So, it sounds like we might not be seeing Mark Hamill in a Star Wars flick for at least a little while, but fear not, space loving Mark Hamill fans! Squadron 42 is coming, and it's unprecedented for a couple of reasons. First off, the game is "promising to push the boundaries of what's possible in real-time character rendering", by using advanced performance capture techniques to translate "all the nuance and power of the award-winning cast of actors" into the game. And boy, oh boy, does this game have award-winning actors.
Check the friggin flavor: Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Mark Strong, Liam Cunningham, Ben Mendelsohn, John Rhys Davies, Andy Serkis, and more. That's right, friends and neighbors; "and more"! They are using one-to-one facial scans to create hundreds of unique "blendshapes along with animated wrinkle and blood flow maps." Basically, this makes the faces do what faces do, and there's a lot of stuff for these actor's faces to do; more than 10 hours worth, to be specific.
The synopsis of the game is as follows: In 2945, the brave men and women of the United Empire of Earth’s Navy fight tirelessly to protect Humanity. While dangerous aliens like the Vanduul are a constant threat along the Empire’s borders, outlaws and bandits often prove just as dangerous closer to home. These massive capital spaceships keep a vigilant watch over Humanity’s star systems, ready to launch squadrons of deadly fighters should a threat arise. You are one of these brave men and women. You’ll serve alongside a vibrant crew, each with personalities and storylines of their own, while a dynamic conversation and reputation system allows you to define your character through your actions and interactions to craft an experience all your own.
From kilometer long capital ships to city-sized space stations to remote moons, Squadron 42 will take you on a journey through expansive locations where you will encounter intense tactical battles. In your arsenal will be a myriad of detailed and customizable spaceships alongside a suite of futuristic weapons that will have you ready to face any challenge. You will be charged with completing missions that offer multiple paths to accomplish your goals, while advanced enemy AI adapt to your strategies and make your victory feel well earned.
The game sounds pretty good, and it's packed with Hollywood A-listers. Then again, so was The Counselor, and that sucked hard. I'll keep you all updated as more info on the actual gameplay comes in and you can read more about it on the amazing-looking website here.
