Blizzard's Overwatch is a unique first-person shooter released earlier in 2016, with a cast of vibrant characters, colorful and interesting maps and fast paced game play. Recently, the game has come under fire for some of the cosmetic "skins," that can be unlocked through game play or micro-transactions. These skins have been considered racially insensitive as well a means of cultural appropriation. The game has come under fire from major religious leaders, such as Rajan Zed President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, who claims that specifically the Devi skin for the character Symmetra "does not match with the characterization of of the goddess in scripture." The skin, depicted below, is supposed to be a concept of the Sanskrit word for "goddess," Devi. The skin appears to be based around the goddess of power and destruction, but also of motherhood, Kali.

Though the fact that Kali is depicted with a necklace of skulls and blue skin, there were some liberties taken on this cosmetic. Without getting too deep into Hinduism, many believe this skin is a form of mockery of several Hindu goddesses, although appropriately named after the generic terminology for goddess in Sanskrit. More skins such as Maori for the character Roadhog are in the same boat, with what seems to be just mashups of various cultural ideas. In the Maori skin, there has been some controversy over the depiction of both Polynesian and Maori ideas. Some have even called this skin for Roadhog a stereotypical "fat Polynesian," similar to one of the characters from Disney's Moana." The root of the controversy started from the idea that this skin's tattoos were Polynesian, but the shark teeth and other symbolism found in said skin are Hawaiian in origin.

Despite your opinions on a cosmetic aspect in a video game, I do not believe that anyone on Blizzard's development team for Overwatch meant to offend. I believe that the true problem underlies with the media, and that there are stereotypical depictions in all forms of today's culture. For example we can look at the bashing of J.K Rowling's new series, "The History of Magic In North America," which has recently come under controversy for stealing the traditions of a marginalized people. The true battle is between those who believe in cultural appropriation, versus those who do not. The real question is where the line can be drawn. In closing, I leave you with this question on where to draw the line when it comes to appreciation over appropriation.