Forget flying cars and hoverboards: What if the future were filled with hulking robots that fight each other for entertainment? If that hypothetical interests you, look no further than دنیای مکانیک, the squad-based mech shooter from استودیو 369 that’s out today for $19.99 USD on متا کوئست 2.
In دنیای مکانیک, brave pilots and their mighty bipedal tanks team up to compete in combat zones all over the world. The single-player campaign will teach you the basic strategies of mech warfare across 20 different missions, and you can use the cash and experience points you earn to upgrade your mechs for the 4v4 multiplayer matches. The game has 32 mechs in all, each representing one of eight classes that have unique roles and abilities on the battlefield.
The key to winning online is to coordinate with your squad and make sure everyone understands how the different classes complement each other. To find out more about دنیای مکانیک, we spoke with Studio 369 Game Designer James Arbaje about why the team wanted to make a fast-paced mech shooter and how they plan on updating the multiplayer modes in the future.
Tell us about Studio 369. How did the team get into VR development?
James Arbaje: Our team has a lot of experience developing for various platforms from VR to mobile. At the end of 2020, we’d been working on a few different prototypes that were in different states. In early 2021, we started to focus on دنیای مکانیک and eventually connected with Meta to release it on Quest 2.
Where did the idea for دنیای مکانیک come from? Were you inspired by other multiplayer mech shooters?
JA: We’re inspired by a number of games. Our team is really passionate about mech games and shooters in general, so it was a lot of fun to put our spin on it for VR. The main goal with دنیای مکانیک was to bring a team-based mech shooter to VR that felt familiar and fun. Making it accessible and easy to pick up was a top priority, so we went with a more arcade-y feel and tried to stay away from too many simulation elements. VR really lends itself to the massive scale that these robotic suits are known for, so when you’re in a light Mech and a heavy Mech walks towards you, just towering over you, it’s a feeling that you can’t really get on any other platform.
Can you talk about the different game modes?
JA: For the online multiplayer playlist we have four different game modes: Deathmatch, Domination, Assault, and VIP. Deathmatch is a classic team slayfest—rack up points by eliminating enemy Mechs. In the Domination mode, your team competes for three objective zones—capture and defend them to accrue points over time. For Assault, each team has a base zone near their spawn that they need to defend while trying to capture the opponent’s. In the VIP mode, each team is randomly assigned a VIP that is the only Mech worth points for eliminating: You’ll need to work together to defend your own VIP while trying to eliminate the opponent’s. When a team’s VIP is eliminated, another team member will be randomly selected as the new target.
All of our online game modes last up to six minutes. This length was chosen to ensure everyone would be able to enjoy matches without forcing them into longer sessions.
What kind of upgrades can you make to your Mechs? How many different weapons and abilities are there to choose from?
JA: There are 32 Mechs total that fit into eight different Mech classes. All eight Mech classes have a unique special ability that’ll charge over time. The Scout class, for example, has a Stealth ability that hides them from enemy radars, makes them near invisible while moving and completely invisible if standing still, and prevents enemies from locking onto them. The heaviest class, the Juggernaut, has a Drop Shield ability that’ll regenerate all your shield points and lays down a large shield wall to cut off enemies from choke points or defend your teammates. All Mechs have three upgrade slots: one for the Mech itself to upgrade stats like max health or speed, then one slot per weapon to upgrade its reload speed or firepower.
What are your favorite mechs and classes to use?
JA: My favorites right now are the Wraith, which is a Scout Mech, and Javelin, which is a Trooper Mech. The Scouts are super fast but still pack a punch for their size. The Troopers are great medium Mechs for a mix of defense and offense. Their special ability is a placeable Proximity Mine, which is great for surprising enemies who are trying to flank you.
واکنش بازیکنان آزمایش کننده چگونه بوده است؟
JA: Playing with the testers and community members has really been a blast so far. We focused on making the game easy to pick up and jump into the action, and by their reactions, it seems like it clicks with people. The controls are intuitive, and while the game does retain an arcade-y feel, the fact that there aren’t as many simulation aspects allows players to immediately immerse themselves in the combat and team strategy.
چگونه برای به روز رسانی برنامه ریزی می کنید دنیای مکانیک در آینده؟
JA: We’ll release a roadmap after the game launches with our plans for the future. We’re interested in adding maps, modes, quality of life updates, and potentially hosting tournaments and other events for the community. We can’t wait to hear the feedback at launch.
Any tips for players before they start competing online?
JA: For starters, I’d say make sure to play the tutorial to get a grasp on the mechanics, and check out the campaign for a mission-based story mode that helps you gain cash and XP for unlocking more Mechs and upgrades. Try the different Mechs and learn the nuance to the different class synergies. For example, the radar system works so everyone “spotted” by one of your teammates will be targetable by lock-on weapons—so Snipers might want to stay in the shadows while Scouts infiltrate the enemy line to get a crossmap lock-on. There are a lot of strategies for the different game modes, so make sure to use the in-game voice chat to communicate!
Team up and dominate the competition online in دنیای مکانیک برای Quest 2.
