Massive has an interesting way of describing their upcoming third-person shooter, The Division. They also had a pointed statement regarding the game’s graphics.
While on the surface the game is a third person shooter, and then on another level, an open world game, Massive calls it an RPG, and the game has apparently been designed that way. It works out that way thanks to elements such as the progression system, the inventory enabling backpack, companion app tablet based gameplay,etc. Above all these things, the game is about synergy between players online, and that synergy will direct where they can and cannot go in that open world. You don’t get to choose where to go next at a whim a la Saints Row, and there’s no linear story like most shooters. Of course, Massive is still only hinting at everything possible in the game, but has dropped a clue at a higher level gameplay element when they point out that you get to keep the base you capture in the demo.
Now, addressing worries about a possible graphics downgrade upon release, Massive has been matter of fact stating that they are showing off the game now at the minimum level of detail. They want to assure fans that this is not just a tech demo with a shooter on top of it, but an actual build of the final game they will get to play. Unlike the Watch Dogs team, or other developers which had problems with their releases on Playstation 4 and Xbox One, they do not have to worry about release dates and other similar details. They’re focused on delivering everything they promise.
However, the interviewee also opines that what happened to Watch Dogs is simply in the nature of the industry, a sobering and possibly disillusioning observation. Do you agree with this assessment? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
