Since its debut during the Xbox E3 2018 briefing, gamers have patiently waited for the launch of Tunic, An action adventure game about a tiny fox in a big world. We look forward to the day when we can explore the mysterious island and its secrets, but in the meantime we have caught up with the creator of tunicAndrew Shouldice on the game’s E3 2018 debut, development updates, and the inspiration behind the game.
Q: Last time we had a chance to get to work tunic, it was E3 2018. Can you give us an update on the game, which features have you been working on since then?
A: It’s a secret!
Ok ok here’s a look. Every day I work on a number of things: lead boss fights, create new areas, model environmental details, optimize the feeling – there is always something to do. More than ever, production is an enormous concrete to-do list and no more vague questions.
In recent years, tunic figured out more firmly what its overall shape is. I’ve always known it was a game of exploration, battle and mystery, but I did As that forms a coherent whole is a complex problem that needs to be solved. Looking back, the structure hasn’t changed too much, but my confidence in the details has crystallized.
Q: Bring us back to how it felt to see tunic appear during the Xbox E3 2018 briefing. Did you know your game would get such a prominent spot during the show?
A: We knew the trailer would be featured in the press conference, but we didn’t know when it would show up. We sat in the Microsoft Theater and every time the screen went black between the trailers, we tensed without knowing whether or not this was the moment. It was heart pounding, but in a good way. It was pretty amazing to see the trailer up there, which was so much work and fear – not just on the trailer but in the game itself. It was one of those moments when “hhhhuh, I think this is really going to happen” .
What I also didn’t know was that Phil Spencer would get off the trailer himself and mention my hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. That was a real cherry.
Q: What struck us during our time with the game were the similarities to another hero wearing a tunic – all good comparisons in our book. What other inspirations do you draw in creation for your hero and your world?
ONE: tunic certainly has many of his influences on his sleeve. Lots of people mention it The legend of Zelda Series, and there is definitely a through line there. If I would compare tunic For a Zelda game, however, it would be the very first more than any other. I have a thing for games that don’t give you very much instruction other than “find the treasure, it’s out there somewhere” – games that really feel like you’re uncovering secrets found something instead of just going to “Chapter 4: Where the protagonist finds the secret”.
It’s hard to be absolutely sure where each part of the game came from, but I can name a few things that I have actively admired while trying to get things right as I do them tunic
If tunic manages to synthesize all of this and can give people at least a fraction of these feelings, i will be happy.
Q: As a game designer, how would you like to solve the multitude of combat versus exploration and puzzles? Do you think you have found that “perfect” balance here with me? tunic? Why or why not?
A: It is difficult! I’m not going to boast that anything is “perfect,” but tempo is something we think about a lot of the time.
I’m actually not the biggest fan of puzzle rooms, at least not in that type of game, and at least not in the traditional sense. Maybe I’m too cynical, but I raise an eyebrow at the idea that someone would lock their treasures away with a block-pushing puzzle. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Sokoban game, but when you see one being passed off as a security system it feels a bit like a lot of work done for Me The Player, no plausible part of the world.
That’s not to say that there aren’t any problems to find out tunic – They just take on a different shape. I’d rather people ask, “Wait, how do I get there? There? “or” I wonder what This was for”.
Q: When can we look forward to playing? tunic once again? Do you have a scheduled start date or is it more of a “When it’s done, it’s done” release?
A: No official start date yet. 🙂
Thanks to Andrew Shouldice for taking the time to share these exciting updates tunic. For the latest news on the upcoming title, visit Xbox Wire here.