The Walking Dead: Unveiling Alternate Destinies, Show Adaptations, and More - Exclusive Dev Interview!

The growing trend of "What If" in pop culture has fans excited about the possibility of franchises like Star Wars following in the footsteps of the Marvel show. One franchise that is receiving this treatment is The Walking Dead, as AMC, Flux Games, and GameMill collaborate on The Walking Dead: Destinies. This game brings the first four seasons of the show to life, faithfully recreating the events and locations that fans are familiar with. However, it also introduces new faces to these familiar places, giving players the power to decide who lives and who dies. The Walking Dead: Destinies pushes boundaries by allowing Shane to survive instead of Rick, showcasing the game's willingness to take risks.

We recently had the opportunity to interview Paulo Luis Santos, Game Director at Flux Games, about The Walking Dead: Destinies. During our conversation, we discussed the impact of player choices on the game, the show-inspired combat, and the adaptation of slower moments. Please find our edited transcript below for a clearer and more concise understanding.

Working with AMC on The Walking Dead: Destinies has been a collaborative effort, with multiple talented individuals and companies working behind the scenes to make this project a reality. Despite not being visible from the outside, a lot of hard work has gone into bringing this product to the market. We were fortunate to have dedicated teams at Flux Games, GameMill, and AMC who worked tirelessly together. We held recurring meetings to align our vision, discuss creative ideas, make technical decisions, refine the narrative, solve challenges, and ultimately play the game together to ensure it met our desired quality standards.

We engaged in extensive discussions with Flux Games, GameMill, and AMC about this particular matter. At some point during the project, we did contemplate adapting additional seasons. Personally, I was eager to rewrite history and prevent Beth's tragic demise at the hospital. However, ultimately, we reached a consensus that our primary goal should be delivering the most exceptional TWD experience possible. To accomplish this, we concluded that it would be more advantageous to delve deeply into the captivating storylines involving Rick, Shane, and Woodbury, rather than attempting to cover a broader range of seasons.

Despite this, our goal was to cover over 40 episodes, which forced us to make difficult decisions and cut certain aspects to ensure the game remains centered around the most captivating stories and characters that we believe fans will truly appreciate.

Q: Will there be any new elements, locations, or characters introduced in the game, apart from major story rewrites?

That's a great question. During the initial stages of the project, we had to make numerous decisions regarding the content and approach to the rich TWD universe that lives in our memories. It surprised us to realize that it has been 13 years since Season 1 aired! As a result, we decided to focus on revisiting the events of the show, ensuring that every player is familiar with the iconic early seasons. While we mostly adhered to what the show presented, we did introduce some minor elements to add an intriguing touch. For instance, we created exclusive new Walkers with unique behaviors to bring some refreshing changes to the game's combat.

Q: How much can players alter the story without revealing spoilers? After all, we witness a world where Shane kills Rick, and there are hints about the destiny of each character on the TWD: Destinies website.

The Walking Dead revolves around its characters, their relationships, and the choices they make in a relentless world. This means that the game heavily relies on split-second decisions that can determine the survival or demise of different characters. Although the linear plot progression mirrors the show, taking you from waking up at the Hospital to The Camp, The Prison, and finally Woodbury, your choices will influence who takes on the role of the main protagonists and who ultimately becomes the game's main antagonists. This ability to shape the storyline is perhaps the most exciting aspect of the game.

How many possible endings are there and how different can they be, considering that when you reach the last level, a captivating cutscene reveals your character roster - symbolizing the survivors based on your choices who have now reached the intense tank fight at the prison? Witnessing this for the first time gave me an exhilarating rush of excitement.

We have over 150+ different variations of the game's ending, thanks to the various character combinations that players can have in their group by the end of the game. However, it's important to clarify that this does not mean the game has that many completely unique and distinct ending cutscenes. Instead, players will see similar cutscenes of the final moment of the game, but with different characters included. In addition to this, one interesting feature is that there are three different final bosses in the game, depending on the choices players make during their playthrough.

Q: How does the stress system impact gameplay?

