Overwatch (group)

This article is about the in-game organization. For similarly titled articles, see Overwatch (disambiguation)

“	Conflict. As the world teetered on the brink of anarchy, a new hope arose. An elite international taskforce charged with ending the war, and restoring liberty to all nations. Overwatch. Soldiers. Scientists. Adventurers. Oddities. Guardians who secured global peace for a generation. Under its unwavering protection, the world recovered. And today, though its watch has ended, its soaring ideals of freedom and equality will never be forgotten.	„
	~ A description of Overwatch from its museum

Overwatch
Leadership	Omnic Crisis Gabrielle Adawe (founder) Strike Commander Gabriel Reyes Post-Crisis Strike Commander Jack Morrison Director Petras Acting Commander Vivian Chase Current Winston (de facto commander) Vivian Chase (de facto second-in-command)
Affiliation	United Nations (formerly)
Headquarters	Overwatch Headquarters, Switzerland (formerly) Watchpoint: Gibraltar, Gibraltar (currently)
Standing	Reinstated

Overwatch was an international task force formed during the Omnic Crisis over thirty years ago. It championed the ideals of heroism, sacrifice, and nobility.

History

Omnic Crisis

Formation

Overwatch was founded at the behest of the United Nations during the Omnic Crisis. A war against robots that was unlike any humanity had faced before. No single country was successfully holding its territory, but it had been observed that some soldiers and strategists were thriving in this new style of warfare. As the nations of Earth struggled against the omnics, the UN pooled together their best soldiers and technologies to form an elite strike unit.

The original six members of Overwatch

Overwatch was that unit, consisting of "scientists, soldiers, adventurers, and oddities," and was intended to carry out asymmetric warfare against the omnics. Gabrielle Adawe was one of the key architects of its formation, while command of the unit was given to Gabriel Reyes, a member of a super soldier program carried out by the United States. However, while Reyes had overall command, Overwatch's overall structure was molded by Jack Morrison, who molded the unit into a truly cohesive fighting force. The other founding members were Ana Amari, Mina Liao, Reinhardt Wilhelm, and Torbjörn Lindholm. Adawe had a vision for using Overwatch to negotiate peace between omnics and humans.

North American Campaign

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Misc. Operations

Overwatch conducted operations in Rio de Janeiro and Hong Kong.

End of the War

Finding their strength, the Overwatch strike team targeted the omnics' command and control protocols. One of their operations was in Rio de Janeiro. After great sacrifice and heroism in a series of dangerous raids, they destroyed it all, rendering the omnic armies inert. They had saved the world, and earned its adoration. For his services, Jack Morrison was given the position of Overwatch's first official commander, while Gabriel Reyes was passed over.

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Post-Omnic Crisis

“	The Omnic Crisis has been over for over ten years. Overwatch was built to win the war, but they’ve given me a new mission now: to make the world a better place. We’ve invested in research in biology, chemistry, infrastructure, climatology—every scientific endeavor that can better peoples' lives.	„
	~ Jack Morrison

Golden Age

Overwatch members at an IJC event

After the Omnic Crisis, the UN extended Overwatch's charter to support international peacekeeping and reconstruction efforts. New resources and funding were given to the unit, giving it far-reaching global influence. Gabrielle Adawe left the agency, and Jack Morrison was made strike commander. The UN later approved the development of Overwatch's watchpoint program, and the construction of its headquarters in Switzerland.

Over the following decades, Overwatch helped to maintain peace, inspiring an era of exploration, innovation, and discovery, its range of research including space exploration, medical research, biology, chemistry, infrastructure, and climatology. In this particular regard, a series of eco-watchpoints were established to monitor the planet's changing climate. Rogue omnics, terrorism, warmongering dictators, none of them could stand for long against such a capable, dedicated force. Overwatch made global stability its goal, and the world was happy to have them.

During its years of operation, Overwatch recruitment posters were a common sight, and its members had a constant TV presence. An Overwatch cartoon was produced that starred at least some of its own members; the cartoon (still) aired in its last years.

