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Published on 2023-05-20 01:53 PM
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Published on 2023-05-11 06:29 PM
Exploring a New Universe in Starwatch: Galactic Rescue
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Starwatch: Galactic Rescue is live, and the fight for the universe is on! Have you been fighting with the Watchers in their rescue mission, or do you serve the Infinite Empire? Only time will tell which side prevails, but in the meantime, we’d like to share how the team built this new world within Overwatch.
Building a New World
Starwatch takes place among the planets and stars, so ensuring we could deliver an environment that felt like a space opera was important. The first step was to design the interior of a starship. With the launch of Overwatch 2, we removed Assault (2CP) maps from the core game mode lineup—meaning there are some amazing maps that aren't currently being used in game—and we saw this opportunity to bring back Horizon: Lunar Colony.
Horizon: Lunar Colony was a perfect fit because it already has a very sci-fi feel within its design language. So, we transformed this map from a lunar colony into a starship that sets the stage for an epic space opera adventure.
The new mode takes place on the Infinite Galactrius, the flagship of Galactic Emperor Sigma, leader of the Infinite Empire. When first approaching the design for the starship, senior lighting artist Peter Tran already had a vision for the map. “Initially, I wanted to keep things relatively simple but while iterating on the lighting for this event, it became such an awesome and exciting passion project for all of us. At some point, I realized that simple lighting wouldn't do it justice, and that’s when we doubled down on the darker, moodier lighting for this event.”
When it came to changing the actual look of the map, senior environment artist Tim Wasson also had a clear vision set in mind. “With such big ideas for a dramatic environment transformation, Starwatch became an exercise in ‘resurfacing’ the existing geometry with new materials. This, along with the lighting overhaul, provided us with a big win early on.”
Creating a New Experience with New Challenges
The original Horizon: Lunar Colony was a friendly and fun map built to show the potential of a scientific moon base. For the event, the team wanted to make this place more sinister and darker to help deliver a story of a rebel cause fighting against a galactic regime. First, the moon terrain was removed from the map to make it feel like you are deep in a faraway galaxy. Then, once the team placed a small spacecraft outside the window, the overall map started to feel like a massive starship.
With the exteriors of the former moon base adjusted, associate art director Peter Lee turned to the interiors. “We made a test lighting concept painting to see how far we could push the vision. That was the moment we started to feel we'd found something we wanted to pursue.” The color palette changed from sterile greys and tans to a classic sci-fi evil empire look by using blacks, whites, and reds. Finally, additions of new elements like the turrets that serve the Infinite Empire and the dangerous Gravity Implosion Barrels create unique traps in the environment that help set the stage for a galactic brawl.
Lighting Paint Test for the Infinite Galactrius
In-Game View of the Infinite Galactrius
From Overwatch to Starwatch
Changing the story from a ‘bright and hopeful future Earth’ to a much darker space opera was a huge undertaking. “Usually, we keep bright lighting in our maps, even for our night settings. However, this event became an opportunity for me to experiment with moodier lighting that would be exciting for our players,” said Peter Tran. “This event had to be special for both our veteran and new players to remember, especially because we're resurrecting one of our classic 2CP maps for a new purpose. The Horizon: Lunar Colony map has always been one of my favorites because of its unique narrative that connects so many things in the Overwatch world. It's really satisfying to me to be able to repurpose it in such an epic and fun way.”
Gameplay is our top priority, and Starwatch pushes the boundaries of what we can do with our environments. Dark reds and blacks are colors we try to avoid in-game when making competitive maps, however, this was a unique opportunity for the art team to try something new while keeping our high gameplay standards.
We hope the players have as much fun playing in this event as the environmental art team had working on it. Starwatch: Galactic Rescue is live now on Overwatch 2 through May 23.
Building a New World
Starwatch takes place among the planets and stars, so ensuring we could deliver an environment that felt like a space opera was important. The first step was to design the interior of a starship. With the launch of Overwatch 2, we removed Assault (2CP) maps from the core game mode lineup—meaning there are some amazing maps that aren't currently being used in game—and we saw this opportunity to bring back Horizon: Lunar Colony.
