Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | |
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Developer(s) | MachineGames |
Publisher(s) | Bethesda Softworks |
Director(s) |
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Designer(s) | Jens Andersson |
Artist(s) | Mattias Astenvald |
Composer(s) | Gordy Haab |
Engine | id Tech |
Platform(s) | |
Release | 2024 |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an upcoming action-adventure game developed by MachineGames, to be published by Bethesda Softworks. It is based on the Indiana Jones franchise and will feature an original narrative that draws from the film series.[1] Set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), the story follows archaeologist Indiana Jones in 1937 as he attempts to thwart various groups who are seeking to harness a power connected to the Great Circle, which refers to mysterious sites around the world that form a perfect circle when connected together on a map. The game spans numerous real-world locales such as Rome, Thailand, Egypt, Shanghai and the Himalayas. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to release for Windows and Xbox Series X/S in 2024.
The Great Circle is primarily played from a first-person perspective with third-person being employed for contextual elements such as environmental interaction. Players control Indy as they navigate through a mix of linear, story-sensitive areas and wider, exploratory landscapes. Combat can either be directly engaged with or circumvented entirely through the use of stealth mechanics, and the character's signature whip can be used as both a weapon, or as a means for traversing across obstacles and solving various puzzles to uncover alternate paths and obscured collectibles.
Bethesda and MachineGames jointly announced the game's development in January 2021, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games.[2] Directed by Jerk Gustafsson, composer Gordy Haab contributes original pieces and reinterpretations of classic themes from the films by John Williams and executive producer Todd Howard conceived the game's story.
Gameplay
[edit]Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an action-adventure game that also consists of gameplay styles in various other genres.[3][4] As archaeologist Indiana Jones, the player can choose to use stealth or engage in direct combat with enemies. The game also includes various puzzles, many of which are optional.[5] Jones's whip can be used for combat and to traverse through certain areas.[1] The game is played from a first-person perspective, but switches to a third-person view for certain gameplay actions and cutscenes, such as when Jones uses his whip to swing over gaps or when climbing pipes and walls.[6]
Plot
[edit]Characters and setting
[edit]Indiana Jones and the Great Circle features an original narrative that draws inspiration from the film series.[2] The story is set in 1937,[7] placing it in between the events of the first film Raiders of the Lost Ark (set in 1936), and the third film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (set in 1938).[8][9] Like both films, the game takes place before the events of World War II, with all three of the Axis Powers (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Empire of Japan) returning as antagonists.[10] Jones (voiced by Troy Baker)[6] will also encounter Blackshirts, members of Italy's National Fascist Party.[11]
The game picks up after Jones has left his fiancée, Marion Ravenwood. Following the theft of an artifact from Marshall College, Jones heads to the Vatican to investigate. He discovers that sites of spiritual significance have been built throughout history, realizing that their locations form a perfectly aligned circle around the globe. Besides Rome, other locations include the Sukhothai temples in Thailand, the Egyptian pyramids, Shanghai in China, and the snowy Himalayas. During his journey, he teams up with Gina Lombardi (Alessandra Mastronardi),[6] an investigative reporter who has an interest in the case. They go up against Emmerich Voss (Marios Gavrilis),[6] who uses psychological manipulation against his enemies.[6][12]
Development
[edit]On January 12, 2021, Lucasfilm Games and Bethesda Softworks announced plans to eventually release a video game based on the Indiana Jones franchise. It would be developed by MachineGames, with Todd Howard serving as executive producer through Bethesda. Both companies are owned by ZeniMax Media.[13][14] Howard considered MachineGames an ideal company to develop the project because of its work on the Wolfenstein series, which involves a battle against Nazis, like the Indiana Jones franchise.[15] Howard conceived the game's story.[16] As executive producer, he occasionally checks in on the game's progress rather than having a hands-on role.[15]
Howard, an Indiana Jones fan, had previously pitched such a game to George Lucas around 2009,[17][18] although the project did not move forward at that time, partly because Bethesda did not have the resources to develop it.[15] In addition, Lucasfilm wanted to publish the game, a role that Bethesda sought to fill, and the two could not come to an agreement.[19][20]
The game's 2021 announcement was accompanied by a teaser trailer which included various Easter eggs and hints about the game's setting.[8][9] As of mid-2021, the game was in a very early state of development.[21] It was developed using the id Tech game engine.[22] Jerk Gustafsson served as the game's director.[16] Jens Andersson joined the project as design director in late 2022, after previously being hired in the same position for the planned 2009 game. Andersson had also served as lead designer on The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (2004) and The Darkness (2007). The Indiana Jones team includes more than 20 developers who previously worked on The Darkness.[23][24]
The title, story details, and first gameplay footage were unveiled on January 18, 2024, during Microsoft Gaming's Xbox Developer_Direct video presentation.[25] Also announced was the game's first-person perspective, which received a mixed response.[26][27][28] For MachineGames, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle continues a tradition of developing games in the first-person perspective, while also setting it apart from third-person games in the similar Tomb Raider and Uncharted franchises. The first-person viewpoint was also chosen to fully immerse the player in the role of Indiana Jones.[26]
Lucasfilm will have final approval over the game, which will be the company's first non-Star Wars game in years,[29] and the first Indiana Jones game since 2011's Indiana Jones Adventure World.[30] The game uses Indiana Jones actor Harrison Ford's likeness,[31] while Troy Baker provides voiceover work for the character. Other voice actors included Alessandra Mastronardi as Gina Lombardi, Marios Gavrilis as Emmerich Voss and Tony Todd as Locus.[6] The soundtrack was composed by Gordy Haab, based on the work of John Williams, who conducted the film scores.[6] Haab previously worked on the score for the 2009 video game Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings.[32] Certain actions were created for the game by stuntmen performing in motion capture suits.[6]
