Fumito Ueda, the visionary behind acclaimed titles such as Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, has provided new insights into his studio's upcoming game, Gen Atlas. After a decade since his last release, Ueda's Gen Design is embarking on its most expansive project yet, which was initially revealed as Project Robot. Speaking at a press event, Ueda elaborated on the game's development timeline, its departure from previous narrative conventions, and the role of its titular giant robot.
Development on Gen Atlas officially began in 2020, marking its sixth year in production. The intervening years following The Last Guardian's release were dedicated to prototyping new ideas and establishing the foundational infrastructure for Gen Design as a studio. Ueda emphasized that, like his previous works, Gen Atlas is set in a completely new world, free from direct narrative connections to Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, or The Last Guardian. However, he acknowledged that players might perceive thematic or aesthetic links once the game is experienced.
The inclusion of a giant robot in Gen Atlas draws from Ueda's lifelong appreciation for mecha media, a cultural staple in Japan. He noted a distinction between the often toy-like or fantastical representations of robots in Japanese media and his own approach, which aims for a grounded, reality-based portrayal of their movement, weight, and the relationships formed with them. Inspirations cited for the project include the anime Giant Robo and, notably, Pixar's WALL-E, with Ueda also acknowledging a mild influence from a specific type of toy commercial.
The core gameplay loop involves the player character boarding and connecting with a giant robot head, which then facilitates navigation through the world. This robot head is designed to be more than a mere vehicle; it serves as a partner, navigator, and functional tool, fulfilling multiple roles for the player. Ueda expressed his hope that players will develop a unique, interpretative bond with this robotic companion, a hallmark of his previous games that featured strong player-character relationships.
Despite the appearance of a firearm in promotional materials, Ueda clarified that Gen Atlas is not a shooter. He explained that the inclusion of a gun is a narrative and world-building decision fitting the sci-fi setting, rather than a core gameplay pillar. The weapon is intended as a means to overcome specific challenges and progress through certain sequences, not as a tool for score accumulation or a primary combat mechanic. This approach addresses player surprise, as Ueda himself had not previously felt restricted from including guns in his games but acknowledged that his audience might have perceived such limitations.
Communication within Gen Atlas will be more prominent than in Ueda's prior titles. While previous games featured minimal dialogue with companion characters, Gen Atlas will incorporate more on-screen text and dialogue, fitting for a sci-fi narrative where conversation logs are natural. Ueda described his scriptwriting process as more akin to assembling episodic moments with multiple interpretations, inspired by the brevity and suggestive nature of haikus, rather than adhering to a traditional, fully detailed script.
Gen Atlas is confirmed to be the largest game Ueda has undertaken, both in terms of scope and the intended feeling of scale for the player. It will feature an open-world structure, allowing for free exploration across diverse biomes beyond the desert environments hinted at. The game also includes progression mechanics involving tinkering with and upgrading the robot head. When asked about his preferred companion character across his gameography, Ueda expressed a fondness for Agro from Shadow of the Colossus, citing his personal experience with horse riding.
A key lesson Ueda applies to Gen Atlas is the iterative nature of game development. He stressed that the true viability of ideas is only realized through playtesting and creation, a process made more accessible by the team's adoption of the Unreal Engine. This allows for quicker realization and refinement of concepts, reinforcing the fundamental understanding that even a good idea requires tangible implementation to prove its worth.