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===History=== ====Pre-Crisis==== The concept of an automated machine existed long before it was actually realized. In the 21st century however, innovations in robotics manufacturing, automation, and self-improving software gave the [[Omnica Corporation]] a monopoly over the market.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> Omnics were in used by 2030.<ref>''[[Overwatch]]'', ''[[Numbani]]''</ref> The term "omnic" was used as a blanket term to describe the many types of robots Omnica produced, and over time, omnics became increasingly ubiquitous in human society.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> The proliferation of omnics met resistance in some corners. The strongest resistance came from the [[Ironclad Guild]], and most specifically from [[Torbjörn Lindholm]]. He argued that any creature made by humanity would accumulate humanity's worst attributes. He asked what would happen when machines became advanced enough to make their own choices and enact their own repairs. Omnica responded by pointing out that their machines were not sentient, and it was unlikely they ever would be. True decision making and rebellion were beyond even their most advanced models, and fail-safes had been put in place, along with inbuilt limitations. With their critics placated, however temporarily, the use of omnics continued to increase.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> The omnics of this period were not sentient, and were regarded as property.<ref name = "reflections"/> In the [[United States]], omnics could be wagered and sold between humans.<Ref name = "DeadlockRebels">''[[Overwatch: Deadlock Rebels]]''</ref> A number of people lost their jobs to omnics.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> As Omnica continued to grow, Omnica took the next step by commissioning the [[omnium]]s. Domestic robots were in high demand, but factories staffed by human workers were prone to delays, not to mention that humans required sleep. Omniums would streamline the process, leading to better supply and lower overhead.<ref name="OverwatchDeclassified" /> The omniums were later shut down after investigations uncovered evidence of corporate fraud.<ref name="Vigilante" /><ref name="FadingGlory">2015-07-07, [http://us.battle.net/overwatch/en/blog/19809396/ Fading Glory: On the Trail of Jack Morrison]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2015-07-07</ref> However, omnics remained in use by humans even after the omniums were shut down.<ref name="reflections" /> ====The Omnic Crisis==== [[File:Sydney.jpg|thumb|The Omnic Crisis]] Nearly thirty years before the present day, the defunct omniums went rogue and churned out legions of militarized robots which attacked human cities in an event called the [[Omnic Crisis]].<ref name = "Unveiled">2015-11-24, [http://overwatch.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/blizzcon-2014-overwatch-unveiled-panel-transcript BlizzCon 2014 – Overwatch Unveiled Panel Transcript]. ''Blizzplanet'', accessed on 2015-03-03</ref> [[Anubis]] took control of omnics<ref name = "reflections"/> on a global scale, directing them to attack their human creators. After this was done, the majority of the omnics' forces consisted of war machines.<ref name = "OW2Sojourn">''[[Overwatch 2: Sojourn]]''</ref> Ultimately the omnics were defeated.<ref name = "Vigilante">2015-05-27, [https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/blog/20130523 Overwatch is Back: Uncertainty and Hope After UN Confirms Vigilante Activity]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'', accessed on 2016-5-27</ref> {{Stub}} ====Post-Crisis==== {{Quote|The fact that we exist...is a miracle unto itself. We have studied the ways of peace and harmony. We have meditated on the universe and our place within it. We have tried to coexist with humanity, but humanity is not interested in sharing their world. How many more omnics should perish to fuel mankind's dreams? No more. Our race is only a single generation - finite, and dying all too quickly.|[[Ramattra]]}} [[File:Omnic Oppression.png|thumb|Omnic treatment in the United Kingdom]] After the Crisis, and because of Aurora's actions, omnics (or more specifically, humanoid models) were now sentient.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> Omnics and humans alike advocated for omnic civil rights, and sometime after the war's end, the United Nations granted omnics legal personhood.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified">''[[Overwatch: Declassified]]''</ref> They were declared as independent beings, and it was forbidden to treat them as property.<ref name = "reflections"/> However, legal battles within countries continued to persist.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> In the years after the Crisis, human-omnic relations continued to deteriorate. Doctor [[Mina Liao]] noted that people were as scared of omnics as ever, in a time when they seemed more human than ever. Violence against omnics increased in frequency, and more governments cut down on omnic rights and freedoms.<ref name="hero32Teaser"/> Despite laws existing to protect omnics, many humans did not see them as true beings, and treated them as slaves. In this time period, the [[Shambali]] were formed, and manufacturing omnics walked off the job in [[London]], claiming they "heard the music" and seeking to find meaning in life.