Overwatch members conducting humanitarian operations

Overwatch grew into a global institution, and new agents were recruited. Those that grew up during this period are referred to as the "Overwatch Generation," as they were given a legion of heroes to look up to. For these children, Overwatch was a symbol of hope, and they were taught that they represented the best of humanity,

Overwatch maintained a global communications network, and possessed one of the most advanced armories on the planet. New agents were brought into the organization as existing ones retired. It carried out operations against the terrorist group Talon and the ninja Shimada Clan. In the case of the latter, to its knowledge, it successfully dismantled it. It took a militaristic approach to maintaining this peace however, which generated some internal tension.

Overwatch spent at least six years investigating Corsini. It helped support South Korea when it was attacked by the Omnic Colossus.

Twilight Years

An anti-Overwatch protest

Twenty years after its founding, Overwatch's influence waned, and the organization came under suspicion of corruption and sedition. A series of allegations were made against the group, including negligence resulting in high-profile mission failures; corruption and mismanagement; weapons proliferation; human rights abuses; and more. Overwatch had never had a shortage of critics; even in its glory days, many voices called for severe restrictions on the agency's mission, insisting that such a powerful group of individuals needed careful oversight. Rumors of black-ops missions, carrying out tasks like assassination and kidnapping, were dismissed by the public as paranoid fantasies. But as time passed, criticism became harder to shrug off, and the agency seemed to be tone-deaf to public concerns. Controversial missions stoked public outrage until it reached a fever pitch, and some of Overwatch’s most famous and celebrated agents were forced to retire in disgrace. Protests broke out, the people claiming that Overwatch was the source of the world's turmoil. One event labelled "the Venice incident" led to a slew of inquiries into the organization. When it was discovered that disgraced scientist Moira O'Deorain had been working for them, high ranking Overwatch officials disavowed all knowledge of her activities.

Years later, Olympia Shaw reflected that if that had been the end of it, many might have accepted these missteps as the unavoidable signs of an aging, bloated bureaucracy, suffering under monolithic leadership that desperately needed a change in direction. The truth, however, was much darker.

The Anubis Project

Ten years before the Overwatch recall, Overwatch shut down the Anubis Project in Egypt. The fallout was negative for both Egypt and Cairo.

The Polynesian League

Overwatch forces under the command of Sojourn were deployed to the Blacksand Fires, where they engaged the Deepsea Raiders.

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The Venice Incident

“	Our target was dead. Guess he got what was coming to him. Still, it didn't seem right. But that wasn't the end of our problems. For the first time, people knew we were out there. New faces stepped up to fill the void in Talon. I can't help but wonder if that's where it all started to go wrong.	„
	~ Jesse McCree

The Venice Incident

Eight years before the present day, an attack was made on Overwatch's Oslo facilities. Commander Morrison launched an investigation of the incident. He informed the media that Overwatch had identified a number of suspects, but declined to provide further details. This was followed by an attack on Blackwatch's Rome facility, where numerous staff members were killed. Both attacks were done at the behest of Antonio, a businessman with connections to both Talon and the Italian government. Overwatch commanders Jack Morrison and Gabriel Reyes were at a crossroads as to how to respond. Morrison favored working with the Italian government. However, Reyes pointed out that Antonio's connections ran deep, and he'd be exonerated if arrested. Reyes pressed for Antonio to be brought in for questioning, but Morrison pointed out that unilateral action by Overwatch would violate Italy's sovereignty. Still, he left the decision to Reyes to make.

