Square Enix Confirms That Project Athia Will Be An Open-World Game

Project Athia, Square Enix’s upcoming PlayStation 5 and PC title, will be an open-world game according to the publisher. Described as a "thrilling other-worldly adventure" when it was revealed in June, Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda provided more details on Project Athia’s design and how the PlayStation 5 will allow for more detailed rendering of its world.

"The game Project Athia, which we will release for PS5, is an open-world style game in which users can freely move around the game world," Matsuda said to Weekly Tokyo Keizai Plus via a Gematsu translation. "PS5 dramatically improves video technology, such as with the implementation of light-reflecting 'ray-tracing' technology."

"Compared to what you see on PC, it is nearly identical. By utilizing these special traits, we’re able to create incredibly precise imagery. We still plan on developing well-balanced games tailored to a platform’s traits, including smartphone and cloud-based games, but we will never stop developing for high-end platforms such as PS5. Because these things are packed with the best technology."

In the original June trailer, Square Enix teased the game with the tagline "In a world not her own, where resolve will be tested, truths will be questioned, and devotions will be doubted, she will rise." Screenwriter Gary Whitta then confirmed shortly afterwards that he led a team of "A-list writers" from "film, TV, games, and fantasy literature" on this project, which he described as "this immense new universe."

Currently in development by Square Enix’s Luminous Productions studio, Project Athia is yet to be given a release date.