Information - Overwatch Mod

» Release 1.3.5 (NOV 26, 2010)

NOTE: Some changes have been made to the Keyboard Options panel. We recommend opening that menu and verifying that all keys have been properly bound.

Game (Client/Server) › New Map: ow_canals

[NEW] New Level: Canals (ow_canals).
[NEW] Canals introduces time attack-type gameplay, where the Resistance's goal is to get to the objective as quickly as possible (and before the countdown reaches zero).
[NEW] The Overwatch, on the other hand, has to do everything possible to prevent them from reaching that objective, either by holding them off long enough for the countdown to end, or by killing them all.
[NEW] Rebels cannot be revived on Canals. When the Resistance team reaches a new section, dead players will respawn as a wave of reinforcements.
[NEW] This map features the Helicopter and Scanners (Type II) with an NPC Ability (which allows the GM to drop Hopper Mines at current location).
[NEW] This map also features a HUD timer (countdown clock) and Respawn Waves (dead players will automatically respawn when new sections are reached).

Game (Client/Server) › New Map: ow_crossroads

[NEW] New Level: Crossroads (ow_crossroads).
[NEW] Crossroads introduces survival-type gameplay, where the Resistance's primary goals are to protect the Bunker and survive through waves of incoming enemies (until the countdown reaches zero).
[NEW] The Overwatch, on the other hand, is tasked to storm and destroy the Rebel bunker before the countdown ends.
[NEW] This map features various types of Zombies and Headcrabs, considered a common enemy to both sides (they will attack Rebels and the Combine forces).
[NEW] This map also features a HUD timer (countdown clock) and Headcrab Canisters (can be dropped at current location).

Game (Client/Server) › General

[Improvement] New HUD element added to display player Role above health display (bottom-left).
[Improvement] Added ConCmd "ow_role_swap" which can be bound in the Keyboard Options panel;
- When bound key is pressed, the current weapon will be swapped for carried Role item (and back to original weapon on 2nd key press).
[Improvement] A thin red marker will now be displayed beneath all GM enemies.
[Improvement] Hovering over buttons on the GM order panel (lower-right) will now display information in the Tooltip box (lower-mid).
[Improvement] Reduced font size of entries in the Objectives panel.
[Improvement] Voice Command "This way..." renamed to "Follow me!".
[Improvement] Various improvements, tweaks and fixes to Hint entities (env_hint_ow).
[Bug Fix] Fixed potential crash when an energy ball collides with an npc_cscanner (City Scanner).
[Bug Fix] Hint entities (env_hint_ow) and Hints attached to Role items should now display correctly after round restarts.
[Tweak] New GM HUD panel created for upcoming feature (currently displays Overwatch logo).
[Tweak] Renamed the "Overwatch Info" option on the main menu to "Latest News".
[Tweak] Base HP for Barnacle NPCs increased to 55.
[Tweak] Updated MapCycle and MapList files.
[Tweak] Updated the Overwatch FGD (overwatch.fgd).

Game (Client/Server) › Map: ow_breach

[Misc] Updated to use new Objectives list entity.

Game (Client/Server) › Map: ow_citadel

[Aesthetics] Removed force fields behind ladders near the center.
[Misc] Updated to use new Objectives list entity.

Game (Client/Server) › Maps: ow_breach_classic & ow_citadel_classic

[Misc] Classic maps have been removed in this release (may be distributed separately in the future).

Game (Client/Server) › FOR LEVEL DESIGNERS

NOTE: Release notes targeting level designers can be found on our Community website.

Updater Utility › General

No Change.

» Release 1.3.0 (OCT 22, 2010)

NOTE: Several changes have been made to the Keyboard Options panel. We recommend opening that menu and verifying that all keys have been properly bound.

