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Classic arcade air shooters on arcade cabinets had a unique atmosphere that players raised on 1990s titles still remember today. The creators of Wild Blue Skies decided to tap into those memories and build a game that will remind players why the on-rails shooter genre was once so popular. Chuhai Labs didn’t want a simple trip down memory lane, so it combined the classic arcade formula with modern visuals and mechanics. The developers talked about how they designed the planes, levels, controls, and the game’s distinctive visual style. Wild Blue Skies debuts August 13 on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
The creators of Wild Blue Skies deliberately used limitations
During the production of Wild Blue Skies the team quickly realized that part of the distinctive atmosphere of classic on-rails shooters stemmed from technological limitations. One key example was draw distance, which at first in the game was far too great. Players could see very distant parts of the world, which made enemies appear unnaturally and made it hard to maintain the proper pacing. The developers therefore decided to significantly shorten the draw distance, which initially seemed like a risky move. The result, however, was very positive, because the player's attention was directed to events happening directly in front of them. Enemies began to appear more naturally, and subsequent encounters felt more dynamic. The developers took this decision as proof that limitations are not always an obstacle when making a game. On the contrary, when used appropriately they can help create a more distinctive experience. Chuhai Labs therefore decided to clearly define the project's core principles and not try to offer everything modern technology makes possible. This approach was especially important for a game inspired by arcade cabinets, where fast action, visual clarity and immediate response to events matter above all. The creators emphasize that precisely because of the conscious use of limitations, Wild Blue Skies was able to preserve the spirit of classic arcade games rather than become another contemporary release lacking a clear identity.
Plane controls are meant to be simple but allow for expert play
A great deal of attention during development was also paid to the camera and plane controls. The developers wanted players to feel they had full control of the machine right from the start. At the same time, the controls couldn't be too complex, because Wild Blue Skies is primarily a dynamic arcade game that you can pick up quickly. Placing the plane correctly on the screen was also a significant challenge. The craft couldn't block the most important events, but it also had to make the player feel like they're actually at the controls. The team used, among other things, a dithering technique that lets the plane partially fade from the scene in certain situations. This keeps the screen readable even during the most intense moments. The control system was designed so the basic mechanics can be learned in minutes, but perfecting their use takes much more time. Dodges can be used not only defensively but also offensively, if the player times the maneuver correctly. In missions with more freedom of flight, the brake lets you perform a 180-degree turn to get behind a pursuing enemy. Each of these mechanics was designed to have its own level of mastery. That way a novice can simply enjoy flying and shooting, while more experienced players can look for increasingly effective ways to overcome opponents. So Wild Blue Skies is meant to be easy to start, but harder to master, which is one of the cornerstones of classic arcade games.
Wild Blue Skies is a nod to classic 1990s aerial arcade shooters, but the developers didn’t stop at simply recreating the old formula. Chuhai Labs has used modern technology while consciously preserving limitations that help establish the proper pacing and clarity of the gameplay. Intuitive controls, a striking animation-inspired presentation, and distinctive characters voiced by well-known voice actors also play a major role. The game will debut August 13 on Xbox Series X|S and PC, and thanks to Xbox Play Anywhere progress and achievements will be available on both platforms.
source: xbox
