Frozen Synapse is a turn-based tactics game that released in 2011 on a few platforms, such as PC. Now, it is being ported to the PlayStation Vita under the name Frozen Synapse: Tactics, and this time developer Double Eleven had to figure out how to go from the PC to a handheld like the PlayStation Vita.
With the PlayStation Vita being very different from a PC, some changes had to be made to the interface to provide a better experience for gamers.
Our real design challenge for Vita was to figure out how we would engineer away from a complex menu driven PC experience to an intuitive design that still maintains the immediacy of the original game. Intuitive for us meant that it should appeal to a much wider audience but at its core should satisfy modern day die-hard tactical shooter fans.
At its core every match in FST, whether you are protecting VIPs in the Campaign or Death-matching in multiplayer, involves placing, previewing and priming your plans. In FST, creating a path and adding orders such as dashing, ducking, aiming and checking corners, is quick and accurate with either touch or button controls.
Focus testing has allowed us to refine how the game’s interface improves on the overall experience. This has resulted in an entirely new on screen display (OSD), which incorporates huge visual and functional changes following a minimalist and context-sensitive design. The new Command Wheel contains all your unit’s orders, retaining everything from the original game as well as introducing some brand new options for casual and advanced players.
This version is also introducing something known as Replay Theater, where you can save your favorite matches for later viewing.
EDITOR’s Note: Previously we had Mode7Games As Developer but were mistaken and corrected it to reflect such. Sorry for any inconvenience.
