Korean developer Hound13 made some waves in the gaming industry 2 weeks back when Project D was announced, given that it looks similar to Dragon Nest with the studio founded by formers core members of the Dragon Nest development team. Now, Hound13 has shed more light on Project D and Project M, the 2 titles they are working on. Do note that features and elements might still change since the projects are still in development. Read on!
• Project D is still being referred to as “Project D” instead of the “Dragon Sword” teaser seen at the end of the preview trailer.
• Project D is made for the PC and mobile platforms (online multiplayer), while Project M is for the PC and console platforms (single player).
• While both games are action-oriented, the specific vision for Project D is “Action Together.”
• Despite using Unity for Hundred Soul, Hound13 decided to go with Unreal Engine for Project D and Project M as it has more advantages in terms of rendering, multi-environment construction, and systems R&D. Sharing the same game engine would also allow the teams to share the technical know-how between the 2 projects.
• While admitting that Project D looks similar in visuals when compared to Dragon Nest, Hound13 would like gamers to see it as an “independent work which inherited the development experience accumulated from developing previous game, including Hundred Soul” and not as a sequel to Dragon Nest.
• Project D would also contain features which was previously lacking in Hundred Soul, such as more diverse forms of action style and multiplayer environments.
• While there is an open world where players may choose to play in parties in the fields or dungeons, Hound13 labels Project D as an “open world action MORPG” instead of a “MMORPG.”
• It was mentioned that the game is being developed in a way where players would eventually get along more with other players.
• Japanese animation-style cartoon rendering is very popular now and widely accepted by gamers, which is the main design style for Project D. However, volume and texture with lighting is done slightly differently in Project D compared to other similar games.
• This unique method would allow giant monsters to still feel intimidating with some realistic rendering elements and to emphasize their presence with lighting.
• The combat system in Project D is heavily borrowed and refined from the one from Hundred Soul, including catching and defeating giant bosses, along with several aerial moves. Destroying super armor and causing abnormal conditions are also in Project D.
• In the trailer, players can be seen climbing onto the backs of giant monsters and knocking them down. This is part of the co-op experience in Project D.
• When it comes to player characters, players are tasked to collect unique characters and form teams with them. The main goal is to have a team which forms different synergies for different situations and environments.
• Action speed in Project D would be faster than in Hundred Soul given that the game is cross-platform between PC and mobile. This will be improved further in the future and also considering PVP.
• Hound13 claimed that “the charm of the open world is the various situations and experiences that players go through while finding their way to a faraway destination, rather than follow a set route.”
• Battles take place in irregular terrains too; hence players might fall off cliffs from monster skills, or vice versa knock monster off areas with skills.
• Collectibles, puzzles, and hidden elements will fill the open world for players to find in every corner. A lot of time and effort have been put into creating a fun open world.
• Gameplay elements based on time of the day; weather will be added in the future.
• Hound13 heard the community feedback’s disappointment of Project D being a mobile game but assured that quality on both PC and mobile platforms will be maintained. If possible, the team would like to work on a console port as well if they could afford to do so.
• For PC gameplay, it would use the standard gamepad control scheme, while the mobile version would be based on their experience with Hundred Soul.
• The male character who wakes up at the end of the preview trailer is indeed Project D’s main character of “pure charm with a slightly timid personality and a sense of absurdity.” He also carries a secret which even he himself does not know and would meet new characters and incidents on his adventures. More details will be released in the future!
• Hound13 is aiming to have a Closed Beta test for Project D within 2023, with the key focus on this game rather than Project M despite Project M starting development first.
