An In-Depth Look at Cross Media MMO Defiance

Defiance is an upcoming Trion Worlds MMO with a new take on the theme of dynamic, persistent game worlds. It is, in effect, part MMO and part Syfy television show where events that happen in-game will be an integral part of the show.

Yes, that’s right. That epic world battle in which you got the top score will be referenced by the actors in the show, maybe as they saunter about killing sci-fi bugs or lounge at the local sci-fi pub. They might even mention you by name, so perhaps now is a good time to consider changing your usual online moniker (I’m looking at you, gamertag wHaZuRcUpSize).

Rock, Paper, Shotgun took an in-depth look at the game half of this media partnership. Check it out the important details after the break.

First, the basics: Defiance is a sci-fi shooter that takes place on a ravaged Earth where various aliens are invading via an ark. The gameplay should be no stretch to “anyone familiar with a shooter”. The setting will be a motley collection of science-fiction shooter tropes – a “jungley-Fallouty-Warhammer 40K”. Some mobs will be insectoid, in perhaps an obligatory nod to Starship Troopers, others will be humanoid cyborgs, in an obligatory nod to just about every sci-fi game or movie ever made. Players will take part in large-scale public quests in much the same way as in Rift, such as defending the area around pieces of fallen ark.

This all sounds fine and good, if a bit generic, but the integration with the television show should definitely be worth looking into. Trion describes the cross-media effort as “two windows in the same universe. For example, if there’s a disaster, the sky turns red and rains acid rain on the TV show, you’ll see that happen in the game.” Aside from possibly getting you an honorable mention in the show, it should allow for two different real-time viewpoints from which to flesh out the world.

As Trion says, “Games are great at delivering action; TV is great at drama; now we can combine that to give you a meaningful story and meaningful accomplishments.” Definitely a potentially rich and powerful idea, as long as they stay away from the product placement and using the TV show to promote the game.