Blizzard’s latest Overwatch 2 crossover brings the iconic world of G.I. Joe into the fast-paced, colorful shooter. With new skins for fan-favorite heroes and design choices that connect both franchises in a meaningful way, this collab isn’t just cool—it makes total sense.
How the Crossover Came Together
Blizzard’s team didn’t just randomly pick G.I. Joe. In fact, they’ve worked with Hasbro before (like with the Transformers collab), which made things smoother. Overwatch 2’s Product Management Director Aimee Dennett described it like a fun reunion.
“There weren’t any growing pains. It felt like getting the band back together.”
Art Director Dion Rogers pitched the idea using a simple five-page PDF. It lined up Overwatch heroes with G.I. Joe characters, and the team instantly loved it.
Why These Two Franchises Fit
At first glance, Overwatch and G.I. Joe might seem worlds apart. But dig a little deeper, and the similarities start showing up:
- Both feature diverse characters with distinct personalities.
- Both center around teams fighting evil.
- Each has a clear good vs. bad setup with strong visual identities.
G.I. Joe’s old-school style paired with Overwatch 2’s futuristic aesthetic helped create a fun blend. Dion Rogers pointed out that both worlds are full of bold characters, cool weapons, and stories with heart.
Who Got What: Hero Skins Breakdown
Here are the five heroes getting new G.I. Joe-themed skins and why they were chosen:
- Genji as Snake Eyes – Already a cyber-ninja, Genji fits Snake Eyes naturally. Blizzard toned down his robot look to make him feel more human while keeping key animations.
- Freja as Scarlett – Both are red-haired warriors with crossbows. Scarlett never wore a cape, so Blizzard adjusted Freja’s design slightly to match.
- Doomfist as Destro – This one stands out. Doomfist’s model includes COBRA logos and even the M.A.R.S. Industries emblem, nodding to Destro’s background.
- Widowmaker as Baroness – A controversial pick. While Widow looks like Baroness, fans think Sombra might’ve fit better due to her hacker spy vibe.
- Reaper as Cobra Commander – This is the showstopper. Even his voice lines channel Cobra’s theatrical tone, thanks to Keith Ferguson’s fun delivery.
Extra Details for Fans
Blizzard went the extra mile with this event:
- Skins include hidden Easter eggs like logos and outfit tweaks.
- Voice lines mimic iconic G.I. Joe phrases.
- There’s even a spray referencing the fictional band “Cold Slither.”
These nods show just how much the dev team cares about getting the little things right.
What Players Are Saying (And Asking)
The community has been buzzing about the choices. Here are some of the most common reactions:
- Where’s Soldier: 76 as Duke? Many fans feel he was a natural pick for Duke and were surprised to see him left out.
- Why not Baptiste? He’s often skipped in collabs, and this one could’ve finally given him a spotlight as Roadblock.
- Another Widowmaker skin? Some think Blizzard plays it too safe by constantly featuring heroes like Widow, Reaper, and Genji.
- Hanzo as Storm Shadow? Fans really wanted to see this pairing and hope it might come in a future wave.
How Skins Are Decided
According to Blizzard, they don’t always aim for maximum popularity. They choose IPs and heroes that inspire passion among fans. The internal team decides the pairings and works with the IP holder (Hasbro) to finalize designs.
Dennett said it clearly:
“We don’t always pick the most global name. We pick the ones fans will get really excited about.”
Are Collabs Becoming More Frequent?
Definitely. In 2023, Blizzard launched three crossovers. In 2024, it was one per season. Now in mid-2025, we’re seeing two collabs per season. It’s not about team size—it’s about getting better at the process. If something feels cool, they go for it.
“We don’t have a fixed number per year. It’s just: if it’s awesome, we’re doing it.” — Dennett
How to Get the Skins
The Overwatch 2 x G.I. Joe skins will be available:
- From: Tuesday, July 1
- Until: Monday, July 14
They’ll appear in the in-game shop and will likely include bundles with voice lines, sprays, and other cosmetics. These are not battle pass rewards.
The Overwatch 2 and G.I. Joe crossover isn’t just another cash grab. It’s a tribute to fans of both franchises. With thoughtful designs, deep-cut references, and character pairings that (mostly) make sense, it feels like one of Blizzard’s most fitting collabs yet. Now we just hope a second wave adds Soldier: 76, Baptiste, and Hanzo to the mix.
Stay tuned—this is one crossover that might have more in store.
