"Take care of the car and it will take care of you."
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| How Pacific Drive uses Diegetic's UI to help players fall in love (with the car). |
Gamescom Cologne 2023: Pacific Drive Unveils Unique Gameplay Experience
Gamescom Cologne 2023 was a whirlwind of excitement, and one game that stood out from the crowd was Pacific Drive. Imagine if acclaimed director Nicolas Winding Refn took the helm of an episode of Stranger Things, and you'll get a sense of the atmospheric, run-based survival adventure that Pacific Drive promises. This game centers around the profound connection between players and their trusty vehicles. However, instead of fleeing from their past, players will navigate treacherous supernatural anomalies as they embark on expeditions into the enigmatic Olympic Exclusion Zone, all in a desperate attempt to comprehend and escape the surreal catastrophe reshaping the world.
Between these thrilling excursions, players will scavenge for vital resources and delve deeper into the mysteries left behind by the elusive ARDA organization. It's during these moments of respite that you'll often find players tinkering with their dependable station wagons within the confines of an oil-stained garage. It's in this setting that our recent Gamescom 2023 demo of Pacific Drive began. Without hesitation, I got to work, overhauling my four-wheeled companion, meticulously replacing panels and swapping out tires to prepare for my next death-defying journey.
What immediately caught my attention during this part of the demo was the unwavering commitment of developer Ironwood Studios to the game's core concept. While some studios might opt for menu-driven car upgrades and customization to save resources, Pacific Drive offers a tactile, hands-on experience that is unexpectedly therapeutic, providing a soothing contrast to the intense tension that accompanies each hazardous expedition.
Drive for Survival
During our demo, game director Seth Rosen revealed that initially, car upgrades and restocking were menu-driven processes. However, the development team swiftly pivoted to make this aspect of the game more immersive and to foster a profound bond between players and their vehicles.
Rosen explained, "The car is akin to a shield, forming a symbiotic relationship with the player. By taking care of the car, it reciprocates by safeguarding your survival." He emphasized the importance of making the upgrade system sensory and responsive. Out in the wilderness, the car becomes a player's first line of defense, absorbing damage beyond a certain threshold to ensure their survival, underscoring the critical importance of maintaining the vehicle in peak condition.
Ironwood Studios also aimed to infuse the vehicle with a sense of individuality by introducing a quirk system that allows the vehicle to develop a distinct personality over time. Rosen elaborated, "We want players to forge a strong connection with their cars by the end of the game, which is why we introduced the quirk system. Some quirks are neutral, some detrimental, and others are genuinely helpful. We've implemented a keyword diagnosis UI, reminiscent of Return of the Obra Dinn, where players must decipher their car's issues to rectify them."
In Pacific Drive, nearly every interaction feels weighty and physical, a deliberate choice to ensure that the in-game UI remains as immersive as possible. Rosen added, "We made an effort to integrate as much as possible into the game world. This not only enhances the connection with the car but also emphasizes the sense of a real, looming threat in this world."
This design philosophy places a substantial burden of responsibility on players. During my initial run, I inadvertently collided with a tornado-like anomaly, resulting in a violent impact on my cherished vehicle, which crashed back to the ground with a resounding crunch. Ironwood's commitment to tangible consequences means that mistakes leave a lasting mark, often necessitating unconventional solutions.
Rosen explained, "To facilitate the locational damage system on the car, we implemented an immersive sim-style damage system. This system, along with its capabilities, remained concealed beneath the game's surface for some time. For instance, players might have been restricted." to using the scrapper (a tool to break down resources) on specific items. Recently, we expanded this functionality, allowing players to use tools creatively and find innovative solutions to challenges."
These systems create moments that feel intuitive and emergent, reducing the instances where players may question why certain actions are unavailable. In Rosen's words, this approach is essential to prevent player frustration.
Rosen also mentioned that this approach helped address resource management issues the development team encountered. Players may need to improvise and adapt, using tools like the scrapper creatively to collect essential materials when necessary.
As it stands, Pacific Drive appears to have all the ingredients for success. Throughout our 30-minute demo, Ironwood Studios' dedication to crafting a rich, system-driven experience was evident. Beyond that, it exudes a unique and captivating atmosphere. We eagerly anticipate how Pacific Drive will shape up when it hits the gaming scene in 2024. For more information, visit www.gamescom.com or [Gamescom Steam](gamescom steam). Don't miss out on the live experience of Gamescom Cologne 2023!
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