Following their recent partnership with GI Joe for the season, Overwatch 2 continues to excite fans by introducing a fresh wave of cosmetics. hot on the heels of presenting characters like Genji as Snake Eyes and Doomfist as Destro, Overwatch 2 is teaming up again with Hasbro, this time with Nerf. Unlike previous collaborations that centered around character skins, the new Overwatch 2 x Nerf partnership focuses on weapon skins, enabling players to convert some of their favorite hero’s weapons into the popular toy blasters they recognize. Additionally, this collaboration will bring a significant free addition, which might just be what most players are eagerly anticipating.
The team behind Overwatch 2 recently sat down for an interview with Comicbook, providing insights on the upcoming event set to release on August 5th. In collaboration with Nerf, this event offers seven characters unique weapon skins, transforming them into iconic Nerf blasters (one full character skin included). Additionally, a new game mode will be introduced, enabling players to test out the weapon skins before making a purchase.
In essence, Aimee Dennett, the Associate Director of Product Management for Overwatch 2, shared that their collaborative projects generally revolve around complete character skins. They’re constantly seeking fresh opportunities, either by teaming up with various partners or exploring new ideas. For this particular collaboration, they wondered about creating a full weapon skin, as weapon skins are a more recent addition to the game. Given the novelty of these cosmetics, they felt it would be exciting to collaborate with Nerf, a brand known for its blasters, because many of their designs align perfectly with the weapons used by the Overwatch heroes.
As a passionate fan, I must say, every Overwatch 2 character receiving weapon skins in collaboration with Nerf seems to be designed specifically for them. For instance, Soldier: 76 gets the sleek N Series Pinpoint blaster, Baptiste has the latest Loadout Commander, Tracer rocks the Gelfire Pro, Mei wields the legendary Super Soaker XP100, Hanzo is armed with the Big Bad Bow, and Genji swings into action with not one, but two Nerf products – the Slingerang and the Power Blast Bat, which are perfectly suited for his dual swords.
Dennett pointed out that the main issue with creating these designs was consistently getting the size and length right. Previous models had either oversized or undersized bats, similar to the Super Soaker. The goal was to clearly identify it as a Super Soaker for those familiar with the product, yet maintain the same shape as Mei’s weapon.
In this collaboration, only one character, specifically Cassidy, will receive a comprehensive skin. Notably, he’ll be receiving two Nerf-themed items designed to match his equipment: his pistol will be replaced with the Nerf Maverick, and his grenade will transform into the Vortex Football. Moreover, the skin is reminiscent of the golden age of Nerf. Initially, several characters were considered for a full Nerf-themed skin, but Cassidy was eventually chosen. His updated skin comes with not just two Nerf products, but also alterations such as changing his belt buckle to read “Nerf” and giving his robotic arm a Nerf-style modification.
John Gotch, who serves as Associate Art Director on Overwatch 2, provided additional information about the Cassidy Nerf skin, mentioning: “One crucial detail we focused on for Cassidy was at the end when we decided to flip his hat backwards. This adds a distinct ’80s and ’90s feel to it.
With the new Nerf Cassidy skin, regular ammo will be entirely swapped out for Nerf darts. This change applies not just during reloading, but even in the ammunition belt he carries. Additionally, players can expect to find these darts in other locations as well. One significant alteration might not be immediately apparent to players upon first seeing the Nerf Cassidy skin, but it was a crucial factor in the team’s decision about which hero deserved a full cosmetic makeover.
Later on, there was an issue as he was always holding a cigar. Gotch remarked, “It seemed to suit him quite nicely.” To which they responded, “Why not try a Nerf dart? It slipped right in, fitting flawlessly alongside Cassidy.
During this collaboration, Cassidy’s character and weapon skin aren’t the only items players can acquire. In addition, he will also arrive with a Nerf-inspired highlight intro for your next Play of the Game moment, which is modeled after classic Nerf advertisements.
This new partnership is unique in several ways: it’s solely dedicated to creating weapon skins, a first for us, and interestingly, it excludes all tank heroes – this isn’t due to any deliberate decision. Dennett explained, “Our main focus was ensuring the compatibility between the blasters and Overwatch weapons was seamless. It’s perhaps unsurprising that they align best with our DPS characters, those responsible for dealing damage.
Introducing the temporary game modes debuting alongside our Nerf partnership, aptly named “Nerf or Nothing.” Drawing from popular “Gun Games” in first-person shooters, this mode features a free-for-all battle where players strive to reach 20 eliminations first. Each player assumes one of the seven characters from the collaboration, each sporting their unique Nerf weapon skin. Characters will periodically switch. The free aspects of the partnership are showcased in this mode, as players can obtain a complimentary weapon charm, player icon, and spray. However, by conquering “Nerf or Nothing,” you can also earn the Tracer Gelfire Pro weapon skins entirely for free!
Dennett, after seeing the genuine Gelfire Pro, found it straightforward to conclude that Tracer is similar, as he chuckled.
In addition to the regular Mythic weapon skins that are introduced with each new season in Overwatch 2, legendary weapon skins have not been frequently released consistently. As of now, there are only two: Hard Light, which made its debut in December of 2023 for three characters; and Los Muertos, which came out in March of 2024 for two other heroes. One reason for the scarcity of weapon skins is the difficulty in coming up with suitable themes, a challenge more easily tackled with the Mythics.
As a gamer, I always appreciate it when designers ensure consistency in their weapon and mythic skin designs. It’s not just about throwing together any random theme; instead, they strive for cohesion across all skins within the game. This way, it doesn’t feel like a jumbled mess but a well-coordinated ensemble that truly enhances the gaming experience.
Dennett pointed out that since there’s a limited number of cosmetics launched per season, decisions often boil down to the most compelling concepts. In other words, weapon skins may not always triumph over other ideas. However, she mentioned that if a powerful weapon skin concept arises, it will be utilized. Fortunately, the team has built a strong rapport with Hasbro, which now collaborates on Transformers and G.I. Joe projects, making the Nerf collaboration an ideal fit to expand the variety of customization options for players’ cosmetics.
As an avid fan, I’ve noticed an interesting shift in the cosmetic offerings within Overwatch 2 lately. In the last season, we saw skins that embodied a magical girl aesthetic, reminiscent of characters from Sailor Moon. Currently, the “Academy” theme is prevalent, with a variety of skins tied to an academia and school motif. While these themes aren’t inherently out of place in the game, some segments of the player base have voiced criticism for not catering to a wider range of interests. The subsequent nerfs could be perceived as continuing this trend that may not appeal to players seeking “tough” or “cool” cosmetics. I reached out to Dennett to understand if such feedback is considered when deciding on the game’s cosmetic releases, and how these criticisms might influence future decisions.
In a surprising admission, Dennett stated that there’s often less scientific backing than one might assume in their projects. Sometimes, they might decide to incorporate themes that resonate with team members, such as magical girls or Nerf weapons, based on their personal interests. However, they strive to ensure that their creations cater to a wide range of players, especially during collaborations.
She added, “We aim to avoid solely focusing on one aspect and catering to the same audience. We strive to ensure a variety reflects in our work so everyone can find a piece of themselves in it. I’m particularly excited when we encounter team members with a shared passion, like Nerf enthusiasts, for instance. On our team, there was one individual who generated 20 ideas in rapid succession. I eagerly anticipate the day when the players embodying those characters will get their hands on this project – it’s going to be fantastic!
That day, for that player, is tomorrow, Tuesday, August 5th.
The Overwatch 2 x Nerf collab kicks off then and runs in-game until August 18th.
https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/overwatch-2-new-le-sserafim-collab-2025/embed/#
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2025-08-04 19:14