The stress system introduces both pressure and survivability. When the player sustains excessive damage and reaches a state close to death, it triggers what we refer to as "Broken." During this period, the character temporarily loses control, resulting in significant gameplay changes. Any further damage received in this state will result in immediate game over. However, if the player manages to endure these critical seconds, the character regains composure and a second chance, restoring gameplay back to normal. The twist is that this intense experience leaves the character with a Scar, which mildly weakens them and can be healed through other in-game actions. For comparison, Scars bear resemblance to the Malfunctions in Returnal.

How is playing each character and utilizing their distinct abilities different?

We have devised a skill system that focuses on individual characters and is applicable to the entire party. However, this system is dependent on two factors: a) the characters present in your party, and b) their survival. As a result, the choices pertaining to "What If" scenarios also have a direct influence on the gameplay experience.

In order to unlock certain abilities from his tree, Shane must be alive and part of your party. If you decide to choose Rick instead of him and have not unlocked Shane's skills, you will be unable to acquire the "Bogo" skill. This skill allows shotgun shells to pass through the first enemy and hit those behind them, adding complexity to the decision-making process in the game, particularly during the initial playthrough. The uncertainty of who may die in the upcoming story developments further enhances the decision-making element.

How does the game handle slower moments in The Walking Dead when it comes to gameplay?

The game incorporates Headquarters sequences, which are interactive moments occurring between levels. During these sequences, players can relax and engage in conversations with the characters in their group. These conversations provide additional dialogue and offer insights into ongoing events. It is also an opportune time for conflicts to arise, allowing players to make role-playing decisions.

Are combat encounters predetermined, such as defending against a massive wave or completing a stealth encounter, or can players approach combat in their preferred methods?

I love this question! While we do have certain sequences that guide players towards a specific approach, like an early combat-driven scenario where the Atlanta Camp is overrun by walkers, requiring you and your group to escape at all costs, the majority of the game mechanics and levels were designed to allow players to approach the game in their preferred way. Whether it's engaging enemies directly with melee attacks and gunfire, or stealthily eliminating them one by one using a trusted knife, the choice is yours.

The combat system in the game is designed in accordance with the show. It is fairly simple: the player is exceptionally strong when fighting against a single walker. They can manage fairly well against two. However, if you find yourself facing three or more walkers, things can become chaotic and difficult to handle. Therefore, it is advised to be cautious and avoid engaging with large groups.

Why do you think the trend of "What If" is growing in the entertainment industry, particularly in shows like Marvel? And how does TWD: Destinies fit into this trend? As a devoted consumer of pop culture, I find the concept of "What If" incredibly thrilling for several reasons. Firstly, it sparks our imagination as devoted fans of beloved stories and characters. Additionally, there is a nostalgic element that transports us back to the time when we initially immersed ourselves in these narratives, and nostalgia holds immense power. Furthermore, it creates opportunities for speculation, fan theories, and even fan fiction, leading to increased engagement on social media platforms and through conversations.

When discussing highly popular IPs like TWD, it's exciting to revisit the canonical stories and introduce twists to them. However, this privilege requires a great deal of responsibility - everything must remain consistent with the established brand. For instance, fans who are familiar with characters like Shane and Merle would be disappointed if they were portrayed as drastically different from their true nature.

In TWD Destinies, we made sure to stay true to the characters by writing decisions, storylines, and dialogues that align with their personalities. Our focus was on exploring "What If" scenarios and how the player's choices would impact and reshape the world, leading to new decisions in the future. Throughout this process, it was crucial to ensure that the characters reacted authentically to these new circumstances, while remaining faithful to their original traits. We collaborated closely with AMC to maintain the show's core essence while delivering a fresh and unique experience for players who choose alternative paths from the original storyline.

Thank you for providing this opportunity! Our team has carefully crafted The Walking Dead: Destinies with both fans and non-fans in mind. We have focused on designing mechanics, levels, and storytelling in a way that ensures an enjoyable experience for everyone, regardless of their familiarity with The Walking Dead and its characters. Our main objective was to create an exceptional 3rd person Action Stealth game that truly embodies the essence of TWD. To accomplish this, we dedicated significant effort to ensuring the gameplay stands strong on its own, delivering responsive, intense, and fulfilling moments. We take immense pride in the outcome and are confident that players will adore the exhilarating combination of melee and stab attacks. We extend a warm invitation to both TWD enthusiasts and those new to the franchise to give our game a try!

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The Walking Dead: Destinies is set to release on November 14 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.