Upon hearing that Epic Games were cooking up something seasoned with “player progression, heavy itemization, and a dynamic economy”, my brain immediately lurched in the direction of Impossible Studios, the outfit formed from the remains of Kingdoms of Amalur types Big Huge Games. But it was forced to slink back to its stem when I remembered that Epic had cut ties with that studio back in February; it “wasn’t working out”, apparently.
So who at Haus of Gears is building a game that sounds just the teensiest bit like an MMO?
Here’s an easier riddle: When is an unannounced game announced? When it’s a job posting.
“Epic Games is looking for a Systems Designer to join one of two projects,” write the developers. “One of the teams is working on an unannounced competitive online action game that includes player progression, heavy itemization, and a dynamic economy; the other is for Fortnite.
“In either of these roles you’ll be working on the biggest most important systems and will have a hand in designing everything from economics and itemization to balancing combat mechanics. You’ll be responsible for general design, balance, rules, interface, etc. and will play an integral role in defining the outcome of the project.”
The designer is to know their way around “Shooters, MMO’s, RPG’s, or RTS games,” (all of the games, then), and “demonstrated experience with advancement, itemization and progression based systems.”
Cor. I don’t think any of Epic’s output to date could be said to include an economy, so this is brand new. Perhaps expect an MMO based on subsidiary Chair’s astonishingly successful Android thing, Infinity Blade. What do you reckon?
Thanks to VG247 and the good old Gaffers who first spotted this intriguing development.