Release
[edit]Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is scheduled for release in 2024 for Windows and as a console exclusive for Xbox Series X/S, and will be available from launch on Xbox Game Pass.[33][31] The initial contract between Bethesda and Lucasfilm parent company Disney stipulated that the game be launched on multiple consoles, including PlayStation 5. These terms were amended when Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media in March 2021, thereby receiving ownership of Bethesda Softworks and MachineGames.[34][35] Disney felt that Windows and Xbox made up a large-enough marketplace to justify exclusivity.[36]
References
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- ^ a b Romano, Nick (January 12, 2021). "New Indiana Jones video game with 'original story' in the works". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (January 9, 2024). "First Xbox Direct of 2024 Announced for Next Week, Set to Reveal MachineGames' Indiana Jones". IGN. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Dinsdale, Ryan (November 30, 2022). "Todd Howard's Indiana Jones Game Is a 'Unique' Mash-Up of Different Genres". IGN. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ Gerblick, Jordan (January 18, 2024). "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is out this year, and looks like first-person Uncharted with Wolfenstein combat and more Nazis". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Romano, Nick. "The Last of Us star Troy Baker now tackles Indiana Jones". Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Stewart, Marcus (January 18, 2024). "Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Launches This Year, First Gameplay Footage Revealed". Game Informer. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Mercante, Alyssa (January 12, 2021). "Decoding the clues in that surprise Bethesda Indiana Jones game teaser". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Oloman, Jordan (January 13, 2021). "Indiana Jones Trailer Breakdown: Setting, Timeline, and Easter Eggs Explained". IGN. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Chalk, Andy (January 18, 2024). "Indiana Jones headbutts a Nazi 37 seconds into the reveal trailer for The Great Circle, coming later this year". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Oloman, Jordan (January 30, 2024). "Everything We Know About Indiana Jones and The Great Circle". IGN. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, Victoria (January 18, 2024). "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle reveal shows globe-trotting escapades, spiders and a Game Pass promise". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Trumbore, Dave (January 12, 2021). "New 'Indiana Jones' Game in the Works at Bethesda". Collider. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Jackson, Matthew (January 12, 2021). "Grab your whip! Bethesda and Lucasfilm are teaming up for a new 'Indiana Jones' video game". SYFY Wire. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c Makuch, Eddie (November 10, 2021). "Elder Scrolls Boss Todd Howard Clarifies His Involvement In New Indiana Jones Game". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Gustafsson, Jerk (January 18, 2024). "Inside MachineGames' Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Adventure". Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Silver, Dan (June 29, 2021). "'I first pitched the game to Lucas in 2009!' – Todd Howard talks Indiana Jones (and Elder Scrolls 6)". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Kim, Matt (June 29, 2021). "Todd Howard Pitched George Lucas on an Indiana Jones Game 12 Years Ago". IGN. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Good, Owen S. (November 30, 2022). "Indiana Jones game is a 'bucket list' dream for Bethesda director". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ Stanton, Rich (November 30, 2022). "Todd Howard says Bethesda's Indiana Jones game is 'a definite love letter' dating from 2009". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ Cryer, Hirun (June 17, 2021). "Indiana Jones game in 'very, very, very' early stages according to Bethesda". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ McCaffrey, Ryan (January 19, 2024). "Indiana Jones Steals the Show at the Xbox Direct". IGN. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Andy (December 1, 2022). "The Darkness, Chronicles of Riddick director joins Indiana Jones team". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ Wales, Matt (December 1, 2022). "The Darkness and Chronicles of Riddick lead designer joins MachineGames' Indiana Jones". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ Borthwick, Ben (January 18, 2024). "Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is the official name of MachineGames' Indy game". VideoGamer. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Yin-Poole, Wesley (January 19, 2024). "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Dev Explains Decision to Go First-Person Over Third-Person". IGN. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Tassi, Paul (January 19, 2024). "The 'Indiana Jones And The Great Circle' First Versus Third Person Debate Is Pointless". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Fenlon, Wes (January 19, 2024). "Thank god Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is first-person". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Ravenscraft, Eric (January 13, 2021). "Lucasfilm Games' New Partnerships Mean the Galaxy's the Limit". Wired. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Jones, Rebecca (January 13, 2021). "Bethesda's Indiana Jones has some real gaming classics to live up to". VG247. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ a b Scullion, Chris (January 18, 2024). "MachineGames' Indiana Jones and the Great Circle uses Harrison Ford's likeness". VGC. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Ehrhardt, Michelle (January 18, 2024). "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Comes to Xbox and PC Later This Year". The Messenger. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ LeBlanc, Wesley (June 22, 2023). "Bethesda's Indiana Jones Game Will Be Exclusive To Xbox And PC". Game Informer. Archived from the original on August 17, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
- ^ Warren, Tom (June 22, 2023). "Bethesda's Indiana Jones game is exclusive to Xbox and PC". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Plant, Logan (June 22, 2023). "MachineGames' Indiana Jones Game Was Originally Planned for Release on PS5". IGN. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Gilbert, Fraser (December 12, 2023). "Disney Addresses Xbox Exclusivity Questions For Indiana Jones & Marvel's Blade". Pure Xbox. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.