This is gonna be a long read probably but I kinda really wanted to get my thoughts out on Sigma’s character story because it sounds like a lot of people are mad about Blizzard making an “ableist” character… I’m gonna say right now, whether they meant to make him so specifically mentally ill or not, I love Sigma. Anyways…
I am diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder and PTSD due to trauma- if you dont know what Schizoaffective Disorder is, it’s basically Schizophrenia and at least one mood disorder (mine being both bipolar and depression) wrapped up into a nice gift box for your brain. Though we don’t know what exactly Sigma was left with after the experiment-gone-wrong, I think it’s safe to assume he’s damaged ( pun @ his one spray, ‘damaged’ intended :^) ) one way or another. A lot of people (easily upset, probably neuro-typical people) have been complaining that what we saw in the trailer for Sigma is extremely pushing it, making mentally ill people look like absolute jokes. And personally, I don’t see that at all.
(The only thing I actually don’t like, and most people I’ve seen agree, is the mask and straight jacket. That’s actually kinda crappy to see due to harmful “insane” stereotypes. I wouldn’t be mad if he was actually meant to be a parody or costume for halloween, but that’s different all together…)
Okay so. From what we know, Sigma splits. Splitting sucks! Split thinking is how people with specific mental issues think. Black and white, one way or another, good or bad. Sigma in the trailer shows him speaking nervously and confused about where he is and what’s happening, then splits suddenly into a louder more chaotic voice. I’d like to say the violence parts are about what Talon is doing to him- manipulating him and using his mental state as a weapon when he is least aware.
I can relate to this in a realistic, human (not video game character) way. With all the trauma and abuse I went though, I was and still am VERY easily manipulated by my abuser (Talon is the abuser in this situation). For me, splitting is god awful as well, not as violent anymore. It is mostly extreme happiness and euphoria! OR absolute anger by everything or depression- like ‘nothing matters I’ve failed everyone in my life’ depression. But!! I’ve been through enough help to be AWARE of it. Sigma is not. Sigma probably barely even knows what happened, let alone that he can be healed. Talon is making him be violent, not just his mental illness. They’re taking advantage of him in his weakest moments.
I think people are seeing him being an “evil” character as: Brain damage -> violent -> evil. When in actuality it goes: Brain damage -> abuse/control -> violent. I honestly wouldn’t even call him evil. He is not inherently evil, just used. I would go as far as saying Moira is more evil than him, because she works with Talon with her own free will.
Another thing I wanted to point out are his bare feet. I’ve been in a mental institution for recovery a few times and yeah, you get socks! But I really don’t like thinking of this massive floating lad in SOCKS. The feet/feet wraps are fine, he doesn’t walk anyways tbh lmao… Sock’s would be really uncanny. :,)
I’d ALSO like to point out his love for music… Now, I know that’s an astrophysicist thing, putting music to science, but honestly… A lot of mentally ill people I know, including myself, have special interests and hyperfixations that help them cope. Music is a big one for me. I’ve had to use music (and medication obviously) to drown out voices since junior high. I will say though, that seems like it has more lore to it than just that- but EVEN that is a really good addition to his character!
Sigma isn’t a bad character! Not every mentally ill person experiences the same thing, but that doesn’t mean his character is a reach or harmful. I relate to this guy in such a cool way I haven’t felt in a long time with character backstories. He is genuinely interesting and awesome to see in media, as long as they keep up with him being so well written. Unless Blizzard does a 180 and makes him into just a raw killer, I don’t see an issue with him. I never thought I would be so surprisingly happy to see a video game character I could relate to on a trauma level. (Now let’s just hope he gets saved by Overwatch and healed in lore. Save this old man pls…)