Chronal Accelerator
A device that anchors a time-lost pilot to the present.
The Chronal Accelerator is a device invented by Winston, a fellow Overwatch agent, to save Lena Oxton—known as Tracer—from a condition that left her unable to maintain a physical form in the present. After a test flight of the Slipstream, a teleporting fighter, malfunctioned and desynchronized her from the flow of time, the chronal accelerator was created to give Tracer control over her own time frame. It is the only reason she can exist consistently in the present and use her abilities.
Quick Facts
- Creator
- Winston
- Primary user
- Lena Oxton (Tracer)
Lore & Background
In the Overwatch narrative, Tracer's chronal disassociation was caused by an accident during a test flight of the Slipstream, a prototype teleporting fighter. The teleportation matrix malfunctioned, and Tracer was initially pronounced dead. She later reappeared, but was unable to keep a physical form in the present until her friend and fellow Overwatch agent, Winston, invented the chronal accelerator. This device allows her to control her own time frame, effectively anchoring her to the present timeline. Without it, she would drift away from the present. The accelerator is the direct result of Winston's work to reverse the damage caused by the Slipstream malfunction, and it remains essential to Tracer's continued existence and her ability to function as an Overwatch agent.
Reader's Guide
The chronal accelerator functions as a temporal anchor, forcing Tracer's timeline to remain synchronized with the flow of reality. It was invented by Winston specifically to counteract the chronal disassociation caused by the Slipstream malfunction. The device allows Tracer to control her own time frame, enabling her to use abilities like Blink and Recall. In gameplay, Tracer is a damage-class hero with low health but high mobility, able to teleport and time travel. The accelerator is the source of these abilities, but its primary purpose is stabilization. Only Winston, the inventor, is capable of maintaining the device, making him essential to Tracer's continued existence. The technology remains one of the most delicate and dangerous achievements in Overwatch's history.
Origins and Developmental Evolution
Tracer was one of the first twelve Overwatch characters introduced at BlizzCon in 2014. Her design is based upon an element from Blizzard's canceled project, Titan. Overwatch's game director Jeff Kaplan said Titan included a class of character called 'Jumper', which developed into Tracer because Overwatch focuses on creating individual characters instead of generic classes. The Jumper class was depicted as male in most of the concept artwork and its player version. Like Tracer in Overwatch, the Jumper was equipped with the Blink and Recall abilities, as well as a Pulse bomb and dual-wielding machine pistols. Tracer's design was influenced by Geoff Goodman, the lead hero designer for Overwatch. Tracer was the first hero designed for the game and was used to test the basic gameplay. Kaplan recounted the first Overwatch playtest, stating, 'The entire level was gray and blocky and the only hero was Tracer. We had no visual effects or attachment points on her guns so she just shot laser beams out of her eyes.' Overwatch's assistant game director Aaron Keller said Temple of Anubis was the first map developed for the game, and that the map and Tracer were worked on concurrently. Keller said, 'One day we got both of them in, and just with Tracer running around an unfinished map it was fun'. Keller said that, unlike other characters, Tracer's three abilities were maintained throughout the game's development, noting, 'from the beginning, she originated as a 'whole' hero'. However, her health pool was nerfed during the game's late closed beta stages.
Narrative Background and Abilities
In the Overwatch narrative, Tracer is a peppy and energetic pilot of British origin. She is an adventurer and former agent of the international task force, Overwatch. In Overwatch lore, Tracer is known for her piloting skills; after being a member of the British Royal Air Force, she became the youngest person ever inducted into Overwatch's experimental flight program. She was chosen to test the Slipstream, a prototype of a teleporting fighter; during the test flight, the Slipstream's teleportation matrix malfunctioned and Tracer was pronounced dead. She later reappeared, having been desynchronized from the flow of time, preventing her from keeping a physical form in the present until a scientist named Winston created the chronal accelerator, which gives Tracer control over her own time. A damage-class hero in-game, Tracer has low health, but is highly mobile, being able to both teleport and time travel. Those abilities were caused by an accident that left her unable to maintain a physical form in the present until her friend and fellow Overwatch agent, Winston, invented the 'chronal accelerator', a device that allows her to control her own time frame. Concerning Tracer's gameplay style, Kotaku's Kirk Hamilton said 'she's quick and squishy, designed more to harry the opposing team from behind than to survive a frontal assault'.
Cultural Impact and Representation
Tracer is one of the most recognizable Overwatch characters and one of the more commonly featured in its fan art. Prominently featured in the franchise's official media and serving as the first game's cover girl, she has attracted media coverage related to online controversies surrounding one of her in-game victory poses, as well as her prominence in fan-produced pornography, which Blizzard has tried to remove. The character has appeared in Overwatch animated media and a digital comic series based on the game. In her comic debut, she is revealed to be a lesbian, a depiction that was positively received by media outlets and players. Tracer became the first Overwatch hero to be canonically revealed as LGBTQ in Reflections, a December 2016 issue of the Overwatch digital comic. She is depicted in the comic as a partner in a romantic relationship with a woman named Emily, who is not part of the Overwatch team. Blizzard noted the importance of variety in character background, which helps deepen and enrich the game's broader fictional universe.
Controversy and Design Refinement
In March 2016, a controversy arose about Tracer's 'Over the Shoulder' victory pose after a user on the game's forums said it was out of character and 'reduces Tracer to just another bland female sex symbol'. The post generated a discussion on the forums, which gaming outlets noted for its civility. Kaplan posted an apologetic response in which he announced Blizzard's plans to replace the pose because they did not want to 'make someone feel uncomfortable, under-appreciated or misrepresented'. The decision was met with mixed reactions from the gaming community. Kaplan later said the game's development team was not 'entirely happy with the original pose' and that internal creative struggles over its inclusion had occurred. The following week, a replacement pose was released; one commentator said this was 'different, butt [sic] not by much', referring to the prominent buttocks of the original pose. According to Jessica Lachenal of The Mary Sue website, the replacement pose was inspired by a cheesecake pin-up illustration by Billy De Vorss. Kaplan called the replacement pose cool, cute, and playful, and said he wished the team had chosen it originally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chronal Accelerator?
It is an advanced device designed by Winston to stabilize Lena Oxton after she suffered chronal disassociation. This technology anchors her within the present timeline so she does not fade away completely.
Is the Chronal Accelerator still active?
Yes, the device remains operational throughout Tracer's current missions as a hero. It continues to function correctly while she wears it during combat and daily life.
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