In an exclusive interview, Masanori Tanaka, the Producer of Gundam Breaker 4, provided valuable insights into the development of Gundam Breaker 4. Tanaka delved into the game’s key features, addressing the challenges of balancing customization with progression, plans for post-launch support, and how the game aims to welcome both new and veteran players.
Customization and Progression
Tanaka emphasized the team’s focus on creating a balanced and optimized customization system for Gundam Breaker 4. He explained, “We have decided not to make parts that are considered to be somewhat weak. And currently, as far as our parts are concerned, there are 2 elements, namely the level as well as the reality.” This approach ensures that all customization options are viable, providing players with a sense of challenge and meaningful progression as they upgrade and optimize their custom Gunpla.
Tanaka further elaborated on the game’s customization system, stating, “And at the same time, as far as reality is concerned, we have made the framework equal for all of them so that we achieve a target that is similar for every one of these parts.” The developers of Gundam Breaker 4 aim to offer a deep and rewarding customization experience without sacrificing the overall sense of challenge by balancing the parts and their underlying framework.
Diorama Mode and Community Engagement
One of the standout features of Gundam Breaker 4 is the Diorama Mode, which Tanaka is particularly excited for players to experience. He stated, “With the greater ability to do customization as well as a broader availability of the diorama, we look forward to having fans truly experience this new feature through the configuration of Gunpla. And so the diorama is the main feature of this particular work.” This mode allows for greater expression and showcasing of player-created Gunpla, enabling a heightened level of creativity and personalization.
Tanaka hinted at plans to leverage the Diorama Mode for community engagement, saying, “Yes, as we have done for the Open Network test for the Gunpla which we have invited uploads of player creations.” By facilitating the sharing of custom dioramas, the developer aims to foster a vibrant and collaborative community around Gundam Breaker 4.
Matchmaking and Server Structure
Regarding the game’s online functionality, Tanaka acknowledged that there are no plans for region-specific servers at this time. He explained, “At the moment, there is no plan to have the servers in different regions where players can actually click or select which region and which region server they go to. So currently, there’s no such plan. However, there is the priority given to matching for regions that appear to have higher latency. And if that doesn’t work very well on a broader basis, there will be worldwide matching to address this issue.”
While the lack of region-specific servers may disappoint some players, Tanaka’s emphasis on prioritizing low-latency matchmaking and the backup option for worldwide matching suggests the developer’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable online experience for all players, regardless of their geographic location.
Welcoming New and Veteran Players
Tanaka emphasized that the developers have designed Gundam Breaker 4 to cater to both new and experienced players in the Gundam Breaker series. He highlighted the game’s focus on Gunpla customization, stating, “This series is a place where Gunpla are the main focus and because of that, when there is a battle it is possible to hit another Gunpla and have the arms fly off and whenever they have an enemy, which they fight with, it can be a completely different Gundam because of the availability of Gunpla and its configurability.”
Tanaka went on to explain the depth of the customization system, noting, “We actually have 250 of them, in which the head, the body, and the legs could be interchanged so that unique Gunplas could be created and they are highly individualized.” This level of customization and the ability to create truly unique Gunpla are the hallmarks of the Gundam Breaker series, which the developer hopes will appeal to both newcomers and long-time fans alike.
Conclusion
Gundam Breaker 4 appears to be shaping up as a compelling entry in the long-running Gundam Breaker series. Masanori Tanaka’s insights showcase the developer’s dedication to delivering a balanced and customizable experience, while also fostering a vibrant community through the Diorama Mode and other social features. As the game’s release approaches, fans of the Gundam franchise can look forward to an immersive and rewarding Gunpla-building adventure.