The developer behind Deep Down, the upcoming PlayStation 4-exclusive action-RPG powered by the Panta Rhei engine, has promised that gamers will be taken aback by the game’s visual prowess.
Speaking in a recent interview, Capcom’s Masaru Ijuin highlighted some of the new effects made possible on Sony’s new home console, such as the realistic depiction of fire — something which Deep Down promises to use in abundance.
“The players of “deep down” will be surprised to see realistic fire rendered by fluids. Traditionally, fire is rendered by arranging a large number of so-called billboards, but this method fails to depict the motion of fire. We can now make fire look more realistic by using fluids and simulating the flow of the flames. Imagine a T junction at the end of a narrow corridor. The fire rendered through the use of billboards ends at the wall of the T junction. On the other hand, the fire rendered with fluids fans out to the left and right when it hits the wall,” he said.
“The effects staff were extremely excited when they discovered this was possible with “Panta Rhei” (laugh). I think this change will also affect different elements of gameplay. For example, in traditional games a player can run away to safety by turning at a T junction, but in the future that fire might actually chase them around the corner.”
Elsewhere, Ijuin-san detailed the Global Illumination effect, a feature made possible by the application of the Panta Rhei engine.
“We’re also focusing on this concept of “global illumination”. Basically, this is the idea of the colors of objects reflecting off of their surroundings. For example, when intense light hits and reflects off a blue board, the floor turns slightly bluish. Global illumination is not possible with conventional computer graphics, but we’re now able to reproduce realistic details like this in “deep down.”
“The members of the development team are highly satisfied with these features because they make it possible to do things we couldn’t do before due to the number of man hours involved.”
Deep Down is due out at some point this year, and takes the form of a free-to-play fantasy romp where players explore dungeons and battle various creatures. The actual title is set in the year 2094 in New York City, but gamers will be able to travel to medieval times by interacting with magical artifacts.