TOKYO, Japan — Amid the flood of fantasy worlds and acquainted mythologies on show at Tokyo Recreation Present 2026, Indonesian developer Agate is betting with their upcoming sport, Blades of Mirage, that Southeast Asia itself could be the star of the present.
Blades of Mirage attracts inspiration from the area’s temples, waterways, folklore, and island cultures, weaving them right into a fantasy setting that feels distinctly Southeast Asian whereas remaining accessible to gamers around the globe.
For Andhika Widya Poetra, product advertising and marketing supervisor for Blades of Mirage, the thought got here from a easy remark: Southeast Asia has lengthy been a supply of inspiration, however not often the centerpiece.
“Bali has at all times been there. Boracay has at all times been there. The Philippines has at all times been on the market. However up till now, nobody is making one full package deal that may be loved as Southeast Asia,” Poetra informed Tech INQ throughout the sport’s demo on the Tokyo Recreation Present.
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Constructing a Southeast Asian fantasy
The result’s a sport set throughout the islands of the Brightness, a world impressed by cultures and landscapes from throughout the area.
Whereas Indonesia serves as a serious affect, the crew additionally appeared to the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and different neighboring nations when designing the sport’s environments, structure and visible motifs.
“It’s not solely the temples or the ocean. It’s additionally the statues, the map, the biome. We take inspiration from particular areas in Indonesia and several other customs from the Philippines and Thailand,” Poetra mentioned.
That regional affect extends past the surroundings.
Even the sport’s water-based weapons emerged from the crew’s effort to attach gameplay mechanics to the identification of the area itself.
“It’s not random like ‘Hey, let’s use water.’ It’s as a result of we’re wealthy in water. We have now a number of rivers and a number of sea. That’s why we’re considering a water-based weapon may work on this narrative and idea,” Poetra mentioned.
Fairly than starting with both mythology or gameplay, Poetra mentioned the sport’s narrative, visuals and fight methods advanced collectively over the course of its roughly three-year growth cycle.
The strategy displays a problem acquainted to many Southeast Asian studios: showcase native tradition with out decreasing it to aesthetics alone.
Poetra is cautious to not place Blades of Mirage as a definitive illustration of Southeast Asia.
As an alternative, he sees the challenge as a place to begin for bringing extra of the area’s tales to gamers around the globe.
“We strive as a lot as we will. I don’t need it to be overpromising as a Southeast Asian consultant. However we expect it ought to begin someplace, and we’re making an attempt to begin it,” Poetra mentioned.
Gameplay comes first
Blades of Mirage is initially an action-adventure expertise that includes what Poetra described as “slightly bit souls-like fight.”
Whereas the Southeast Asian setting could appeal to consideration, the studio believes gameplay will decide whether or not gamers keep invested.
“We need to concentrate on a very good, stable expertise first. We don’t need to lag behind in sport mechanics simply because we had a very good visible idea,” Poetra mentioned.
The sport’s major story can be totally playable at launch, with facet content material that displays the builders’ lighter facet.
Based on Poetra, some quests draw inspiration from on a regular basis Southeast Asian experiences, together with the area’s fondness for stray cats and web tradition.
Regardless of its regional roots, Agate has already seen indicators that the sport’s attraction reaches past Southeast Asia.
Moreover, Poetra talked about that the inside demo testing confirmed sturdy curiosity not solely throughout the area but additionally in markets similar to america and China.
“I believe we’re within the age the place it’s only a matter of delivering enjoyable. The others are going to be one other promoting level and one other supply of data for them. However on the finish of the day, if it’s good design and good sport mechanics, they’ll take pleasure in it,” Poetra mentioned.
Blades of Mirage is at present in growth and is scheduled for launch in 2027.
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