17 replies to this topic

[Yakko]

The upcoming Overwatch update is definitely poised to be something special!

With the rest of the team busy tweaking and polishing the next release, I've been tasked with creating a custom model for the RiotShield, used by the Defender role.

The task wasn't as simple as it sounds. Designing an asset that fits within the Half-Life² universe (a universe we haven't created) and works well with what we'd intended for the Defender role proved to be quite a challenge. We also had to consider any impact on balance such a change could potentially create.

All in all, it took quite a bit of effort. Read on to learn more!




As soon as we had decided to make a new RiotShield, I was handed some concepts that Ilkka (OW's former concept artist) had drawn right before landing a job in the industry. After a bit of discussion with the team, I started working on a first prototype.

(Battery sold separately!)

As you can see, we had picked the second concept. However, as soon as we tested it in-game, we realized it was a bad choice. One of the primary issues with the existing shield is lousy visibility, and while the intention was to prevent the RiotShield from being overpowered, that "feature" seemed to do more harm than good.

With this first attempt, visibility was still very much an issue. While it does make "sense" (by offering more protection), the Defender would have found it very difficult to locate the enemy fire he/she's supposed to be blocking.

At that point, we reconsidered the first concept, but quickly came to a realization: both RiotShield models give the impression of being machine-made, whereas most of the gear Rebels use seems to be put together using spare parts. It was back to the drawing board.



The new concept on the left was supposed to look like the Combine Smart Barrier found near the Citadel; it also looks like a radiator. Moving on..

The one on the right was much more appealing and definitely felt like just another makeshift piece of equipment commonly used by the Resistance.



The reference images above should be enough to paint a clear picture of what we were after. In short, the idea was that they "stole" some of those Force Field generators the Combine use all over City 17, hooked them up to some scaffolding and plugged them into a small battery.



Using a Force Field offers great protection without sacrificing visibility. Powering it all with a battery also adds an interesting twist that we could explore further at some point in the future. ;)

After a few in-game tests, it was clear to us that we were on the right track. Which brings us to today's feedback request and poll!

[Animated 360° View]


In the next two posts, you'll find in-game screenshots of two variations of the model above: one with the metallic side covers, and one without.

We honestly can't decide between the two, so we'd like to leave that up to you! You can pick one of the two, both or neither. You can also leave us some feedback (about our choices, the new model, etc..) by replying to the thread. Don't hold back!

The poll will be closed in a few days and the version with the most votes will be included in the upcoming 1.5.0 release. However, I'm told that servers running the Dev Build will once again be available by the end of the week, so you'll be able to see it in-game for yourselves even sooner!


I hope you all enjoy it!

[Yakko]

ALPHA

First-Person View




Third-Person View

[Yakko]

BRAVO

First-Person View




Third-Person View

[rickinator9]

I'm sorry, but honestly, I can't tell the difference between them!

[AndY]

rickinator9, on 13 February 2012 - 04:14 PM, said:

I'm sorry, but honestly, I can't tell the difference between them!

The only difference is the metallic side covers that are in Alpha but not Bravo.

[ponpat]

Alpha is too big in my opinion so I would prefer Bravo. It looks more realistic (as far as possible in the HL universe) and not that heavy to carry.

[WAXT]

Yakko, on 13 February 2012 - 01:45 PM, said:

The reference images above should be enough to paint a clear picture of what we were after. In short, the idea was that they "stole" some of those Force Field generators the Combine use all over City 17, hooked them up to some scaffolding and plugged them into a small battery.

I don't want to rain on the parade but the combine shields in both Half Life 2 & Overwatch don't block bullets. Perhaps change the shield colour to red and we'll pretend the rebels modified the shield's modulation or something?

ponpat, on 13 February 2012 - 04:30 PM, said:

Alpha is too big in my opinion so I would prefer Bravo. It looks more realistic (as far as possible in the HL universe) and not that heavy to carry.

I agree, Alpha is too big. I'll be honest though, I'm not really a fan of either model. Sorry.

[AndY]

WAXT, on 13 February 2012 - 06:54 PM, said:

I don't want to rain on the parade but the combine shields in both Half Life 2 & Overwatch don't block bullets. Perhaps change the shield colour to red and we'll pretend the rebels modified the shield's modulation or something?

I think they've already taken care of that or are planning to. I'll run it by Kil later to be sure.

WAXT, on 13 February 2012 - 06:54 PM, said:

I agree, Alpha is too big. I'll be honest though, I'm not really a fan of either model. Sorry.

Can you elaborate?

[WAXT]

AndY, on 13 February 2012 - 07:14 PM, said:

Can you elaborate?

