Masquerade ... if that weren't "carnival"

Story Discussion
1

Time ago we have noticed in the community that there was something wrong with Searching and Zarya’s timeline. But what if Masquerade was wrong?

For those who don't know:

Some time ago with the community we noticed some details on the timeline:

  • Sombra’s 2016 ARG ended with Sombra hacking LumériCo and overloading the servers of Volskaya industries, her next destination.
  • Sombra’s short film happens, and we know that the Searching comic happens exactly shortly after that event thanks to Katya’s earring, still damaged by Widowmaker.
  • Zarya arrives in Numbani, where Orisa has already been built.

Here is the incongruity: Masquerade and carnival. The Venice carnival always takes place around February, how could Zarya meet Orisa and at the same time be in Russia at Christmas (reflections)?

But here’s my theory: what if that wasn’t a carnival party but Talon’s private masquerade party? This would help fix Overwatch lore and this inconsistency. That theory is fortified by this little teaser from Volskaya industries, which talks about Unity Day.

But we know with Hero of Numbani that Unity Day and the Doomfist glove exhibition is done on the day of Efi’s departure (+ attack on the airport). Briefly, Orisa’s book describes this course of events:

  • Ch 4 - unity day
  • Chapter 5, Doomfist attack (Unity Day ruined)
  • Ch 6, several weeks after the Doomfist attack, Efi buys 1 OR-15
  • Cap 7, 2 weeks later. And we talk about the RECENT assassination of the omnic spiritual leader, Mondatta.
  • Chap 8, another month and Orisa is born
  • Cap 9, first exit of Orisa.

Regarding Chapter 4, we find a small trace of a possible postponement of Unity Day for a mysterious threat. This detail is also present in Recall, on the min 1:30 news.

So here’s what the order of events might be:

  • Mondatta dies and there is Recall (London Calling) and Tracer and Winston go to save the glove. In the same period Mei awakens
  • Diary of Mei (October)
  • Sombra hacks Lumérico (November 1) and immediately goes to the Volskaya industries (and in the meantime, the news are talking about Svyagotor)
  • Zarya investigates and IN THE MEAN TIME Doomfist is released and the events of masquerate take place (it is NOT carnival but a private party) and the Hero of Numbani Book.
  • When Zarya arrives Numbani, Sombra is there for both Efi (the various hacking) and Lynx. omnic hacking is also featured in the book.
  • Searching final in Mexico, where Portero seems to be still in trouble after Sombra’s hack.

And then everything else is linear.

2

Three months pass between when Doomfist escapes prison and when he attacks the airport.

And there’s another month after that before Orisa is brought online.

Even if it isnt a Carnivale party, it would still take place in Feb/March, and Zarya still looks incompetent.

1 Like
3

oh, ok, thank you for the clarification :wink:
in the article you shared there is also a reference to what the Valkyrie attack in Egypt could be.

Then the theory still holds true that “a few weeks” or Zarya’s investigations are far too long. :grimacing: and confirms again that (damn slow development) Blizzard was wrong to quote everywhere :sweat_smile: