Here Are The Highlights Of Hi-Rez Studios' Annual Showcase
Hi-Rez Studios starts the year off with one of the company’s biggest events – the annual Hi-Rez Showcase. This year’s digital event features major announcements, content reveals, and new characters for the studio’s lineup of games, including SMITE, Paladins, and Rogue Company.
Over on SMITE, Season 9 kicks off sometime in the next few weeks with a new god, Shiva, a new game mode called Slash, and a revamped Conquest map to reflect the arrival of the Hindu god.
Shiva Reveal Trailer
“On the battleground of the Gods, Shiva balances two states of being, destruction and bliss, hindering his enemies or alternatively blessing his allies. Also known as the Lord of Dance, he reveals his world-ending performance within his ultimate ability.”
Slash Reveal Trailer
“This mode incorporates players’ favorite element of the Siege mode – a summonable Juggernaut – to the 5v5 experience of Clash. The new map, inspired by the Maya and Egyptian pantheons, allows for more teamfights and meaningful objectives.”
New Conquest Map Reveal Trailer
“Shiva’s presence has changed the environment to evoke elements of the Hindu pantheon. Tiamat’s castle is now overgrown as her rule subsides.
As a brand-new gameplay feature, an Obelisk can be filled with special offerings from Jungle Camps. The Obelisk grants a unique and powerful reward: Indra’s Scepter. Functioning as an indestructible mobile team tool, Indra’s Scepter either attacks nearby enemies or heals allies and structures.
Also new, a Naga monster awaits deep in the Jungle, dropping additional offerings for the Obelisk.”
Hi-Rez’ MOBA shooter Paladins will also be getting a new hero named VII (Seven) this month. Dubbed as the Executioner and Hand of the Outer Tribunal, VII is adept at ambushing his opponents using his grappling hook and the terrain to give him the element of surprise. He can also change his weapon’s firing mode on the fly, from semi-automatic, burst fire, and full-auto.
The team also revealed their plans to revamp the Warder’s Gate and Trade District maps and introduce a brand new map this year. The Abyss Hunter Academy Event Pass will be launching later this month and a Rambo crossover event will be kicking off in February featuring a John Rambo skin for Viktor.
A new rogue named Glimpse will also be making her debut in Rogue Company next week. Equipped with state-of-the-art camouflage technology, Glimpse uses her heightened senses to locate enemies and sneak up enemies for a quick kill.
“Glimpse was the result of decades of genetic engineering, created for one purpose: to become the perfect weapon. Now, she devotes her life to stopping those that made her.”
A new map called Meltdown and the Neochrome Battle Pass will also be coming to the free-to-play tactical shooter in February.
