For more than a decade, Respawn Entertainment’s Titanfall universe has been a story-rich experience across the game that came out. But nearing almost a full ten years since the last installment in the mainline series, there has not been a direct way for players to continue digesting more story. And while Apex Legends has taken the spotlight, the grander plot of the connected series is limited when it comes to how lore is distributed.
Previously, with the recent decline of the live-service, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson told that plans for the coming future includes a large expansion of the universe via Apex Legends. Additionally, in a new development, it is said that Apex Legends is a large focal point for the publisher to drive engagement up once again.
According to a recent interview with GameSpot, Season 20 – Breakout is to be the catalyst for more story-focused experiences in-game. Although the game is to celebrate its 5th anniversary in early 2024, lore won’t take the main stage just yet. But, the latter part of the year is to face a large grasp on lore. Lead writer Ashley Reed hints that more Titnalfall 2 story points are hinted at in the recent launch trailer that arrived this week.
Typically, with the the anniversary seasons–the first season of the year–we try to let the celebration take center stage, so we try not to introduce a lot of plot-heavy stuff during the anniversary season. Especially this one, it’s a big anniversary! We don’t want to distract from that [by adding a new Legend with a new backstory].
“You get a little hint that something’s going on with Horizon [in the launch trailer]. It may be worth looking at that shot again from the end of the trailer,” Reed references in terms of the Titanfall 2/Apex Legends connection; hinting at a Time Gauntlet-like device used in the 2016 game. Even more, this year is to face an incline in story-focused lore in-game rather than separated trailers or audible listenings.
“We’re tying more of our [gameplay] features coming this year even more closely to the story, and it is meant to be like a full, year-long experience, and Horizon maybe, possibly, is the cornerstone of it.” Of course, on top of conspiracy that tails behind the growing plot, there will be plenty of character development as well: this season being a large focus on Horizon & Ash. Respawn is focused on its craft to tie story to its gameplay.
“I think what I’m most proud of is the tighter connection we have to the design. [Plot points] are coming more into the game. We’re coming up with creative solutions for ‘How can we put this in [the game] where it’s immediately accessible and interesting and engaging, while feeling like it’s part of the whole and not, like, a distraction from it?’ There are challenges to it. But we’re solving the puzzle.”
What are you hoping Apex Legends brings to the greater Titanfall universe next?
Apex Legends is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Source: GameSpot
