Overwatch 2 dev shoots down Fox hero leak

Overwatch 2 fox spirit
(Image credit: Blizzard)

Overwatch 2 developer Blizzard has confirmed that the recently leaked Fox hero isn't real.

Earlier this week, a leak pointed to Kimiko, aka Fox Girl, being Overwatch 2's next hero. The character was said to be a healer, and have abilities related to her fox. According to the leaker, she could summon the furry fellow to aid allies in various ways, including providing healing and damage reduction. Her ultimate would seemingly call forth a giant nine-tailed fox to prevent enemies from attacking. 

An image was also shared, which showed a character with bright coloured hair brandishing a shuriken-like weapon with a cute little blue fox perched on her shoulder. This information has turned out to be bogus, according to one developer, which is sure to disappoint more than a few Overwatch 2 fans. 

In a response on the Competitive Overwatch subreddit, Blizzard's commercial leader and VP Jon Spector put the rumour to rest, saying, "Yes, this is fake". He reveals that normally the developer doesn't respond to this sort of rumour and speculation, but Spector clearly didn't want fans' hopes to get any higher and couldn't resist the opportunity to make a Naruto joke.

overwatch_new_support_hero_leak from r/Competitiveoverwatch

The revelation that Kimiko is fake brings more questions than it does answers, as we still don't know what the little fox spirit, which briefly appeared at the end of the Overwatch 2 release date trailer, is all about. It could still be a cryptic reference to the game's next hero, but it seems we'll have to wait a bit longer to find out. 

In other Overwatch news, Blizzard has confirmed that Overwatch 2 will replace Overwatch at launch. The developer has also said that it has no plans to hold a third beta before the shooter hits shelves later this year, on October 4.

Blizzard is changing things up for the Overwatch sequel, but here's why the Overwatch 2 free-to-play model might be a mistake.

Anne-Marie Ostler
Freelance Writer

Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue a Games Journalism and PR degree at Staffordshire University. Following that, I've freelanced for GamesMaster, Games TM, Official PlayStation Magazine and, more recently, Play and GamesRadar+. My love of gaming sprang from successfully defeating that first Goomba in Super Mario Bros on the NES. These days, PlayStation is my jam. When not gaming or writing, I can usually be found scouring the internet for anything Tomb Raider related to add to my out of control memorabilia collection.