Dragon’s Dogma 2, one of the most anticipated role-playing games, is drawing inspiration from a rather unexpected source: GTA 5. GTA 5 itself has been a phenomenal success, leading charts across all platforms for the past decade. While the two games belong to different genres, Dragon’s Dogma 2 aims to capture a similar essence of a “living world,” as articulated by its director, Hideaki Itsuno.

The Influence of GTA 5

In a recent interview with VGC, Hideaki Itsuno cited GTA 5 as an influential reference for Dragon’s Dogma 2. He noted how Rockstar’s 2013 title managed to create a world that felt truly alive. It achieved this through the behaviors of NPCs (Non-Player Characters), who seemed to carry on their lives regardless of the player’s actions. Itsuno admired this element, particularly how it led to “interesting emergent behaviors” and “strange accidents” in the game world.

Objectives and Aspirations for Dragon’s Dogma 2

Itsuno explained that with Dragon’s Dogma 2, the main goal is to realize the ambitions that couldn’t be achieved when the original Dragon’s Dogma was released. This objective goes hand-in-hand with the inspiration taken from GTA 5. Specifically, Itsuno wants to incorporate the feeling of a living world into the sequel, enhancing the game’s immersion and dynamism. This element of a living, breathing world is crucial to the experience that Dragon’s Dogma 2 aims to offer.

Game World and Scale

During the June Capcom Showcase, it was revealed that the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 will be “approximately four times larger” than the world of the original game, Gransys. This expansion in scale is indicative of the development team’s aspirations for creating a more engrossing environment. Given that Gransys was already sizeable in the original game, this enlargement shows promise for deeper exploration and a richer gaming experience.

Platform and Release Date

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is expected to launch on current-generation consoles, including the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as on PC. However, as of now, the exact release date has not been disclosed. The game is anticipated to make its debut sometime in 2024, creating considerable excitement among fans and industry observers alike.

Conclusion

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is not merely a sequel; it aspires to be a substantial evolution of the original game. Drawing inspiration from GTA 5, the game aims to offer a complex, living world. Director Hideaki Itsuno’s vision involves not just scaling up the game world, but also injecting it with life and unpredictability, much like GTA 5’s celebrated environment. Fans of the franchise have ample reason to be excited, as the upcoming game promises not just greater scale but also a heightened level of immersion. Given these ambitious goals, Dragon’s Dogma 2 has set high expectations for its release. Time will tell if it can meet or surpass them.

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