Gameloft’s D&D Game Has One Big Question Mark Hanging Over It

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Gameloft's D&D Game Has One Big Question Mark Hanging Over It

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and curiosity when it comes to Gameloft’s upcoming Dungeons & Dragons game. Having played everything from turn-based combat classics like Final Fantasy to the action-packed chaos of Diablo, I’m intrigued by the possibility of a fresh take on D&D combat.

Not much information has been disclosed regarding Gameloft’s upcoming Dungeons & Dragons game, with the exception that it emphasizes survival. Yet, there’s one question about how Gameloft is approaching D&D that stands out as particularly intriguing.

After the triumph of “Baldur’s Gate 3”, Hasbro is increasing Dungeons & Dragons’ influence in the video game industry. A notable example is a forthcoming game being developed by Gameloft Montreal, famous for “Disney Dreamlight Valley”. This unnamed project was announced back in March of this year and has been teased to fans as a blend of survival, life simulation, and action RPG genres. Apart from this revelation, enthusiasts have only gleaned details from one artwork and some Gameloft job postings.

The Sky’s The Limit For Gameloft’s D&D Game Combat

Among the information presently unknown about Gameloft’s D&D game is the system it will use for combat. Larian stepping away from the IP is indicative of Hasbro’s goals for D&D in video games, namely that it wants to diversify beyond what Baldur’s Gate 3 offers. This is to say that Gameloft may not necessarily be tethered to turn-based combat, which most D&D games have been strictly tied to. Given the lack of clarity around the subject so far, just about anything is possible for the combat system in Gameloft’s upcoming title.

Gameloft Montreal’s Previous Releases Don’t Give Much Away

Disney Dreamlight Valley, the latest project from Gameloft Montreal, has garnered much attention recently, however, its absence of combat makes it an atypical example for analysis. Alternatively, Dungeon Hunter 6, another title by Gameloft Montreal with action-packed hack-and-slash gameplay, could serve as a stronger foundation, but it too lacks a solid basis due to its mobile platform and the disparity between its combat style (suited for dungeon crawling) and the survival/life sim genre of the upcoming Disney & Dragon’s title. While dungeons might feature in Gameloft’s future Disney & Dragon game, the hack-and-slash combat would be a poor fit with the game’s life sim genre.

The video game developed by Gameloft Montreal labeled as D&D has been categorized by its creators as an action role-playing game (RPG), indicating that fighting scenes are expected, given the increasing focus on combat and superhero themes in the tabletop version of D&D. The survival aspect highlighted in the game’s announcement also hints at possible random encounters, a key feature of traditional D&D combat. However, specific details about how combat will be handled in Gameloft’s game are scarce, making it ripe for speculation based on these factors.

The clearest route to go would be turn-based, which has been the standard for many D&D games. On the other hand, Gameloft’s title would be the perfect opportunity for Hasbro to diversify its output, allowing for a game that uses the IP without attaching itself to tabletop rulings. A shift to a different combat style would also match the survivalist nature of the game, which could make sudden usage of turn-based systems disconcerting. A more grounded system, though one that could still make use of the game’s items and abilities, would work well for these parameters.

Gameloft’s D&D Game May Let Combat Take A Backseat

Instead of being primarily about combat, it’s possible that Gameloft’s D&D game might not heavily emphasize fighting scenes. Although the title doesn’t explicitly market itself as a gentle game, its presented details don’t necessarily dictate that it must be a game centered around combat. While Dungeons & Dragons 5e is heavily focused on combat, this doesn’t mean that Gameloft Montreal’s D&D game must follow suit. Instead, the game could lean more towards the series’ intellectual property and essence, similar to how they’ve approached cozier games like Disney Dreamlight Valley.

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2024-11-19 02:53