Introduction to Avowed
Set within the rich and diverse lore of the Pillars of Eternity universe, the upcoming Avowed game presents an exciting adventure for fans of the franchise. However, players looking forward to exploring this world will face a limitation in character creation, as the playable races are confined to humans and elves. This decision is deeply rooted in the game’s narrative, as the protagonist is an envoy from the Aedyr Empire, a realm predominantly inhabited by these two races.
Technical Reasons for Race Limitation
When it comes to the immersive experience of a first-person RPG, the technical aspects of character design play a pivotal role. Game director Carrie Patel has shed light on the specific challenges that come with incorporating various character sizes within Avowed. The decision to limit playable races to humans and elves was not made lightly, as it stems from the complexities associated with different character heights and proportions.
Patel points out that while Aumaua characters are “roughly on the same scale” as humans and elves, races like Dwarves and Orlan introduce a myriad of technical hurdles. These include:
- Adjusting the height of the player character’s capsule.
- Aligning weapons correctly relative to enemies.
- Ensuring accurate hit detection and combat interactions.
These technical issues are particularly pronounced in a first-person view, where the player’s perspective is directly tied to the physical attributes of their character. The team at Obsidian Entertainment has had to carefully consider these factors to maintain a seamless and natural gameplay experience.
Gameplay and Combat Comparison
The combat system in Avowed is a significant departure from what players might have experienced in other RPGs, such as The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. While Oblivion featured a range of character sizes and races, its combat was not typically described as “weighty.” In contrast, Avowed is taking inspiration from the visceral and impactful brawling seen in Vermintide, aiming to deliver a more tangible and forceful combat experience.
Obsidian Entertainment is focusing on creating a system that incorporates physics-based shenanigans to make every sword swing and spell cast feel substantial. The goal is to ensure that players can almost feel the heft of their weapons and the resistance of their foes, which is a stark contrast to the lighter, less substantial combat encounters in some previous RPGs.
Development Priorities
In the realm of game development, resource allocation and setting priorities are crucial for the successful completion of a project. Carrie Patel, the game director for Avowed, has emphasized that while it’s possible to overcome various technical challenges, the team must make strategic decisions on where to focus their efforts. The development process involves a series of trade-offs, and for Obsidian Entertainment, ensuring a high-quality gaming experience is paramount.
With an eye on delivering a polished final product, Obsidian has set the release date for Avowed in the fall of 2024. This timeline was confirmed during an extended showcase at the Microsoft developer direct last month, where fans were given a glimpse into the game’s progress and what they can expect upon release.
