Wasteland 2 - Interview @ Eurogamer

[Couchpotato]

Brain Fargo & Chris Keenan were interviewed on Eurogamer, and both of them talked about porting Wasteland 2 to consoles, and what changes the PC will have.

Let's take things one step at a time, as inXile does. Brian Fargo tells me Wasteland 2 project lead Chris Keenan has promised him the recently-announced console versions will be out "late summer". I can hear Chris laugh over Skype when Brian mentions this vague launch window, but they're serious about it. And they've said it, now, on the record. And I've put it on the internet. So it has to happen.

"This isn't just a press-the-button port," Chris says. "We have a pretty intricate game."

The parallels are clear: Firaxis rebooted an old-school PC series for PC and console. InXile is doing the same, although the console versions arrive half a year after the PC version in the case of Wasteland 2. The combat in Firaxis' XCOM is a party-based and turn-based affair with a top-down camera perspective you can rotate. The combat in Wasteland 2 is the same.

"Their UI on console was the gold standard for handling a complex game in a way on console that was very satisfying," Fargo says. "We recognise that. We always look at the body of work that comes before us. We want to make sure we're looking at what gamers gravitate towards, and what they think is done right."

"[XCOM] is certainly a starting point for us," Keenan adds. "We want to make sure we have similar ease of use in controls."

InXile has already announced its working on migrating the Wasteland 2 codebase from Unity 4.5 to Unity 5. This is happening as we speak for the PC version, but all improvements and changes that come as a part of the game engine shift will be chucked into the console version, too. And vice versa, too. Soon you'll be able to play Wasteland 2 on PC with a controller, using the console UI being built for PS4 and Xbox One. And it doesn't stop there: Fargo says a SteamOS-specific interface is also being built to take advantage of the upcoming flood of Steam Machines.

More information.

 

[Couchpotato]

Well I'm not interested in playing the game with a controller. Still I like the addition of Perks and quirks. Here are two images of the updated graphics from using Unity 5.

New Graphic Overhaul

New Character Look

 

[luj1]

serious difference

 

[ikbenrichard]

Wow, that is a bigger difference than anticipated.

 

[Archangel]

Wow... they are not kidding. I wonder how much stronger computer this will need.

 

[rune_74]

Finally people seeing just how much better unity 5 is.

 

[Arkadia7]

This looks like a sweet graphics upgrade, can't wait until it's released. So now I'm waiting on the two great rpgs of last year to get major upgrades, this one and Divinity original sin. I think Fargo is right in thinking this kind of post release attention will give good rewards later if they do another kickstarter, which it sounds like they are planning.

 

[rune_74]

There is no reason not to do another kickstarter....it protects small companies and allows them to gauge interest.

 

[rjshae]

I'm guessing it will be easier to port it to the console since it's using turn-based combat. Trying to control the full party in RTwP would be a pain.

 

[Deleted User]

I think the original looks better.

 

[Couchpotato]

I think the original looks better.

Well Fargo admitted he did not focus on graphics. So I guess the income from the sale of the game is now allowing him to make his GOTY version better than the original.

Anyway Unity five offers many new improvements besides better graphics.

 

[Deleted User]

Cool! I look forward to seeing the improvements in action.

I played around 20 hours of Wasteland 2 and greatly enjoyed it, but it was during a time where I fell off a bit from my gaming hobby. I definitely have to go back when the GOTY releases and see more of it.

 

[Archangel]

Inxile have enough money now to even do BT4 with KS, but why would they not. They can still get lots of people to pledge and then put extra money to make it even better.

Or maybe they can do the campaign like SR: HK and say they will make a game no matter what but KS pledges can make it much better.