GAMES
Pac-Man World is Back – Xbox Wire
Earlier this year, gamers got a taste of multiple Pac classics with Pac-Man Museum+. With that, fans made it clear that there was one particular Pac-Man classic they wanted to see next – Pac-Man World Re-Pac. Well, we’ve delivered and it’s available now!
Originally released in 1999, Pac-Man World: 20th Anniversary was Pac-Man’s first 3D platforming adventure, using a variety of unique abilities on a quest to rescue his kidnapped family from the dastardly Pac-imposter, Toc-Man, and the Ghosts! Pac-Man World Re-Pac brings a fresh coat of current-gen paint to Pac-Man’s athletic quest that we think existing and new fans alike will enjoy!
I spoke with the game’s producer to understand a bit more about what it took to bring Pac-Man World Re-Pac to Xbox.
Please introduce yourself and let us know a little bit about your role on the game team.
My name is Yuji Yoshii from Bandai Namco Entertainment. I am the producer of Pac-Man World Re-Pac and I am in charge of the entire production process, from planning to completion. I have been involved in the production of the Pac-Man series since Pac-Man Museum+.
Pac-Man fans have been requesting the return of Pac-Man World for quite some time, so congratulations on bringing back such a beloved game!
We are honored to have so many fans celebrate the return of Pac-Man World.
Pac-Man World Re-Pac celebrates Pac-Man’s legacy by remaking a long-requested fan favorite game. What elements from the original Pac-Man World inspired the game team when first approaching their work on the Re-Pac?
Pac-Man World was released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pac-Man and is the first 3D action platformer in the series. In the original (2D maze) Pac-Man, his goal was to run away from ghosts and eat dots, but in the 3D setting of Pac-Man World, Pac-Man is free to run around in 3D space, with techniques at his disposal like Jumping, the Butt Bounce, and the Rev Roll. We set out to revive this Pac-Man action with modern graphics and technology.
Production started some time before the game was announced; how long was the overall production timeline and how did it feel when the title was finally revealed to the world?
We started development of this title in 2020 and the game has been in production for about two years. Our team repeatedly discussed the finished image of the remake during the planning stage, so development proceeded relatively smoothly. It has been 23 years since the release of the original version, but we have been very aware of the requests from fans for the return of Pac-Man World for so many years, so we are incredibly pleased that we are finally able to answer them.
For many fans who are not familiar with the game development process, what are the first steps when it comes to remastering a fan-favorite and what were you most excited to work on?
We believe that remakes and remasters are made possible by the passionate requests from the fans, so we carefully consider whether we can provide an original game experience that will not betray their expectations. We carefully consider this question at the beginning of the process. On the other hand, the gameplay that players demand is changing with the times. We need to consider not only whether we can recreate the original, but also whether we can update the game in a way that is in line with the times.
In Re-Pac, Pac-Man and the Ghosts are more vibrant than ever. What inspired their current look and the overall graphical style of the game as you brought it to current generation hardware?
Graphical updates were one of the major themes of Re-Pac. We made adjustments to create a more modern Pac-Man design while maintaining the comic book style that the Pac-Man universe has. Also, by carefully depicting the natural objects and buildings in each stage with the new look, we were also able to bring Ghost Island vividly back to life.
The “loop” of the original Pac-Man World featuring action-platforming mechanics with a mix of puzzle solving to reach the goal of each stage is still fun today. What makes this style of gameplay intriguing when it comes to Pac-Man?
I think the “loop” in Pac-Man World works very well with Pac-Man. It is great fun to see Pac-Man, with his round yellow body, using very fun, Pac-Man-like actions such as Butt Bounce, Rev Roll, Pac-Dot Attack, etc., and solving puzzles.
In Pac-Man World Re-Pac, when compared to the original, the enemies move a little bit differently, there are enhancements to the UI, and the levels can be approached by the player in a new way due to the widened field of view. How did you approach making these and other enhancements for Pac-Man World Re-Pac while making sure you stayed true to the feel of the original?
