Exclusive Interview with Deathloop Game Director Dinga Bakaba

DeathloopS, Windows 10/11 PC, and with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).|S, Windows 10/11 PC, and with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta). We had the chance to talk to Arkane Lyon Dinga Bakaba, Game Director, Studio Director, to learn more about the game, how it has evolved over the past year, and the importance diversity within the video gaming industry.

DeathloopOne year ago, the game is available now on Xbox. Is the game different from its original launch?

We have made many improvements to the game since its release. Features such as the photo mode that we worked on with the virtual photographer community, accessibility options… many fixes. We’ve also integratedcrossplay for matchmaking, which allows you to find more players, but also a new weapon, A new enemy type, ability upgrades that are not available for single player, and a brand new power. We’ve tried to make sure that these things fit into the core of the game, for example, to get the new power you’re going to have to do something specific. We also added an epilogue to one ending. We felt it was necessary to complete the circle and provide a stronger emotional conclusion to that ending. People who are already playing the game will find new ways to loop.

Is there any feedback you have received from players about the game since it was released?

The game received a tremendous reception. The game was not what we expected. We thought it would become a polarizing title. That people would either hate or love it. All it needed was for a few people who loved our creation. However, it was loved and praised by more people than we thought. It’s the result of decisions made along the way, sometimes risky ones, and we’re proud of that.

You decide what constitutes success. Deathloop unique? Is there anything you are particularly proud of?

Overall, I’m extremely proud of the fact that we were able to create a structure for the game that is not linear, not similar to the open worlds that we see a lot. It is unique and fits the story of our game. This was also a risky gamble. I’m not convinced that this structure can be applied to any other game, because it’s intrinsically linked to its purpose, its specificities. I can imagine someone taking inspiration from it, but I don’t think we’ll see anything similar anytime soon. I’m proud of it when I look back on it, but during development it was pretty scary, because there was no template to present to the team, we had to clear our own path, which is always more intense.

French ceremony at the Pegases2022 French ceremony Deathloop Five awards were given to you, and the Personality of Year award was awarded to you. What did it feel like?

We had received many awards overseas before the ceremony. However, to be awarded all the French industry awards is very satisfying. We make games that have an international appeal, yet we are still a French studio. This was crucial for us, and it was a great honor. As for the prize that was awarded to me personally, let’s just say that it’s easier to be in the spotlight to talk about what you’ve done as a team, the fruit of several years of work by hundreds of people. When you talk about a career, what you did individually for the industry, it’s more difficult. This award was an honor for me because of the hard work I did in this field. It wasn’t easy to get into it or stay in it, and I’m glad it’s being recognized, not just for me but for all the people who will never be in the spotlight who have a more admirable background than I have. It’s also an opportunity to inspire a new generation, to show them that it’s possible.

In your thank you speech, you stressed the importance of diversity in the video game industry…

Maybe it’s up to us as industry professionals to put in more effort and ensure that this question is not asked by the next generation. Take the case of the position of women within the industry. We’re not in the same spot as 10-15 years ago. The industry is moving ahead. This is why DeathloopEvery decision we make and every thing that has made this work possible are all influenced by the individual personalities of all. If we all looked the same, I’m not sure we could have achieved the same result. Unique works are possible because of the combination of cultures, identities and experiences. When you’re in a team and you have to deal with the sensitivities of each other, it helps not to find yourself in front of a uniform blob of opinions, with people watching the same series, listening to the same music. These conditions would mean that the game we release might not differ from one made by another studio. As far as I’m concerned, it’s more than just a theory, DishonoredThis series was developed across two continents. There were Americans, French and other nationalities in both teams. This dialogue has allowed us to make interesting decisions about this series, evidently because of the intercultural exchanges. I’ve been living with this richness for 12 years, so for me it’s very concrete.

Would you offer any advice to people who are interested in working in this field?

My father had a career in entertainment and even though it wasn’t easy for him, I had a concrete example of someone fighting for his passion against all odds and who managed to make a living from it. Yet, it was difficult for me to get into the game industry. But things are changing, you have to know that if you don’t find a place here, you’ll find it somewhere else, whether you have to change jobs, studios or countries. Remember that the idea of having no place to call home is a myth. Each studio is different, each project is unique. The hardest thing is to convince yourself that there is a creative community out there, and it is possible to meet them. You also have to be convinced that you’re not just going to catch up, but that you have something to bring. Our vision must be useful and our voices are valuable.

