[keepamovin]

I disagree - I think the name is great.

Consider Venn diagrams: the audience for these two homynymous products has small overlap. Further moderated when you consider term stickiness to respective meanings is only high for a small fraction of that audience.

In other words, most people aware of both can cope with a mutual name. And some may even think it's cool. Each name enhancing the other through association and analogy.

Overwatch is definitely the right choice. Consider the 'OG' meaning originates from military terminology. In this context, "overwatch" refers to a tactical position where one unit provides covering fire and surveillance for another unit as it moves forward or performs an action. The overwatch position is typically elevated or strategically placed to have a clear view of the battlefield, allowing the overwatching unit to detect threats and engage enemies to protect the advancing or exposed units.

This concept ensures that the moving or vulnerable unit can operate with reduced risk, as the overwatching unit can neutralize potential dangers and provide critical information about the surroundings. The practice of overwatch is a fundamental tactic in military operations, emphasizing teamwork, communication, and strategic positioning.

[bogtog]

I’m not sure if you are familiar with Overwatch the game, but it is a very famous massive game. My gut is that a majority (if not a huge majority) of people in tech aged 20-40 will be familiar with Overwatch, the game. This will just make following a conversation about the product unnecessarily difficult. The existing mental and SEO associations are radically strong, regardless of theoretical reasons for why “Overwatch” is a good name for the present product

[keepamovin]

I guess to put it in programming-speak which you might find a bit easier: these two names are 'out of scope' of each other - hahaha! :)

I don't think of what you call the 'theoretical' aspects as being purely theoretical, I think they're practical and conceptually associative and have provided a great name.

I do know of the game (but I haven't played it haha!), but I don't think it's a problem. I understand that you do. We'll see! Hahaha! :)

I'm no expert in SEO but it seems like it could go both ways and even boost it. For people's mental aspect, think the recall of this term will be boosted by there also being a famous game, and I don't think people will be confused by these two different categories.

What makes you think they will? What other examples have you seen where this happens?

[intended]

Its a great name, it is also a trademark. I dont know enough IP law to know if this is an issue. https://trademarks.justia.com/862/39/overwatch-86239314.html

Try it and find out?

[ygjb]

Meh. That is just the Blizzard trademark; there are several other Overwatch trademarks that are military and security related that are probably a more likely overlap.

Definitely something to consider, but more in the "send a note to a trademark lawyer and marketing folks" than "rename our entire product and brand".

[martinbaun]

not saying the name is great. I am just saying maybe you don't want to get sued by a huge multi-billion dollar giant who likes to sue.

[keepamovin]

I disagree. I'd be like: Bring it on. Play the fake victim card. Make a few showy social media posts, posting select screenshots of email chains. Rally everyone around the 'evil greediness' of megacorps. Not only do you score PR sentiment wins, you get a massive PR blitz. "Tiny US cyberintel startup sued by massive Chinese-state-linked online game" (I don't actually know if they're Chinese-state-linked but I'm channeling my inner modern-day journalist hahaha!)