In addition to the improved graphics, many improvements have been made to the gameplay of Re-Pac. We have made detailed adjustments to stages where players in the original would get lost, to actions that were difficult to control, and to enemies and gimmicks that were difficult to understand.
The original Pac-Man World gave us the butt-bounce, rev-roll, and Pac-Dot Attack abilities. Re-Pac includes these abilities and adds a new hover-jump to Pac-Man’s move set as well as the ability to become Mega Pac-Man. Can you tell us a little bit about what inspired this and your experience giving Pac-Man these new abilities?
In Re-Pac, we have added these two new elements to evolve the game into a more playable and entertaining modern action game. Hover Jump is useful for long distance jumps and adjusting your fall; eating Power Pellets will turn you into a Mega Pac-Man to attack the ghosts.
Are there any specific graphical updates that you’d like to point out?
In the factory area, burning pipes that glow red block Pac-Man’s path. We would love for you to check out how we show steam blowing out of these pipes and see the difference from the original version in the comparison trailer.
The original Pac-Man World series is known for its catchy soundtrack. Can you tell us about the process of remaking the game’s iconic musical themes? And are there any specific songs that the game team is particularly fond of?
We knew that many fans also have strong feelings about the soundtrack of Pac-Man World, so we used the original music for most of the stages and title screens. We hope that people will feel the nostalgia from both the music and the visuals. We all like the title screen music. It is a wonderful jazz-style song that is perfect for the start of the adventure that is about to begin.
Are there any fun, hidden “easter eggs” or other easy-to-miss things in the game that gamers should watch out for as they play through Ghost Island?
All stages (except “Buccaneer Beach” and each area’s boss battle stage) have the six letters “P,” “A,” “C,” “M”, “A”, and “N” that are hidden throughout them. If you collect them all, you can challenge a special bonus stage, so please try to find them!
Pac-Man has been a global icon for over 40 years. Why do you think Pac-Man resonates with so many people?
Pac-Man debuted as an arcade game in 1980 and has been enjoyed around the world for more than 40 years. I think this is because Pac-Man is a simple game that anyone can play, and the adorable shape and movements of the yellow, round-bodied Pac-Man eagerly gobbling everything up have won the hearts of many people. I think this “Pac-Man-ness” is very important for the franchise.
Pac-Man’s historical impact and continued staying power in the world of video games is undeniable. It’s great to add such a fun filled game to the pantheon of Pac-Man. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions today!
Thank you very much!
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
$29.99
PAC-MAN arrives home on his birthday to find the Ghosts have kidnapped PAC-MAN’s family and ruined his party! Off to the rescue, PAC-MAN sets out to Ghost Island!
• With improved UI, fine-tuned mechanics and updated visuals, PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC is a modernized classic!
• Dodge Ghosts, solve environmental puzzles, rescue the PAC-FAM, and more in this platforming adventure!
• Butt-bounce, rev-roll, PAC-DOT attack, and hover-jump to the final face-off against TOC-MAN!
• Play a collection of 3D mazes in MAZE MODE! Clear QUEST MODE to unlock the original PAC-MAN game in ORIGINAL MODE!
GAMES
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GAMES
The German Empire Marches to Italy in a Free Expansion Today
We have a new expansion for our WW1 Italian Front FPS game Isonzo releasing today! It’s the first part of our Caporetto season of free expansions, and features a whole new faction with the arrival of the German Empire on the Italian Front, and brings a new map for the Offensive game mode. There will be two more releases in the Caporetto season, each one with a new map to ultimately link together into a three map Caporetto Offensive.
The German faction comes with more than ten new weapons, as well as historically accurate uniforms and equipment. This first Caporetto map sees you taking part in the early stages of the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, with German troops assaulting Italian positions on the road to Caporetto. Historically it was a military disaster for Italy which brought down the government – but maybe things can go differently with you on the battlefield?
