Unveiling the Magic & Gameplay of Immortals in Aveum

Ascendant Studios' upcoming project, Immortals of Aveum, was initially revealed at The Game Awards 2022. This single-player game features Jak, who joins the Order of Immortals and embarks on a mission to defeat the Rasharnian nation, utilizing his magical powers to fight enemies and bring an end to the Everwar. In a recent interview with Jim Ingraham, the UI Lead at Ascendant Studios, Game Rant delved into the game's new gameplay elements, combat mechanics, and magical abilities. Ingraham discussed specific aspects of combat, such as the lash ability, gameplay styles, and the distinction between various colors of magic. The following transcript has been edited for clarity and brevity.

The lash ability is a feature that was experimented with around two years ago and has since undergone a significant amount of refinement and development. During the initial prototype phase, the team created combat spaces and incorporated lash points. These lash points allowed players to pull each other around the battlefield, resulting in a new and exciting combat experience. It was a moment of realization for the team that the lash ability had the potential to transform the flow of combat.

Q: So, there's a level with a bunch of lash points?

Our levels are filled with lash points that offer a plethora of exciting traversal options and puzzles. While lash is primarily used for combat, it also serves various other purposes, which adds to the game's overall appeal. Our spells are highly versatile, and we've put in a lot of effort to ensure that players have access to a diverse array of functionalities. Each spell is accompanied by distinct animations and unique gauntlet designs, which adds to the game's immersive experience.

The spells in the game are actually manifested by Jak himself, making him a powerful Battle mage with Wild Magic. This power is initially uncontrollable, similar to Cyclops without his visor in X-Men. The Sigils, however, help Jak focus and control his magic, with each providing unique aspects to how it is used. Additionally, talents further add to the variation and can dramatically alter how certain abilities work.

Yep, it was a significant milestone for our team. Many games only make minor tweaks, right? However, our lead combat designer, Jason, took great care to ensure that all modifications had a significant impact on your gameplay experience and the choices you make. These changes truly transform the way you play the game.

A: Our game offers players a range of gameplay styles through our three types of magic: red, green, and blue. The red magic is designed for intense, close-quarter combat that will immerse players in a Doom-style experience. On the other hand, our green magic is more tactical and geared towards mid-range scenarios. If you prefer sniper-style gameplay, our blue magic will be right up your alley. Personally, I love the freedom and strategic options that come with being able to engage enemies from a distance. What's even more exciting is how players can combine these different types of magic with our control spells, fury spells, and sigils to create even greater variation in gameplay.

Our team was focused on creating a powerful impact when using spells in combat. With Bret and other members coming from Call of Duty, we understood the importance of delivering a big punch. This aspect became a major pillar of the gameplay experience we aimed to create. We recognized that this element was often missing in games featuring magic, such as MMOs and RPGs. Therefore, we made it a priority to provide players with that real "punch" when casting spells.

A: Achieving the perfect balance between the power of CoD weaponry and the awe-inspiring magic was indeed a challenging task. It took an extensive five-year effort from our highly skilled team of effects artists to bring this vision to life. Collaboration is key at our studio, and we constantly communicate and provide feedback to one another. All departments work together to refine and tweak every aspect of the game, ensuring that it meets our standards of excellence. The end result is a product that we are proud to release and confident in its perfection.

Q: Is there any significant meaning to the tattoo on Jak's face?

The gameplay experience you have had so far is indeed similar to the traditional Call of Duty campaign. However, we have designed the game to offer a diverse range of gameplay elements, including open areas, collectibles, and side missions that will take you off the main path. We want players to have the freedom to explore the game world and discover new challenges and rewards beyond the main storyline.

Our game features various side quests and hubs that allow players to explore freely. While there may be some re-traversing involved, it adds to the overall experience. You may encounter areas with barriers that cannot be accessed yet, but keep exploring and you may find a way to overcome them.

I encourage you to play and look around a lot because there are a lot of little hidden things out there to find.

The UI of this game had to be unique and innovative while also aligning with the game's themes. The challenge was to balance the modern military aspect with the high fantasy element, ensuring that the design was functional yet magical. To achieve this, we focused on the utility of the military, creating a clean and focused interface that served its purpose. However, we also added touches of flair to make it feel different and special. It was a challenging process, but through iteration and feedback, we arrived at the distinct vibe you see today.

The UI team collaborated with the "red, blue, green" magic designations by incorporating shape language into the design. For instance, Red was represented by sharp triangles to convey its aggressive nature, while Green was depicted as amorphous and round through the use of circle motifs. Blue, on the other hand, was cubed to reflect its structured nature. The team ensured that the design was not solely based on color, but also on these shape representations. These different colors were chosen to represent the overarching themes of chaos, magic, and life magic. Blue, in particular, had a Force aspect to it, which made it a great pairing with the overall design.

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I am thrilled for players to experience the full extent of our game. Watching players use our spells, Furies, control spells, and sigils is truly a remarkable sight. Our game is designed to be played in its entirety, and it brings me immense joy to see players exploring all aspects of it. In many magic-based games, players tend to settle into using only a small portion of what is available. I am excited for players to break out of that habit and fully embrace the experience we have created.

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Immortals of Aveum launches July 20, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.