Dev Diary: Vaults & Match Mutators
Those of you who took part in our recent playtest will recognize a few things in this Dev Diary – Vaults and Mutators!
Two major twists to our upcoming PvE Mode. Mutators apply a random set of mechanics that alter a match from start to finish, while Vaults act as a final test for any Renegade’s wits. Pitting you against the clock, to complete a Vault players will have to run a gauntlet of challenges ranging from obstacle courses, hoards of enemies, and puzzle chambers.
Designed to bring a dynamic, intense, and finale-feeling experience to a match, this Dev Diary delves into the gameplay and thought process behind our PvE Mode coming in Issue #3.
TOURING THE VAULT
One of the key challenges we set out to tackle while developing the new PvE Mode was to create a final experience that felt conclusive in all three major skill areas of gameplay: gunning down enemies, solving puzzles, and avoiding traps.
Connected to the storyline going in Issue #3 that we won’t focus much on here, suffice to say Vaults are a fun, intense, but also demanding addition to gameplay. Across combat challenges, obstacle courses, and event/puzzles chambers, players will have to rush their way to the final chamber to find their reward. In some cases, they may even have to face a boss fight!
Considering Vaults as a well-rounded conclusion to a PvE Mode match, we’ve designed it to test all corners of a player’s skill set and really push them to the limit. 
MUTATORS
Replayability has always been a challenge we’ve never shied away from tackling. Thinking about the overall storyline of Issue #3, we found an interesting angle to which we could add more ways to keep the variables in a match high. One ingredient we’re excited to add is Mutators, aimed at making each match a fresh challenge through an additional randomized mechanic ranging from deactivating your usual Shield restoration, increasing all outgoing and incoming damage, to occasionally finding grenades instead of loot when you open chests and ammo boxes, and loads more varieties.
Each match will have a random Mutator shown on the loading screen, prompting players to adapt their play styles and either mitigate the effects or even use them to their advantage.
We’ve been crafting the PvE Mode to test a player’s entire skill set, as well as provide a sense of achievement and adaptability through ever-shifting odds each time you embark on an adventure across X-Isle. With Issue #3 right around the corner, we can’t wait to see you take on the challenge!
