Unveiling the Dark Secrets: Inside the Brilliantly Crafted Medieval World of Criminals Within Game, Powered by Unreal Engine 5

Criminals Within is an upcoming action-adventure game set in a medieval fantasy realm, featuring asymmetric co-op gameplay. Players can choose to play as the thief Jarel or the royal guard Helena, as they embark on a quest to save the kidnapped Prince Felix. The game takes place in a fantasy world where dragons play a crucial role.

Recently, Game Rant conducted an interview with Zsombor Pirok, the Managing Director of Space Rock Games, the studio behind Criminals Within. Pirok discussed the studio's use of Unreal Engine 5 and its benefits in the game's development process. Additionally, he shared insights into the game's inspirations, drawing from titles like Fable and Path of Exile. Pirok also discussed the design and significance of dragons within the game. The interview transcript has been edited for clarity and brevity.

A: The idea for Criminals Within originated from a brainstorming session during the early stages of our company. We were exploring different game ideas and genres and during this creative process, we discussed a range of suggestions. Criminals Within developed as a result of one of our more broad pitches. Initially, the concept revolved around an asymmetric co-op game with a female tank character and a male rogue archetype.

After the brainstorming session, we all devoted a period to individually crafting story concepts that would fit within the suggested themes, one of which was Criminals Within. Vanessa, a valued member of our team, returned with two well-written paragraphs that unveiled the characters Helena and Jarel, and the unexpected partnership they formed to save the abducted Prince Felix.

Criminals Within drew inspiration from popular games like Fable TLC, It Takes Two, Remnant: From the Ashes, and iconic DreamWorks movies. Fable's captivating universe and lighthearted humor greatly influenced our game. The groundbreaking co-op design of It Takes Two played a significant role in shaping Criminals Within, as we too emphasized cooperative gameplay. We were also drawn to Remnant, an amazing combat-focused game that showcased the power of co-op play. Additionally, our aim was to replicate the enjoyable experience of classic DreamWorks movies such as How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek, and Road to Eldorado. We wanted every member of the family, regardless of age, to have fun just like we did when we were kids. These movies also had hidden adult jokes that delighted both our parents and us as we grew older.

Q: To what extent does Criminals Within leverage the studio’s experience with games like Fable and Path of Exile?

We are excited to have some of the original creators of those games on our team. Caroline, our talented technical artist, has worked on both Fable 1 and 2, while Josh, our technical lead, was a programmer at Path of Exile. Their experiences greatly contribute to the game design, humor, and technical delivery. For example, Caroline played a major role in shaping Fable 2 at Lionhead and later managed the design of the cinematics pipeline for EA's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix game.

Meanwhile, Josh's expertise as a gameplay programmer on Path of Exile, specifically in console development and mobile porting, will greatly aid in creating captivating cutscenes and ensuring the availability of Criminals Within on multiple platforms. It's worth noting that there are other industry veterans on our team who also bring valuable experience that will greatly influence the final gameplay experience.

Q: Could you tell us more about the game’s tone of humor and how important comedy is?

Content: In terms of the humor we aim to achieve, it can be best described as reminiscent of the classic DreamWorks movies, particularly taking inspiration from How to Train Your Dragon and The Road to Eldorado for comedic elements. Interestingly, Jarel's original design drew significant inspiration from the characters Miguel and Tulio. Comedy holds a significant role in the game, but it is undoubtedly a challenging process. What may appear humorous in writing may not translate well when spoken or may even fail to elicit laughter during gameplay. It requires numerous attempts and experimentation, but the eventual outcome is worthwhile.

Content: Can you provide more information on the storyline of Criminals Within and its playable characters, Jarel the burglar and Helena from the royal guard?

Q: What inspired the game's art style?

Content: We chose a stylized art style for the game to achieve a timeless quality. Unlike photorealistic games, which can eventually appear outdated as technology advances, stylized games offer the advantage of not facing this issue. A game like Legend of Zelda can be enjoyed even years after its release, providing a timeless experience. On the other hand, games like Half-Life 2, which aimed for realism at the time, may feel outdated by today's standards.

To develop the visual style showcased in the trailer, we drew inspiration from various sources, both in 2D and 3D. In terms of gaming, we looked at the original Fable: The Lost Chapters and Sea of Thieves. From the world of movies, we examined the art style of Disney's Hercules and envisioned how it could be translated into a 3D environment. The result is a combination of these different inspirations.

Q: How has Unreal 5 Engine been beneficial for the game’s development?

There were several game engines available for us to choose from, such as Unreal, Unity, and CryEngine. We found Unreal 5 particularly intriguing for multiple reasons. Firstly, it offers a range of pre-built tools that enhance game development efficiency, making it a highly favorable and artist-friendly engine compared to Unity, for instance.

Additionally, Unreal 5 introduced numerous groundbreaking technologies that were previously inaccessible to developers, including Nanite and Lumen. These advancements enable us to work with an infinite number of polygons and utilize dynamic global illumination, which was only a distant aspiration a few years ago.

Thirdly, Unreal is an engine specifically designed for first-person shooters and third-person RPGs, genres in which Criminals Within falls. Moreover, Unreal offers a robust networking toolset, making it highly desirable for us as we are developing a multiplayer-only game. In terms of tools, support, and overall value for developers, Unreal surpasses its competitors, making it an obvious choice for us.

