Overwatch seems like it doesn’t want to step out of the spotlight yet. Since the end of their Lunar New Year Event, and the arrival of the new 2CP Paris Map, no one has been able to catch their breath. Because Overwatch doesn’t want you to. In a recent tweet, it’s clear there’s something on the horizon:
A lot of things to break down from this. First, the tweet leads to report from someone in Talon, our main villainous organization. The year is redacted in this, so the time frame is questionable. The log retrieved is focused on the retrieval or elimination of one Jean-Baptiste Augustin. Familiar name? In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s there was a miniature painter with the same name based out of Paris, France. Whether or not this new Baptiste, as the file calls him, is based out of Paris (especially with map having just dropped) is unknown. But it’s clear someone shares the name with a painter, or uses it as a code name.
The second thing, the event of this log takes place in Tortuga, Haiti. Namely, this was an old port that is usually depicted as a pirate meeting place of the 17th and 18th century. Again, a similar time frame of the character’s namesake. Though it is here that D. Cuerva, the writer of the report, tells of how they received the emblems of Baptiste’s team torn off and in a folder with a note: Come find me, Cuerva.
It’s here that there are more hints as to what Baptiste is about. A medic, and a good shot. Trained under Cuerva, and clearly on the run and having second thoughts about being a part of Talon. But no one leaves Talon.
The tweet’s video that shows parts of this report ends with the flash of an all too familiar symbol: the skull that Sombra is affiliated with. It’s possible that Sombra is ratting out Baptiste, or she’s working with him. Either way, the hacking hero is a part of Baptiste’s story somehow.
The report has been giving way to a number of fan theories of who Baptiste could be, what his abilities are, what his ultimate could be, and how he fits into the lore. It is also possible that with the Archives Event coming up in the near future (possibly March/April), he might have something to do with it. Though this one fan brings up an interesting connection:
A plausible theory as previous Overwatch characters don’t seem to stay dead (Ana, Reaper, Soldier: 76, Widowmaker, Genji, just to name a few) and keep returning to be a part of the game.
But all of this leads to a number of questions: Does Baptiste’s arrival announce just a new hero, or a new hero combined with an Archive Event? How long has D. Cuerva been missing on this hunt for Baptiste? What made Baptiste turn on Talon and go rogue? Does the name and location with the history of them tie into Baptiste’s character? Just a few, but there’s more bubbling around the surface. For now, players will have to wait for the next clue, and wonder if this is another ARG or just a tease.