Bioframe Outpost<\/a><\/em>, out now in Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.<\/p>\nConsole Magic Dust<\/h2>\n Releasing a game on console will always be special to me. While I love PC and Mobile gaming, and have proudly released games to those platforms in the past, there is something truly magical about seeing your game\u2019s splash screen load onto a nice, big tv, powered by a dedicated gaming console. It\u2019s a feeling that just can\u2019t be beat.<\/p>\n
With Bioframe Outpost<\/em> we kept that console magic firmly in focus.\u00a0<\/p>\nWhile Bioframe Outpost<\/em> is a thoroughly modern game with replayability and polished controls and juice and onboarding experience and all that jazz, some elements are meant to celebrate the qualities of classic games that have oodles that console magic.<\/p>\nLet\u2019s Put it in the Frame<\/h2>\n My favourite aspect of console gaming is when games bring something genuinely fresh to the party. There was a period in console gaming, before dev budgets exploded in order to keep up with the 3d rendering arms race, when console games routinely innovated. Risk-taking was not yet stifled, and experienced teams still tried to woo players with things they hadn\u2019t seen before.<\/p>\n
The Oddworld<\/em> series did this in spades, with the talking bug-based ammo in Stranger\u2019s Wrath<\/em>, or the mind control mechanic in Abe\u2019s Odyssey<\/em>. This quality was seen in titles big and small \u2013 Halo: Combat Evolved<\/em>, Rez<\/em>, Metal Gear Solid<\/em>, GTA<\/em>, Tetris<\/em>, Virtua Fighter<\/em>, all iconic games and big hits, but it is easy to forget how innovative they were at the time.<\/p>\nIn Bioframe Outpost<\/em> we tried to innovate by giving players a bunch of a-typical gameplay tools with which players can generate almost endless gameplay outcomes \u2013 often with hilarious unintended results.<\/p>\nCamera<\/h2>\n Central to this aim is the player\u2019s mega powerful Camera\/PDA combo. The camera can photograph specific creature behaviours, like eating, fleeing, recharging, attacking, and many more. Each time you do so successfully \u2013 which can be hard and dangerous \u2013 you unlock super useful PDA files\u00a0 regarding that behaviour. (Knowledge is power)<\/p>\n
Also, for each photographed state, the camera-induced stun effect increases in duration. With that knowledge and added stun control, you can pit creatures against each other, or find other ways to manipulate the game\u2019s extremely deep and detailed ecosystem.<\/p>\n
Lure a giant Rainbow Wasp with its favourite food into a Spider Hunter\u2019s habitat, and watch \u2018em duke it out. Rob a Laser Plant of its Sticky Glow Orb (don\u2019t worry, it will regrow) and skillfully throw and stick it to a dark cave dwelling Lizard. Drive it before you and voila: an illuminating scout runs ahead of you to spot any dangers lurking in the dark.<\/p>\n
Because the game\u2019s ecosystem is deep and complex, and creatures and things react to each other in many different ways, things get enjoyably emergent.<\/p>\n
Since you need to get out there and put yourself in a position where you can photograph these creature behaviours safely<\/em>, a fundamentally satisfying risk .vs reward element is integrated in the core gameplay loop.<\/p>\nThat gameplay loop is a classical positive feedback loop: where new knowledge (and stun power) unlocks more and more tools to discover even more ways to manipulate your environment. Exploration and experimentation are completely integrated into the experience in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s super fun, and often challenging. (Ever tried to photograph an enraged Giant Rainbow Wasp?). Other strange tools throw even more wildcards into the mix. (Seriously, the Fire Extinguisher allows for some crazy antics).<\/p>\n
Other Console Magics<\/h2>\n Innovation is one thing, but we also love how classic console games always tried to make sure that players could really lose themselves in the experience for long durations. It\u2019s not like modern mobile games that can be finished in very little time, and there was no multiplayer to keep the experience fresh through interaction with other users.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With Bioframe Outpost<\/em> we made sure the game is \u201c<\/strong>biiiiiig\u201d and replayable, and fun to watch for other people. We wanted to make sure that people can settle on their couch, and really lose themselves in the world.<\/p>\nThe world of Bioframe is not just deep in its gameplay systems and ecology, but also, filled with tons of secrets, missions, side missions, Easter Eggs, narrative oddities, in-jokes, hommages, and an almost endless freedom to just play around and experiment with the dynamic elements of the world.<\/p>\n
Controls are designed for joypad from the first day of development, and the game takes full advantage of the analog feedback they offer.<\/p>\n
Oh, and the game is child and adult friendly, doesn\u2019t include guns or other explicit weapons, and requires a large dose of lateral thinking. Ideal to play with friends and family members of all ages.<\/p>\n
The latter point is possibly the most important. Some of our favourite games are those that generate unique stories that we want to share with others. Memories of epic, fun sessions, and a sense of wonder about the strangely beautiful things console games can achieve.<\/p>\nWe can\u2019t wait to hear your stories about Bioframe<\/em> Outpost<\/em>, and hope that it will generate many new ones for years to come.<\/p>\n
![\"Bioframe](\"https:\/\/xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net\/prod\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/Photography-01-4d8fc2b2b4036d9cb55f.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Bioframe](\"https:\/\/xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net\/prod\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/Environment-02-c5b046fab2d8e70825e9.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Bioframe](\"https:\/\/xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net\/prod\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/Chaos-02-4dc08fed5e8f24c3d6c2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Bioframe](\"https:\/\/xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net\/prod\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/Environment-04-cef597aa17071edee85a.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n