On that note, Reyes assembled a team of Blackwatch agents, consisting of himself, Jesse McCree, Genji Shimada, and Moira O'Deorain. They headed for Rialto. In what would be known as the Venice Incident, the Blackwatch team infiltrated Antonio's manor, but Reyes killed their target instead of apprehending him. The team was forced to fight their way out through the Talon soldiers. Morrison was incensed by what had occurred, and demanded that Reyes tell him what actually happened, plausible deniability be damned. Reyes snidely responded to Morrison's demands, but nonetheless recounted the Rialto mission. In his debrief, he pointed out that things don't always go according to plan, and stood by the decisions he had made. The incident would lead to the reveal of Blackwatch's existence years later, greatly damaging Overwatch's standing.

King's Row Uprising

As allegations were mounting, a new threat had appeared. Kings' Row, an English city that was a major site of anti-omnic protests, was under attack by a rogue group called Null Sector. The group rebuilt OR14 and Bastion units, among others, and attacked the city. Thousands of lives were lost. Soon, the city had fallen. The British Prime Minister did not want any Overwatch members to get involved with the conflict. Jack Morrison, however, sent Overwatch members Torbjörn Lindholm, Reinhardt Wilhelm, Lena Oxton, and Angela Ziegler to liberate the city from Null Sector. The four members were to shut down the air defenses, infiltrate the omnic factory, and disable the units. The team successfully stopped the Null Sector uprising.

Storm Rising

A year after the King's Row Uprising, Morrison was under pressure to disband Overwatch. This year however, they were able to apprehend Talon member Maximilien in an operation in Havana. Maximilien was successfully captured, and as part of a deal, gave them information on the location of Doomfist. He was apprehended in Singapore.

The Fall

The existence of Blackwatch is revealed

In the final years of Overwatch's existence, a top secret division called "Blackwatch" was revealed. There were stories of assassination, coercion, kidnapping, torture, and worse. Governments called on the UN to shut down the "aggressive and repeated violations of many countries' sovereignty."

A special UN committee launched a lengthy and highly secretive investigation into the claims. As the UN investigation proceeded, and public distrust swelled, Overwatch's Swiss headquarters was destroyed in an apparent accident. Among the casualties were Morrison and Reyes. The UN steadfastly maintained that there was no foul play behind this event, but anonymous reports indicate that a rebellion tore the group apart from within. On one side was Morrison, determined to hold together what remained of Overwatch. On the other side was Reyes, whose agenda remains unknown to this day. A battle raged between these men deep within Overwatch's base. At some point, their fighting triggered an explosion that destroyed the facility, killing both of them (supposedly), and numerous others. Angela Ziegler, head of Overwatch's medical research, commented in a UN hearing that the outcome was inevitable—Reyes and Morrison had drifted further and further apart, as Reyes had remained bitter that Morrison had been given the position of field commander instead of him. Years later, Ana Amari ventured that Morrison had been chosen to lead Overwatch due to looking the part, but he was, at the end of the day, a soldier. And as a soldier, Morrison had only known how to save the world, not change it.

Disbandment

“	Overwatch always took me for granted. That organization was poisoned from the very start, and the longer I was there, the more I could see that it was slowly rotting from the inside out.	„
	~ Vernand Sainclair

Atlas News reports the end of Overwatch

With Morrison apparently dead, Vivian Chase was made acting commander of Overwatch, but it was a moot point. The UN committee, coupled with the loss of its headquarters and key members, were the two death knells that signaled the end of Overwatch. In the wake of such an incident, little could remain hidden. The full transgressions of Overwatch's shadow operations became known, and even the most ardent defenders inside the organization bowed to the truth and called for its dissolution. The United Nations could do nothing but shut down Overwatch. The group gave into the pressure and it was eventually disbanded, thirty years after its founding, left in disgrace, its agents now the target of derision and suspicion in the media. The Petras Act deemed any Overwatch activity illegal, and liable to prosecution.

Few people at the time doubted it was the right call. The world had never been more peaceful—the biggest threat to global stability and growth was, in many minds, Overwatch itself. Its time had passed. Security privatization became more common in the wake of Overwatch's end, Helix Securities being one example.

