Throughout at present’s Annapurna Interactive showcase, the writer introduced that it is now not simply a writer. It is creating its first in-house recreation, based mostly on the Blade Runner franchise, entitled Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth.
Although we noticed a short teaser trailer at present, we do not have too many particular particulars about what Blade Runner 2033 will entail. We all know it takes place in (shock!) 2033 in a dystopian LA after the Blackout, wedged firmly between the unique Blade Runner and the sequel, Blade Runner 2049. We do not know any particulars about style or gameplay, however it would supposedly have a robust deal with narrative. And improvement is being led by Chelsea Hash, who previously labored on each Photo voltaic Ash and What Stays of Edith Finch.
Talking to Hash forward of the information, she tells me that it was Annapurna that approched Alcon to get the rights for Blade Runner, saying that the crew has a “deep love” for the franchise.
“After I discovered in regards to the alternative to steer a Blade Runner recreation, it absolutely knocked me off my proverbial flight plan,” Hash says. “I had my arms full engaged on two tasks, and was placing collectively designs for a brand new pitch – however I couldn’t move up this opportunity. I’ve been watching the unique movie yearly since I used to be most likely too younger, and I keep in mind sneaking away to look at 2049 within the midst of delivery an enormous challenge.”
Hash says the event crew is pretty small, and has been working collectively for a bit of over a 12 months constructing instruments and the crew itself. Alongside Hash, the group consists of builders with expertise on video games like Hyper Mild Drifter, Mario Kart Dwell: House Circuit, We Are OFK, Skylanders, Beneath and extra. As well as, a number of of them have beforehand labored collectively on visuals for reside exhibits and installations with artists like Infantile Gambino, Pharrell, Sufjan Stevens and Sofi Tukker. And Hash says we should always anticipate to see not less than a few of that DNA in Blade Runner 2033.
“Engaged on Edith Finch was actually a life-changing expertise for me, and it taught me a lot about telling tales within the distinctive language of video games,” she says. “BR2033 may be very a lot a story recreation, so I can lean on my learnings from Edith Finch usually. On the opposite facet, tasks like Photo voltaic Ash and our work within the interactive music area gave us unbelievable love of wielding superior graphics as gameplay instruments. Our want to bend a wide selection of disciplines as expressive instruments will certainly be current within the ultimate recreation.”
Blade Runner 2033 is essentially centered on the movie universe, however Hash says it does respect the supply materials from the novel. She additionally tells me that she’s performed the unique 1997 Blade Runner recreation as nicely, and that the 2 video games have “some shared themes” along with the identical setting.
However primarily, Hash says the crew honed in on the “world, timeline, and perspective of the movies”. The crew dove into the small print of the unique movie’s manufacturing for inspiration, she says, together with its many edits. “I’m actually excited by surfacing particulars of what life is like for the individuals within the Blade Runner world in 2033, and we’re going to attract out as a lot of the mythos as we will via these individuals.”
Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth’s launch platforms and date stay a thriller for now, however Annapurna guarantees extra particulars can be revealed quickly. As well as, Alcon is at the moment engaged on a live-action collection for Amazon Prime known as Blade Runner 2099.
You possibly can compensate for all the things introduced on the Annapurna Interactive Showcase with our roundup right here.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You’ll find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.