Surf World Series was announced in December and is slated to release sometime this year. This is the first surfing game on console since 2002 and while no release date has yet to be announced, lead producer Jamie Fisher shared details regarding the gameplay and what to expect from the game.
In an interview with Red Bull, Fisher spoke about the decision to go in the direction of an arcade game as opposed to simulation for Surf World Series. While some surfing fans are upset that the game is going in that direction, Fisher acknowledges some of the issues going simulation for a game like this is. The explanation may not be what some surfing fans want to hear.
“The problem with any kind of simulation game, be that surfing, space flight, anything, it becomes difficult for people to get into. The deeper, more simulation you have, you’re decreasing your appeal to a broader audience while increasing your appeal to a specific one. I think, for us, it was important to get as many people into the game as possible. We didn't want to make a game that takes 12 hours for you to get used to standing up on the board, to be able to then surf, we wanted something that was snappy and had an immediate appeal.”
Fisher also dived into the features and game modes in Surf World Series. One of the big features for the game is the customization for surfers. Players will have six characters (three males, three females) to choose from and personalize with their choice of wetsuit, shorts, top and surfboard with numerous designs and prints on all of them.
The action in Surf World Series will take place at five of the most recognizable beaches in the world including Bells Beach, Australia, and Waimea Bay, Hawaii. There will 45 single player challenges that will take place in five different season circuits, all five at different difficulties. There is also an online component that could include up to 16 players facing off in various challenges and competitions. Just like in real-life surfing competitions, the best tricks win. Master high-level tricks including the Superman and Sushi Roll to defeat the competition.
Realism is important for Surf World Series and the physics engine for the waves will be an important aspect to make the game feel as real as possible. How the waves move, whether waves change in different weather and if the waves differ between day and night surfing will be the things that will be looked in Surf World Series. According to Fisher, this was the one thing that the team at Climax Studios focused on most.
“The wave itself was a technical challenge that I'm not particularly well equipped to go into too much depth on, but I know that waves definitely gave us a few late nights. It's really come together and we're really quite happy with what we can do with it now, however.”
Surf World Series is set for release this year for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam. What are your thoughts about Surf World Series? Does it look like a game you would buy? Let us know in our comment section.
