An interview with director Takuro Hiraoka
While Resident Evil and Street fighter being noticed right now, I’m also curious about Exoprimal, Capcom’s 5v5 team action game in which players arrive in town on a swarm of no-good dinosaurs. The idea is to complete the goal better (read: faster) than the opposing team, to appease an intelligent AI named Leviathan.
It won’t be to everyone’s taste – and I sympathize with any ride-or-die fans who are exclusive to one The Dino Crisis revival (maybe one day…) – but as a participant Lost planet back in the day, I’m very curious. Exoprimal It seems like the kind of project we haven’t really moved beyond Capcom in recent years, for better or for worse.
In front of network testDestructoid was able to send some questions to Exoprimal team, and Directed by Takuro Hiraoka shared his insight into team composition, solo player considerations, how the story will unfold, and why they go with the dinosaurs.
Team dynamics in Dino Survival
Main mode in Exoprimal, Dino Survival, is a race to complete Leviathan’s dinosaur slaying missions with your teammates while other teams do the same. In addition to pure skill, specialized Exosuit roles – communicating with your crew – will also be a factor.
“Exosuits are designed to work together,” says Hiraoka. “Suits of Attack, Tank and Support type all have specialized roles and cannot achieve maximum performance on their own. Players will need to rely on each other to overcome long odds and hopeless situations while having a blast completing missions as a mounted unit. “
“For example, Barriers can taunt dinosaurs to get their attention, attract them and attack them with its huge shield. In response, Exosuits attack like Dye can counterattack from the flanks and wipe out the dinosaurs. Meanwhile, Support type clothes can heal teammates and make sure their comrades on the front lines don’t succumb to the relentless wave of dinosaur swarms. ”
With that said, the director feels “there is no ‘right answer’ as to which Exosuit configuration is best,” and added that they “want players to enjoy the game by exploring roles and styles. Their preferred fighting style is based on the quests given by Leviathan.”
Online multiplayer is the focus
This may go without saying based on what we’ve seen so far, but Exoprimal To be “a massively multiplayer online game at its core“According to Hiraoka.
“When introducing Exoprimal, we’ve demonstrated the importance of resourceful decision-making, role-playing, and coordination with your teammates. While all of this may seem daunting, it’s actually quite accessible. Each Exosuit can unleash powerful attacks and use unique skills with simple controls, helping to promote an enjoyable gameplay experience. In Dino Survival, Leviathan’s guided navigation keeps players from getting lost even if it’s their first time participating in a match. “
“In addition to the 5v5 matches that players will see in the upcoming Closed Network Test, we are also planning to implement features in the final version of the game that allow The match takes place with fewer players,” Hiraoka said. In addition, “Officials will also have options to solo episode by diving in single player guide and training area. ”
I’m hoping for AI bots, especially as a way to future-proof this game.
Player story and progress
The results are really different when it comes to story elements in primarily multiplayer-centric games. I wonder how the story will end Exoprimaland what kind of long-term hookups there will be to drive player growth. Capcom shared a few suggestions.
“In Exoprimal, players are drawn to Leviathan’s recurring war games,” said Hiraoka. “The story challenges the Exofirers to find a way to get out of this endless battle test loop. The main mode, Dino Survival, sees players compete in these deadly games and you progress the story by playing in Dino Survival battles. The main character that the player sees wearing Exosuits in the game is none other than the player himself. We hope that you enjoy playing Exoprimal as if you were participating in these battles yourself. “
“There will be additional features implemented into the game so players can learn more about the story. Please stay tuned for future updates with additional information. “
While cutting and searching for dinosaurs in Dino Survival mode, the player will “accumulating experience is used to increase both player and Exosuit levels“According to Hiraoka.
“By leveling up, Competitors earn many rewards. These include items that allow the player Customize appearance among their Exosuits, as well as those change the way Exosuits work in combat. We will have more information to share about these features at a later date. ”
Origin of a new IP
“During our early planning stages, the development team aimed to create an experience with satisfying action elements not explored in previous Capcom games,” explains Hiraoka. “Instead of a title like Monster hunterwhere hunters face off against a single powerful opponent, we pursue sensation overcome a large number of enemies. From this discovery process, we think there may be attractiveness and potential in a new IP. As we imagine players collaborating online and sharing a sense of satisfaction and achievement after taking down a mob of enemies with their teammates, we believe this concept will become a complete IP. all new. ”
“Dinosaurs were our first idea of an enemy“Hiraoka answered a question about other types of potential enemies during the planning phase.
“We wanted players to experience the threat of the most powerful creatures in history in battle. We also think that by placing players in desperate situations where they have to be pitted against the onslaught of thousands or tens of thousands of these monsters, we can create a level of dire unprecedented paralysis. “
“Next, the research team concluded that Humans and modern technology will not be able to defeat these overwhelmingly powerful beings in such dire circumstances. We determined that some unknown force (science in the near future) would be necessary.
“At this point, the team felt that we could offer a new and engaging experience for players by connecting the clashing elements of ‘the most powerful and ferocious creature in history’ with ‘ The strongest creature of the near future’ into a single game. Since then, the concept of Exoprimal was born. “
Tips for closed network test
Hiraoka explained that upcoming test build of the Exoprimal there will be “a limited number of missions, levels, dinosaurs, Exosuits and rigs” compared to the full version.
“While we’re only showing a small portion of what’s going to be in the game’s full retail release, the Closed Network Test will give players a great experience and Exoprimalthe central concept of fighting the strongest and most ferocious creatures in history against the most powerful creatures in the near future, as well as the satisfaction of playing together with others to get out of uncharacteristic situations. hope as a team. ”
“The closed network test will include guidance and training zone“And the developers” recommend testing out how different Exosuits control and work in these modes first. “
“Once you find the Exosuit(s) you like best, we recommend you keep playing with them instead of switching to different suits. Then jump right into a Dino Survival match. You may find dinosaurs intimidating at first, but don’t let that stop you from facing direct threats. Rest assured that your teammates will fight by your side. With each match you play, you will naturally develop your knowledge of what it takes to take down these ferocious creatures. “
Exoprimal will launch on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2023.
Jordan Devore
Jordan is a founding member of Destructoid and the one who posts seemingly random pictures. They are anything but random.
