Overwatch 2 Pulls Blizzard Gear Store Ad Following AI Art Dispute

So, here’s a thing about Overwatch 2 and, uh, cows. Yeah, I know, cows, right? Anyway, they tried to sell this YouTooz plushie of a cow from their Busan map, and it’s kinda cute, not gonna lie. But the drama? Oh boy, here we go.

Okay, picture this: they roll out an ad, and everyone goes bonkers because it looks like AI took over the art. AI art is a hot mess, and people spot it like a hawk (or maybe an owl, which is also a bird – wait, do owls even have good eyesight?). Anyway, people saw weird stuff in the background – like D.Va and Tracer looking all warped and not exactly photo-perfect. It was all sorts of uncanny valley and, yikes, that makes you pause.

Now, about that inflatable cow. It’s oddly loved in the game – it’s on a building, jiggles when you hit it, and for reasons I can’t explain, people love its silly physics. So, Blizzard thought, “Hey, let’s make a plushie!” And bam, here’s this squishy, cuddly version. But then the ad messes it up.

They posted it on Twitter, and fans were all, “What the he–?” It wasn’t long before everyone was griping about AI art. Blizzard pulls the ad super fast, like under an hour – really a blink and you’ll miss it kind of thing. I mean, maybe they thought no one would notice, or maybe it was a slip. Or deliberate? I seriously don’t know what’s happening in their heads.

Blizzard has played with AI art before. Did you see the Diablo thing they did? AI was there too. So, who knows, maybe they thought it’d be cool again? Or… maybe not.

The plushie, at least, is still up for grabs. It’s yours for $38, plus whatever extras they tack on. Personally, I’d snag it if you’re into quirky collectibles.

I guess that’s it? Yeah, that’s it. If AI art’s your jam, good luck. But if you’re more into plush cows that wobble, you’re in luck.