Gears of War 4: The Coalition reveal thought process behind new multiplayer maps

UPCOMING Xbox One exclusive Gears of War 4 has been a long time coming.

 

Gears of War 4 is set for release later this year

 

The latest title in the series has been almost two years in the making and is more than likely to become one of 2016's biggest games following the success of the Ultimate Edition.

As reported by News News Blog Gaming, Gears of War 4 is in line for a Q3 release despite originally being slated for a Christmas launch.

And Lead Multiplayer Designer Ryan Cleven has now lifted the lid on the process behind the game's new multiplayer maps.

 

The five stages of the map development process

 

Because it is The Coalition's first stab at a Gears game, he and the rest of his team first of all played through a number of classic maps in order to track movements and positions of players.

There are then five stages for the new map design process: concept, blockout, validation, meshing and polish.

A concept document is created then turned into numerous 3D level boxes where the game can be tested.

 

Player heat map on Gridlock

 

Once requirements are narrowed down, the map is tested again for feedback before being turned over for art processing ahead of completion.

Surprisingly, Cleven also admitted that Gears of War Judgement played a big part in the map development process.

The last game in the series was hugely underwhelming, and Cleven insists that The Coalition have been examining it in order to highlight its good and bad points.