How the "Obscured 2036" map was created

I lost many screenshots from its development, it had much more :frowning:
It’s been a while since the release, but I’m just now deciding to write about it

Hi, again.
When was my first fully custom map released, Cobalt, I decided to write about some dev-post and how it was made from scratch. I thought maybe I should write the same but about Obscured 2036, so here it is:
I’ll start with the fact that originally when the idea of creating a new map, it was necessary that it was not similar to the previous one.
At that moment, I spoke with Luci and discussed a lot, and there was a moment when I said, “Remember the “Stasven” map? Damn, I think it was the only sci-fi map in the game wasn’t it?”

then it hit me, yeah! Sci-Fi map, I want a Sci-Fi in Unturned!
After that we started to think hard about what our map would be about, we took inspiration from many games such as Battlefield 2042, Detroit: Become Human, Watch Dogs: Legion, and many others.

We didn’t know exactly what the gameplay would be like, or if it would be survival even, we were just creating Sci-Fi objects, guns and more, here are some of them:

Unfortunately, we had a disagreement and decided to make our maps separately, Luci started his other one and I continued on the Sci-Fi idea.

I was not satisfied with the stuff made for the first version of the map and decided to fully remake the idea.
The final version of the map was mostly based on Battlefield 2042, at that time I played it and was interested in its lore and maps.
After all these things, I started developing again, and as it was with Cobalt, developing was fully classified.
The first object ever for the map was this thingy, a gold standard, A.I. Truck:

Then, were made some smaller minor objects and here is a first screenshot sent to the Nelson:

I was looking at a lot of art for terrain inspiration, and I liked one that had wind turbines and an autumn atmosphere, that’s why the map looks more like that art.

Here are screenshots of developing early wind turbines:

I don’t remember exactly why I wanted to add my clouds to the map (Or didn’t want to at all) But with the help of some people I’m grateful to, we added clouds and, maybe, they were the reason why a lot of people liked the map. :person_shrugging:

Why couldn’t the map become Survival? Unfortunately, the map was started at a bad time (I guess), but that’s probably because I was frustrated and demotivated after the queue for curated maps was filled, so I decided to somehow finish the map, and I couldn’t think of anything better to make it as another deathmatch map.
Another early made screenshots:

You won’t believe it, but I even had concepts to add a tornado to the map’s gameplay. But it became a forest fire in the background because it was simpler to make.
The first concept of the forest fire:

So, the map was almost complete! The only thing remaining was the items, mainly guns. Almost every gun was planned and released, but still, there is one that hasn’t been released:

Aaaand, that’s all. The map was completed. All that’s left is the workshop part, bug fixing, and balancing. I told Nelson about the map, and I was hoping to release it on July 7, which was the upcoming 10th anniversary of Unturned. However, Nelson had other plans, so it didn’t happen.

It also didn’t receive Featured status, but I think Featured status is pointless anyway. So, that’s how it is.

Oh yeah, the first preview image made:

It’s, awful yeah, the current one is much better.

Then, were made some smaller minor objects and here is a first screenshot sent to the Nelson:

It’s amazing how the same place changed after a few months.

Some more about lore:

  • Why it’s 2036? What does it mean?
    it’s closely related to the lore of the game. According to the lore in Unturned, the zombie outbreak started in 2016 (Actually in 2017, I got it mixed up, but 2036 still sounded cooler)
    Humanity could withstand the outbreak, but after 20 years, it reappeared.

  • Who is the player and what means UF?
    UF stands for United Forces. Over 20 years, nations unified to promote cosmopolitanism and ceased using their armies. The United Forces (UF) was established as an emergency response organization, integrating the armies of former governments. As a player, you are one of these soldiers.

  • What is supposed to be “Obscured”?
    Nothing, it just sounds swag :sunglasses:

  • Where is the map located?
    Western Europe

  • Is Big J company involved on the map?
    They have created their subsidiary company, Big J “Bio”, over the past 20 years. It’s dedicated to protecting nature due to the significant climate changes. However, there are suspicions of they concealing certain information.

  • Will Obscured 2036 have a sequel?
    Probably not, or at least not by me. If someone is interested in its lore and stylistics, go ahead and make a sequel :smile:

In addition, I would not call this map more successful than the previous one, but it is more interesting to me in terms of new modding features and the concept itself.

The map has not received any major updates, only minor patches. There was no need or interest for more.

But I’m happy Nelson himself played on the map and he liked it, it means a lot to me!

As I said, I lost many screenshots, these all are what I found in discord DM’s.

Yeah, this map has a somber backstory, but that’s just how it is. Currently, I haven’t stopped making maps.
The experience I gained from creating Cobalt and Obscured 2036 has inspired me to fully focus on creating a survival map, despite any challenges (I hope).

Map link:

Thanks for your attention! If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.

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neploh horosh

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