Since the first Overwatch animated short released back in 2016, it has become the main storytelling device for the popular team-based first-person shooter. Many fan-favorite characters like Widowmaker, Winston, and Hanzo have had the spotlight on them showing their origin stories in a well-made video. Yet, arguably the game’s most popular character had yet to have her story told.
Just a few days ago, we finally saw the tank’s backstory with a nearly 8-minute video. In a new video, Director Ben Dai and Editor Jake Patton discuss their thoughts while making the short.
In the beginning moments of the short, we see D.Va struggling to be the hero everyone expects her to be. As she opens up about her feelings on the matter, Dae-hyun says, “stop putting it all on yourself. It’s okay to ask for help.” This beginning moment sets the tone for the rest of the short.
“And this conversation with Dae-hyun that she’s exposing what that feels like and what she feels like she’s going through, he’s trying to be her friend and really take some of that burden. But she’s a little standoffish,” Patton explains as he discusses the overall theme of the short. “And then we get this line from Dae-hyun that sort of sums up the whole show. It’s like, ‘Don’t be afraid to ask for help.’ And, you know, it’s a good life lesson in general, but for D.Va that’s hard to do.
Dai continues that conversation by saying, “yeah, I mean, the idea that you can’t do it alone, and sometimes even the best soldier needs help.”
They also discuss the aerial fighting scene, accurately portraying the character, and the different costume variations she goes through throughout the short.
In other Overwatch related news, Blizzard Entertainment revealed its newest control map set in Busan, South Korea.