The developers behind Overwatch 2 have recently unveiled some scrapped ideas for skins connected to their Gundam Wing crossover. The much-anticipated event includes new character skins that will be available until May 12. Among the cut concepts were designs for Tallgeese Ana, Heavyarms Mauga, and a pilot version of D.Va. Although these skins didn’t move beyond the drawing board, they reflect the creative direction the collaboration could have taken.
The official crossover event features popular skins that players can purchase, including Mercy as Wing Gundam Zero, Ramattra as Epyon, Soldier: 76 as Tallgeese, and Reaper as Deathscythe. For those interested, these skins can be acquired individually for 2800 Overwatch Coins or as a full bundle for 5900 Overwatch Coins from April 29 to May 12. In interviews with outlets like Comicbook and GameSpot, associate director Aimee Dennett and art director Dion Rogers discussed the rationale behind the final selections and the discarded concepts. Dennett noted that initial ideas might seem like good matches but may not hold up in practice.
For instance, while the design for Heavyarms Mauga’s weapons was praised, the overall execution wasn’t regarded as strong as the chosen skins. Interestingly, this event marks the first time there are four heroes with previously established skins in a collaboration. Despite Ana initially being considered for the Tallgeese skin due to weapon similarities, Soldier: 76 was favored for its more recognizable silhouette. Dennett emphasized their commitment to making successful visual and thematic choices in crossover designs.
Ramattra serves as a robotic character in this collaboration, an intentional choice due to the challenges of transforming Omnic heroes into Gundam-themed skins. The unique considerations led to dynamic designs that can significantly alter the character’s portrayal while maintaining recognizable features, particularly for Mercy, whose skin has been completely transformed. Though these scrapped skin ideas linger in the imagination of fans, the success of Overwatch 2’s collaborations encourages the possibility of future Gundam-themed skins. As the game continues to evolve, offerings such as the recent crossover with LE SSERAFIM suggest that players can look forward to even more creative integrations in the future.