Lego delays Overwatch 2 set over Activision Blizzard allegations

The Lego Group has indefinitely delayed the discharge of a brand new Lego set primarily based on Overwatch 2, in keeping with an announcement from the corporate posted by The Brick Fan. Lego mentioned the choice to push again the set comes as the corporate is “reviewing” its partnership with Activision Blizzard over considerations about how the sport writer is dealing with allegations of a poisonous office tradition and gender discrimination on the firm.

Lego’s assertion, launched Tuesday, says in full:

We’re presently reviewing our partnership with Activision Blizzard, given considerations concerning the progress being made to handle persevering with allegations relating to office tradition, particularly the remedy of feminine colleagues and creating a various and inclusive setting. Whereas we full the evaluation, we’ll pause the discharge of a LEGO Overwatch 2 product which was because of go on sale on February 1, 2022.

Polygon has reached out to The Lego Group for extra data and can replace this story when the corporate responds.

The Lego Overwatch 2 Titan set relies on a scene from the sport’s announcement cinematic from BlizzCon 2019. It options Lego minifigures of Overwatch heroes Tracer and Mei in a battle in opposition to an Omnic Titan. The set was introduced in December.

Picture: Lego/Blizzard Leisure

Lego and Blizzard Leisure, the developer of Overwatch, have partnered on a number of Lego units and minifigure releases since 2018. A Lego-themed pores and skin for Bastion and different Lego-themed cosmetics additionally seem within the unique Overwatch.

Followers nonetheless don’t know once they’ll get the Overwatch sequel that Blizzard introduced again in 2019, however we all know it received’t be any time quickly. Blizzard Leisure introduced an indefinite delay for Overwatch 2 in November 2021. Father or mother firm Activision Blizzard mentioned it was giving the event staff “further time to finish manufacturing and proceed rising their artistic assets to help the titles after launch,” acknowledging turmoil and turnover at Blizzard as contributing to the sport’s longer-than-expected growth.

Activision Blizzard is presently going through a number of lawsuits and federal investigations, in addition to requires its CEO, Bobby Kotick, to resign over severe allegations of sexual harassment and assault on the writer and its studios, together with Blizzard. These allegations and Activision Blizzard’s dealing with of the accusations have led a number of company sponsors to distance themselves from Activision Blizzard and its Overwatch esports league in current months.