Wolfeye Studios’ Upcoming Immersive Sim Will Be Comparable to Prey in Scope

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Wolfeye Studios' Upcoming Immersive Sim Will Be Comparable to Prey in Scope

As a gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that I’ve seen the evolution of game development from close quarters. From the early days of pixelated sprites to today’s jaw-dropping graphics, the journey has been nothing short of spectacular.

In the realm of game development, many creators tend to favor refining their established skills (even though exploring new territories can be beneficial). For instance, FromSoftware has honed its craft over the years, particularly with the Souls series including games like Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring. On the other hand, Wolfeye Studios, led by president Raphael Colantonio and CEO Julien Roby, have built their reputation on immersive FPS RPGs, having developed Prey and Dishonored during their long-term association with Arkane. Now, they are working on a fresh project that adheres to the same fundamental concepts.

In a conversation, Game Rant spoke with developers Colantonio and Roby about their upcoming, still unnamed game. They opened up about their strategies for crafting immersive environments and emphasized the significance of clearly explaining a game’s mechanics. With a diverse background in creating games from big-budget titles to indie hits like “Weird West,” Wolfeye Studios’ first release, Colantonio and Roby are eager to leverage their expertise for this new venture.

Wolfeye Studios’ New Game is Comparable to Prey in Terms of Scale

The scope of this game ranges widely, allowing for deep experiences even within two-hour playthroughs, but the length of time it takes to complete is crucial for a reason – it gives an idea of size and complexity. While larger isn’t always better, there’s often a connection in people’s minds between scale and quality. When asked about the new project, Colantonio compared its size to one of his previous games, Prey, although he noted that it offers more freedom. He particularly mentioned the estimated completion time and replayability as similar to Prey, but with a different structure – more dispersed, more like a large sandbox. He also emphasized the significance of players grasping the game’s mechanics, as mastering them can significantly impact special moments within the game.

“Exceptional immersive simulations offer instances where you genuinely believe you’re present in the environment. You perform actions, make decisions, and sometimes experience events unique to your playthrough, which is incredibly impactful. However, this effect is lost if such experiences are limited to a select few players. It’s crucial to guide players on what they can do and how far they can explore the mechanics to ensure these immersive moments aren’t wasted.”

Wolfeye Studios Says Robust Tutorials Are Key to Understanding a Game’s Mechanics

Over time, in-game tutorials have evolved significantly, with many creators adopting a less interventionist approach, letting players discover things independently. Although this method offers advantages, Colantonio emphasizes a crucial aspect. If intricate game mechanics aren’t adequately explained, players might overlook the game’s most creative and groundbreaking aspects, rendering the developer’s effort essentially wasted. Roby elaborated,

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in video games of various genres, I can empathize with the confusion that arises when a game’s mechanics don’t align with our preconceived notions. Recently, during our latest adventure in the Weird West, an interesting predicament occurred that left some players scratching their heads.

In Weird West, players were lauded for the high degree of freedom it offered, such as being able to eliminate crucial NPCs during gameplay. If this upcoming project follows suit with its mechanics, fans can anticipate similar levels of decision-making autonomy, which might initially seem risky or game-altering. It’s hoped that a robust onboarding process will alleviate any concerns about potential game-disrupting choices, and clearly communicate the expectations for players as they embark on their adventure in Wolfeye’s forthcoming immersive sim.

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2024-08-14 17:53