Indiana Jones Devs Talk Inspirations, Skills, and Post-Launch Plans

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As a seasoned gamer and critic with a keen eye for detail, I must say that the team at MachineGames has truly outdone themselves with Indiana Jones and The Great Circle. Their approach to the game’s unique skills system, immersive environments, and intricate storyline is nothing short of impressive.

A video game inspired by the Indiana Jones franchise often triggers unique expectations among players. Fan assumptions about the game’s mechanics, visuals, atmosphere, and character depiction sometimes conflict with the developers’ creative vision. In the case of “Indiana Jones and The Great Circle,” developed by MachineGames, they aim to remain faithful to the original source material, which could lead to an immersive Indy game that surpasses previous titles in the series.

Recently, Game Rant had a chat with executive producer Jerk Gustafsson, design director Jens Andersson, creative director Axel Torvenius, and lead narrative designer Tommy Tordsson Björk to delve deeper into the development of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. They discussed the game’s inception, their development experience, and even revealed insights about the skill and upgrade system within the game. For your convenience, this interview has been condensed for clarity and conciseness.

How Previous Games Influenced Indiana Jones and The Great Circle

Was there any impact on the gameplay style of Indiana Jones and The Great Circle from any of the previous Indiana Jones games, given that quite some time has passed since a new one was released?

Andersson: Those old-school LucasArts point-and-click games, like Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, hold a special place in my heart. Playing it was an incredible journey for me. Though it’s not similar to The Great Circle, these games inspired us to create puzzles that require thought instead of just clicking through, which was a key factor in our decision-making process.

A: Of all the movies in the series, which one affected me the most? Can you point out any specific scenes or moments that I might have been influenced by?

MachineGames finds significant inspiration from the films produced during the 1980s, but we’ve delved a bit deeper into Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. There are numerous factors contributing to this choice; chief among them is that it was the debut of Indiana Jones as a character, making it his first introduction to the world. For us at MachineGames, it’s not only the first but one of the most authentic portrayals of the character. Given our objective since day one has been to embody the classic Indy as accurately as possible, referencing this movie felt incredibly natural. Moreover, it’s a cinematic masterpiece and serves as an excellent model when discussing aspects such as cinematography, composition, color usage, framing, set designs, and more – all elements essential for creating an exhilarating 1930s adventure filmed in the 1980s!

From the first three films, we’ve taken elements from numerous scenes that have left a lasting impression. It’s challenging to pinpoint just one scene as they all contributed significantly. We’ve been meticulously studying these movies, aiming to replicate his captivating smile, his knack for problem-solving, and the way he walks, runs, leaps over gaps, and delivers a powerful punch – all while maintaining his distinctly human mannerisms.

Was there any influence from the Dial of Destiny on The Great Circle, or was it already too advanced in development during the release of the recent film?

At Torvenius, our team has been meticulously crafting the game in tandem with Lucasfilm Games for an authentic Indiana Jones adventure. Incredibly, we were unaware of the film’s production while creating the game at MachineGames. However, every member of our team did make a trip to the cinema to watch it! The movie was nothing short of fantastic and an excellent addition to the Indy series!

As a devotee, I’ve noticed that The Great Circle has sparked numerous parallels with the Tomb Raider and Uncharted series, and both of these franchises were inspired by the Indiana Jones IP. So, to answer your question, have elements from these iconic series influenced or served as inspiration for The Great Circle? Absolutely! However, what truly sets it apart lies in its unique blend of action, adventure, and narrative depth that distinguishes it from them.

MachineGames’ team expresses their admiration for both series of games developed by those studios, acknowledging the high-quality and skillful execution in each title. However, they emphasize some key differences between their work and others, such as our first-person perspective, non-linear structure that focuses on player movement and combat, and overall game pacing. These elements set us apart significantly. It’s intriguing to consider how players will respond to this unique Indiana Jones adventure crafted by MachineGames, and despite the uncertainty involved in introducing something new, we are eager to take on the challenge.

How Skills and Progression Work in Indiana Jones and The Great Circle

A: Why did you decide to employ Adventure Books for the development of Indiana Jones instead of a more conventional progression method?

Andersson: Essentially, we had two main objectives: first, to create a game that feels as realistic and engaging as possible, which led us to opt against a conventional skill tree. Instead, the option of uncovering books to unlock new skills seemed more fitting for our protagonist who is both an archaeologist and professor. Secondly, we aimed to offer enticing rewards for exploration and mystery-solving, and what could be more intriguing than stumbling upon an entirely new ability you never knew existed?

A: Could you elaborate on designing abilities and traits for an adventure-style game, ensuring they align with the Indiana Jones atmosphere. Were there any distinct difficulties that arose during this process?

Andersson explains that each skill is crafted to complement Indy’s existing combat styles such as melee, whip, and firearms. Some unique skills are also included, like the Lucky Hat ability which grants a second chance if Indy, wearing his iconic fedora, gets knocked down while dressed in the Adventurer outfit. The tricky part is that these abilities are optional and can be tough to discover, making it uncertain which skills the player has unlocked during gameplay. However, this uncertainty adds an element of excitement to the Adventure Books – you never know what hidden treasure an Adventure Book might hold.

Q: What’s your favorite skill/perk in The Great Circle, and why?

Andersson: I find the Whip ability to be my preferred choice among abilities for Indy, as it transforms his whip into a stealth weapon. With this ability, you can quietly dispose of unsuspecting soldiers using your whip. It significantly alters gameplay once obtained, making it an excellent demonstration of an ability tailored perfectly to the character.

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle’s Use of Easter Eggs and Music

A: Would you mind sharing a tiny clue about the Easter eggs in Indiana Jones and The Great Circle that you particularly enjoy?

Assistant: One of my favorites, without revealing its identity or setting, features a creature that can be compared to a rope-like reptile.

A: What proportion of the game’s soundtrack is influenced by the Indy movies, and could you share some insights into how the overall composition of the soundtrack was designed?

Torvenius: For this project, we’ve collaborated extensively with Grammy-winning composer Gordy Haab. He’s renowned for his exceptional skills in music and has a remarkable ability to create John Williams-esque tunes. Our aim from the start was to immerse players in the world of Indiana Jones through the music. We’ve watched and studied the 80s Indiana Jones movies extensively to ensure our style and theme align perfectly with the originals.

MachineGames’ Post-Launch Plans

Q: What are your plans for launch day?

Andersson: Our grand launch event takes place on the release date itself – a mix of excitement and apprehension! After putting in an intense final effort to ensure the game is top-notch, we’re quite optimistic that we’ll get some positive feedback about the game while donning our fedoras during the celebration!

Torvenius: Enjoying our victory as a group, having created an exceptional adventure after quite some time! (or)

Question: What details are available regarding the upcoming Downloadable Content for Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, titled “The Order of Giants,” following its release? Is there any information you can share about it?

Björk: We’ll delve into some myths associated with the Vatican, uncovering the secretive past of ancient Rome. This journey promises a thrilling exploration reminiscent of Indiana Jones’ adventures!

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2024-12-03 00:35