Overwatch 2 recently caught some flack for using an advertisement with seemingly AI art for its new Busan Cow YouTooz Plush. Though the ad was removed shortly after it was posted, Overwatch 2 fans were quick to notice the use of the controversial tool when it first appeared.
The inflatable cow found on top of one of the buildings in Overwatch 2's Busan map is one of the most popular doodads in the game, thanks to its charming appearance and entertaining jiggle physics when hit with projectiles. To capitalize on the beloved set piece, Overwatch 2 recently partnered with collectible creator YouTooz to immortalize the Busan cow in the form of a nine-inch stuffed animal.
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Overwatch 2 Busan Cow Plush AI Art Controversy
However, one of the advertisements for this new product created some controversy due to what appeared to be the use of generative AI. Shortly after launching this plushie, Blizzard shared an image of it on the official Overwatch 2 Twitter. Gamers quickly noticed that the background appeared to have been created with generative AI, featuring distorted images of Overwatch 2 heroes D.Va, Tracer, and Genji. From the clearer picture preserved and shared by Overwatch Cavalry without the Busan Cow Plush, the three heroes sported inconsistencies in their armor designs, with Tracer’s face in particular looking especially uncanny.
Needless to say, fans were not happy. The comments quickly became flooded with criticisms of the AI art, with the vast majority of players being displeased by Blizzard publishing art using the divisive tool instead of simple background art of the Overwatch 2 map. Within an hour of the original post, Blizzard deleted the controversial announcement and its image, and has yet to replace it at press time.
It is hard to say how this happened in the first place. It is possible that the image was created by YouTooz for use in the promotion, or that Overwatch 2 was unaware that generative AI was used until after it was shared. Alternatively, it could have been a deliberate move on Blizzard's end; after all, the company seemingly used AI art to promote its recent Diablo Immortal x Hearthstone collaboration, so the contentious technology has not been isolated to Overwatch 2.
Regardless of how it occurred, the adorable Overwatch Busan Cow plushie is still available exclusively on the Blizzard Gear Store, where it should remain indefinitely. Fans hoping to add this officially licensed rendition of the iconic inflatable decoration can do so for $38, not including taxes, shipping, or other fees.
Overwatch 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 77 /100 Critics Rec: 65%
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
- Cross Save
- yes
- Franchise
- Overwatch
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- n/a
- Early Access Release
- October 4, 2022
- PC Release Date
- August 10, 2023
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- August 10, 2023
- PS5 Release Date
- August 10, 2023
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- August 10, 2023
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 35 hours
- X|S Optimized
- n/a
