Soldier: 76 | |
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Overwatch character | |
First appearance | Digital Webbing Presents #16 (2004) |
First game | Overwatch (2016) |
Created by | Chris Metzen |
Voiced by | Fred Tatasciore |
In-universe information | |
Class | Damage |
Nationality | American |
John Francis "Jack" Morrison, known by his code name Soldier: 76, is a character in Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch franchise, first appearing in Overwatch and its 2022 sequel Overwatch 2, both of which are team-based multiplayer first-person shooters. In the games, Jack is an American soldier-turned-vigilante and a founding member of the game's titular organization. Designed to appeal to newcomer players, Soldier: 76 wears a visor on top of his facemask and carries an experimental rifle. Soldier: 76 originated as a comic book concept conceived by former Blizzard employee Chris Metzen in the early 2000s, and is later modified and repurposed for inclusion in Overwatch. A short story published by Blizzard in January 2019 details his past relationship with his same-sex domestic partner.
Soldier: 76 was a highly popular choice for players during the early years of the first game. The character's revelation as an openly gay man has been met with a generally positive reception from players, though some commentators have expressed their concerns and doubt about the sincerity of the developers as well as the player community for inclusivity.