After delaying the game multiple times since it was announced in 2014, Overkill Software is finally ready to releaseOverkill’s The Walking Deadthis year. As it gears up towards the launch of its long-awaited game, Overkill has steadily been revealing more information, including confirming that the game will havefour-play co-op gameplayas well as more information about its playable characters.
Overkill’s The Walking Deadis the cover story of the May 2018 (Issue #148) issue ofOfficial PlayStation Magazine UKand this too includes a few more tidbits about the game. Notably, the report confirms that the game will feature character skins. According toOPM UK’s report, “characters will receive a variety of skins that can be collected through the game’s story.”
OPM UKsays that the developer “wants to avoid making it possible to over-customize the characters themselves.” For example, players shouldn’t expectclose-range fighter Aidanto wear some headgear that resembles a cup of noodles because this would “betray” the vision ofThe Walking Dead. Almir Listo, the global brand director for Starbreeze Studios (the publisher ofOverkill’s The Walking Dead) adds that, “We think customization is important but it needs to be integrated into the universe.”
In the report, Overkill doesn’t disclose exactly what these skins might look like, but based on the comments of authenticity, it is reasonable to think that they will be based on the character’s backgrounds. For example, newly revealedmedic character Mayaused to be a surgeon and was working in a hospital when the outbreak hit. So perhaps Maya will have an unlockable skin that lets her wander around in scrubs.
Although the report explains that these skins will be unlockable throughout the game, some will be wondering exactly how this will work. After all,Overkill’s The Walking Deadwill featureraids that allow players to work togetherto secure supplies and survivors and it sounds as though the gameplay will be especially tough. It’s unclear how players will be rewarded for completing a raid, but maybe some particular fancy skins will be offered for taking part.
Moreover,Overkill’s The Walking Deadwill feature some sort of post-launch support, something which the developer again notes during the cover story. In 2017, the studio confirmed that this DLC would be “high quality” though it didn’t provide any details. Most prospective players of the survival shooter will have been hoping for DLC that adds new characters, locations, and game modes, but judging by the developer’s latest comments, that post-launch support may well include new character skins and customization options too.
Overkill’sThe Walking Deadwill launch in fall 2018 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