A: In the Criminals Within universe, there were once formidable dragons known as primordial or prime dragons. These majestic creatures, resembling the mighty dragons in Game of Thrones, were incredibly powerful and fearsome. However, as magic began to fade from the world, the potency of these dragons diminished, causing them to gradually decrease in size and become less hostile over time.

The present day reveals a divided fate for dragons. While some are kept as pets or used for labor, many still inhabit the wild. However, they no longer possess the awe-inspiring and feared qualities of the legendary dragons. Instead, devolved dragons tend to be comical, lacking intelligence, and often more of a burden than a benefit to their human caretakers. Among these devolved dragons is the pug dragon.

To create designs, we draw inspiration from real-life animals and transform them into cute and stylish dragons. Our concept artist, Simone Giovanardi, is a zoologist by profession, which proves invaluable in this endeavor.

Q: What kinds of weapons, skills-based combat, and abilities do Jarel and Helena have, like Jarel’s deep steal bag and Helena’s sprint attack?

There are several shared abilities between players, including the classic dodge roll and timed attacks. Additionally, both players have the ability to jump. Helena specializes in melee combat as a tank/support character, utilizing her shield and mace in various ways. She is skilled in blocking and parrying attacks, but can also throw her shield at enemies or use it to create platforms. Her alchemically enchanted royal guard equipment allows her to heal herself and her partner, Jarel.

Jarel, on the other hand, is primarily a ranged/utility character with a diverse arsenal of weapons and tools. Alongside his crossbow, he wields a sword for close quarter combat. He also possesses various bombs that can manipulate the battlefield. However, his defining ability is the steal bag (the name is still under consideration), which enables him to pocket any movable item and strategically utilize it. This could involve placing an explosive barrel in front of an enemy's attack or returning an axe thrown at him by the assailant. The intention behind this ability is to encourage player creativity.

Q: How does the game’s asymmetric co-op multiplayer gameplay work, including sharing the fun and splitting the treasures?

Each character in the game possesses unique abilities exclusive to them, inaccessible to the other player. Our development team is actively creating challenging bosses and elite enemies that mandate strategic cooperation in order to overcome. This collaborative effort extends to puzzle-solving as well. Unlike many multiplayer games where cooperative play often doesn't necessitate actual teamwork, we aimed at taking a distinctive approach with Criminals Within. Here, triumphing alone is simply unattainable – triumphant victory demands a concerted effort between players.

Q: Can you provide further details on the character customization choices?

A: In terms of character customization, we prioritize cosmetic enhancements. Consider it as uncovering unique items, such as the Harumph mask, tucked away in a treasure chest, which can then be equipped to give your character a new appearance. We have a range of cosmetics currently in development, and we will reveal additional specifics as we continue. It's worth noting that these cosmetics will not be purchasable through microtransactions. Instead, you will need to explore the game world to uncover and adorn your character with them.

Content: Within the medieval fantasy realm, players can anticipate encountering a diverse range of fantasy characters, enemies, and formidable bosses. Some examples of these include bandits, Harumphs, mercenaries, animated constructs, dragons, and various other types of adversaries and creatures. Furthermore, players can look forward to confronting significant bosses that are intricately intertwined with the game's compelling storyline.

Q: Could you tell us more about the landscape and biomes of Criminal Within's medieval fantasy world and what levels players might encounter, like the dark castle level?

Content: In Criminals Within, set in a medieval fantasy world, players will have the opportunity to explore a range of diverse landscapes and environments. They will venture through lush mountains, which are home to the enigmatic harumphs, and a foreboding dark castle (no spoilers!). Additionally, players can navigate the swampy hometown of Jarel, known as Blackmire, as well as the capital city, mines, and other intriguing locations as they progress in the game.

Regarding dragons, players can interact with them in various ways, such as having them as pets. Dragons can play a significant role in the players' quest, serving either as valuable allies or challenging adversaries.

Content:

A: Certain dragons pose a significant threat, requiring players to engage in combat to fend them off - these formidable dragons present a clear challenge. On the other hand, some dragons are amicable and non-hostile. While the specific interactions have not been finalized, players will undoubtedly have the opportunity to affectionately interact with the pug dragon. In general, our aim is to make all dragons interactive and engageable for players.

Q: How important are dragons to the game's story?

A: They are crucial to the story.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

A: We will have a friend's pass which means that if you buy the game, you will be able to invite your friend to play with you for free.

You can wishlist the game on Steam by clicking HERE.

Our team members have worked in prestigious studios such as Lionhead, SEGA, Grinding Gear Games, Supermassive Games, Deck Nine Games, EA, Weta Digital, and others.

Q: Can you provide further details on the proposed Friends Pass System and the platforms it will be available on?

A: The concept is that individuals who purchase the game will have the option to invite a friend to play alongside them at no cost. An analogous system was featured in It Takes Two. Presently, our plans include releasing the game for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, while also offering cross-play capabilities. Our ultimate objective is to implement this feature across all platforms that we launch the game on.

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Criminals Within is currently in development.