Bandai Namco cooperated with European developer LIMBIC Entertainment during Gamescom and announced for the first time a brand new amusement park game “PARK BEYOND” that combines management and creation. Creative director Johannes Reithmann also accepted an interview with Chinese media to explain what the game is actually playing.
About LIMBIC Entertainment and “PARK BEYOND”
LIMBIC Entertainment was founded in Germany in 2002 and currently has two development teams. Previously developed games were based on PC platforms. The development of “PARK BEYOND” lasted for two years. Currently, Bandai Namco has acquired part of the company’s shares. Cooperation will become closer.
“PARK BEYOND” is a game based on the theme of amusement parks. This is a paradise that allows players to build their dreams. The producer said that this is a modern amusement park game, hoping to make the impossible possible and allow players to experience the fun of the park.
The role of the player is a visionary architect who completes this legendary amusement park by completing various tasks. The development team said that the game focuses on simple hands-on, the game itself is a one-player game, but you can have fun with friends through sharing.
Turn the impossible into a possible creation
“Turning the impossible into possible” is our core concept for this work. We will use existing amusement facilities in reality or transform existing amusement facilities to exaggerate and become a new concept. For example, Another example is the carousel, the carousel that we finally developed can have the second and third layers, as well as the rotation modes that are usually invisible. And like a pirate ship that can actually enter the water. And the roller coaster launched by the cannon and so on.
In order to achieve this goal, we have designed some modules for players to add by themselves. In addition, players can also design the entire terrain by themselves, such as a roller coaster that can pass under a bridge, or rotate around a certain type of terrain, and so on. We also designed a roller coaster that can be deformed, such as wings in flight, air cushions when crossing water, and so on.
Pay equal attention to management and creation
This game has a story mode. The main storyline is driven by missions. Players will encounter all kinds of NPCs, such as funders of amusement parks. Players must find ways to solve the missions they propose. As mentioned earlier, the player plays the role of a visionary designer. The player will pay equal attention to management and creation. There are various business elements in the game, such as store management, payment of facilities, or considering customer satisfaction, how to train employees , Salary, etc. are all important considerations.
In addition, there is a board mode in the game, players need to propose their own ideas and persuade them, so it is like setting their own goals and customer groups and so on. Each stage may have different restrictions, such as budgets, or some special situations, players need ways to solve these problems.
“PARK BEYOND” is expected to be available on PS5, Xbox Siries XS, and PC in 2022. The development team has plans to provide more transformable objects and facilities in the future.
“PARK BEYOND” Other Q&A
Q: Are there any modes other than stories?
A: There are two modes in the game, one is mission mode and the other is sandbox mode. For players who just want to build a happy amusement park, in the sandbox mode, they can ignore the management and tasks and cover their own minds. The most important amusement park.
Q: Does the game have a so-called security design?
A: The customers in the game are divided into families, teenagers and others. These three types of customers have different concerns about the risk of facilities. For example, a roller coaster that spends more than 50% of the time in the air, then customers in the family group may not Love this amusement equipment.
Q: Will the story mode be Game Over?
A: The limitation of the task will be the player’s choice, such as time or revenue. If it is not reached, it will indeed lead to Game Over. There is also a situation where the NPC may buy land nearby. May cause Game Over. (Yes, there are also elements of land expansion in the game)
Q: Is there a so-called full break in the story mode?
A: Yes, we have designed an experience for more than 30 hours. There will be a final mission in the story mode. After the main story is finished, the original amusement park can be moved to the sandbox mode, or a new one can be opened in the sandbox mode. Play in the park from scratch. In addition, the amusement park in the sandbox mode will continue to have new tasks.
Q: Are there any rides that do not exist in reality?
A: When we originally designed it, we wanted everyone to do something cool, so for example, for the space adventure theme, we will design the corresponding materials to allow players to transform the city into what they want. But we need to emphasize that the design is based on existing things, so we will not see magic or science fiction. It is still based on reality-based facilities. If there are people in reality who do not worry about safety, then there is It is possible to design these facilities.
Q: What will happen to tourists in accidents?
A: We have thought of this part. In the game, there is a ghost train system that will determine whether the facility is derailed or has insufficient power. In the actual game situation, the slightest thing is that the tourists feel uncomfortable after getting off the facility and need treatment. Another possibility is that the amusement equipment is damaged and a mechanic needs to be sent to repair it.
Q: Are there any competitors in the story?
A: There is no other paradise to compete in this game, but new characters may increase the difficulty of your mission, or you have to persuade certain characters to join you. As the players progress, some characters may be you He can never be persuaded, but it may be achieved with a little effort.
Q: Can the story mode not adopt the advice given by NPC?
A: Of course it is possible, but there is indeed a possibility of bad results, such as bankruptcy.
Q: The Ferris wheel introduced above can be seen in various combinations of large and small wheels. Is it possible to customize the appearance or is there a fixed upgrade type?
A: There are two types of amusement facilities. The flat amusement facilities are upgraded according to the level, like a merry-go-round. The high degree of customization is the roller coaster. For example, the laying of the track, or what to add to it, is mostly customized.
Q: Will the building upgrade cause the area to become larger?
A: No. In addition, there is a value for these special buildings in the game. The more such buildings there are, the higher the value.
Q: Is there a VR mode?
A: We thought about it. We even bought the equipment, but later found out that some facilities were not fun to play with VR, so we didn’t do it.
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