Ask Anything About SOMA

[Thomas]

1. Thomas! What are some of you favorite horror-movies?
2. Was this game (SOMA) the original plan ever since you guys finished your last project? (Has there been any scrap-projects you can tell us about?)
3. What do you think is the biggest improvement about SOMA compared to the last games?
4. How do you guys come up with ideas? (How do you like to "brainstorm"?)

1) Coherence most recently.
2) No. But was some ideas for simpler projects (eg Amnesia DLC) if Amnesia didn't sell that well.
3) Production values (sound, writing, art, voice overs, music, tech-wise, everything!), narrative delivery and bringing forward the central themes in a much better fashion.
4) They are hidden a dark, evil place that we bring out through strange rituals. More seriously, most ideas come through lots of iteration.

[Thomas]

Will there be commentary and if not will you be able to make a commentary object in-game?

Afraid not Would love to have but time ran out. Perhaps later on, have to see what we have stamina for

[A.M Team]

Oh crap, new questions!

1. Will the monsters in the game be easier to edit than in Amnesia or just the same?
2. Will it be easier for us Blender users to export .daes into the game?
3. Wad the sound designer from Amnesia back to create the new voices for the monsters?

[SteveR]

I see that many of the doors are the mechanical/sliding type. Will it be possible to lock these doors, and if so, what should we look for in order to do so?

Yes, but not all doors can be locked behind you. Though there are definitely sections in the game where it's a good idea to do so depending on your play style.

[Thomas]

Questions!

1. Depending on the success of SOMA on console, have you given thought to making and releasing a Remaster of Amnesia: The Dark Descent and A Machine for Pigs?

2. Do you already have plans for your next game? If so, how much will your plans hinge on the commercial success of SOMA?

3. Would you consider "outsourcing" development of any future ideas to other studios to help move content-creation along faster (particularly for ports and such)?

4. What is it you hope to hear most from the players and what kind of experiences are you excited for them to be talking about?

Thanks, and Cheers!

1) We will look into it after release!
2) Hinge a lot on the success of SOMA. There is a certain thing in mind, but have to see how SOMA sells first.
3) Already outsourcing porting of Mac and Linux and that is working great. But not entire projects like A Machine For Pigs, just too much work and stress. Want to focus on one thing is possible.
4) To discuss the themes in a deeper fashion. While I love hearing how people shat their pants and stuff like that, would be bummed out if nobody got really unnerved by the subjects that SOMA discuss.

[Thomas]

Oh crap, new questions!

1. Will the monsters in the game be easier to edit than in Amnesia or just the same?
2. Will it be easier for us Blender users to export .daes into the game?
3. Wad the sound designer from Amnesia back to create the new voices for the monsters?

1) MUCH easier. They are script files.
2) Not sure. I think it is slightly better. If a lot of people demand it, we will
3) Tapio? If so, then yes! Tapio has made all sort of disturbing stuff. Look out for blog on the subject tomorrow!

[Leffon]

Hello Thomas,

I'm very exited about SOMA and the PC Mod tools.
How advanced will be Modding for SOMA? Will you be able to create custom stories only or even more than that. For example textures, models, animations or even gameplay effects?

[Paddy™]

Does "No VR at launch" imply that VR might come later, as some hack games journalists seem to think?

[Thomas]

Does player have any stats at all, or is he just a walking camera?

Actually the player is a big fat cylinder!

More seriously: The player will health, similar to Amnesia (but very different means of getting it back). No sanity this time around though, but other things to worry about instead.

[Thomas]

What was the reasoning for adding achievements to the game?

- Required when releasing for PS4
- Nice way for us to track how many complete the game, where most stop playing, etc.
Can turn off them in steam if you really dislike them, so shouldn't be an issue. We have also made sure to only have them in places where they do not break the immersion.