knowing is half the battle…

In this exciting collaboration between Overwatch 2 and G.I. Joe, players will find five fresh skins available for purchase. The characters Genji transforms into Snake Eyes, Freja becomes Scarlet, Doomfist takes on the role of Destro, Widowmaker assumes the position of Baroness, and Reaper assumes command as Cobra Commander (the standout skin in this collection). Overwatch 2 Art Director Dion Rogers shared that this collaboration was developed more swiftly than any other, with the team quickly deciding which characters would receive skins.

Rogers expressed his deep affection for GI Joe, mentioning that he once shared a document detailing potential character matches for his favorite heroes with Aimmee. That’s where our collaboration started, and it continued from there.

Aimee Dennett, who holds the position of Associate Director of Product Management for Overwatch 2, commented: “It was essentially a simple five-slide PowerPoint presentation featuring an Overwatch character alongside a G.I. Joe figure that sparked our excitement with its brilliance. Our response was, ‘Let’s do it! This is fantastic.’

Rogers expressed that it’s incredibly enjoyable to be part of this collaboration since many of us spent our childhood years watching the cartoon and collecting its action figures. Working on something we adored as kids is inspiring and fuels our enthusiasm for what’s coming next.

Fans of Overwatch 2 might be curious about how characters like Freja transforming into Scarlet or Genji turning into Snake Eyes could fit well for a collaboration, given that their original designs share similarities with the physical traits of the GI Joe characters. Regarding Genji, it seems they’re focusing more on embodying the character he’s cosplaying, Snake Eyes, while still maintaining some aspects of his base skin.

In this new portrayal, Genji appears far less like a cyborg and exhibits more human traits, resembling Snake Eyes in certain aspects. However, his mechanical arms remain intact to allow for his signature shuriken reload animation and other distinctive features. When deciding on the heroes’ characteristics, we had to balance preserving the essence of the G.I. Joe character with that of the Overwatch hero.

In the process of shaping the character skins for Overwatch 2, the development team had a hidden advantage – a wealth of information from Hasbro that spans decades about their characters. These archives contain specific details that define each character and make them memorable, providing useful guidelines for decision-making. This proved particularly useful in transforming Freja into Scarlet, as while they share similarities such as being red-haired warriors who wield crossbows, there were distinct design elements to consider, specifically Freja’s cape. Over the years, Scarlett has never sported a cape, so adjustments had to be made to ensure consistency with her established image.

Rogers noted that Freja’s cape is somewhat shorter than what one might expect based on her base skin. He explained that silhouettes are crucial in Overwatch, and a significant aspect of Freja’s silhouette is her cape. However, he pointed out an intriguing design detail on the cape, particularly at the back. The team was able to draw inspiration from Scarlet’s design by Hasbro, effectively making it seem like a cape that Scarlet might wear if she had one. Rogers praised the team for blending the two designs well.

Discussing G.I. Joe is never fully comprehensive without mentioning their antagonists, who in this Overwatch 2 collaboration, outnumber the good guys. Each of the three villain skins in the event, much like the two hero counterparts, seem tailor-made for one another, yet they also highlight the meticulousness that went into the partnership. For instance, Doomfist’s transformation into Destro isn’t just about the COBRA emblem on his gauntlet, but also the M.A.R.S. Industries logo on his jacket – a detail that avid G.I. Joe fans will quickly recognize.

Rogers remarked that Doomfist and Destro possess a comparable demeanor. They’re both relatively composed, and in many aspects, Destro appreciates G.I. Joe for being a robust team. In his view, Doomfist sees them as squandering their potential. Consequently, they share a similar drive, making them a great match. Designing their dynamic was an enjoyable process for Rogers.

In an unexpected twist, the latest collaboration for Overwatch 2’s sharpshooter Widowmaker, dubbed the Baroness skin, deviates from her usual purple color scheme and instead showcases a regular skin tone. This skin also features COBRA branding on her weapon, noticeable through the scope as she readies for a shot.

In the end, the collaboration between Overwatch 2 and G.I. Joe promises an unparalleled union for fans, as Reaper takes on the role of Cobra Commander. Upon watching the trailer, players will detect a unique style in Reaper’s voice for the Cobra lines, which might have been achieved through a filter to mimic the iconic Cobra Commander speaking tone. However, it was actually Keith Ferguson, the voice actor for Reaper, who provided this distinctive Cobra Commander vocal performance.

Rogers noted that Ferguson was enjoying it as he mimicked Cobra Commander in the recording studio. “Since our characters are dressing up as Reaper, we wanted him to include a few of Cobra’s catchphrases and humorous lines,” Rogers explained. “So, while Ferguson is still keeping Reaper’s dialogue authentic, he’s also incorporating elements of Cobra Commander’s style.

Dennett commented, ‘This design has an abundance of entertaining Reaper voice lines.’ In my opinion, some of the best ones we’ve ever created. Not only are there many voice lines overall, but I believe we gave this character more than any other. There’s simply a wealth of material to explore.

People who have followed previous collaborations with Overwatch 2 might find G.I. Joe slightly less universal compared to other partnerships that garnered widespread international attention, such as My Hero Academia and LE SSERAFIM. However, the Overwatch 2 x G.I. Joe collaboration underscores that the team prioritizes partnerships that align well with their vision rather than focusing solely on global popularity, as was confirmed by Dennett.

In every partnership, our aim isn’t necessarily to attract the largest number of people, but rather, we choose to work with Intellectual Properties that have a massive global following. However, what truly matters to us is selecting partners whose fans are deeply passionate about their IPs. Our goal is to make those fans, say for instance G.I. Joe enthusiasts, more ecstatic than they’ve ever been before. So, it’s not so much about appealing to the most people as it is about ensuring the utmost satisfaction of these dedicated fans.

spectators might be curious about how often Overwatch 2 is collaborating recently; in its first year (2023), there were only three collaborations for the entire year, but by 2024 it increased to roughly one per season. Halfway through 2025, the team is averaging two per season. As Rogers and Dennett highlight, this growth from year to year was achieved not by increasing the team size, but rather by improving their collaboration skills. At present, there’s no set number of collaborations per season, as it depends on a crucial element instead.

Dennett mentioned that there’s a strategy they aim to execute more frequently than three times a year. Last year, they averaged one per season. Now, they simply go for anything that seems exciting, he said. It’s similar to the game, if an intriguing non-collaborative game idea arises, they pursue it. Sometimes it’s successful, other times there might be room for improvement. However, they are indeed doing more now, but it all stems from the desire to let this fandom express themselves effectively.

For devoted G.I. Joe enthusiasts diving into the latest collaboration between Overwatch 2, it’s going to be evident that there are hidden gems scattered throughout, including in character skins, dialogue, artwork, and sprays.

Dennett playfully hinted at including more specialized references, ones that only dedicated enthusiasts would appreciate. For instance, within our game, there’s a tribute to a band Cobra Commander created called Cold Slither. This Cold Slither spray is one I personally enjoy.

As an ardent gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled to announce that the exciting crossover between Overwatch 2 and G.I. Joe is set to debut in-game on Tuesday, July 1! This collaboration will run from Tuesday, July 1 to Monday, July 14th, so mark your calendars and get ready for a rollercoaster of gaming fun!

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2025-06-25 19:12