In the days before dolmensToday’s release of on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S gave us the opportunity to speak in more detail with the community about the decisions we made on this project. One of the most interesting and controversial points, given the many opinions we found, was the decision to implement a multiplayer mode only available for boss fights.
At first one might think that this choice is a safe way out or that it would require less work on the part of the developers, but that is not the case. When we talk about a horror game, loneliness is one of the most important elements to take into account. This feeling is a commonly used catalyst to increase a person’s fear and anxiety.
For example, imagine hearing a strange noise in your house while having dinner with your family. It’s certainly concerning, but hearing those strange noises at home when you’re alone is even worse, and real anxiety sets in. The same goes for horror games. Venturing into a strange, hostile world filled with strange creatures, sounds, and happenings can be scary, but when the same adventure is faced with three friends, the immersion and fear are suppressed and it becomes a walk in the park – especially when they are they are much higher level than you and adorned with epic gear!
Wouldn’t it be easier then to just take out the multiplayer and make the experience a real test of resilience and skill? Well, that would certainly be easier… but it wouldn’t be good.
One of the things we learned years ago during an Xbox meeting at BGS (Brazil Game Show) was the importance of creating a community around our projects. Xbox, as part of Microsoft, has a policy that aims not only to provide services, but to create inclusion and interactions that are healthy for everyone.
Blogging, partnerships with journalists, developers, pro gamers, distributors, agents and of course multiplayer games are all examples of bringing people together. What would basketball or football be if they couldn’t be broadcast to a much larger audience than the one playing? What would these sports be like if there was no competition and cooperation between players? Likewise, what would the gaming industry be if they weren’t multiplayer games that help build amazing communities around them?
We’ve embraced this concept and thank Xbox for sharing this vision. We hope to contribute to the growth of the community without diminishing the horror that will come in Revion Prime. See you later!
dolmens
primary matter
Dolmen throws players onto a hostile alien world known as Revion Prime. Your work? Bring back samples of a crystal with particularly unique properties; the so-called ""dolmens"". These crystals are capable of enabling interaction between realities, revolutionizing space exploration and changing the known world forever. DYNAMIC COMBAT In Dolmen, you get stronger with every fight! Experience a rich combat system with different weapons and moves at your disposal. Natively switch between melee and ranged combat to defeat the most challenging enemies Revion Prime has to offer. POWER MODE Power management is the key to victory in Dolmen. Energy is used not only for ranged weapons, but also for activation ""power mode"".
""power mode"" imbues your melee weapons with elemental status effects, allowing you to take full advantage of your enemy’s weaknesses. DISCOVER A MYSTERIOUS PLANET A desolate, darkly beautiful world awaits exploration. Will you find all the secrets Revion Prime has to offer? Or will this cruel world push you to the brink of death? A CHALLENGE AWAITS Survival is the last thing this world wants from you. Will you see your timeline erased, or will you overcome the challenge that awaits you? MEET CRUEL BOSSES Revion Prime features a plethora of ferocious abominations that will test your skills."
Related:
Next week on Xbox: May 16-20
Sci-Fi Souls-like Dolmen is coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on May 20th
Wasteland 3: Cult of the Holy Detonation available now