Summary
- Inspired by the real glaciers in the Alps, Hinterberg dungeonThe Glacier Overworld offers a unique and playful experience of magical snowboarding, exploration, combat and discovery with hidden secrets, adventures and rewards.
- The Glacier overworld is non-linear and requires players to solve puzzles, complete challenges, and revisit the area at various locations. As with other overworlds, gameplay is influenced by the social dynamics in Hinterberg, as players build their reputation and connections to gain access to new locations and meet new NPCs.
- Hinterberg dungeon will be available on day one with Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and Windows.
Since the original reveal of Hinterberg dungeon During the Xbox Games Showcase last June, we received a steady stream of news and information from developers. Whether it was getting a first look at the mountainous overworld and dungeons during Gamescom or learning more about the social sim aspect players will experience during the Xbox Partner Preview in the idyllic town of Hinterberg, we have been treated to lots of great details on the way to the game’s release in 2024!
But Microbird couldn’t let us sneak into the holidays without it another great view on Hinterberg dungeon, and today we got a preview of the Glacier Overworld as part of their latest livestream. We then caught up with Regina Reisinger, co-founder and art director of Microbird Games, to get more details about the icy overworld, how players can build reputation, and monsters… so many monsters.
Can you tell us about the four overworlds and how they work? Hinterberg dungeon?
The Oberwelten are an integral part of your holiday in Hinterberg: Every day of your holiday begins with a hearty breakfast and then it is time to decide which of the Oberwelten you would like to visit today. Oberwelten are different, medium-sized areas around Hinterberg and are all inspired by real Austrian landscapes and biomes. They all provide ample opportunity and space to explore, fight monsters, discover secrets, or simply sit in a beautiful place and meditate for a day.
There are four visually different overworlds, each offering their own magic. If you fancy a relaxing hike, then head to the lush green mountain meadows of the Doberkogel. Are you in a more relaxed mood? Consider visiting the Backwoods, a scenic forest where you can walk among tall trees and small streams and spot a few deer in the distance. If you want to cool off, take the cable car up to the Kolmstein Glacier, which is covered in snow and ice all year round.
We’ve seen gameplay in the forest and mountain overworlds – and now in Glacier! Can you tell us more about the process of developing the Glacier Overworld?
The Glacier is an overworld that is very close to our hearts and was a lot of fun to create. It’s the third overworld that will be available in the game, and it changes the way we deal with movement by giving Luisa and players a magical hoverboard ability. We really wanted to capture the incredible feeling you get in real life when you’re skiing or snowboarding down a wide, snow-covered slope, surrounded by mountains and views that stretch for miles. We used Unity’s terrain system mixed with some hand-crafted pieces, allowing us to create exactly the type of exploration experience we envisioned.
What unique abilities can players expect from the Glacier overworld?
As mentioned, the Hoverboard is one of the two magical abilities unique to Glacier, and is probably the one that players will use the most. Zipping through the snowy landscape at dizzying speeds, sliding on magical rails, and attempting to complete challenging slalom courses are just some of the fun things you can do with this skill. And of course, it also comes in handy in combat, where you can use it to knock enemies over and create a burning barrier behind you. The second ability is a magical beam of light that you can use to solve puzzles, hit enemies, or manipulate your environment. The combination of the two – grinding along a rail while simultaneously taking out enemies or targets around you – is also a lot of fun.
You talked a little bit about how Hinterberg dungeon Setting and monsters are inspired by places in Austria and its folklore. What inspirations directly influenced Glacier Overworld?
In the Glacier overworld we actually took a lot of inspiration from the real world. The Alps are known for their glaciers, where you can experience a wintry landscape all year round: even in summer, you may be just a cable car ride away from a mountain peak covered in ice and snow. This makes a glacier a special and magical place in itself. Unfortunately, climate change has also become a threat to these biomes. That’s another reason why it was important to us to capture this unique flair and feeling. to share it with players and hopefully make them appreciate this unique biome as much as we do!
What are players most looking forward to and when in the Glacier Overworld? Hinterberg dungeon coming onto the market next year?
The Glacier overworld has a very non-linear, game-like feel. From your first vantage point you can overlook much of the biome, but it’s not so easy to reach and gain access to all of these areas and the dungeon portals hidden there. Players must explore, puzzle, complete challenges, and revisit the overworld at various points throughout the game. We’re excited for players to explore all of these locations and are excited to see how they approach navigating this special overworld – whether on a magical hoverboard or on foot.
They have shared it with us before about how some of the social dynamics work Hinterberg dungeon. Can you tell us more about how these different biomes will affect Luisa? I can imagine that a glacier world might not offer the same social interactions as, for example, the forest.
The majority of the social gathering takes place in the village of Hinterberg, your home base, to which you return each evening. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t need help from your friends and acquaintances when navigating the overworlds! Some locations may only be accessible to you if you have a good reputation in Hinterberg or a powerful friend who will give you a head start. And occasionally you might even meet a friend in the middle of a snowy slope who might give you a reward for teaching them a lesson in hoverboarding!
Many thanks to Regina Reisinger for taking the time to talk to us today. You can search Hinterberg dungeon to kick off day one of Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and Windows in 2024.
