Editing Kanezaka (section)

==Development==

Kanezaka began as a FFA experiment by [[Morten Hedegren]], after he was hired by [[Team 4]]. They were so impressed that they made it a full-fledged map. Contextual storytelling was worked into the map's design, including Easter eggs and foreshadowing for ''[[Overwatch 2]]''.<Ref>2020-12-17, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJY_JnSkMrc&t Developer Update | Kanezaka | Overwatch]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2021-01-27</ref> Much of the map was designed via Zoom meetings due to Covid-19. Daily meetings were held where screenshots were shared.

Hedegren took inspiration from the real world when designing the map; this was present in the map from its conception. Specifically, he took inspiration from Kyoto and Tokyo, specifically the districts of Ikebukuro and Shimokitazawa in the case of the latter. Artist [[Thiago Klafke]] took inspiration from ''Ghost in the Shell'' and ''Akira'' when working on the map, and also relied on Google Maps. [[Fabien Christin]] worked on the city portion of the map, taking inspiration from Japan, which he visited in 2019. A goal in designing the map was to take it feel true to Japan, while also making it new to ''Overwatch''.

Some of the map's buildings came from the story team, while others were at the discretion of the art team.<ref name = "NextStop"/> 

The map was made available via the PTR in December 2020, and was fully released in January of the following year.