# Overwatch: mapping highlight-file metadata

> Overwatch highlight reverse engineering maps metadata embedded near the end of the game's MP4 highlight videos. Its documentation describes the Base64 and UTF-16LE encoded structure and fields for map, hero, skin and highlight type, alongside Java code for working with the findings.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-07
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/JnCrMx/overwatch-highlights>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/JnCrMx/overwatch-highlights/blob/89f772eb3bd400a1d824008a2ea3860a74ffb4a3/docs/index.rst>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/overwatch-highlights-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/overwatch-highlights-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/overwatch-highlights-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Overwatch-generated MP4 highlight files are the input described by the documentation.
- **Limits:** Map and skin identifier values remain incomplete.
- **License:** No licence file in the repository.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/JnCrMx/overwatch-highlights/blob/89f772eb3bd400a1d824008a2ea3860a74ffb4a3/docs/index.rst>
2. <https://github.com/JnCrMx/overwatch-highlights/blob/89f772eb3bd400a1d824008a2ea3860a74ffb4a3/README.md>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.