After breaking Winston's heart last week, Overwatch players have abandoned Talon in this week's vote, and it's all down to the cat
PC Gamer
by Elie Gould February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Overwatch players have made a dramatic shift in their loyalties during the latest Conquest event, moving from supporting Talon last week to overwhelmingly backing Overwatch this week. The change is attributed to the introduction of highly desirable new rewards centered around the Jetpack Cat theme, which has garnered significant player interest. This week, Overwatch leads with nearly 60% support, compared to Talon's 55.76% victory last week.
The Conquest event tasks players with completing objectives for either Overwatch or Talon, with weekly rewards serving as a key motivator. Last week's win for Talon was met with mixed emotions, with some expressing strong loyalty to Winston and others questioning the community's priorities. This week's shift highlights how quickly player sentiment can change when appealing new rewards are introduced.
The allure of the Jetpack Cat-themed items—such as name cards, icons, and voice lines—has proven irresistible for many players. The competition now hinges on which side offers more attractive rewards, with one player succinctly stating, "New rewards for a new hero > New rewards for a hero you've already unlocked." This sentiment underscores the importance of fresh incentives in keeping players engaged.
The event's outcome will determine whether players receive an Overwatch or Talon spray, but the real draw this week has been the Jetpack Cat rewards. The popularity of these items suggests that players value unique and novel content over long-standing character loyalty. As new heroes like Domina are introduced with their own sets of rewards, it will be fascinating to see how player allegiances continue to evolve.
This situation illustrates the critical role that rewards play in shaping player behavior within online games. Developers must constantly innovate to retain engagement, as players often prioritize what's new and exciting over established characters or franchises. The Overwatch community's response to the Jetpack Cat rewards demonstrates the power of limited-time offers and unique content in driving player decisions.
For readers interested in gaming, this story highlights how game developers can strategically use rewards to influence player choices and maintain interest. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding player psychology and the factors that drive engagement—whether it's loyalty to a character or the allure of new content.
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/20/2026