Horizon: Lunar Colony was a perfect fit because it already has a very sci-fi feel within its design language. So, we transformed this map from a lunar colony into a starship that sets the stage for an epic space opera adventure.
The new mode takes place on the Infinite Galactrius, the flagship of Galactic Emperor Sigma, leader of the Infinite Empire. When first approaching the design for the starship, senior lighting artist Peter Tran already had a vision for the map. “Initially, I wanted to keep things relatively simple but while iterating on the lighting for this event, it became such an awesome and exciting passion project for all of us. At some point, I realized that simple lighting wouldn't do it justice, and that’s when we doubled down on the darker, moodier lighting for this event.”
When it came to changing the actual look of the map, senior environment artist Tim Wasson also had a clear vision set in mind. “With such big ideas for a dramatic environment transformation, Starwatch became an exercise in ‘resurfacing’ the existing geometry with new materials. This, along with the lighting overhaul, provided us with a big win early on.”
Creating a New Experience with New Challenges
The original Horizon: Lunar Colony was a friendly and fun map built to show the potential of a scientific moon base. For the event, the team wanted to make this place more sinister and darker to help deliver a story of a rebel cause fighting against a galactic regime. First, the moon terrain was removed from the map to make it feel like you are deep in a faraway galaxy. Then, once the team placed a small spacecraft outside the window, the overall map started to feel like a massive starship.
With the exteriors of the former moon base adjusted, associate art director Peter Lee turned to the interiors. “We made a test lighting concept painting to see how far we could push the vision. That was the moment we started to feel we'd found something we wanted to pursue.” The color palette changed from sterile greys and tans to a classic sci-fi evil empire look by using blacks, whites, and reds. Finally, additions of new elements like the turrets that serve the Infinite Empire and the dangerous Gravity Implosion Barrels create unique traps in the environment that help set the stage for a galactic brawl.
Lighting Paint Test for the Infinite Galactrius
In-Game View of the Infinite Galactrius
From Overwatch to Starwatch
Changing the story from a ‘bright and hopeful future Earth’ to a much darker space opera was a huge undertaking. “Usually, we keep bright lighting in our maps, even for our night settings. However, this event became an opportunity for me to experiment with moodier lighting that would be exciting for our players,” said Peter Tran. “This event had to be special for both our veteran and new players to remember, especially because we're resurrecting one of our classic 2CP maps for a new purpose. The Horizon: Lunar Colony map has always been one of my favorites because of its unique narrative that connects so many things in the Overwatch world. It's really satisfying to me to be able to repurpose it in such an epic and fun way.”
Gameplay is our top priority, and Starwatch pushes the boundaries of what we can do with our environments. Dark reds and blacks are colors we try to avoid in-game when making competitive maps, however, this was a unique opportunity for the art team to try something new while keeping our high gameplay standards.
We hope the players have as much fun playing in this event as the environmental art team had working on it. Starwatch: Galactic Rescue is live now on Overwatch 2 through May 23.
by
Published on 2023-05-09 06:51 PM
Overwatch 2 Retail Patch Notes - May 9, 2023
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
by
Published on 2023-05-09 06:07 PM
Become a Hero of Galaxy in Starwatch – Now Live
The Infinite Empire rules the galaxy with an iron grip, and all hope would be lost if not for a small band of rebels known as the Watchers, who fight for freedom across the stars. Log on starting May 9 for Starwatch: Galactic Rescue, an epic one-of-a-kind space event.
Starwatch: Galactic Rescue is Overwatch 2’s first-ever PVP/PVE hybrid event. Two teams face off on a four-point Assault match staged on the Infinite Galactrius, a starship transformed from the Horizon Lunar Colony Assault map. The Watchers, led by Bonebreaker Doomfist, will attack against the defending Infinite Empire.
