How Dungeons of Hinterberg Bridges Actuality with Fantasy When Creating Its Huge Overworlds

For the reason that unique reveal of Dungeons of Hinterberg in the course of the Xbox Video games Showcase this previous June, we’ve gotten a gradual stream of stories and data from its creators. Whether or not it was getting a primary hands-on and have a look at the mountainous overworld and dungeons throughout throughout gamescom, or studying extra in regards to the social-sim side that gamers will expertise within the idyllic city of Hinterberg throughout Xbox Accomplice Preview, we’ve been handled to loads of nice particulars en path to the sport’s 2024 launch!

However Microbird couldn’t allow us to sneak off into the vacations with out one other nice have a look at Dungeons of Hinterberg, and at the moment we have been handled to a preview of its Glacier overworld as a part of their newest livestream. Following that, we caught up with Co-Founder and Artwork Director for Microbird Video games Regina Reisinger to get some extra particulars on the icy overworld, how gamers can construct rep, and monsters… so many monsters.

Are you able to inform us somewhat bit in regards to the 4 overworlds and the way they operate in Dungeons of Hinterberg?

The overworlds are an integral a part of your vacation in Hinterberg: day-after-day of your trip begins with a hearty breakfast, after which it’s time to determine which of the overworlds you need to go to at the moment. Overworlds are distinct, mid-sized areas round Hinterberg, and are all impressed by actual Austrian landscapes and biomes. All of them maintain ample alternative and house to discover, combat monsters, uncover some secrets and techniques, or simply sit down in a lovely spot and meditate for a day.

There are 4 visually distinct overworlds that each one supply their very own taste of magic as nicely. When you really feel like a calming hike, why not go to the plush inexperienced mountain meadows of Doberkogel? Are you in a extra serene temper? Take into account visiting Hinterwald, a picturesque forest the place you’ll be able to stroll between tall bushes and little streamlets, whereas recognizing some deer within the distance. Or if you wish to settle down, you possibly can take the cable automobile as much as Kolmstein, a glacier that’s lined in snow and ice all yr spherical.

We’ve seen gameplay within the Forest and Mountain overworlds – and now Glacier! Are you able to share extra in regards to the technique of growing the Glacier overworld?

The glacier is an overworld that could be very expensive to our hearts, and one which was loads of enjoyable to design.  It’s the third overworld that can grow to be obtainable within the sport, and it switches up how we deal with motion, by offering Luisa and the gamers with a magic hoverboard ability. We actually wished to seize the superb feeling that you just get in actual life when snowboarding or snowboarding down a wide-open slope filled with snow, surrounded by mountains and a view that goes on for miles. We used Unity’s terrain system, blended with some manually constructed elements, so we may create precisely the sort of exploration expertise that we imagined.

What distinctive talents can gamers count on from the Glacier overworld?

As already talked about, the hoverboard is among the two magic abilities distinctive to the glacier, and doubtless the one gamers will use probably the most. Zipping alongside the snowy panorama at a dizzying tempo, grinding alongside magical rails and making an attempt to finish difficult slalom programs are simply a few of the enjoyable issues you are able to do with this ability. And naturally, it turns out to be useful in fight as nicely, the place you should utilize it to knock over enemies and draw a flaming barrier behind you. The second ability is a magical mild ray that can be utilized to resolve puzzles, hit enemies, or manipulate your surroundings. Combining each – grinding alongside a rail whereas zapping enemies or targets round you – is numerous enjoyable as nicely.

You’ve spoken a bit about how Dungeons of Hinterberg’s setting and monsters are impressed by areas in Austria and its folklore. What inspirations have instantly influenced the Glacier overworld?

The glacier overworld is definitely one the place we took loads of inspiration from the true world. The Alps are recognized for his or her glaciers, the place you’ll be able to expertise a wintery panorama all yr spherical: even in summer season, you would possibly solely be a cable automobile journey away from a mountaintop lined in ice and snow. This makes a glacier sort of a particular and magical place in and of itself. Sadly, the altering local weather has grow to be a hazard for these biomes as nicely. That’s one more reason why it was vital to us to attempt to seize that distinctive aptitude and feeling; to share it with gamers and hopefully make them recognize this distinctive biome as a lot as we do!

What are you most excited for gamers to take a look at within the Glacier overworld when Dungeons of Hinterberg launches subsequent yr?

The glacier overworld has a really non-linear, playful feeling to it. You possibly can overlook a lot of the biome out of your first vantage level, however reaching and gaining access to all these areas, and the dungeon portals hidden there, isn’t as straightforward. Gamers might want to discover, puzzle, full challenges, and revisit the overworld at completely different factors all through the sport. We’re very excited for gamers to find all these spots, and are trying ahead to seeing how they strategy navigating this particular overworld – be it on a magical hoverboard or on foot.

You’ve shared with us beforehand on how a few of the social dynamics work in Dungeons of Hinterberg. Are you able to share some extra about how these completely different biomes will have an effect on Luisa? I think about a Glacier world might not maintain the identical kind of social interactions one may have within the Forest, for instance.

Many of the socializing takes place within the village of Hinterberg, your private home base that you just return to each night. That doesn’t imply that you just received’t want any assist from your folks and connections in the case of navigating the overworlds, although! Some locations would possibly solely be accessible to you you probably have a ok fame round Hinterberg, or a strong good friend to present you a leg up. And infrequently you would possibly even meet a good friend in the midst of a snowy slope, who would possibly provide you with some rewards for educating them a lesson in hoverboarding!

Due to Regina Reisinger for taking a while to talk with us at the moment. You possibly can search for Dungeons of Hinterberg to launch day one with Recreation Cross for Xbox Collection X|S and Home windows in 2024.