Game (Client/Server) › General

[New Feature] Implemented the initial version of the "Roles" feature:
- Players carrying a Riot Shield are now tagged as having the role of "Defender": their Shield can block incoming fire;
- Players carrying the new MedPack item are tagged as having the role of "Medic": their MedPack can be used to heal other players.
[New Feature] Roles - Defender/Medic:
- Special items can be found by looking for the blue healer/shield icons in the map (or on the Minimap);
- Medics and Defenders will have a green healer/shield icon overhead (and on the Minimap) instead of the normal triangle;
- A player can only have one role (he can only carry one special item);
- Special items can be dropped so that other players may pick them up (bind a key in the Keyboard Options menu);
- Any special item that is not equipped (dropped) will return to its spawn point after 30 seconds;
- Special items are in Slot #6 of the weapons selection menu (the Riot Shield has been moved there).
[New Feature] Roles - Medic Only:
- MedPack ammo always starts at zero (0) (every time it's picked up);
- MedPack ammo regenerates over time. The Medic's health (HP) also regenerates over time (automatic self-healing);
- MedPack's ammo regeneration speed is cut in half when the Medic's health (HP) is being regenerated;
- Medics use a medic model (male or female). They revert back to the regular rebel model when the MedPack is dropped.
[New Feature] Implemented the initial version of the "NPC Abilities" feature:
- This feature gives the GM a certain level of control over his units' actions;
- The first units to be given an ability are the Civil Protection units (Metrocops) that are equipped with one or more Manhacks;
- Metrocops no longer automatically deploy their Manhacks. The GM must now select the unit(s) and click the new "Ability" button (bottom-right of the HUD);
- To release the second Manhack (if equipped), simply wait for the cooldown to end, then press the button again;
- If multiple units are selected when pressing the "Ability" button, only one Manhack from the first Metrocop will be deployed;
- Pressing the button again will release one Manhack from the second Metrocop, and so on.
[New Feature] Implemented the initial version of the "Voice Commands" menu:
- Two panels are currently available;
- Panel 1 (default "z") includes Priority Commands like "Medic!", "Grenade!", ..
- Panel 2 (default "c") includes Random Chatter like "Hello.", "Idle question.", ..
- Based on importance, some commands can only be heard if the other player is within a certain distance;
- Based on importance, some commands will be displayed in the Chat window in addition to triggering the vocal event.
[New Feature] Implemented the initial version of the "Automated Vocal Responses" feature:
- Responses are voice-over cues that are triggered by certain in-game events, like spotting an enemy, coming under fire, reloading or healing other players.
[New Feature] Implemented a "Map Info Panel" in the Team Selection menu:
- The panel displays information about the current level (like a background story and development status);
- Information is contained in a localized HTML file found in resources/maphtml, named [mapname]_[language].html (i.e. ow_citadel_english.html);
- A default info file is displayed if the map-specific file isn't found.
[Improvement] Improved network traffic by excluding certain unnecessary data from being transmitted by NPCs.
[Improvement] Improved the "Revive" feature. Players can now initiate a revive from a closer distance and are less likely to be interrupted while reviving.
[Improvement] The Scoreboard now indicates whether a player is Incapacitated or Dead, based on whether or not they can be revived.
[Improvement] Players joining a round late are now moved to the Spectator team and are given a message indicating that they need to wait for a new round.
[Improvement] Improved the rebel spotting icon (green triangle).
[Improvement] Added new materials for various VGUI elements.
[Improvement] Updated maplist thumbnail materials.
[Bug Fix] Fixed issue where a GM button's tooltip would get stuck preventing the GM from clicking on the map.
[Bug Fix] Bullet tracers (and subsequent impacts) originating from an NPC are now properly displayed.
[Bug Fix] The GM can now see and hear temporary entities such as bullets and explosions.
[Bug Fix] The reviver entity should now trace to the ground correctly even when initially spawning in the ceiling (dead players won't get stuck in ceilings).

Game (Client/Server) › Maps (All)

[Resistance] Removed all wall-mounted health chargers (players should now make use of the new Medic role).
[Resistance] Added a few health kits and vials.
[Misc] Added new "Role" special items (MedPack/Riot Shield) to all maps (1M+1RS for 1-3P, 1M+2RS for 4-5P, 2M+2RS for 6-7P).
[Misc] Added a new capture zone marker that pulses (and is slightly transparent).
[Misc] Capture zone markers are now invisible to the opposite team.
[Misc] Added descriptions of all levels to the new Map Info panel (visible in the Team Selection menu).

Game (Client/Server) › Map: ow_breach

[Overwatch] Buttons for Civil Protection units (Metrocops) are now considered "spawns" instead of "traps". Updated the button material.

Game (Client/Server) › Map: ow_citadel

[Aesthetics] First art and detail pass for Citadel:
- Changed all textures;
- Added a few models (props);
- Improved overall lighting;
- Reworked the finale area (mid cap);
- Added slight white fog that can be seen from a distance.
[Content] Added City Scanners (Scanner Type I) as GM-controllable units. Their current ability is simply to blind and distract rebels.
[Objectives] Increased the size of the upper central console (cap) area.
[UI] Updated the overview material (minimap).
[Sound] Slightly increased the volume of of ambient music.
[Optimisation] Optimized the map with hints and areaportals (should result in better frames/sec).

Game (Client/Server) › Map: ow_breach_classic

[Resistance] Removed all HEV batteries.
[Objectives] Increased the size of some capture zones.
[Objectives] Generator objectives now behave like the ones in Breach:
- They start with a full health bar that decreases with every hit and disappears as soon as the required damage has been dealt.
[UI] Updated button material used for the Metrocop traps.
[Sound] Slightly increased the volume of of ambient music.
[Misc] Objectives now all use the new materials for their indicator icons.

Game (Client/Server) › Map: ow_citadel_classic

[Objectives] Increased the size of some capture zones.
[Sound] Slightly increased the volume of of ambient music.
[Misc] Objectives now all use the new materials for their indicator icons.

Game (Client/Server) › FOR LEVEL DESIGNERS

NOTE: Release notes targeting level designers can be found on our Community website.

Updater Utility › General

No Change.