Post-Overwatch

“	Our generation’s war is over. Every generation has one. Why do we fight? For blood, for money, for king and country, for justice, for what we believe in. It’s not always on the battlefield. Some wars last for decades, but ours was over in an instant. Gabriel built our team to save humanity, but he couldn’t rebuild afterwards. Adawe and the others thought Morrison was the one who could. He looked the part, after all. The war hero. Compassionate, brave, confident, political. But at the end of the day: a soldier. And all soldiers only know one way to live. We aren’t meant to change the world, just to save it. That’s why the rest of us were there. We never knew how to let the ones who followed us take up the struggle. We aren’t made for peace.	„
	~ Ana Amari and Angela Ziegler discussing the fall of Overwatch

Overwatch remembered

In the five years since, mystery remains as to the nature of Overwatch's fall (at least within the general population). Suspicions exist that someone took it over to its detriment. But since its end, the world has become a darker place. Tensions between humans and omnics had never been higher. Local political leaders accused certain corporations of using covert operatives to "persuade" government officials into accepting exploitive deals, and when that failed, of hiring mercenaries to enact more permanent solutions. Shadow organizations operated with impunity, often leaving a trail of dead civilians in their wake. A power vacuum was left in light of Overwatch's absence, and Talon was able to increase its strength in the group's absence.

In the interim, Overwatch continued to be memorialized, and some former Overwatch members attempted to "get the band back together".

The Zurich Archive was compiled in the interim between Overwatch's disbandment and reformation.

Resurgence

“	I heard Overwatch is back. Is that so? And where did you learn that, Esther? It's all over the net if you know where to look.	„
	~ Esther and Jean-Baptiste Augustin

Soldier: 76

Overwatch bases were raided by a mysterious individual known only as Soldier: 76, who recovered technology and incapacitated, but never killed, those assigned to watch over the installations. Olympia Shaw, through anonymous contacts within the UN, was given the classified UN reports that detailed the true nature of the destruction of its headquarters, and the role Morrison and Reyes had played within the blast. She concluded (correctly) that Soldier: 76 was indeed Jack Morrison.

Recall

“	The people decided they were better off without us. They even called us criminals. They tore our family apart. But look around. Someone has to do something. We have to do something. We can make a difference again. The world needs us now more than ever. Are you with me?	„
	~ Winston's message to former Overwatch operatives

Talon operatives conducted a raid on the abandoned Watchpoint: Gibraltar, hoping to gain access to the Overwatch agent database. They were foiled by Winston, who initiated an agent recall. Agent Lena Oxton immediately responded. Within two days, rumors of Overwatch's return were circulating across the 'net. Unknown to Winston, Talon also received the recall order due to having former Overwatch agents on its payroll.

Tracer and Winston went on to foil an attempted heist of Doomfist's gauntlet by Reaper and Widowmaker. It was this incident that was the last straw for the United Nations, as their actions had followed weeks of similar vigilante activities (Soldier: 76 included). The next day, the UN delivered its statement; "the United Nations has not authorized any Overwatch operations. The organization’s charter remains revoked." Further questions were met with hostility or silence. Governments across the world, ranging from Russia to the United Kingdom, gave similar condemnations. In a poll conducted by Atlas News, most people expressed anger at the thought of Overwatch agents having gone rogue, but nearly 75% of the respondents answered that they were "uncertain" as to what Overwatch's return would mean for the world.

As part of his intent to reform Overwatch, Winston returned to Watchpoint: Gibraltar, an old Overwatch outpost that had once stood guard over the Mediterranean. He intended to launch a satellite drone in an effort to restore Overwatch's communications network.The drone was successfully launched.

Further Actions

Some of the Overwatch agents apparently re-organized themselves into a recognised unit; it was called in to protect HAL-Fred Glitchbot as he came under attack by anti-omnic forces.

