Blizzard announced a lot of additions to Overwatch at BlizzCon 2016, but one that many may have missed is the new map– Oasis.
In an interview with Gamereactor, principal game designer Scott Mercer and senior game designer Michael Chu describe where Oasis fits in with the game’s other maps. It’s the 14th map, and the 4th control map, they explain. “[Oasis] takes place in this futuristic city out in the middle of the desert in what is modern day Iraq right now,” Chu elaborates, “and I think when you run around it looks quite good, it looks absolutely beautiful.”
As far as gameplay, “the spaces are designed differently than in the other control maps so I think it should offer players a fresh experience,” Chu continued. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the addition of a jump pad, something new to Overwatch maps. Chu goes on: “There’s a lot of really cool opportunities to do interesting things with the jump pad. The first time you see a McCree ulting as he’s using one of these jump pads, it kind of changes your view of what’s possible in Overwatch.”
This is coming alongside the release of the latest offense stealth-and-hacking hero Sombra, as well as an Arcade Mode which includes 1v1 and 3v3 battles, and a map exclusive to Arcade Mode, Eco Point: Antarctica.
Oasis will release in December, and Sombra and Arcade Mode are expected in the near future. Overwatch is available now– and is free to play this weekend.