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We find the studio at a critical point in development, right between the games alpha and beta.
That may explain how busy things are.
The obvious precedent here is GameSciences Black Myth: Wukong.
Its a precedent that Xia, and Leenzee, naturally seem keen to follow.
But some of the decades biggest hits have actually hailed from developers within Chinas borders.
Leenzee is breaking away from this tradition, as its goal has always been to make quality premium games.
Thats been true since the company was founded in 2016, under the name Recano.
At the time, there was no such unicorn [in China], Xia says.
Devoting all our resources in VR was a big investment, with ups and downs.
Of course, a successful harvest requires not just rain but fertile soil.
In Leenzees case, that means the rich local history it has to draw on.
Ive been indulged with the rich local opera, which also tells the old stories and legends over again.
Theres a lot we can study firsthand.
Thats why we believe we have all the advantages to start our own story.
The latter seems like a potential parallel to the affliction overtaking the games setting and protagonist.
Xia is keen to avoid drawing parallels between the fictional Feathering Disease and any historical precedent.
The game is more about a phenomenon, he says.
Because we witness this in every dynasty, every transition.
It’s always about a chaotic incident or phenomenon.
It’s really about how dark and chaotic the end of a dynasty is.
So perhaps Wuchangs equivalent is not necessarily a blight.
This Feathering Disease is not all negative, Xia clarifies.
Wuchang can be influenced by the spirit to gain new powers and she can change the course of life.
But, obviously, sometimes you could also get negative influence.
This time, though, we cant help but wonder if Wuchang herself might be the real danger here.
Nonetheless, Xia turns to us, half-joking: She can kill you in five seconds.
In-game, Wuchangs movements are notably grounded literally so, given the absence of a jump button.
The FromSoftware games influence is apparent too in Wuchangs environments.
Where Wuchang diverges from the FromSoft formula, however, is in defensive play.
As in Black Myth, dodging is your primary defence.
Its here that we begin to sample the degree of depth Wuchang has to offer.
Our design is to attract wider users, Xia explains.
We encourage players to switch weapons and upgrade the skill tree with different skill combinations.
We dont want to give a perfect sequence of answers but encourage players to explore and figure things out.
In Taoism, though, death is but a cycle.
There is a cost to failure, though.
Her attacks are stronger now, but shes also more susceptible to damage.
Intriguingly, this spectre attacks not only Wuchang but any nearby enemies.
Were encouraging players to go into combat with that high level of madness, Xia says.
Leenzee feels emboldened by Black Myths success, Xia tells us.
(A hint, too, that the game will include multiple endings.)
As for the prospect of Leenzee landing a Black Myth-level hit of its own?
Well, Xia would surely relish another opportunity to break out his colourful opening statement.
This article originally appeared inEdge Magazine.
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