Reformation

“	Monsieur? Does this mean Overwatch is back? Yes. Yes we are.	„
	~ A police officer and Winston after Null Sector's defeat

The team is reunited

When Null Sector attacked Paris, Overwatch agents who'd received Winston's recall converged on the city. Winston, Tracer, and Mei arrived at the city first via Orca, engaging the attacking omnics. While they were initially successful, they had to contend with weight of numbers, plus the firepower of a Titan. However, other Overwatch members arrived, namely Genji Shimada, Reinhardt Wilhelm along with Brigitte Lindholm, Echo, and Angela Ziegler. Combining their skills, they were able to defeat Null Sector and destroy the Titan. In the aftermath, when a police officer asked if this meant that Overwatch was back, Winston answered in the affirmative.

A New War

“	Paris was just the beginning. This is a global invasion.	„
	~ Brigitte

Charting the course of action

After Paris, the team traveled to Watchpoint: Gibraltar, which they used as their base of operations. Winston installed a simulator in the base to help the team's new recruits hone their skills, in preparation for their battles against Null Sector.

As it turned out, Null Sector's attack on Paris was simply the prelude to a global invasion. Winston pointed out that Null Sector wasn't the only threat Overwatch had to deal with. He declared that they'd had to fight their way through one city at a time.

Note: The following events aren't necessarily in chronological order.

Battle of Rio

“	So how's Overwatch enjoying our city? It's beautiful. Except for all the killer robots.	„
	~ Lúcio and Tracer at Rio

The team fights their way through Rio

Null Sector attacked Rio de Janeiro. Overwatch members Tracer, Mei, and Reinhardt deployed there, where they fought alongside Lúcio to reach Null Sector's command ship.

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Battle of Toronto

Overwatch in Toronto

Null Sector's next target was Toronto. Its forces began attacking the humans there, and abducting omnics that hadn't already gone rogue. Overwatch members, including Winston, Mercy, Reinhardt, and Cassidy arrived at the city where they reunited with former Overwatch member Sojourn. They began an operation to evacuate the city's omnics and humans. During the battle, they were helped by an omnic named Claire. They also observed Null Sector's Subjugators, which were incapacitating the city's omnics. The op was a success, and in its aftermath, Genji left the main group in order to search and recruit Zenyatta. The rest of the team headed for Gothenburg to talk to Torbjörn Lindholm, who they hoped could find a way to remove the Subjugators' head clamps.

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Battle of Gothenburg

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Return to King's Row

Note: The timing of the King's Row attack compared to Rio, Toronto, and Gothenburg is unclear, but it is assumed to take place at around the same time given the simultanious release of Story Missions and the co-op event in which it features.

Null Sector assaulted the Underworld in King's Row. Overwatch was sent in to stop them, using a modified TS-1 as support.

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Skirmish at Petra

Overwatch and Venture after repelling Talon

Overwatch engaged in a firefight with Talon at Petra. Overwatch successfully repelled Talon with the aid of Venture.

Known Bases

Overwatch's logo, often emblazoned on official vehicles, equipment, and bases.

• Overwatch Headquarters (Switzerland, destroyed)

Watchpoints

• Watchpoint: Antarctica (Antarctica, eco-watchpoint, Ecopoint)
• Watchpoint: Gibraltar (Gibraltar)
• Watchpoint: Grand Mesa (Colorado, United States)

Other

• Rome (destroyed)
• Ecopoint: Antarctica
• Oslo facilities

Known Members

“	Overwatch needs you. Register now.	„
	~ An advertisment on an Overwatch poster

Original Group

Overwatch peacekeepers

Overwatch championed the greatness of individuals, regardless of their point of origin. Members faced mandatory retirement from combat operations once they reached a certain age (late 50s at the latest). In addition to its agents and scientists, Overwatch maintained peacekeeper forces, identifiable by their blue armor.