The update sees new uniforms and equipment from the German Empire for Isonzo’s six classes: Rifleman, Assault, Engineer, Officer, Marksman and Mountaineer. For those who aren’t familiar with the game, each class has different weapon, gear and perk options that allow you to specialize your play style within the overall focus of the class. For instance, Marksmen are always sharpshooters, but a lot depends on your loadout. You could be a long-range sniper and observer identifying and eliminating high value targets with a scoped rifle, or you could equip body armor to take and hold a front line position with deadly accurate mid-range fire. Every class has choices to make in this regard.
In Isonzo’s signature Offensive game mode, one side must attack and break through multiple defensive lines. Thick layers of barbed wire, trenches, and whatever extra defenses the enemy engineers put together will stand in the way of a successful attack. Objectives can be taking and holding key points, or planting dynamite to sabotage enemy supply stashes or heavy artillery guns.
The new Caporetto map – the first of three in the season – is a huge battlefield based on the strategically important Monte Kolovrat. There are five defensive lines, where each line has two objectives for the attackers before they can advance further. While in the historical Battle of Caporetto both German and Austro-Hungarian forces were involved, in Isonzo we’ve chosen to focus on the German contribution, so the map recreates the stunning German advance from the town of Tolmein all the way to Kolovrat Ridge. It’s a damp, overcast day when the attack begins, and the attackers must first cut their way through lines of wire to break into a devastated town – including capturing a church defended by multiple heavy machine gun positions. Fortunately, in Isonzo there are many tactical options available to deal with such strong points: artillery barrages, smokescreens, snipers, rifle grenades, even poison gas. From there, it becomes a literal uphill battle for the German attackers as they begin to climb towards the peak of Kolovrat Ridge. They’ll need to sabotage bunkers and capture command posts while navigating rocky trenches and steep forested slopes. At the penultimate fourth defensive line there is a huge siege mortar to sabotage and a cluster of houses providing cover to the Italian defenders – then it’s one last climb to reach the final objective: Hill 1114. If the Germans can take it, the Italians will finally be the ones fighting uphill as their reinforcements stream in to try and counterattack.
Of course, things are no walk in the park for the defenders either – although it’s easier to maneuver when going downhill, and it’s much simpler for officers to deploy flares to call in support, the extensive trench lines can become a liability once the Germans get a foothold, providing cover as they advance. Some of the Italian defensive positions can be exposed against the sky, making it easy for German marksmen to pick off targets. Italian engineers should make good use of their construction abilities to put down additional sandbags and lay out extra wire to prevent German assault troops sneaking through the trees to flank trenches with their grenades or light machine guns.
As we mentioned before, historically the Battle of Caporetto was a disaster for the Italians. Appalling leadership led to poorly motivated and unprepared troops falling apart in the face of the combined Austro-Hungarian and German armies using cutting edge infiltration tactics. The Italian soldiers were not allowed to retreat until too late, and in the end hundreds of thousands would surrender. After Caporetto the top Italian general was fired and replaced by someone far more competent, who managed to turn the war around for the Italians. In Isonzo, it’s a more fair fight where both sides have an equal chance of winning, if they can use all the tactical options available better than their opponents.
The release will also bring other improvements to the game, including a prestige mode and higher level cap. Additionally, for those who want more options for visual customization of their character, the Royal Units DLC is releasing alongside the free expansion and contains uniforms from the German Kingdoms of Bavaria and Württemberg. Though part of the German Empire, these states had their own distinctive uniforms which we’ve carefully recreated with the same accuracy and attention to detail as with the other uniforms in the game.
The Battle for Caporetto Begins…
Isonzo is available right now on the Microsoft Store for Xbox, and the free Caporetto expansion is out today! Plenty of time to master the art of mountain warfare before the German Empire joins the action on the Italian Front. Follow us to get the latest development news as we add the finishing touches!
