Following a succesful Kickstarter campaign and a somewhat staggered update schedule on their blog, Darkseas senior programmer Ian Fisch spoke to vg24/7 about the status of Road Redemption, as well as the circumstances that led the company to make a spiritual successor outside of EA.
Coming to PC, Wii U and Xbox 360, Fisch revealed that they have also added in development for the Oculus Rift, although it doesn't appear like the crowdfund reached that stretch goal. Either Darkseas failed to update on that end or they've decided to pay for it themselves.
Fisch acknowledges that Criterion Games would have been the most obvious candidate to do an actual new Road Rash game, but from what he's heard around the industry, neither they nor EA have any interest in making it. He takes the opportunity to criticize EA for not utilizing the popular franchise, in lieu of making the same 'cookie-cutter' FPS and action games over and over for the last decade. The last actual iteration of the series was Road Rash: Jail Break in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance.
Darkseas themselves didn't decide to make Road Redemption until 2009, with development starting in earnest last year, and of course, the succesful crowdfund a few months back. Fisch's blog post from almost a month back apologizes for the delay in updates, which was precisely because the team has gone in a rush to help develop the game.
Among the intricacies discusses with vg24/7 is the depth of the combat system. Darkseas wanted to avoid common pitfalls, for example, getting equipped with swords or guns and then needing to hit opponents multiple times, which is a complete departure from reality. For most of the game, you will be able to equip blunt objects, allowing you to lay believable damage, and also making it credible when you get hit but are able to recover.
However, the other element to the combat is using the environment. As various hazards and other vehicles show up while you race, you can use them to your advantage, or your opponents can use it against you. The combat system will have a full range of parries and counters to go with the racing. Guns will be in the game, but will be highly constrained and in limited supply.
Lastly, Fisch talks up the merits of Oculus Rift, and particularly how Road Redemption is ideally suited for it. Since motion in the motorcycle's seat is different from that of your typical FPS, you won't have to worry about turning a full 360. You'll be able to immerse yourself in the game completely, and based on what Fisch says, they've planned that immersion to be spectacular.
Image is from the Darkseas developer blog, revealing mapped controls for the Xbox 360. You can read more in the link below.
