Predecessor: The Evolution of a Beloved Game
In the world of video games, few stories are as captivating as the journey of Predecessor, a game born from the ashes of its precursor, Paragon. In 2018, Epic Games made the unexpected decision to cancel Paragon, a third-person action multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. However, in a surprising move, Epic Games made all the assets of Paragon freely available to anyone using the Unreal Engine. This decision opened up a world of possibilities for developers and fans alike, including Robbie Singh, a dedicated Paragon content creator who was unwilling to let one of his favorite games fade into obscurity.
Recognizing an opportunity, Singh established Omeda Studios with a clear mission: to create a new game using Paragon’s original assets, one that would pay homage to the original while offering something new and exciting. The result of this endeavor is Predecessor, a game that not only preserves the legacy of Paragon but also charts its own course in the gaming world.
The Genesis of Predecessor
The journey of Predecessor began with a deep love for Paragon and a desire to keep its spirit alive. Robbie Singh explains the motivation behind the project, stating, “Our history with the game is quite special. It was born from the passionate community of Paragon, a game we loved and believed deserved to live on. We, as fans, took up that mantle to evolve that experience, as we know that MOBAs offer something truly unique that no other genre does: the interplay between individual skill and grand team strategy.”
After two years in Early Access, Predecessor made its debut on Xbox in August of the previous year, quickly amassing over 2 million players across various platforms. The success of the game is not only a testament to its quality but also to the growth of Omeda Studios as a developer. As Predecessor approaches its first anniversary, it is clear that the game is more than just a tribute to Paragon; it is a true evolution of Epic’s original concept.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
At the outset, the goal of Omeda Studios was to recreate the game they loved. However, as the project evolved, so did their ambitions. Singh elaborates, “When we began the project, we were thinking only about bringing back a game that we loved, but as we started to reach that goal, our ambitions changed, and we wanted to make a game that we ourselves would want to play a lot now.”
The result is a unique blend of game preservation and innovation. Predecessor not only includes every playable hero from Paragon but also reintroduces Agora, the original Paragon map, in its 1.7 update. Singh notes the significance of this addition: “The history of Agora is quite unique. It was Paragon‘s original launch map, and while it was later replaced, for many, it represented the absolute peak of their experience with the game. For us, especially with many former Paragon players on our team, there’s been this long-standing, almost magnetic desire to bring it back.”
Beyond the Past: New Horizons
While Predecessor draws heavily from its predecessor, it also ventures into new territory. Singh emphasizes that the game has grown beyond its origins: “While it’s true that Predecessor started its life as Paragon, it has unequivocally become something far more. We felt that Paragon was special due to its unique blend of intense 3D action and deep MOBA strategy. However, MOBA design, and game design in general, has evolved significantly since Paragon‘s original release.”
Omeda Studios has worked diligently to create a game that stands on its own, crafting a rich universe filled with original heroes, innovative mechanics, and distinct maps. This ensures that while Paragon veterans will recognize familiar elements, the game offers a fresh and rewarding experience for all MOBA players.
A Console-Friendly Approach
One of the key objectives for Omeda Studios is to broaden the appeal of Predecessor beyond the traditional MOBA audience. The team aims to attract players who may have never engaged with a MOBA before or who have struggled with the genre’s intensity. A significant part of this strategy involves making the game accessible on consoles, a platform where MOBAs have historically struggled to gain a foothold.
Predecessor is designed to provide a seamless experience on a controller, from guiding characters to navigating menus. This console-friendly approach is complemented by the game’s action-focused take on the genre, which naturally lends itself to console play. Singh shares his optimism about this strategy: “Combat and movement are absolutely crucial for console gamers, and I think we’ve really nailed the feeling of both on a controller.”
Embracing Community and Experimentation
A fundamental aspect of Predecessor’s development is its community-driven philosophy. Omeda Studios places a strong emphasis on player feedback, recognizing the importance of connecting with the community to create a game that resonates with players. Singh explains, “Our ambition as a studio is to hit the next level in community-powered game development. We’ve come from the community around the original game – Predecessor started life as a community project, and we think that is what makes us special.”
In addition to community engagement, Omeda Studios adopts an experimental approach to game design. The introduction of ‘Labs,’ a dynamic game mode, allows the team to test new ideas and gather valuable insights before implementing them in the core game. This approach has already yielded successful results, with the ‘Labs: Nitro’ mode proving popular among players.
The Road Ahead
As Predecessor approaches its first anniversary, the game is at a pivotal point in its development. With much of the original Paragon content already recreated, Omeda Studios can now focus more on creating original content and further evolving the game. Singh reflects on the journey so far, “I realize now more than ever that you get pulled in a lot of different directions when you are making games, so I can see how easy it is for people to lose sight of the people you are actually making the game for in the first place, but we always come back to the core of what we think makes Predecessor and Omeda special, which is the fact that we prioritize player feedback above all else.”
The future of Predecessor is bright, with the potential to further innovate and captivate new audiences. It serves as an inspiring example of how a passionate community and dedicated developers can come together to breathe new life into a beloved game, creating something genuinely unique in the process.
For those interested in exploring the world of Predecessor, it is available for free, offering an exciting opportunity to experience a modern MOBA with a unique third-person perspective and high-quality graphics. Whether you are a seasoned MOBA veteran or new to the genre, Predecessor provides an accessible and rewarding gaming experience.
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