Overwatch 2’s Hazard Almost Looked Completely Different

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Overwatch 2's Hazard Almost Looked Completely Different

Key Takeaways

  • Overwatch 2’s new tank hero, Hazard, underwent various design iterations before settling on a cybernetic look.
  • Hazard’s early concepts included mutants, cyborgs, and emphasized spikes, showcasing a wide array of design ideas.
  • Fans originally anticipated Hazard to resemble old concept art of Phreak, revealing an interesting developmental journey.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must admit that the evolution of Hazard, the latest tank hero in Overwatch 2, has been nothing short of fascinating. From the massive mutants to the sleek and sinister cyborgs, the journey of this character from concept to reality is a testament to Blizzard’s creative process.

Artwork for Hazard in Overwatch 2 has unveiled early concepts of the character that bore stark contrasts to the Scottish revolutionary design known by gamers. Ranging from colossal mutants to ominous scorpion-esque cyborgs, the latest tank in Overwatch 2 underwent several transformations throughout its development process.

More recently, the upcoming game Overwatch 2 has unveiled Hazard as its newest character for Season 14. This hero is characterized by aggression and boasts cybernetic enhancements. He can charge into combat utilizing a powerful leap known as Violent Leap, disrupt enemy alignments with his Jagged Wall ability, and control opponents using a barrage of violet crystals through Downpour.

Initially, Hazard’s fans may find his appearance quite distinct from some early designs. Blizzard senior concept artist Kai Chang has unveiled several developmental images of Hazard, showcasing more than a dozen preliminary versions of the character. The designs range greatly in appearance – some are large, mutated beings armed with massive weapons like firearms or bludgeons, while others are slender, menacing, and ominous. Both male and female versions of the hero are present, as well as cybernetic beasts such as bear, stingray, and scorpion-like body modifications that resemble Recluse, a discarded Overwatch character fans have long hoped to see in the game.

Concept Art for Hazard in Overwatch 2

Regardless of the distinct characteristics among these designs, there are common features that have persisted. For instance, the recurring theme of spikes and cybernetics is evident in each one, and while the gear changes drastically, Hazard’s overall shape and outline can be traced in one of the more polished concepts. However, when considering the range of his transformations compared to newer heroes like Juno and Venture in Overwatch 2, Hazard might have some of the most diverse variations in concept art among any character in the game’s chronicles.

Surprisingly, I was among those players who thought Hazard’s appearance would be completely different from what we eventually saw. Many of us envisioned him resembling the old concept art for Project Titan, featuring Phreak – a character with a green mohawk and facemask that never made it to the game. It’s fascinating to note that his gang’s name was used in Overwatch 2, while a brief glimpse of his likeness can be spotted during the trailer for the original Overwatch. Although it seems Blizzard abandoned Phreak’s design when creating Hazard, following the hero’s evolution from before the game’s release has been quite intriguing for me and many other fans.

The trial phase for Hazard in Overwatch 2 has just concluded, offering fans a preliminary taste of the innovative tank hero. Officially, Hazard is set to debut in Overwatch 2 at the onset of Season 14 on December 10, granting immediate access to all players upon arrival. Although he may undergo some adjustments prior to his release, there’s no doubt that Hazard will significantly alter the gameplay dynamics once unveiled.

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2024-11-26 00:35