We’ll see you in the trenches!
Isonzo
BlackMill Games
$29.99
World War One expands to the mountains of the Italian Front – beautiful but deadly in equal measure. Inspired by the two year struggle for control of the Isonzo river valley and the Alps during World War One, Isonzo elevates the WW1 Games Series, figuratively and literally.
From the makers of Verdun and Tannenberg…
Take part in historical offensives from the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo to the Strafexpedition. Reflecting the course of the actual battles, as the attackers advance the fighting will shift through vastly different landscapes within a single offensive: from hillside fortresses to mountain trenches and fierce urban combat on city streets. Everything is recreated based on research and field trips, from sound effects and uniforms down to the houses, vineyards and trenches you’ll be fighting over.
The new Offensive game mode puts you right in the middle of key historical offensives on the Italian Front. Lead the charge across stunning Italian landscapes as you choose your path to victory – cut paths through barbed wire, flank your enemies by following mountain trails, or man a mortar to blast a way through. Shape a dynamic battlefield by laying sandbags and wire, placing ammo crates, deploying trench periscopes or sniper shields, and more.
Call in support with a unique historically accurate flare system: flare guns can mark targets for artillery or biplane flybys, or different colored flares can be used to guide your team. Once the big guns have softened up the enemy, finish the job at close quarters with an Arditi dagger or mountaineer’s pickaxe. Man heavy machine guns, mortars and even mountain guns for more direct fire support.
Choose from six classes based on historical combat roles and build your loadout from a selection of weapons, equipment and perks linked to that class, giving flexibility and variety while staying grounded in what real soldiers might have carried. You’ll be operating wire cutters, bandaging yourself and wounded teammates, and blowing the whistle to start an assault. One shot can kill and even lighter injuries can lead to quickly bleeding out.
Being an effective soldier in Isonzo is not just about being a good marksman. Mastering the terrain is also key – the mountain can be a friend or foe. Learn how to navigate well to maintain cover and surprise your enemies or support your allies.
Finally… watch out for the dreaded poison gas. You’ve never experienced WW1 action quite like this!
Isonzo key features include:
• MOUNTAIN WARFARE: Assaulting mountain fortifications, battling through ruined towns, and fording rivers are just a few of the challenges you’ll face as you fight your way through numerous enemy positions
• TACTICAL MULTIPLAYER FPS: Choose your role and loadout carefully to survive this high altitude combat – play a sniper to pick off the enemy engineers before they can cut your wire, use rifle grenades to clear enemy machine guns, and much more
• WORLD WAR ONE GAMEPLAY: Historical Offensive game mode based on real battles and focused on the unique challenges of Alpine warfare. Fight with 30+ WW1 weapons, poisonous gas attacks, and intense artillery barrages
• BUILD FOR VICTORY: Place your own wire, sandbags, trench periscopes, and more! Whether you’re digging in or on the attack, shaping the battlefield to your advantage will be key to victory
• FACES OF WAR: Make every class your own by picking from a variety of historically class-appropriate uniforms, accessories and headgear. As a finishing touch, you can even pick your mustache from several famous period-accurate styles!
• AUTHENTIC WW1 ATMOSPHERE: Accuracy in everything from maps and weaponry to music and the uniforms – fight for the Kingdom of Italy, the German Empire or the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy
MORE GAMES IN THE AUTHENTIC WW1 GAME SERIES
Immerse yourself in more WW1 action with our other standalone titles Tannenberg and Verdun. Experience trench warfare on the Western Front in Verdun, or maneuver for control of key sectors in Tannenberg on the Eastern Front. These authentic WW1 shooters let players choose from a range of squads from across the war, as they fight for control of the ever-changing frontlines.
GAMES
Transport Fever 2: Console Edition is Bringing the Full Transport Tycoon Experience to Xbox
Today, we proudly share a sneak peek into the development of Transport Fever 2: Console Edition, and how we managed to bring the full transport tycoon experience to Xbox.
