Apex Legends: Arsenal - Map Update

World Direction
This season saw us revisit World's Edge and tell a story of renewal and resurgence. The Syndicate is determined to convince the public that the planet is healing thanks to the efforts of Hammond Labs' Climatizer project from the last update. What better way to convince everyone then to rebuild and revitalize the city center and place a tourist attraction in the form of the Apex Museum?!

With our newest legend, Ballistic, being a bit of a relic himself - we thought a museum would be a great way to tie into his history. Along with Thunderdome legends and a shout out to the old Thunderdome location, we included other tidbits of the Apex Games and the planet, Talos itself. The exhibit (and gift shop) provided some great lore Easter Eggs and narrative opportunities.

When providing direction on the museum, I took some cues from the planned season marketing palette (blues and golds) and looked for ways to evoke a classic Greco-Roman aesthetic. The faceless heroes that adorn the murals and the nameless legends that flank the central monument are a reflection of this timeless sport. The monument itself wanted to be a symbol of strength and be an immediate reminder of the Syndicate's place in the world.

Along with the new museum we also gave a facelift to our city buildings and updated materials and color schemes. The cracked center has now become a controlled spillway and previous damage has been cleaned up.

In Lava City (now named Stacks), we took that theme further, by rebuilding the once destroyed city with a new construction project. In the center is a fan favorite spot that was relocated and built around. The twin buildings with cranes on their tops created a striking visual from the air and from the ground which helped draw attention to the other new location on the map.

We also revisited our time of day and lighting - harkening back to the original lighting scheme of World's Edge with a revamped skybox and naturalistic lighting pass.

From the concept art that inspired our new architecture, to the execution and set dressing done by the art team - this season's map update was a lot of fun to create.
_________________________
Environment Art Team:
https://www.artstation.com/khsu
https://www.artstation.com/mine
https://www.artstation.com/denys74
https://www.artstation.com/aleonati
https://www.artstation.com/richard_santarsiero
https://www.artstation.com/bob_inc_6
https://www.artstation.com/credon
https://www.artstation.com/louisdurand
_________________________
Skybox Artist:
https://www.artstation.com/jlipstock
_________________________
Lighting Team:
https://www.artstation.com/tomdidier
_________________________
Concept Art:
https://www.artstation.com/kellym
https://www.artstation.com/laynejohnson
https://www.artstation.com/vmokry
_________________________
Level Designers:
Lyubo Kubadinov
Tyler Ensrude
_________________________
FX Artist:
Casey Robinson

_________________________
Audio
Devan Krausher
Jeff Hilman
Sandy Hughes