Known members included:

Command

• Petras (director)
• Gabrielle Adawe (founder)
• Ana Amari (founding member, captain, second in command, MIA)
• Vivian Chase (field captain, made acting commander to replace Morrison)
• Gérard Lacroix (deceased)
• Jack Morrison (founding member, first official commander)
• Gabriel Reyes (founding member, strike commander (Omnic Crisis), Blackwatch commander)
• Angela Ziegler (head of medical research)

Agents

An Overwatch strike team

• Al-Farouk (deceased)
• Mirembe Atim
• Bayless (deceased)
• Kimiko
• Jesse McCree (Blackwatch agent, former)
• Lena Oxton (test pilot, agent)
• Emre Sarioglu (private first class)
• Genji Shimada (Blackwatch agent, former)
• Singh (unknown)
• Reinhardt Wilhelm (lieutenant, founding member, retired)

Engineers

• Karlsson
• Torbjörn Lindholm (founding member, chief engineer, armorer)
• MacReady (deceased)

Scientists

Overwatch scientists

• Adams (researcher, deceased)
• Arrhenius (climatologist, deceased)
• Mina Liao (A.I. researcher, founding member, deceased)
• Moira O'Deorain (geneticist, Blackwatch member)
• Opara (captain, cryonics, deceased)
• Torres (cryonics, deceased)
• Winston
• Mei-Ling Zhou (climatologist, MIA)

Pilots

• Maria Estrada (lieutenant)
• Fio (Blackwatch)
• Ray

Other/Unknown

• Burnes
• Fusionator
• D. Rosenberg (doctor)
• Ricardo Perez (trooper)
• Vernand Sainclair (handler)
• Balderich von Adler (accepted recruitment to be a founding member, but died before induction)
• Murphy (rescue dog)

Present Day

“	As we know, Overwatch heroes and retirement don't necessarily agree with one another.	„
	~ Miranda Moyer

Members of Overwatch that are confirmed to have joined or rejoined the new Overwatch under Winston.

Confirmed

“	Well, there is, Cassidy. There you were, thinking about moseying off into the sunset. And now it looks like you've gone and put together a new crew instead. Got themselves a lot of energy, too. A lot of heart. And man, they are scrappers. Remember when you were like them? Just about ready to take on a whole damn world of trouble if it came knockin'. Things being as they are...it looks like they'll get their chance.	„
	~ Cole Cassidy on his new teammates

Members of the new Overwatch

• Winston (de facto leader)
• Fareeha Amari
• Jean-Baptiste Augustin
• Cole Cassidy
• Vivian Chase
• Brigitte Lindholm
• Lena Oxton
• Lúcio Correia dos Santos
• Genji Shimada
• Hana Song
• Reinhardt Wilhelm
• Aleksandra Zaryanova
• Mei-Ling Zhou
• Angela Ziegler
• Echo
• Bastion
• TS-1

Possible recalled members

Possible

• Zenyatta

Recalled Recipients

Members that were recalled to serve Overwatch following the reinstatement by Winston that have yet been confirmed to rejoin:

• Kimiko
• Torbjörn Lindholm (declined)
• Mirembe
• Vernand Sainclair (declined)
• Wildebeest

Trivia

• At some point, a Hollywood studio made a film about the founding of Overwatch. According to Jack Morrison, the film was a "total flop," and the actor who portrayed him was an amateur.
• Jeff Kaplan has described the Overwatch group as being "something like the United Nations if it had a really crazy army with talking apes in it."
• The group's lore had been developed before work began on the game proper.
• Overwatch's flag is composed of the Overwatch logo over a blue background. This arrangement is confirmed as the group's official flag in loading screens for Watchpoint: Gibraltar and Ecopoint: Antarctica, along with it flying on flagpoles in-game. It was also seen in the official Cinematic Trailer.
• In-universe, Overwatch's troopers were called "peacekeepers." Given their role and signature blue armor, this may be a reference to/evolution of United Nations peacekeepers, sometimes referred to as "Blue Berets/Blue Helmets" due to their signature color.
• In a trailer for the cancelled Hero Missions, in the context of Null Sector's invasion, Overwatch fought Talon forces at Ilios, and Null Sector forces at Route 66 and Paris (again).