There have been a number of big game announcements this year, and one of the most mysterious is developer Gameloft’sDungeons & Dragonsadaptation. In recent years,Dungeons & Dragonshas had a massive surge in popularity, and Gameloft is working to bring their own unique spin to the franchise. The developer’s latest project,Disney Dreamlight Valley, is vastly different from the world ofD&D, but there could still be some great sources of inspiration from the life sim.
Announced back in March, Gameloft revealed that the developer’s Montreal studio would be taking up theD&Dmantle. With this being the same studio responsible forDisney Dreamlight Valley,many have wondered how Gameloft Montreal plans to go about adapting such a different IP. Despite the hush-hush nature of the project, there are at least a few things known aboutwhat Gameloft’sD&Dgame has in store. From sharing the same setting withBaldur’s Gate 3and embracing survival and life-sim aspects, this iteration ofD&Dsounds quite unique. Although it seems like the complete opposite ofDisney Dreamlight Valley, the cozy sim has one mechanic that theD&Dgame should take note of; the weekly DreamSnaps challenge.
Gameloft’s D&D Game Embracing DreamSnaps Would Work Wonders For Community Building
Keeping Players Engaged in a Unique Way
The concept of DreamSnaps is a simple, but clever, way that Gameloft has used to encourage regular player participation. InDisney Dreamlight Valley’s DreamSnaps challenges, the game offers a unique prompt and theme every week that tasks players with taking in-game pictures in order to win rewards. The weekly prompts require players to meet a list of requirements that must be in the photo in order to qualify for these prizes.
It is likely thatGameloft’sD&Dgame andDisney Dreamlight Valleywon’t share many similarities, but the confirmation that there will be at least some sort of life-sim influence leaves the door open for a little bit of crossover. Although a photo mode like DreamSnaps challenges wouldn’t be the most immersive mechanic for aD&Dgame, it still has the potential to be a fun way to bring the game’s community together. WithDisney Dreamlight Valley, many players reach out to others for advice on how to get the best photo for challenges or simply just enjoy sharing their submissions on community subreddits.
There is currently no set release date for Gameloft’s adaptation.
DreamSnaps may be a small feature in the overall gameplay ofDisney Dreamlight Valley, but it’s an effective way to continue engagement with the game. With Gameloft’sD&Dgame being set inthe iconic Forgotten Realms, it will be exciting to see how the studio interprets the setting. There is bound to be plenty of amazing world design that would lend itself to be a prime subject of in-game photos. This type of mechanic may not be everyD&Dfan’s cup of tea, but it could be great for potential players who love community challenges.
Gameloft’s D&D Game Has a High Bar to Achieve
Stepping Out of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Shadow
When it comes to games based around theD&Dname,Baldur’s Gate 3stands as the current king. Now that Gameloft is taking over the franchise’s game adaptation, the studio will have a huge challenge ahead. However, implementing fresh mechanics and taking risks could help set it apart in the long run.
Gameloft may not be able to recapture what Larian Studios did withBaldur’s Gate 3, but having the studio play to its own unique strengths could bring a funD&Dexperience to life. It seems an unlikely source of inspiration, but embracingthe biggest strengths ofDisney Dreamlight Valleymay be the key to bringing another greatD&Dtitle into the spotlight.
