[2021] VALORANT Map and Narrative Team AMA on new map Fracture (1PM PT–2PM PT)

Originally posted by uberchain

Thank you for all the work you put into weaving the story as well as the setting of this game!

My very pressing questions I've always been wondering is when will we be able to kill the Scuttlers on Breeze to farm more money? Also, how do Kingdom communicate with each other if their employees are forced to not fraternize? Surely some of them are talking to each other

Originally posted by ceazyy75

Why

Originally posted by Coritylol

Of all the agents who has the biggest connection to Fracture?

Originally posted by Fireboltstar

will there be more lore in the future maps

Originally posted by Eevux

What was the inspiration behind the layout? It's easy to saw you wanted to make something new and push boundaries, but having attackers be able to start on either side of the map and fights being able to break out almost immediately is immensely different from any other map we've seen so far. What made you realize something like this was possible while keeping it balanced?

Originally posted by Coritylol

Who is paul?

Originally posted by ScraftMike

This has been in the back of my head since my first match on Fracture... was the Half Life universe taken as inspiration for the map? The location, both halves being either overgrown or desert themed, a reactor gone kaboom... so many similarities!

Originally posted by TheAjwinner

Will there ever be map reworks?

Originally posted by 18Fate

Is there any agent who's familiar with this place? I feel like Killjoy would have worked there. This map is really good 👍

Originally posted by ibouvousaime

Are both sides of the map on Earth 1? If yes, how come the desert side seems to be from the other Earth? Was the separation between the two a portal or something similar?

Originally posted by david-dobrik-reddit

I just came on here to compliment you guys, Y’all have been speeding up the maps releasement schedule! which I love and so does everybody else

Originally posted by ScraftMike

This has been in the back of my head since my first match on Fracture... was the Half Life universe taken as inspiration for the map? The location, both halves being either overgrown or desert themed, a reactor gone kaboom... so many similarities!

Originally posted by SupehCookie

How was it to make this map? How did you got the idea to let the defense side start in the middle?

Originally posted by aplsed

Why is the radianite orange on the A side of the map?

Originally posted by leiferikson__

Hey! I've been loving Fracture so far, it's pretty cool! Also guys, can you tell us when does the Fracture "accident" happens? Is it after or before Duality?

Originally posted by akaTakaB

Is the Everett-Linde research lab named after someone specific?

Originally posted by ZakkyZu

The Radian collider is both beautiful and fascinating. I'm expecting that something interesting might happen around this area of the map later this Act but I could be wrong.

Any further info on the Radian collider's purpose -- and KINGDOM Alpha and KINGDOM Omega's hopes for it?

Amazing work on the map!!!

Originally posted by ElyseanMoon

1. I've noticed you play a lot with mid layout (no mid, mid is bombsite, mid is spawn). Not only that but in fracture there's no typical mid, as it doesn't connect CT and T. This is just like Bind but I feel like this one is way more open in terms of opportunities, do you see this as an improvement on the no mid idea or just a consequence of exploring a concept?

2. Has lore impacted map design in some way?

Originally posted by itstef_

What was the main idea behind fracture, the map definitely feels unique and the angles/positions feel like no other map. Do good agents or weapon preferences from other maps have anything to do with the design of new maps?

Originally posted by Straiteis

Are you able to reveal what caused the land to become dual-biome? Was it already like this before the lab was built by the two Kingdoms or did this form sometime between its creation and the fracture?

Originally posted by illuminati_ginge

does omen have any connection to fracture and the disaster that occurred there?

Originally posted by ElyseanMoon

1. I've noticed you play a lot with mid layout (no mid, mid is bombsite, mid is spawn). Not only that but in fracture there's no typical mid, as it doesn't connect CT and T. This is just like Bind but I feel like this one is way more open in terms of opportunities, do you see this as an improvement on the no mid idea or just a consequence of exploring a concept?

2. Has lore impacted map design in some way?

Originally posted by MrHypelol

How come you guys made a new map 2 acts in a row? If I remember correctly the plan was new agent each act and new map each episode. Not complaining but am wandering if it has anything to do with the backlash of breeze and icebox.

Originally posted by Narwhals64

Do you guys think we’ll ever see a map with physical moving parts? I don’t mean just a door or a hatch - I’m thinking something like a ship that sways left and right, so the cargo boxes on the ship would sway with it and move around throughout the round.

Originally posted by datarioniboii

What inspired Fracture's design? Lore or a reference of a real world location? And also, for how much time was the map in the works?

Originally posted by BloodyThumbtack

Heyoooo!

First of all, INCREDIBLE work on Fracture! The map has exceeded my expectations on all fronts. Narrative, design, art, the teams really brought it all together.

I have one question, and this is primarily regarding narrative and art:

David, you announced that Fracture's narrative elements are going to be updated with each patch. Are those updates exclusive to the interactive elements, or will we see the map art evolve in parallel with the narrative developments? (Not implying art updates with each patch, but possibly with key moments.)

Thanks for your time!

Originally posted by theoreminegaming

Now that there are 7 maps in rotation AND maps are becoming more radical in nature... do you have any plans to let users limit what maps they que for?