How do you feel about Game Pass? Which are your thoughts about Deathloop Game Pass will be available immediately after its launch on October 1st.

Cloud makes it easy for developers to quickly launch games from their phones. There are many things to consider when it comes Deathloop,My answer will be simple. We got in this business to help people enjoy our games. When I hear that overnight, so many players are going to be able to enjoy our game at the same time, I’m thrilled! More people means more opinions, more feedback… and it also allows us to reach certain territories where video games are less accessible because they’re very expensive; I’m thinking of Brazil, for example, where Arkane’s games have many fans. Making our game more accessible, we don’t think twice about it. It also increases the proportion of people who won’t stick to someone else’s opinion, whether it’s good or bad. My enemy was apathy, which I repeatedly told my team during development. If people try the game, whether they like it or not, that’s a win. Game Pass allows us to get more feedback over time.

Game Pass: What does it mean to you as a player? Are there any new discoveries you have made in the catalogue?

I think it’s a diverse and qualitative offer, with big games as well as original proposals. For me, the main benefit is the invitation to try games that you wouldn’t necessarily have invested in. When I was younger, I didn’t always have enough money to buy games, so I used to lend them to friends, which allowed me to try out a lot of things, and with Game Pass I’m getting that feeling again. Once I was able to afford my own gaming equipment, I refocused on what I loved and gave up playing some games. With Game Pass, I’m rediscovering certain genres and I can also catch up on titles that I would have missed for one reason or another. As far as discoveries go, there are really plenty… I think the latest one is Power Wash Simulator. I don’t know what could have made me buy this game, even the advice of a friend, and yet it’s super fun, it’s relaxing… We have single player games, multiplayer games, very short titles that you can finish in 4 hours, others that you will finish in 150 hours… It’s really nice!

Dinga Bakaba, for answering our questions. DeathloopS, Windows 10/11 PC and Xbox Game Pass PC Game Pass as well Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).|S, Windows 10/11 PC, and with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).

DEATHLOOP

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆
223

★★★★★

$59.99

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

DEATHLOOP, a new-gen first-person shooter is from Arkane Lyon (the award-winning studio behind Dishonored). DEATHLOOP is a story about two assassins trapped in an unsolved time loop on Blackreef. They are bound to repeat this fateful day forever. Colt must kill eight targets to stop the clock from resetting the day. This is Colt’s only hope of escape. Learn from each cycle – try new paths, gather intel, and find new weapons and abilities. Break the cycle by doing whatever you can.

IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED… DIE, DIE AGAIN
You have the chance to try new things with every loop. You can use the information you gather from every attempt to modify your playstyle. In each loop you’ll discover new secrets, gather intel on your targets as well as the island of Blackreef, and expand your arsenal. Armed with a host of otherworldly abilities and savage weaponry, you’ll utilize every tool at your command to execute takedowns that are as striking as they are devastating. You can customize your pack to make it more effective in this dangerous game of hunter against hunted.

SINGLE PLAYER GAMEPLAY IS INJECTED TO DEADLY MULTIPLE
Do you want to be the hero, or the villain? You’ll experience DEATHLOOP’s main story as Colt, hunting down targets across the island of Blackreef to break the loop and earn your freedom. All the while, you’ll be hunted by your rival Julianna, who can be controlled by another player. So if you’re feeling devious, you, too, can step into Julianna’s stylish sneakers and invade another player’s campaign to kill Colt. It’s completely up to the players to make Julianna their AI-controlled character in multiplayer.

THE ISLAND OF BLACKREEF – PARADISE OR PRISON
Arkane’s worlds are renowned for their stunningly creative and innovative gameplay. DEATHLOOP presents a 60s-inspired, retro-future world that is almost a character in itself. Blackreef might be an elegant paradise, but Colt considers it his prison. It is filled with decadence, where death does not have meaning. The delinquents keep Colt captive while they party endlessly.