As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming experiences under my belt, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about the New World Aeternum episode of Secret Level. After all, the game didn’t exactly set the world on fire when it first launched. However, after watching the animated short, I have to say that Blur Studio has pleasantly surprised me.
Initially, when Blur Studio revealed its upcoming animated series, Secret Level, it seemed like an homage to cherished video game properties from various sources. Enthusiastic spectators spotted familiar figures such as Pac-Man and Mega Man amidst the mix. However, there were also some games that didn’t quite stir up the same level of anticipation among their creators.
Initially, it was challenging to envision enthusiasm for Amazon Games’ New World Aeternum due to its predecessor’s limited appeal. However, after visiting Amazon Studios and witnessing the New World Aeternum episode of Secret Level, I gained a newfound respect for Blur Studio’s creative potential. This appreciation stems from their ability to craft captivating and emotional narratives within gaming environments that might not be conventionally expected, such as New World Aeternum.
Blur Studio’s approach in creating the New World Aeternum episode for Secret Level is more about developing the game’s setting and communicating its fundamental theme rather than focusing on existing characters. This game world revolves around the concept of arriving at a mystical island, one that has been trapped in the 16th century with its inhabitants unable to age or die. Without revealing the specific storyline or how it unfolds, Blur Studio explores this unique setting, playing with the idea of navigating a perilous island, dying multiple times, and miraculously coming back unscathed. This results in a story that combines humor and an unexpected dose of emotion.
Rob Chestney, narrative director for New World at Amazon Games, emphasizes the importance of going beyond the expected with the game’s storyline. He explains that instead of simply revisiting familiar aspects from the IP, players should be introduced to fresh elements they haven’t encountered elsewhere. To achieve this, he shares his experience working with Blur, stating that the key is to provide them with an idea, a world, and the game’s concept. Once that’s done, it’s essential to let their creativity run wild, as they often come up with ideas so ambitious and out-of-the-box that they seem unattainable. However, it’s this very ambition that makes Blur exceptional—they push themselves to create something extraordinary that leaves everyone amazed. Chestney concludes by saying that the pitch they received was a clear home run.
Blur aims to adopt this unique strategy for each episode of Secret Level, where they delve into an existing IP, explore the environment that the team is developing, and craft a story that may surprise yet resonate with fans. For instance, in the case of New World Aeternum, such an approach could spark curiosity and attract new followers as well.
Tim Miller, co-founder of Blur Studio, stated during the private screening on Friday that the true power of this series lies in its unique composition: 15 distinct games from 11 different developers/publishers. The beauty of it, he explained, is the collaboration among everyone involved, which will ultimately benefit each participant. Even if you don’t play Spelunky, for example, you might stay tuned to watch its episode, and in doing so, potentially discover new fans for every partner of the show.
This preview is based on an advance screening on the Amazon Studios lot.
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2024-10-14 19:28