With the new system, the authors have been able to separate all the major lighting, sound and effects components into standalone assets that can be combined as building blocks to create what they call Environment Scenarios. These scripts can be used on different maps, or multiple scripts can be used on the same map.
An example was the map “Necropolis”, which is distinguished by the contrast of the cold blue colors of the night with bright orange torches lit around the buildings. However, with the new system on the map, you can easily apply the warm desert colors of the “Temple of Anubis” map.
At the same time, developers can change individual elements of a particular Environment State, for example: the position of the sun to create more interesting shadows, the presence or absence of clouds, the density of fog in certain areas of the map, and so on.
In addition, Environment States can be used dynamically to create new gameplay experiences. For example, during a PvE mission on the Necropolis map, the authors can turn on a sandstorm.
The developers note that with the help of the new system they will be able to create various dynamic weather effects, including thunderstorms and snowfalls, to diversify the gameplay.
The release date for Overwatch 2 is not yet known.
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