Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Dev Diary and Content Digest Released
Jan. 25, 2023Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Dev Diary and Content Digest Released
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader releases developer diary on enemy design philosophy, plus more companion previews.
There are many questions that the team asks themselves whether or not something fits into thefirst ever-CRPG in the 40k universe. Let’s examine some of the thought processes and procedures that go into creating a living, breathing threat to the Imperium of Mankind.
Enemies are definitely one of the most interesting aspects of any game that has deep combat, and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is one such title. We do know from the past details that some of our foes will be Xenos filth and other heretics. What’s confirmed now is that the main agents of Chaos that will be antagonizing us are from the Word Bearer Legion.
This traitorous Space Marine chapter is one of the first legions to be corrupted by the unending powers of Chaos. In fact, they are responsible as well for the fall of the great Warmaster Horus himself, which is what sparked the Horus Heresy.
The Word Bearer Legion is quite known for bearing Crimson armor and gunmetal highlights as adornment. Just like any other Chaos Space Marine chapter, the Word Bearers are twisted mockeries of their once glorious Astartes forms. One specific unit type that Owlcat Games highlighted forWarhammer 40,000: Rogue Traderwas the Hellbrute.
The Hellbrute is the exact counterpart of theSpace Marine’s Dreadnoughtunit. Hellbrutes are heavily armored walkers that serve as both massive mobile tanks as well as a sarcophagus for the poor soul imbued inside. Just like the Dreadnoughts, Hellbrutes house the broken bodies of fallen Chaos Space Marines that continue to serve the forces of Chaos. Due to the extensive life support systems, some inhabitants of these mobile tombs have suffered the ruinous powers of chaos for thousands of years.
Creating the Hellbrute was quite an easy task for Owlcat Games as compared to other foes. The development process of enemies usually goes through an assessment if already existing models of a unit need additional concept art or information. As this monstrosity is one of the most famous of Chaos miniatures, there was no further need to create additional art and such.
After the base model was created came the fun texturing part. Owlcat Games likens this process as to painting a Warhammer miniature, as they are free to put as much (or as little) detail as needed to bring the tabletop representation into pixel form.
After all of that is done, animations and sound effects are attached to the unit in different ways. Due to the grotesque features of the Hellbrute, the movement and VFX should both match in the sense that the mere presence of this unit would be enough to demoralize any normal human being. Specific animations must also be created depending on game mechanics and abilities that a unit may or may not have.
The last time we revisitedplayer companionswas whenSister Argenta was discussed. This holy Sister of Battle was readily available in the Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader alpha, and thusplayersgot to play around with her ability kit already. Like many of the Adeptus Sororitas, Argenta was quite an expert in purging heretics with cleansing fire.
Since then, the Rogue Trader’s retinue grew by a few people. Owlcat Games introduced an Inquisitor, a Xenos, and a Cold Trader that will be joining our hero through their journey.
By default, Rogue Traders operate mostly outside of the trappings of the Imperium of Mankind. Due to their Warrant of Trade, these explorers can pursue any endeavor that they deem fit for the betterment of humanity. They are even afforded the right to interact with (and befriend) Xenos races.
The only group that they may need to answer to is the Inquisition. They are a holy order that is tasked with the eternal battle to stamp out physical manifestations of Chaos and other corrupting Xenos. Inquisitors particularly keep a watchful eye on Rogue Traders, as their freedom puts them at greater risk to the ruinous powers.
Interrogator Heinrix van Calox is once such Inquisitor, and a powerful Psyker as well. He has been assigned to keep vigilant on our Rogue Trader’s ships and assess our potential to become an ally of the Inquisition.
The Aeldari (or Eldar) is one of the most ancient races in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. They have existed for eons already, and have bore witness to many cataclysmic and universe-changing events. The majority of this race has lost their home planets, and have thus been forced to wander the galaxy on massive flying planets called Craftworlds.
We thus meet Yrliet Lanaevyss, the first Xenos companion in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. The “first” mention does imply that there will be more aliens boarding our ship, so that is definitely good news. Yrliet is a proud Aeldari who has become disillusioned with the eternal journey through the stars.
She has chosen her own path, something different from those who came before her. The Path of the Outcasts, as it is called, has led her to come aboard the Rogue Trader’s ship in search of a different destiny.
Sometimes, money is the simplest way of getting what you want. It is the most straightforward and direct, and will almost always be useful. An ambitious Cold Trader named Jae Heydari from Footfalls has joined the Rogue Trader’s party. She will try her best to use her cunning ways in order to get what she wants.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is currently in its Alpha stages which is available to certain preorder tiers. While that’s going on, be sure to check out the rest of the happenings throughout the Warhammer 40,000 Universe. TheUltramarineswill be facing off against a Tyranid threat,rejects are risinginDarktide, and theGrey Knightsare off facing world-ending threats once more.
For more news, check outElder Scrolls Online Unveils New Expansion Necrom and Class ArcanistandSaga of Sins is a Side-scrolling RPG Inspired by Hieronymus Bosch’s Paintings.
Auberon
Writer at Fextralife. I really like vanilla ice cream.
