Immortals of Aveum is a highly anticipated project by Ascendant Studios, showcasing its ambitious vision. Its announcement took place at The Game Awards 2022, and the game is currently under the direction of Bret Robbins, the former creative director of Dead Space.
In an interview with Jim Ingraham, the UI Lead at Ascendant Studios, Game ZXC learned how the UI team worked hand-in-hand with the designations of red, blue, and green magic to create a visually cohesive and immersive experience. According to Ingraham, the Immortals of Aveum team's aim was always to marry high fantasy and military operations for something truly unique.
Immortals of Aveum takes place in a fictional world embroiled in relentless conflicts over magical supremacy. Players are immersed in the thrilling journey of Jak who joins the esteemed Order of Immortals with a mission to vanquish the Rasharnian nation. What sets Jak apart is that he's a Triarch Magnus, a rare spellcaster capable of wielding the powers of red, blue, and green magic. As players navigate through this single-player game, they will unlock and harness Jak's magical abilities to combat adversaries while unraveling a captivating narrative that defies the standards of FPS.
While discussing the UI design, Ingraham emphasized the importance of creating a unique and modern aesthetic that complements the game's themes. Balancing military elements with high fantasy aspects, the UI design maintains a clean and focused approach while incorporating magical flair. As Ingraham said,
“The most important thing I'd say is making sure that we created something that is unique and new, but also spoke to the game itself. It was like making sure the utility of military, of having something that's cleaned, focused, and does what it's intended to do. But at the same time, we needed to offer a little bit of flair that feels magical, feels different. The toughest thing was honing in on that.”
Shape language played a pivotal role in the UI design process for the upcoming FPS game. Ingraham revealed that the team, including art director Dave Bogan recognized the importance of incorporating shapes that aligned with the essence of each magic color in Immortals of Aveum. Red, associated with intensity and aggression, is represented by sharp triangular elements. This choice evokes a sense of power and fierce determination to match red magic's destructive power. On the other hand, green magic, with its connection to nature and life, is embodied by amorphous and round motifs, symbolizing organic forms and fluidity. Lastly, blue magic, associated with order and structure, is depicted through cubed shapes, representing stability and precision. By skillfully pairing color and shape, the UI design in Immortals of Aveum creates a harmonious and visually appealing connection between the magic system and the player's interaction with it.
“We really made sure to pair those things, so we're not just going off of color. However, those different colors, they really do speak to overarching ideas of chaos, magic, and life magic. For Blue, it's got more of a Force aspect to it, so we really feel like it paired well.”
The integration of shape language into the UI design is a testament to Ascendant Studios' commitment to creating a unique and immersive experience. The careful consideration given to the visual representation of each magic color enhances the player's connection to the world of Immortals of Aveum. The UI team's collaboration with the game's designations of red, blue, and green magic adds another layer of depth and authenticity to the gameplay.
The spells in Immortals of Aveum not only empower players and highlight their shape language and color but also offer multi-functionality and a spectrum of gameplay choices. Each Sigil players acquire represents a different spell, and players will see that shape language and color manifest in different ways on their Sigils. How, exactly, is up to the player. Each Sigil introduces unique visual aspects in the channeling and utilization of magic, providing players with diverse playstyles and enhancing player choice.
Combat mechanics and player choices were significant focuses for the development team. Ingraham highlighted the red, green, and blue magic colors, which represent different gameplay styles. Red magic emphasizes intense close-quarters combat akin to fast-paced action games like Doom. Green magic offers a more tactical mid-range experience, while blue magic caters to players who prefer a sniper-like playstyle. Control spells, fury spells, and Sigils further contribute to the variation and customization available in combat encounters.
Ingraham expressed his genuine enthusiasm for the prospect of fans delighting in the game. He conveyed his immense joy in witnessing players immerse themselves in the spellbinding world they have crafted, savoring the intricately designed spells and mechanics forged by their collaborative efforts as a team.
“It is just awesome to watch because that's the way the game is really meant to be played. In a lot of magic-based games going all the way back, people tend to just settle in and only use a very small aspect of what they can. So, it's great to see people really exploring and taking on the full experience.”
Immortals of Aveum launches July 20, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