Choose your side and join the fight
When you queue, you’ll choose to ally with the Watcher’s rebellion or join the Infinite Empire’s command. If your loyalties lie elsewhere, queue as a Mercenary to get into the next mission quickly and serve whichever side you’re assigned.
The Infinite Empire suffers no fools, and they’re well-equipped to stop any intruders. This team has special artillery throughout the facility that will attack the Watchers.
But the Watchers have help too. Bonebreaker will help aid this team as you charge in to rescue 3CH-0, portrayed by Echo. Both teams will want to take advantage of the Gravity Implosion Barrels throughout the facility, as destroying the container will unleash a small, yet powerful black hole that will catch anyone in its wake, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
An Echo of Hope
Immerse yourself in the story behind the event with the all-new comic, Starwatch: An Echo of Hope. This tale sets the stage of how the Watchers barely escaped the clutches of Galactic Emperor Sigma, but their friend 3CH-0 is captured and now the Infinite Empire wants to reprogram her into a powerful weapon that threatens the galaxy. Leading up to the mission where the Watchers rescue 3CH-0 from the Infinite Empire’s starship.
Cosmic Challenges & Rewards
The adventures do not end with Starwatch: Galactic Rescue. Cosmic event challenges await that unlock all-new cosmic cosmetics, including a brand-new Asteroid Epic skin for Wrecking Ball, along with 50,000 XP to help complete your Premium Battle Bass and unlock the Mythic skin for Galactic Emperor Sigma himself. Finally, embark on new adventures as your favorite rebel from the Watchers or soldier from the Infinite Empire, with limited-time bundles available in the in-game shop!
Log onto Overwatch 2 today and help save or conquer the galaxy! Starwatch: Galactic Rescue begins May 9 and runs through May 22.
Starwatch: Galactic Rescue is Overwatch 2’s first-ever PVP/PVE hybrid event. Two teams face off on a four-point Assault match staged on the Infinite Galactrius, a starship transformed from the Horizon Lunar Colony Assault map. The Watchers, led by Bonebreaker Doomfist, will attack against the defending Infinite Empire.
Choose your side and join the fight
When you queue, you’ll choose to ally with the Watcher’s rebellion or join the Infinite Empire’s command. If your loyalties lie elsewhere, queue as a Mercenary to get into the next mission quickly and serve whichever side you’re assigned.
The Infinite Empire suffers no fools, and they’re well-equipped to stop any intruders. This team has special artillery throughout the facility that will attack the Watchers.
But the Watchers have help too. Bonebreaker will help aid this team as you charge in to rescue 3CH-0, portrayed by Echo. Both teams will want to take advantage of the Gravity Implosion Barrels throughout the facility, as destroying the container will unleash a small, yet powerful black hole that will catch anyone in its wake, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
An Echo of Hope
Immerse yourself in the story behind the event with the all-new comic, Starwatch: An Echo of Hope. This tale sets the stage of how the Watchers barely escaped the clutches of Galactic Emperor Sigma, but their friend 3CH-0 is captured and now the Infinite Empire wants to reprogram her into a powerful weapon that threatens the galaxy. Leading up to the mission where the Watchers rescue 3CH-0 from the Infinite Empire’s starship.
Who will win?
We’ll tally up the total number of wins for both the Watchers and the Infinite Empire. The side that wins the most battles will determine the fate of galaxy in a second comic, to be released after the in-game event concludes.
Cosmic Challenges & Rewards
The adventures do not end with Starwatch: Galactic Rescue. Cosmic event challenges await that unlock all-new cosmic cosmetics, including a brand-new Asteroid Epic skin for Wrecking Ball, along with 50,000 XP to help complete your Premium Battle Bass and unlock the Mythic skin for Galactic Emperor Sigma himself. Finally, embark on new adventures as your favorite rebel from the Watchers or soldier from the Infinite Empire, with limited-time bundles available in the in-game shop!
Log onto Overwatch 2 today and help save or conquer the galaxy! Starwatch: Galactic Rescue begins May 9 and runs through May 22.
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