Shoji Kawamori designed the mecha for “Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion”.
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With the launch Daemon X Machina: Titanic’s successor Immediately, I caught up with the game’s mecha designer Shoji Kawamori to learn more about his work in the game.
As you know, I’ve interviewed Kawamori on many other occasions and detailed his work on Forbes. So, naturally, I’m glad to see him in the mecha design for this game.
But, because this is the first sequel Daemon X MachinaI was curious about the changes in the challenges associated with mecha design this time, and Kawamori explained it kindly.
“Create a new one Daemon X Machinathe core concept itself was designed in the first game, like a kind of “genetic code”. For example, instead of simply complicating the details to express the function, the method repeats small functional units and reflects such repetition in the overall contour of the design.
“Based on this unique Daemon X Machina We then designed the “genetic password” and tweaked it to fit the new concept, while also testing new ideas.
“The challenge this time is that the new design is much smaller power armor compared to the large armed arsenal of the last game. So we have to find ways to prevent them from appearing weaker than they look.”
Electric armor Titanic’s successor It’s definitely new, but there’s a long and long history in Japan’s electric armor design, which Kawamori longs to clarify.
“With the help of a large, experimental humanoid arsenal, these proportions can be handled with considerable freedom. But for capable armor, since the pilot actually has to be like what the pilot actually wears, we cannot deviate from the human proportions too far.
“Because of this limitation, we turn it into a force that challenges ourselves to avoid overstretching, huge robot proportions, but instead brings out an attractive sense of reality as a wearable device.
“The difficulty here, however, is that there is a great precedent for this lawsuit: Starship Soldier Powerful litigation designed by my seniors in Studio Nue. So we had to search for new forms of design expressions that were not like that classic example.
“For the main power armor, I helped reflect Daemon X Machina Design the “Genetic Password” as a version created by Kenichiro Tsukuda and his team. For other power armors, I make sure to give them clear and clear styles so they can be separated at a glance.
“In addition, for this issue, I was first surprised by the direction change; deliberately abandoning the unique 2D anime-style graphics from the previous game and moving towards an open world expression.
“At the same time, since I personally prefer new challenges rather than repeating the same thing, it’s a very exciting experience.
“With the feeling of 2D anime disappearing, switching from a large arsenal to a life-sized armor, replacing the machine provides a “Japanese” element that I think helps keep the balance.
The new arsenal in “Daemon X Machina:titanic Scion” is much smaller and is effectively power armor.
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“For the converter, we have to rethink the concept of transformation Macro Valkyrie, based on variable aircraft logic or Aquariusit originates from mythical union and transformation.
“So, to prevent the smaller power armor from looking too simple, this time we tried to emphasize the transformation of features, but also prefer a sci-fi mechanical style with a spectacular sci-fi style rather than a purely realistic weapon.
Considering that Tsukuda and Kawamori are also in many classics Armor core I want to know how to play together Titanic’s successorKawamori is able to distinguish the game’s mecha design.
“I’ve participated Armor core The series has been around 30 years since its first developments. Until now, it can be said that he has a long history of his own. Working with Tsukuda Armor core It is also a very valuable memory for me. Because I love Armor core So much, start Daemon X Machinaone of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to distinguish it.
“There are similar series Macro Valkyrie (based on an airplane) or Aquarius (based on myths and combinations), the conceptual differences are obvious. But both Armor core and Daemon X Machina Focusing on humanoid machines is a bigger obstacle.
“exist Armor coreNo matter how much you swap your arm and leg units, one way we distinguish them from other works is to design a bulky, slender torso (the “core” (including the cockpit and main engine) that is longer than side to side to lower the projected frontal lobe area while increasing bullet resistance. This became the key design concept in the series, namely “genetic code.”
“In contrast, Daemon X Machina Still a young series, in a crowded military robot anime and gaming field, it needs novelty and distinction.
“So instead of focusing everything on a clunky core, Daemon X Machina Take a different approach: build the machine from the relationship between smaller units. Repetition of functional small units is an important factor here.
“Another key point that Tsukuda might mention is that as Sci-Fi Mecha, it adds a new sense of heroism to the style. This is different from the perspective of this being Armor coreWhere heroic elements are intentionally removed from individual units, only they can be assembled into humanoid forms, paradoxically creating a kind of heroism.
“Because they are mass-produced machines, it is more rational and cost-effective to make units of the same type or similar standards. Daemon X MachinaBy arranging those same small units according to a set of rules invented by the series, we challenged ourselves to create a new type of heroism and character identity. ”
At the end, I was curious about what Kawamori was most proud of in his work Titanic’s successor.
“Honestly, everything I have said so far (laughs). Of course, I’m so grateful to Tsukuda and the entire developer for successfully bringing all of these challenges into the game.
“If I just had to highlight one thing, I would say that a transformed bike feels like a real innovation. There were a lot of transformed bikes before, and I personally designed several variable bikes myself. But I think it’s rare to see someone whose tires themselves become weapons.
“Can be used Daemon X Machina Designing the “genetic code” that repeats small, same type of units gives me a strong sense of accomplishment. ”
Daemon X Machina: Titanic’s successor It will be released on September 5 via Steam for Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
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