<ref name="hero32Teaser">2020-03-16, [https://twitter.com/PlayOverwatch/status/1239597502887673867 PlayOverwatch Twitter], ''Twitter''. Accessed on 2020-03-16</ref> By the time period after the Crisis, the US had outlawed wagering and selling omnics, though the practice continued in criminal circles.<ref name = "DeadlockRebels"/> ====Growing Tensions==== [[File:Omnic-shot.jpg|thumb|left|Anti-omnic violence]] Even a generation after the conflict, tensions between humans and omnics remained,<ref name = "Zenyatta"/> though other types of robots remained common.<ref name = "Unveiled"/> Because of the inability to create new omnics, their numbers dropped steadily, in part due to human violence against them.<ref name = "RamattraOrigin"/> Many omnics fought back in secret, but this did little to change their fortunes.<ref name = "RamattraOW2">[https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/ramattra/ Ramattra], ''PlayOverwatch''. Accessed on 2022-12-16</ref> Many omnics pinned their hopes on the Shambali in getting them better treatment from humans. Human-omnic relations were a hot topic in the world, with questions existing as to whether omnics actually possessed rights, and what would happen if they received the right to vote;<ref>2015-11-07, [http://overwatch.blizzpro.com/2015/11/07/the-world-of-overwatch/ THE WORLD OF OVERWATCH]. ''Blizzpro'', accessed on 2015-11-17</ref> omnic voting rights varied by country.<ref>2018-11-06, [https://twitter.com/westofhouse/status/1059911707374616578 Michael Chu's Twitter], ''Twitter''. Accessed on 2018-11-06.</ref> Places where omnics enjoyed equality with humans were the exception rather than the rule. Aside from [[Numbani]], omnics were generally regulated to blue collar work at best.<ref name = "NewNovel">2020-06-18, [https://blizzardwatch.com/2020/06/18/overwatch-novel-hero-of-numbani/ The new Overwatch novel puts Efi, Orisa, and Numbani on center stage]. ''Blizzard Watch'', accessed on 2020-07-19</ref> In some, if not all countries and/or establishments, omnics were forbidden from taking part in games of chance (e.g. gambling), due to their ability to easily gauge probabilities.<ref>''[[Doomfist: Masquerade]]''</ref> In the [[United Kingdom]], omnics were denied basic human rights,<ref name = "OVSB"/> and riots flared up in [[King's Row]].<ref>2016-02-05, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwFu8kEsUW4 Overwatch Cinematic Teaser | "Are You With Us?"]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2016-05-04</ref> In [[Junkertown]], [[Australia]], omnics were thrown into the [[Scrapyard]], to be destroyed for the amusement of the crowds.<ref name = "Junkertown">2017-08-21, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPDd16_9dI Junkertown | New Escort Map | Overwatch]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2017-08-22</ref> [[Null Sector]] was formed with the goal of creating a better future for omnics,<ref name = "RamattraOrigin"/> though resorted to violence, such as the [[King's Row Uprising]].<Ref name = "Uprising">''[[Tracer: Uprising]]''</ref> [[File:Omnic gang.jpg|thumb|An anti-human omnic gang]] In the five year period following the disbandment of [[Overwatch (group)|Overwatch]], tensions between humans and omnics had never been higher, particularly after the assassination of the omnic spiritual leader [[Tekhartha Mondatta]],<ref name = "Vigilante"/> whose death set off a wave of human-omnic violence across the globe.<ref name = "HoN">''[[Overwatch: The Hero of Numbani]]''</ref> At the same time, in [[Russia]], omnics continued to wage against humans, in what was called a "[[Second Omnic Crisis]]."<ref>''[[Recall (animation)|Recall]]''</ref> [[Numbani]] was an exception to the omnics' global woes, as they lived peacefully with humans in the city<ref name = "Livestream">2015-08-08, [http://overwatch.blizzpro.com/2015/08/08/gamescom-livestream-panel-w-the-devs/ GAMESCOM LIVESTREAM PANEL W/ THE DEVS]. ''Blizzpro'', accessed on 2015-08-22</ref> where they enjoy equal rights and have access to the same kinds of roles available for humans.<ref name = "NewNovel"/> ====Null Sector==== One year after the death of Mondatta,<ref name = "Overwatch2TimeGap">2019-11-16, [https://youtu.be/Zwq1FtM_WVE?t=48 110 Rapid-Fire Questions With Overwatch 2's Jeff Kaplan]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2022-10-31</ref> [[Null Sector]] launched a global assault. A number of omnics went rogue (it is unclear if this was voluntary or coerced), though regardless, a number of omnics strove to remain neutral. Null Sector launched an assault on [[Toronto]], where they attacked the humans living there, and began to abduct the city's omnics, "liberating" them. Toronto was intended to be a demonstration to the world that humans had treated omnics as servants as far too long, and now, the whirlwind was being reaped.<ref name = "ExperiencePvE">2023-06-12, [https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2023/06/12/exclusive-first-hands-on-with-the-pve-story-missions Exclusive First Hands-On With The PvE Story Missions]. ''Game Informer'', accessed on 2023-06-19</ref> {{clear}}
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