Exclusive Q&A: Reliance CEO Manish Agarwal Talks Pacific Rim – The Mobile Game
Steve Barton
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Pacific Rim – The Mobile Game is set to release shortly in conjunction with the film, and to give you gamers an idea of what the game is all about, we chatted with Manish Agarwal, CEO of Reliance Entertainment – Digital.
Dread Central: We haven’t seen an official release date for the game yet. We assume it’ll be tied in with the film’s release – can you announce it yet?
Manish Agarwal: We are looking at releasing the game around the movie release. [Editor’s Note: We heard from a third party it’ll be releasing tomorrow, July 11th, but haven’t been able to confirm that. Check the App Store!]
DC: We’ve seen the trailer of course, but can you give us any additional hints of the gameplay and how it is similar to (or different from) other Reliance games?
MA: Reliance Games is focused on creating innovative mobile experiences based on high-profile IP. Like Reliance’s successful fighting game Real Steel with over 10M downloads, Pacific Rim will feature larger than life battles pitting players’ Jaegar robot against the monstrous invading Kaiju. The similarities stop there as Pacific Rim includes a story-based progression through the world of the film and the ability to upgrade your Jaeger with a variety of weapons, armor, and other enhancements. It features swipe-based combat, sleek HD graphics, and much more.
DC: Can we count on this gaming experience to be bigger than life as the film appears to be?
MA: We definitely were aiming to create a “bigger than life” experience for the game, and you can see that by witnessing the shear visceral one-on-one combat between Jaeger and Kaiju. We partnered closely with Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures to carry over the theme from the movie to the mobile game. In fact, Guillermo del Toro was quite instrumental in the design and play testing of the game, and his feedback is included throughout the entire development of the game.
DC: What was del Toro’s involvement in the design process — did he play early builds of the game, or provide notes or feedback? Did he give ideas about what the Pacific Rim game should or should not be like?
MA: Guillermo was quite instrumental in both the design and play testing of the game. Even though his schedule was quite hectic with the final cut of the film, he was kind enough to sit down with us on a number of occasions and share with us not only the story background and clips of the film but also his thoughts on what the game should be. We were all encouraged that he came to the process as a gamer, and there was already a deep understanding of what we needed to do to turn his film into a game. In addition, he worked with us on the look of the Jaegers and Kaijus as well as the animations and camera during combat. To him it was important to make the game entertaining in that we give the player a sense of fun through frenetic action.
DC: Without giving too much away, how does the game tie in with the film? Time-wise, it is a prequel, sequel, or does it take place along the same timeline?
MA: Our timeline is just preceding the events of the film so you are given the chance to pilot some of the earlier Jaegers up to those Mark Vs that are in the movie. You can customize your Jaeger with a unique set of weapons, armor, and other enhancements and even customize the paint job should you wish. So in many respects you are given the chance to tell your own tale as the epic battles rages.
DC: Is it necessary to see the movie to get maximum enjoyment from the game?
MA: The game is an extended experience to the film and allows you to do things only hinted at in the movie. You can get the maximum enjoyment from the game as a standalone, but it will certainly add to the experience if you have already seen the movie.
DC: If their characters are in the game, are most of the same actors from the film doing the voices? What about new characters? We know there will be updates to the game long after the movie has come and gone – any actors we might know who have signed on for future content?
MA: There are several characters that appear in the film that are also in the game. Those characters help lead you through the mission planning and black market areas. They will be there as well with hints and tips to improve your performance. The future is still open in terms of incorporating other characters not currently included, and I am sure the players will appreciate the additional connection to the film.
DC: Speaking of the game’s updates, will that include new monsters and robots? If so, did the same design team who worked on the film’s creatures work on the game’s as well?
MA: It’s likely that the future content of the game will include more characters from the movie, both human and non-human. We already have ideas for new Kaijus, Jaegers, and how to integrate more human characters. The background of the Pacific Rim universe is quite deep, and it will be exciting to work in new characters as the game continues to live.
DC: What would you say is the genre of the game?
MA: Pacific Rim – The Mobile Game is an action game being released on mobile for iOS and Android devices (both Google Play! and Amazon). At its core it is a fighter, but we’ve adopted a number of things from the film so that the player is presented with new challenges that will keep things interesting.
DC: To whom, then, is the game targeted?
MA: The game is targeted at movie-goers and gamers who want a deeper and extended experience into the world of Pacific Rim. It will also appeal to fighting/action fans and those who enjoy the “brawler” category of games.
DC: Our readers are horror fans – what are some of the horror elements in the game that should appeal to them?
MA: The game does feature legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, that are taking millions of lives in their wakes and bringing the apocalypse to humanity’s door.
DC: Lastly, what would you say is special about the game?
MA: We have taken what is fun about the brawler category on mobile and married it with a story-based progression through the world of Pacific Rim. Player can start out as rookie jockeys and work their way up the ladder through piloting five different Jaegers. As you progress, the game gets more difficult, and the Kaijus coming through the portal keep getting stronger. To defeat them, you will need to upgrade your Jaeger with a variety of weapons, armor, and other enhancements. Victory will be only be achieved after working your way up and defeating the strongest Category V Kaijus.
Our thanks to Manish for his time!
Developed by Reliance Games in partnership with Behavior Interactive, Pacific Rim – The Mobile Game features epic battles amidst skyscrapers as players swipe and tap to pilot their Jaegers and defeat the Kaijus. Priced at $2.99, the game’s features include:
Look for Pacific Rim, directed by Guillermo del Toro, in theatres July 12th. Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, Rinko Kikuchi, Max Martini, Rob Kazinsky, Clifton Collins, Jr., and Diego Klattenhoff star.
Read our Pacific Rim review here!
Synopsis
From acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ epic sci-fi action adventure Pacific Rim.
When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes–a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)–who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse.
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