Transport Fever is a very popular and highly rated transportation tycoon franchise on PC. Its latest entry, Transport Fever 2, delivers a level of size and detail never before seen in the genre. The goal of the game is to build a successful transportation company by constructing railroads, streets, water and air lines. Starting in the 19th century, the player connects towns and industries to transport both passengers and cargo. In addition to a customizable free game mode, there is also a fully-fledged campaign mode with challenging missions set in real-world transportation history.
After the huge success of Transport Fever 2 on PC, it was only logical to bring the experience to consoles as well. Not only that, but no efforts were spared to give the console community the full experience that made the game great on PC. In order to achieve this, the engineers at Urban Games had to pull some rabbits out of their engineers’ hats.
Always providing the freshest layer of paint
One of the most cherished features of Transport Fever 2 are its highly detailed vehicles. The game comes with more than 200 lovingly hand-modeled trains, ships, and airplanes, each sporting multiple 4k textures and normal maps.
On PC, it is easily affordable to have all the models and textures in memory whenever needed, as a typical rig has 16 GB of RAM and a GPU with a dedicated extra memory. Consoles, however, are built differently. They have a unified architecture with an overall smaller amount but ultra-fast memory. The key to make it work on consoles is texture streaming, which allows to clear textures of models that are not in view anymore. Moreover, this technology is used in Transport Fever 2 to constantly load textures at the highest affordable resolution to present the stars of the show, like the classic Class A 3/5 steam locomotive, in their best coat of paint at all times.
Keeping the ground like a console pro
A trademark of Transport Fever 2 are its huge maps. During development of the game, it was always paramount to provide a real sense of scale. The engine should allow for maps where a high-speed train, such as the famous Japanese Shinkansen, can really make use of its superior speed. So, a lot of effort was put into designing a highly effective terrain rendering pipeline that can handle maps of more than 120 sq miles of size with a detail resolution of almost 1 yard. Central to this is a dynamic terrain tessellation algorithm on the CPU that, while costing a bit of extra memory, makes sure the engine can render these maps on a wide variety of PCs.
Now, enter the world of consoles with their incredibly well-designed GPUs and graphic APIs. Here, the hardware can be leveraged very well for terrain rendering by making use of the GPU tessellation feature. This feature generates the render mesh for the terrain fully on the graphics card, saving valuable processing time for the complex economy and city growth simulations. While generating more triangles, the hardware approach still costs less memory overall due to its efficiency. So vast maps can be viewed from a bird’s view high up in the sky and seamlessly zoomed in down to individual rocks on a riverbank.
Inspiring the inner architect
Finally, let’s talk about constructions, a central and defining part of the Transport Fever 2 experience. Constructions are large assemblies that consist of dozens of assets, street segments, ground decals and terrain modifications. Think of structures like airports, train stations, docks, highway crossings, and many more. Anything that is needed to build a vast transportation empire.
For a smooth construction experience, it is key that the player really feels that he has precise control over the building placement. On PC, constructions are typically built using the mouse. As the average PC user is very well adjusted to this method of input, it is sufficiently performant to calculate the entire construction each frame and place it under the cursor. However, on consoles, the best way of building constructions is to have them always kept in the center of the screen and move the camera along the map for placement. And moving the camera needs to be as smooth as silk.
So, for the console release of Transport Fever 2, the construction preview pipeline was overhauled. All dynamic calculations are now performed in the background while a static preview of the structure and its underlying ground plan are shown. Not only are constructions now completely stable in terms of FPS, but they also give feedback to the player on what environment features the construction would tear down when built.
Let’s get tycooning on console
We are very excited to bring the Transport Fever franchise to consoles for the first time ever with the release of Transport Fever 2: Console Edition on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One in February 2023, and we hope you will enjoy it as much as we did developing it.
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