Introduction to Prologue: A Unique Survival Game
Prologue is more than just a typical survival game; it’s an ambitious project that marks the debut of Brendan Greene’s new studio, who is also famous for creating PUBG. This game is designed to be the first in a long line of open-world games that Greene hopes will surpass anything currently available in the genre. The excitement surrounding Prologue stems from its innovative approach, diverging from the norms of traditional survival games.
The Concept of Survival in Prologue
According to Scott Davidson, the creative director, Prologue aims to provide players with a highly challenging survival experience. The main goal is straightforward: navigate to a weather station in a large, open world. However, this game is notorious for its ruthless nature, often leading players to death in various ways. The survival aspect of Prologue is built on advanced terrain generation tools that Greene and his team have developed over the past three years. These tools are backed by machine learning, offering a unique landscape that dynamically changes.
Breaking Away from Traditional Mechanics
A notable aspect of Prologue is its departure from conventional survival game mechanics. Hakan Kamar, a senior character artist, emphasized that the team isn’t merely following typical paths seen in other titles. Players often expect familiar elements like crafting or resource gathering, but the developers focus on enhancing the human experience in the game. Will Nunes, a senior environment artist, elaborated on this by stating that many real-life actions, like starting a fire or fixing a window, can be clunky and difficult to replicate in a gaming environment.
Striking the Right Balance
Creating a realistic game experience poses challenges. Nunes articulated that while realism is a goal, there is a fine line between making actions enjoyable and maintaining realism. The team strives to gamify actions without losing the essence of real-world mechanics.
Rethinking Game Design
Prologue’s development team is keen on reexamining established survival game norms. For instance, when lighting a fire in most survival games, players typically gather materials and select options from a menu. In Prologue, however, players must gather kindling and fuel, then manually set up a fire without relying on prompts, making the experience more engaging.
Complexity and Engagement
Implementing realism can quickly complicate gameplay. While many players can manage simple tasks like lighting a fire, more complex actions such as building shelters or repairing tools may require additional skills. The developers recognize the importance of ensuring that the gameplay remains accessible while also retaining an element of challenge.
The Player’s Journey in Prologue
Prologue emphasizes the idea of delayed gratification. The focus is on the choices players make throughout their journey, which lead to their eventual success or downfall. Davidson highlighted how small decisions made 20 minutes earlier can significantly impact survival in later situations. This design philosophy can lead players to face the consequences of their past choices without providing them all the necessary tools for imminent challenges.
The Importance of Immersion
Rather than focusing solely on "fun," the developers prioritize creating an immersive experience. They encourage players to engage continually with their surroundings, making small decisions that build toward long-term outcomes. The act of survival itself becomes a journey of learning and adapting.
Challenges and Player Experience
The design team is deliberating on how to maintain player engagement. There’s concern that if players encounter too many obstacles without the means to overcome them, they might lose interest and quit the game. Nevertheless, Nunes argues that there should always be a chance for players to succeed, while Kamar emphasizes the importance of a challenging gameplay experience.
The Essence of Survival Gaming
Kamar aptly noted that the thrill of a survival game lies in the uncertainty and excitement of overcoming challenges. The moment a player has everything and doesn’t have to survive anymore, the game loses its essence. Prologue fosters a void of control, pushing players to develop their strategies to navigate the unforgiving environment.
Conclusion
Prologue represents a bold new direction for survival games, merging realism with a fresh approach to gameplay mechanics. The developers are committed to creating a unique experience that encourages players to think critically about their decisions and adapt to their surroundings. As Prologue evolves, it promises to challenge current perceptions of survival gaming and offer something truly innovative for players old and new. In the world of gaming, where survival is not just a skill but a journey, Prologue stands poised to reshape the experience.
