Like most people, I love Overwatch. And unlike most people, Gavin loves Overwatch as more than just a friend but that’s a creepy story for another day. The one thing that has always bugged me about Overwatch however? The fact that with almost two dozen characters, we’ve yet to see anyone emerging from the deeper parts of Africa to join the varied roster of Japanese cyborg ninjas and German giants.
Sure, Pharrah and Ana call Egypt their home, but I’m talking more African. Besides our corner of the continent, we’ve got nations such as Kenya, Rwanda and Cameroon who deserve some love. Well it sounds like Blizzard has been crankin’ up the Toto lately, as they’ve begun teasing an African-born hero from Numbani, which is pretty much within Nigeria in the game lore: Efi Oladele, an 11-year-old genius in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Blizzard posted an “interview” with the wunderkind under the Atlas News, a source which also revealed detailed on characters such as Sombra and Soldier 76 in the past. Here’s the pertinent bit from Q and A:
How did you get into robots and artificial intelligence?
Well, I’ve always been interested. After my mom and dad got me my first robotics kit, I became obsessed with putting together little drones. When I started to get good at it, I tried to build robots to do my chores and help around the house. My parents think it’s cheating… It’s no fair! (laughs)
I want to create things that make our lives better. And someday, my dream is to build something that can keep us safe, like the new OR15s! I think that would be great.
Here’s the thing: I don’t think Efi is the next Overwatch hero. Killing a kid while escorting the payload would probably result in some controversy. Probably. Rather, I think Efi will be contributing a creation to Overwatch, perhaps a counter or dark reflection of Bastion considering that her home of Numbani is a haven for humanity and omnics, existing as a land where the two live side by side without any conflict.
This also lines up with a comment that Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan left on the Overwatch forums, saying that the next character “is not who you think it is”. Which pretty much killed any dream of playing as Doomfist anytime soon. Now if you’ll excuse me, I too feel the need to crank up the Toto.
Last Updated: February 22, 2017
Gerhard Davids
February 22, 2017 at 08:42
So there was a leak, *Spoilers ahead maybe*
It’ll be some 4 legged robot tank. The leak checks out with past events and matches fore-shadowing in the Sombra trailer. This style of robot can also be seen in some of the OW concept art in Blizz HQ
Gavin Mannion
February 22, 2017 at 08:45
Where’d you see this? I also can’t see Efi being in game.. but I’m sure she’d be the voice of the tank and control it remotely if that was the case.
The mention of drones sounds cool though
Gerhard Davids
February 22, 2017 at 08:52
http://i.imgur.com/m5oe3fO.png
http://68.media.tumblr.com/10242df4a0fd04a0b513950bb717246a/tumblr_oj0e8ybLdd1ul0dowo1_1280.jpg
Courtesy of 4chan via Reddit.
Gavin Mannion
February 22, 2017 at 08:53
oooo that looks awesome.. I’d love to see a new tank in the game, I wonder how it’ll function..
konfab
February 22, 2017 at 08:54
It should be fast and nimble, without the ability to take lots of damage.
Gavin Mannion
February 22, 2017 at 08:54
it won’t be a tank then… we have enough fast characters I think
Gerhard Davids
February 22, 2017 at 08:57
Agreed, we need someone that can replace or at least compete with Rein in the meta.
He is stale and generally boring to play but is required. If this tank can take care of that then it will be a home run.
D’va is effectively fast and nimble with no tankyness after the nerf.
HairyEwok
February 22, 2017 at 09:47
It’s D’va own fault for getting nerfed. She asked for it, that little Dorito mountain dew guzzling brat!
Gerhard Davids
February 22, 2017 at 09:55
Well’ she did literally ask for it.
HairyEwok
February 22, 2017 at 09:43
The thing has a friggen 50 cal for a gun….. 50 CAL!
Gerhard Davids
February 22, 2017 at 09:54
Good, it’s time a hero puts the word tank back into the word tank.
Low mobility deadly and tough as all hell.
This might even bring junkrat into the meta.
HairyEwok
February 22, 2017 at 10:41
What is that tank, its so powerful! We need something that is mobile and can blow a hole into it….
Junkrat: Now’s my time to shine!
Lu
February 22, 2017 at 08:54
Hi *. You have won a 1000 loot boxes in the Omo Overwatch competition.
Call Efi on 0873454532.
First thought when I read Nigerian hero
konfab
February 22, 2017 at 08:54
LOL
Banana Jim's Final Form!
February 22, 2017 at 13:43
Yoh!
Matthew Figueira
February 22, 2017 at 08:55
Fusinator or Soundquake 😀 GIMME!!!
konfab
February 22, 2017 at 08:56
Sending an 11 year old African to fight in conflict…
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e84ce89ee7fac5552a18b4159fd8a92cef23e49068c3858e5e66789667128908.jpg
Sageville
February 22, 2017 at 16:22
“We need a new Overwatch character from Africa guys!”
“Hmmm, what is Africa reknown for?”
“Well, there are South African Mercenaries, Impi Warriors, child soldiers etc..”
“Wait what was that last one?”
Skittle
February 22, 2017 at 09:36
Is Lúcio from Brazil?
HairyEwok
February 22, 2017 at 09:42
Yebo.
Skittle
February 22, 2017 at 12:55
Sim*
HairyEwok
February 23, 2017 at 08:27
City
HairyEwok
February 22, 2017 at 09:45
The fact that those tusks on her earphones aren’t pointing in the same direction is bothering me so much.
Allykhat
February 22, 2017 at 10:00
There is also whispers in the overspace that one of the upcoming heroes has a spartan theme. Code name going around the moment is “Greek”
HvR
February 22, 2017 at 10:36
“has been crankin’ up the Toto lately”
Blizzard must be careful crank Ottokie too much and he spills slime everywhere
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view7/3927089/hold-the-line-o.gif