BEYOND BLUE

Director Michael Angst talks about how working with the BBC allows E-Line Media to dive deeper for its next game

OPM: What do you think indie games offer that Triple-A ones can’t?

Michael Angst: Because players often view indie games with a lens that prioritises individuality and innovation over scope of production, there is an implicit invitation to take chances with themes and perspectives that are under-explored in the medium.

OPM: Never Alone featured a lot of documentary snippets. How is this carried on into Beyond Blue?

MA: Through Ocean Insight videos that will feature original footage from the BBC’s Blue Planet II production, players will witness the diverse natural life featured in the game through stunning real-world footage and meet the scientists and explorers working on the cutting edge of ocean exploration who have helped guide our creative decisions during production.

OPM: Will being set in the near future affect Mirai’s journey?

MA: The scientists that are helping to guide our creative decisions are hopeful that the pace of exploration and increased understanding of our ocean will greatly accelerate over the next ten to 15 years as technologies that promise to help overcome some of challenges to exploring this vast world can be put into practice at meaningful scale. In addition to wanting to build excitement for this potential renaissance in ocean exploration, we chose a near and plausible future to invite our players to consider a future for our ocean in which we all have real agency in affecting.

OPM: What do you hope players take away from Beyond Blue?

MA: An expanded sense of wonder for the beauty and mystery of our natural world and an expanded appreciation for the amazing contribution that modern scientists and explorers make.