In an unexpected twist, Overwatch 2 has stealthily announced a crossover event with the iconic G.I. Joe franchise for its upcoming Season 17. Unlike previous collaborations that received prominent marketing, this partnership was subtly hinted at through social media and eagle-eyed fans spotting details in the season trailer.

The confirmation came through an official Overwatch 2 Twitter post showcasing Season 17 highlights, which included a brief mention of the crossover alongside new content like the Flashpoint map 'Aatlis' and the water-themed hero Wuyang's trial period.

Observant players later discovered that Genji appears wearing a Snake Eyes-inspired skin at the 1:16 mark in the Season 17 trailer, strongly suggesting this will be one of the crossover cosmetics. The community has already begun speculating about other potential character parallels, such as:

• Duke → Soldier: 76
• Roadblock → Baptiste
• Scarlett → Freja
• Baroness → Sombra
• Zartan → Hanzo
• Cobra Commander → Ramattra

Interestingly, the trailer may contain hints of another potential collaboration. A brief focus on Nerf-branded items has led to speculation about possible weapon skins, though Blizzard hasn't confirmed this theory.

This marks Overwatch 2's continued trend of seasonal crossovers since its One Punch Man collaboration. The G.I. Joe partnership represents a particularly fitting thematic match, blending the game's diverse hero roster with the military-inspired action figure franchise.

Season 17, titled 'Powered Up,' launches on June 24, 2025, bringing the crossover event alongside significant hero balance changes - including a notable Bastion buff - and the new Chinese support hero trial for Wuyang (previously codenamed Aqua).