Originally posted by Amynamy

Are we going to be getting more lore drops anytime soon? I really like the animated vids that have been released so far, will we be getting on for fracture?

Originally posted by AlGamaty

Is the theory that Oran McEnoff we saw at the defender spawn of Fracture is actually Omen of the past correct?

Originally posted by itstef_

What was the main idea behind fracture, the map definitely feels unique and the angles/positions feel like no other map. Do good agents or weapon preferences from other maps have anything to do with the design of new maps?

Originally posted by tony111222

How was the layout originally, and what changes did you make to improve it ? Are there other changes you are considering for it in the near future?

Originally posted by MisterLiro

What was the first map ever made? (Completely) Has it not realeased yet?

Originally posted by floatingfruitsnax

Will agents have voicelines when interacting with certain elements on the map?

Originally posted by SudhuJ

Why does Cypher have to die in every trailer? Is it an actual running joke among the developers?

Originally posted by ManWolfAxeBoss

For design, it was the idea of attackers pinching defenders from both sides. I took some personal inspiration from the Siege of Helm's Deep in Two Towers though. As the orcs are breaking down the gates, Aragorn and Théoden (and the remaining squadzinho) ride out to meet them. “Now for wrath, now for ruin and the red dawn!” Gandalf and the Riders of Rohan storm down the mountain from the other side. When you’re on defense and both A and B players push out to flip the tables and pinch attackers instead, it always reminds me of this moment.

This map was first started a couple years ago actually. Took us a while to figure it out, so we put it on the backburner for a bit and finally came back to it for Fracture.

Originally posted by ScraftMike

I love what you guys made in Fracture. Huge fan of HL but of course this was kind of a blind shot. I'm very excited about how the story develops from here! Thank you!

Originally posted by dad_squad

d layout (no mid, mid is bombsite, mid is spawn). Not only that but in fracture there's no typical mid, as it doesn't connect CT and T. This is just like Bind but I feel like this one is way more op

For question number 2, lore does not impact map design. The design is all about gameplay, and we complement the design with art/lore.

Originally posted by Johnnystinksreal

When designing fracture, did you have a specific goal in how you wanted gun fights to play that made the made unique from the others?

The map has a great mix of long and close quarters engagements and a lot of opportunities to isolate gunfights, combined with what feels like smaller bomb sites. It adds a really unique feeling to the gunfights that take place on Fracture.

What inspired the maps layout that creates such engaging gunfights no matter where they happen? The amount of subtle elevation increases and decreases and tight turns and corners and round satellite dish angles make the map feel really special so far

Originally posted by Le6lindre

Would it be from Hugh Everett and Andrei Linde (2 US physicist who worked on multiple words and universe expansion ))?

Originally posted by NoBlood800

What’s up with that announcement on fracture regarding if employees see themselves?

Originally posted by MisterLiro

Why is this the first map this much involved in lore? Is a big lore event coming soon or will it always be like a sideline kind of thing? P.S. Can I have a riot charm, I am active everywhere

Originally posted by MisterLiro

Also, the beta had orange boxes

Originally posted by intellextar

Thank you for the AMA and y'alls work on the game.

1.What are the challenges of working on maps in a game with unique agent abilities?

• Is there a dialogue between the maps and characters team?
• In terms of future, what is the philosophy on creating new maps as the agent roster grows? How do you all navigate the complex relationship between agent utility and map interactions?

1. I recognize Breeze was released in order to create new opportunities (open sight lines, bigger spaces). But sometimes it feels as though certain agents just feel too powerful compared to others (e.g. In my opinion for Breeze Viper is great, Brimstone not so great bc limited range of smokes). This is just one example and my central question is not just about Breeze specifically, but all the maps:

• How does balance work in cases like these? Is the goal to allow every agent to work well in every map? Or is the philosophy more like, players should be compelled to adapt and play different agents depending on what the map requires?
  [edit: formatting]

Originally posted by Marsroverr

Now that the map is live - What's surprised you the most about how people play on it? Are there any big differences from internal playtests? How do you expect that'll change once it makes its way to pro play?

Originally posted by WaddlingDuckILY

In designing new Valorant maps, is there more importance placed on general map flow, or the way hero utility will effect map flow?

Considering a lot of teams choose to forego Controller agents, is more importance placed on the way map flows with smokes or flashes?

Originally posted by WedasX

How do you guys plan to workout the Omega and Alpha sectors relationship?

Originally posted by Riot_KingKut

So actually all our maps are lore based and have elements of worldbuilding/storytelling.

Because our universe is on a timeline, each consecutive map we have released, reveals a little bit more about our universe, and is taking us in a certain direction.

Originally posted by AlGamaty

Is the theory that Oran McEnoff we saw at the defender spawn of Fracture is actually Omen of the past correct?

Originally posted by Le6lindre

Did Sabine worked on Everett-Linde as a scientist in the scientist laboratory (tunnel) ? I'm referring to the Reyna vs. Viper

Originally posted by c_otter17

Any hints on possible uses for the security card? I haven't gotten the chance to go very far in a private match by myself yet.

Originally posted by NoBlood800

what’s in paul’s shipment from icebox? :)

Originally posted by GabeThyGodly

I have a very important question.

Pineapple on pizza?