Meta:Pre-E3 2010 Interview
This Q&A was posted to the website IGN by propheet on an unknown date. The interview was conduced on June 11, 2010.[1]
Questions and Answers[edit | edit source]
We went ahead and decided to tag Jake DiGennaro of Topware US to talk to us again about Two Worlds II, considering some of the questions that may help the undecided folk come see Two Worlds II presentation at E3 the coming week. While we'll have ANOTHER interview AND a preview for you to read through afterwards, Jake found a few minutes in his very (and I mean, VERY) busy schedule to answer a few of our questions. Read on, especially if you're still undecided about what to see during this year's E3.
TWVault: Hey Jake! We meet again....
Jake:: Hey! And here I was thinking we're done with the whole dungeon and torturing thing [laughs]...
TWVault: Ok then... For those of the readers who are pretty new to the game or the franchise...Why Two Worlds II? Considering the bad reviews the first title got, why did you decide to go with the "two worlds"-based title, and a bit, erm, silly sounding one at that?
Jake:: There are a number of reasons why we decided to keep the franchise alive instead of rebranding it, the most prominent of which is that a number of the members of the team are legitimately attached to the franchise. The original installment had a lot of promise, unfortunately it came up short in several areas but the potential was still there, and a lot of people seemed to agree. Two Worlds II is kind of our "redemption" story, and we couldn't be more excited about the way it's shaping up, even if the name is a little odd.
TWVault: Oh yeah! "Odd" names and "redemption" are kinda buzzwords lately [chuckles]... What exactly will you show during E3? Will there be a possibility to play the game hands-on? Any chance of seeing the online mode of the game in action?
Jake:: Exactly? Well, everyone will have to come back and read the fresh new preview article next week for the full details! I can tell you that there will be some new environments unveiled, we'll be showing off some sidequests and pieces of the campaign narrative, the combat and magic systems will be on display publicly for the first time...and best of all it's all hands on!
TWVault: Yay, can't wait! But speaking of E3 TWII presentation, what does TWII have that no other RPG or free-roamer shown at E3 can boast?
Jake:: I think Reality Pump has done an amazing job brainstorming and developing new approaches to classic RPG mechanics. While the card-based magic system is always the easiest feature to point to as it takes spellcasting in a very unique direction, features such as the crafting system, character advancement system, and alchemy systems are all designed in a way that affords players a scale of customization that is fairly uncommon in games within the genre. Also we have the Oculus, and who doesn't like the idea of cruising around the world as a floating eyeball that can explode!
TWVault: Yeah, we're excited about exploding eyeballs... or rather, being an invisible spectator that's capable of raining death on the unsuspecting [evil laughter]. But back on topic: one recent video presented a whole lot of different landscapes that the hero will wander through. However, we've not seen actual desert, glaciers, nor mountains anywhere in screenshots/videos released so far. Any comment on geographical variety of the types we've not yet seen, will that show up at E3?
Jake:: We've released content on quite a few of the various environments so far, but if we show you everything where's the fun in playing the game? Rest assured there's still some unique areas left to be explored, and we'll be touching on a couple of them yet before launch time.
TWVault: Ok, fair enough. Another recent video shows off combat and pretty cool movement options. But some of the stuff shown, especially in regard to freedom of movement, still raised a few questions. Which of the following (it's gonna be a whole list) will not be possible in Two Worlds II - and why?
Jake:: Ok, shoot....
TWVault: Well, what about...: -free run wall climbing as in ACII, -diving, bottom-of-the-sea exploration in search of hidden treasures on sunken ships, -flight, mounted flight, levitation in magic system, -walking exploration, -walking backwards when in combat, for tactical purposes...
Jake:: Whoa, that's a lot... Well I suppose it's easiest if I just run down the list to answer, -We don't have anything comparable to the Assassin's Creed franchise in terms of free running, climbing, and so forth simply because it's not really in line with what we're trying to achieve with Two Worlds II. The AC games are an absolute blast, but we really wanted to focus our efforts in fine-tuning the RPG elements that define our game and make it shine. -While players can swim across bodies of water, there is no diving mechanic, but believe me there are still plenty of nooks and crannies in the enormous game world to keep players busy as it is. -There were several discussions on this topic, and in the end we decided that flight didn't really fit into the game as it took away from that vastness of the world and joy of exploring the environments the team put so much effort into creating. There are still other transportation options such as horseback and teleportation, and while flight won't be in the launch release it's still being heavily discussed for future DLC. -Oh there will definitely be walking...lots and lots of it...and lots.
TWVault: Right, so, teleportation is key then...?
Jake:: -Yeah, and horseriding... but back to the backward motion in combat: while assuming a blocking stance players will be able to walk and jump backwards to enhance the combat experience, especially in terms of positioning.
TWVault: Cool. On a bit different note, in most videos so far we've actually seen very little gore and no blood (just green slime). Is NA version going to be similarly bland from the combat/gore perspective? Any chance we get to see brutal and realistic melee combat impact on the enemy, like in e.g. Age of Conan or Assassin's Creed?
Jake:: There's always a fine line to be walked when producing a trailer, between making it representative of the game but remembering that it's not always in good taste to make a 90 second homage to decapitating orcs...
TWVault: I'd watch that!
Jake:: ...Haha, but, rest assured as an M-rated game there will be plenty of adult oriented combat elements, including blood and melee impact physics.
TWVault: Thanks for answering our questions - see you at E3, Jake!
Jake:: See ya in LA guys!