I think it looks tacky. I understand that's the goal, but it just doesn't sit right with me. (The model, that is -I'm not saying Yakko hasn't done a good job of it either.) There are just so many different visible pieces and like ponpat said, the model looks too heavy to hold. (It doesn't look right, if you know what I mean.)

Did I explain that clearly? It's hard to describe.

[Kil]

WAXT, on 13 February 2012 - 06:54 PM, said:

I don't want to rain on the parade but the combine shields in both Half Life 2 & Overwatch don't block bullets. Perhaps change the shield colour to red and we'll pretend the rebels modified the shield's modulation or something?

Pretty much exactly what we had already planned ;-)

[AndY]

WAXT, on 13 February 2012 - 07:58 PM, said:

I think it looks tacky. I understand that's the goal, but it just doesn't sit right with me. (The model, that is -I'm not saying Yakko hasn't done a good job of it either.) There are just so many different visible pieces and like ponpat said, the model looks too heavy to hold. (It doesn't look right, if you know what I mean.)

Did I explain that clearly? It's hard to describe.

I agree it looks a bit bulky/heavy with the metallic side covers, but it seems fine without them.

I'm not sure what you mean by "many visible pieces". You have the scaffolding, the Force Field generators, a small battery, a bit more Aluminium and some bolts. And a wire or two I suppose. Doesn't seem that messy to me.

Do you think the first test would have been a better choice?

[WAXT]

AndY, on 13 February 2012 - 09:07 PM, said:

You have the scaffolding, the Force Field generators, a small battery, a bit more Aluminium and some bolts. And a wire or two I suppose.

That's exactly what I mean. And it's not so much the different materials as it is their appearance.

AndY, on 13 February 2012 - 09:07 PM, said:

Do you think the first test would have been a better choice?

Actually, I quite like the first two concept pieces. Now you've already ruled out the second piece due to visibility, which I can understand. This leaves only the first piece, but like Yakko said, "most of the gear Rebels use seems to be put together using spare parts", and I tend to agree him/her. However, when I look at the first concept piece I see a door. So then I started thinking, maybe the riot shield could be an armoured truck's door? It would provide plenty of visibility. Both the metal and the window are bullet-proof and it doesn't seem at all unlikely that the rebels could get their hands on it. All they'd need do is grind it off at the hinge. The only trouble is weight: how much does an armoured truck's door weigh?

Anyway, that's my two cents.

[AndY]

WAXT, on 13 February 2012 - 09:37 PM, said:

The only trouble is weight: how much does an armoured truck's door weigh?

I would hope more than a person can carry, else it wouldn't be very.. armoured.

What part of their appearance? If you can be a bit more descriptive, we might be able to improve the aspect that's bothering you.

[Sabre]

I disagree with the truck door idea, for 2 reasons. 1 is that it won't provide enough cover. When you describe the problems with the current new sheild, I jump to scale. It's to big for a riot sheild, but it's great for gameplay reasons. 2 Car doors don't provide cover as bullets go right through. Now this is fiction, we can do whatever we want.

Darkness 2 and Army of 2 had the car door as cover thing. They fell into problem 1, in that 2 men squeezed behind a door looks silly, or having the enemies to dumb to aim for the head/legs.

For the best riot shield, you have to go to the PS2 FPS Ubran Chaos. That's a riot shield I feel naked without after I jump from that game to another. It seems to made out of some sort of plastic. An option for those who don't like the force feild nature.

For me though, I'm fine with the shield, colour change or not. There are combine shields that stop bullets, so it's not hard to imagine this is one.

[WAXT]

AndY, on 14 February 2012 - 05:16 AM, said:

I would hope more than a person can carry, else it wouldn't be very.. armoured.

True. Oh well, that was just an on-the-spot idea I had.

AndY, on 14 February 2012 - 05:16 AM, said:

What part of their appearance? If you can be a bit more descriptive, we might be able to improve the aspect that's bothering you.

WAXT, on 13 February 2012 - 07:58 PM, said:

I think it looks tacky.

There's nothing wrong with the model. I was just expecting something more...solid. It's nothing to worry about, honestly.

[Gabe(HUN)]

The models are looking very well, but I thinks these shield are too "Large". Maybe the Bravo is much lighter, so I voted to Bravo. I think it will be better, to getting a little bit smaller, the same size, maybe a little bigger as the Scutum ( http://en.wikipedia....um_%28shield%29 ).
Another question: we can attack with this weapon (bash animation or something), or using the "magical" crowbar?

[AndY]

Gabe(HUN), on 15 February 2012 - 01:18 PM, said:

Another question: we can attack with this weapon (bash animation or something), or using the "magical" crowbar?

It's still the basic crowbar attack.

[AndY]

We'll be adding the Bravo version to the Dev build soon. Thanks for voting!