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As we near the end of the month, it's time for yet another episode of Ask the Devs!
Ask us anything and everything you'd like answered, and we'll try our best to answer as many of your questions as we can.
The thread will get locked on Monday the 31st of January at 23:59 UTC/GMT, and we'll post the answers on February 1st.
Answers
Overwatch Development Team said:
- ScrooLewse asks:
- Are there any plans for a version 1.4.1 [or a later version] being hammered-out?
Having adopted a very iterative approach to development, we try not to plan too far ahead. Not only does that allow us to remain flexible, but it also gives us the ability to quickly prototype new ideas.
We have a general list of features we'd like to add and bugs we'd like to fix, but the specific list for the next version has yet to be decided. In short, our entire focus right now is on the upcoming 1.4.0 release.
- What is the team doing about the riot shield?
We'll be starting a thread soon to gather feedback regarding the Riot Shield (Defender Role). We wanted to wait until after we'd finished implementing the remaining roles (we have 2 currently being discussed/tested), but if the consensus is that the Defender needs an immediate update, we'll move it to the top of the priority list.
- What would be your estimation of when Overwatch will become self-sustaining (at least one active server at any given time)?
It's difficult to predict, but our hope is that the upcoming release of the community-made maps (that were entries in the recent contest) will entice fans to play more often.
- Is there anything I (or any member of the community) can do to speed-up that process?
Gamers like diversity, so more community-made content is always welcome! Aside from that, you can help by taking part in our weekly Community Playtime events (invite your friends to join in as well!), and of course, by sending us your feedback and suggestions.
- When is 1.4.0 coming out?
The next update's taking a bit longer than usual to release, but we're sure it'll be worth the wait. We're doing our best to help the contest participants get some of their maps ready, so that we can at least release a few of them in 1.4.0. Although I can't give an exact date, I can tell you that it'll be sometime this month for sure.
- Are there any plans for a version 1.4.1 [or a later version] being hammered-out?
- The Joker asks:
- Can you elaborate on the Barracks system? What other features do you have planned for the next Overwatch release?
The upcoming Progress Report will contain information about the Barracks system and other changes being implemented for the next release.
- Can you elaborate on the Barracks system? What other features do you have planned for the next Overwatch release?
- Jgoodroad asks:
- Cats or dogs?
If someone had asked me 5 weeks ago, I wouldn't have hesitated to say dog. Now however, I'd have to say both. I have 2 dogs and 1 cat.
Andy has a dog, nuclear_eclipse (programmer) has cats (and Namen (programmer) hasratsferrets).
- Cats or dogs?
- Octaytse asks:
- Will Overwatch be released on Steam and/or Desura?
A Steam release is entirely up to Valve. If they do contact us, we'll definitely say yes! All we can do in the meantime is try our best to encourage more people to play Overwatch and hopefully get noticed.
As for Desura, since we currently have an Updater utility of our own, we'd need to build two different versions of the game for it to work with both methods of distribution. It's definitely something we've discussed, but it's not part of our immediate plans.
- How long will you continue to support Overwatch?
As long as we can, of course. We're currently working on two projects at the same time (so Overwatch's development pace is a bit slower than it once was), but it's still very important to us that we keep its development moving forward.
- Will Overwatch be released on Steam and/or Desura?
- Raphi123 asks:
- Will the strider be implemented soon or has it been delayed?
Icarus (level designer) is currently working on Breach's third and fourth (final) sections which, as you've seen in the latest trailer, feature the Strider. We still have a few kinks to iron out, but we're working on it!
- When will there be a new video available?
The next planned video series will focus almost entirely on the community-made maps that were a part of the recent contest. They'll be released around the same time as the maps themselves.
- How about making a cool competition as discussed in another thread (for more players)?
If you're talking about this thread, I've already posted my thoughts on there. AndY will be posting his soon too, so keep an eye on it.
- Will the strider be implemented soon or has it been delayed?
- warbrand2 asks:
- Do you have any plans for expanding the Overwatch community?
Releasing the community-made maps and scheduling frequent Playtime events are our current plans for expanding Overwatch's playerbase. We're always open to suggestions if you have any!
- Do you plan on retrying the model competition at any time?
We've set that aside for the time being, but we might revisit the idea in the future.
- Do you see any new features like vortigaunt players or new weapons in the future now that the maps are beginning to form?
I can't give you a definite list of features we plan to add as a lot of it is decided after a few rounds of prototyping, but we'll be talking about some of the upcoming ones in the next Progress Report.
- Do you have any plans for expanding the Overwatch community?
- Gabe(HUN) asks:
- Do you like machinima series such as Civil protection or Freeman's Mind? Are there any other machinima series from other creators that you enjoy?
I'm personally a fan of Red vs Blue, Civil Protection and Combine Nation.
- After you finally complete this mod, what will be your next project? What will be the next engine?
Some of us are already working on another, secret project (*wink* *wink*). As much as we love Source, it's being built using the UDK. It's a lot of new stuff to learn, but we're definitely enjoying the challenge!
- What are your favourite Source mods from other teams?
My personal ones are Zombie Master and Pirates Vikings & Knights II.
AndY: Dystopia, Hidden: Source // Generalvivi: Minerva Metastasis, Research and Development, Hidden: Source // Namen: Hidden: Source, Zombie Master
nuclear_eclipse: Firearms: Source, Half Life 2: Wars // Psy: Suicide Survival, Mission Improbable, Research and Development // : Decadence.
- What are your favourite movies? What will be your favourite movies this year?
Mine: The A-Team, How to Train Your Dragon, The Dark Knight, Robin Hood, Law Abiding Citizen and Sanctum 3D.
AndY: Tough question. Six random ones I really like: Star Trek, Star Wars (4-6), The Matrix, Ip Man, GoldenEye, Enemy of the State + (Upcoming) X-Men, Transformers
Generalvivi (level designer): The Matrix, Fifth Element, Mulan, Lion King + Sucker Punch
Namen: Inception, Scott Pilgrim vs The World
nuclear_eclipse: Star Wars Saga, Fifth Element, Thomas Crown Affair, Wall-E
Psy (level designer): Inception, Goodfellas, Team America
SebastianA (composer): Children of Men + True Grit
- Do you like machinima series such as Civil protection or Freeman's Mind? Are there any other machinima series from other creators that you enjoy?
That's it for this month's episode of Ask the Devs!
Until next!
