Many that have been following Ouya know about the exclusive games — one being Human Element, a zombie survival game — but information on this episodic exclusive had been scare until Eurogamer.net sat down with creator Robert Bowling to discuss the mechanics of the game, the scope, and how it will all lead to their console release in 2015.
For starters, the Human Element prequel will not be tied down by genre or mechanics. Each episode will pull different mechanics for the developers Robotoki, to decide what works and what has to be cut.
Say episode one could be focused on the fortification aspect of survival; finding your location, finding supplies, building fortifications to secure it, building alarm systems within it so you know when it’s breached… nailing what makes that fun and exciting and thrilling in a survival scenario. And then once we do that in episode one, episode two could be completely different.
Interestingly enough while the genres and mechanics may be different, the game’s concept of survival will still be the focus, and the game will maintain a persistent world using the same character for each episode.
This is a progressive experience regardless of what device you’re playing it on. The device only determines the gameplay, the experience, the specific way you interface with this universe, but it allows you to continue on your progression of the story.
Now Human Element is not a true MMO, but gamers will find that friends, family, people you come across can leave an impact on your game.
If your character is driven by pure strength with a basic level of understanding how to craft a base, having a friend with a higher intelligence will increase the strength of that base.
There are three levels of social connections: identity, alliance, and community.
At the start of the game players will choose their identity, this being alone, with another adult or with a child. Each decision builds unique experiences based off this initial choice.
Next are alliances. Currently there can exist up to five per alliance, and the goal is strength in numbers.
Finally, community will form the different alliances and grant stat bonuses for buildings and fortifications for everyone inside the community.
Players will notice that resources are finite and if another player does decide to take what you need, you can choose to barter, build an alliance/community, wait till someone kills that other player to scavenge the item, or you can threaten them yourself.
The game will also support full voice over and for the mobile feature, and you can expect GPS integration.
If you find that your wife or girlfriend is making a quick stop by the local store and she plays Human Element, you can have her also pick up supplies on her phone for the game.
Let’s see milk, paper towels, bullets, tripwire, and one mouse trap!
The idea behind Human Element is amazing and while a number of gamers have voiced their concerns for Robotoki being a small team of eight, this has not dissuaded Bowling and his team in the slightest.
Robotoki is new indie development start up, registered in Los Angeles county California with our first project Human Element in pre-production phases of development. The core eight-persons staff of Robotoki have all been focused on writing and securing tech, however with full production beginning on the Human Element prequels for Ouya this month, that focus and staff will drastically expand over the course of the following six months, however writing will always be a main priority throughout development. Anyone interest in applying at Robotoki or with questions regarding employment, they can reach us at work@robotoki.com.
For all the Ouya fans, does this have you excited or do you think the market is already flooded with zombie survival games?
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