As Dusk Falls - What We Know So Far
Microsoft had plenty of surprises for fans during its July 23, 2020 Xbox Games Showcase, including a host of world premieres. From State of Decay 3 and Forza Motorsport to Avowed and Fable 4, the company provided a fresh offering for multiple genres and playstyles while showing off the power of its next-gen console.
As Dusk Falls, an upcoming interactive drama from indie game studio INTERIOR/NIGHT, served as one of main highlights from the showcase. Caroline Marchal founded INTERIOR/NIGHT back in 2017, and As Dusk Falls will come to the Xbox Series X as the developer's debut title. Marchal previously worked for Quantic Dream as the lead game designer on Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls.
Several former employees from Quantic Dream and other Sony studios followed Marchal to INTERIOR/NIGHT, and that influence shines through in the team's first project. According to GamesRadar+'s John West, "As Dusk Falls represents the next generation of narrative games," and rests at the intersection of "prestige television and story-driven video games."
What exactly is As Dusk Falls about, and when will you get to experience the supposed next evolution in interactive storytelling for yourself? Here's what you need to know.
What is the release date for As Dusk Falls?
Interactive story devotees may have to wait awhile before getting their hands on As Dusk Falls. Like so many next-gen titles and their respective consoles, As Dusk Falls does not have a set launch date. An Xbox Game Studios title, you'll be able to play it on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC when it releases. Unfortunately, PlayStation fans will get the cold shoulder, though, they have plenty of PS5 exclusives to look forward to.
Given INTERIOR/NIGHT opened its doors in late 2017, you can probably assume As Dusk Falls has existed, at least in some form, for over two years. According to an interview with GamesRadar+, Marchal has been waiting for outside feedback on As Dusk Falls since leaving Quantic Dream in 2016. Delving into the reasoning and process behind the game's "stripped-back animation," she also hinted it was well into production.
Forgoing motion capture, INTERIOR/NIGHT instead films actors on green-screen before painting select shots and incorporating them into a 3D set. Marchal partially chose this process to help reign in production. Hopefully, this will allow development to wrap faster, leading to an earlier release date for As Dusk Falls.
Does As Dusk Falls have a trailer?
Microsoft shared an Official Announce Trailer for As Dusk Falls during the July 23 Xbox showcase. Clocking in at just under a minute and a half, the video shows off the title's unique blend of "2D illustration and 3D film capture," creating an aesthetic that resembles a graphic novel. You meet several of As Dusk Fall's hand-painted characters, accompanied by dialogue and carefully framed scenes that hint at their interwoven stories.
The trailer does not specify whether the images shown represent actual in-game footage, but they appear to match how Marchal has described As Dusk Falls' art style. Given that, there's a strong chance that what you see is what you'll get when the title launches. The video also offers the first taste of the game's setting and TV influences. According to Marchal, the team drew inspiration from shows like True Detective, The Wire, Fargo, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad for its characterization, pacing, and subject matter.
What is the plot of As Dusk Falls?
As Dusk Falls kicks off in 1999 when the paths of two families intersect at a motel in the middle of the Arizona desert. The story encompasses events spanning 30 years, with scenes ranging both into the past and the future. You'll switch between characters, seeing the various scenarios play out from multiple perspectives.
In an introductory post about As Dusk Falls, Marchal emphasized the power of interactive stories as a means for personal exploration. By stepping into the shoes of fictional characters, she believes players can uncover more about their true natures. INTERIOR/NIGHT has shaped the narrative of its debut project around the concepts of "of legacy, resilience and sacrifice."
As you experience the cast's struggles firsthand, you'll wrestle with questions like, "Can you break free of the influence of a toxic, but loving, family?" and "Can you overcome your past?" Your in-game decisions will have consequences, shaping personalities and world views, while revealing more about your own personality in the process. That's INTERIOR/NIGHT's goal, anyway, which it plans to accomplish by pushing the boundaries of the interactive genre.