Discover the fascinating history of Overwatch's development, exploring rejected heroes from the Prometheus era. Dive into iconic concepts like Mama Hong and uncover the untold stories that could shape Overwatch 2 in 2026.
OMG guys, I just stumbled upon the coolest piece of Overwatch history ever! đ Did you know that before Overwatch became the game we all know and love, it was called Prometheus during development? I've been diving into these old concept files from 2016, and I'm literally obsessed with these rejected heroes that never made it into the game!
The Lost Heroes of Prometheus
So here's the tea: Blizzard employees were actually encouraged to create their own character concepts during early development. Some made it through relatively unchanged (like Winston and Reaper), while others evolved dramatically. For example, our tech-savvy Echo was originally called 'Iris,' and Soldier 76 began life as 'Troy.' But the REAL interesting ones are those that got completely shelved!

I'm honestly living for these concepts. The community discussions around these forgotten heroes are absolutely wild, with everyone having their favorites they wish would make a comeback in 2026. And after ten years since the original game's launch, wouldn't it be amazing to see some of these concepts revived?
Mama Hong: The Queen We Deserve
The absolute STANDOUT favorite among fans (including me!) has to be Mama Hong. She would have been such an iconic addition to the roster! đ Apparently inspired by the landlady from Kung Fu Hustle, this fierce character would've had an ability literally called "Manslaughter." MANSLAUGHTER, people! I can't even imagine what that would do in-game, but I'm here for the chaotic energy.
Unlike the sleek, polished heroes we're used to, Mama Hong has this raw, no-nonsense vibe that would bring something completely different to the table. In 2026, when games are pushing for more diverse character designs, bringing Mama Hong into Overwatch 2 would be such a power move by Blizzard.
Recluse and Psyblade: The Aesthetic Queens
Let's be real for a second - sometimes we pick heroes based purely on aesthetics, and I'm not ashamed to admit it! Two concepts that caught my eye immediately were Recluse and Psyblade.
Recluse would have been this massive spider lady who could cling to walls! Just imagine the gameplay possibilities:
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Wall-climbing abilities
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Potential web-shooting mechanics
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Unique movement patterns
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Terrifying ultimate abilities
As for Psyblade, her sleek, futuristic design gives major cyberpunk vibes. In 2026, with the cyberpunk aesthetic still going strong in gaming, she would fit right into the current meta both visually and thematically.
McCloud: The Scottish Warrior We Need
I'm personally obsessed with McCloud! đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó ż This concept for a Scottish warrior wielding a massive Claymore would bring such amazing representation to the game. His design already looks like it belongs in Overwatch, so the transition would be seamless.
Some fans have suggested his name might need a tweak to something more authentically Scottish if Blizzard ever decides to revive him. I'm thinking something like:
| Original Name | Potential Authentic Names |
|---|---|
| McCloud | MacLeod |
| Callum | |
| Fraser |
Why These Heroes Deserve a Second Chance
It's 2026 now, and Overwatch 2 has been evolving for years. The game desperately needs fresh ideas to keep the community engaged, and these forgotten concepts could be the perfect solution! Instead of creating entirely new characters from scratch, Blizzard has this goldmine of pre-existing concepts they could refine and modernize.
What makes these rejected heroes so appealing is how different they feel from the current roster. Mama Hong brings chaotic energy, Recluse offers unique movement mechanics, and McCloud adds cultural diversity. These aren't just rehashes of existing archetypes â they're genuinely fresh additions that could shake up the meta in exciting ways.
My Wishlist for Future Heroes
If I could pick three of these concepts to be developed for Overwatch 2 in 2026, my list would be:
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Mama Hong - Because we need her chaotic energy and unique silhouette
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Recluse - For the completely new movement mechanics
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McCloud - For cultural representation and that amazing Claymore
What do you think? Which of these forgotten heroes would you want to see make a comeback? Drop your favorites in the comments! I'm dying to know if anyone else is as obsessed with Mama Hong as I am! đ
Can you imagine how different the Overwatch universe would be if some of these characters had made it into the final game? It's like peeking into an alternate timeline! Ten years later, and I'm still discovering new things about one of my favorite games. The Overwatch community continues to surprise me with how passionate they remain about the game's lore and potential.
Who knows? Maybe the developers at Blizzard will see how much interest there still is in these concepts and surprise us all with a revival in the next season. A girl can dream, right? â¨