PlatinumGames, the developer behind beloved titles such as Bayonetta and Nier: Automata, had big news for players looking forward to its mobile title World of Demons. Last week, the studio surprised fans by launching World of Demons on Apple Arcade seemingly out of nowhere.
Now, a recent interview with PlatinumGames' studio head Atsushi Inaba and the World of Demons producer Koji Tanaka reveals some interesting behind the scenes information on the developement of World of Demons. Perhaps most interestingly is the revelation that PlatinumGames actually scrapped the original blueprint for World of Demons and completely removed microtransactions along the way.
The interview comes by way of IGN, who sat down with Inaba and Tanaka following the surprise launch of World of Demons on Apple Arcade. The full interview covers topics surrounding aspects of the game that didn't change, such as World of Demons' Okami-esque art style and concept, as well as a myriad of things that did change. However, one of the most interesting things that changed over the course of development was the exclusion of microtransactions, which Inaba credits from coming with the "opportunity to release the game for Apple Arcade." So, instead of simply making smaller adjustments to World of Demons, the team essentially rebuilt the game "from the ground up."
Originally, World of Demons was a free-to-play game that offered players different ways to spend real-world money, such as "paying for better item drop rates." However, since Apple Arcade doesn't allow games to have microtransactions, that basic premise of the free-to-play model needed to be reworked. Inaba says that this condition actually benefitted World of Demons overall, and cautions fans not to let the mobile nature of the game sway them. Inaba reaffirms that World of Demons is "unmistakably a PlatinumGames joint," so fans of the developer with access to Apple Arcade should definitely give the game a chance.
World of Demons is out now on iOS devices.
Source: IGN