Spectator Mode is coming with the Ebondrake Citadel update on October 5! This new feature will allow anyone to jump into a 1v1 Arena match (ranked or sparring match) as a mobile camera with a unique UI, with access to a number of unique controls. This system offers a huge new avenue for both tournament organizers and video content creators to capture Arena duels.

To spectate a match you’ll enter the Duel Lobby and select the new spectate option, and then be presented with a list of potential high-ranked matches to watch. Alternately, you can search for a character to specifically spectate, as long as they’ve left the allow spectators option on (allowed by default). Multiple spectators can join a match between two competitors, and have their own camera controls within the match. While spectators can talk in chat with the competitors before a match, chat is restricted purely between spectators once the match begins.

Once in a match, a spectator has a number of unique controls to be able to change focus on the competing players, rotate and zoom their camera, and help them focus on the action. The camera UI can be hidden, and spectator controls manipulated with the A, S, D and 1-4 keys. In addition, a spectator is presented with a different competitive layout that helps better show competitor health bars, and use of abilities and status effects, with a focus on presentation for live broadcasting of matches.

While there are a number of excellent tournament organizers already managing high-level online tournaments, the addition of an official spectator mode—with unique broadcast layouts and camera controls—will help elevate them to the next level, as well as lower the barrier for others looking to broadcast their own tournaments.

We’ll see you in the Arena!