14 DAY TRIAL // Pure Pool is a pool simulation set to launch on the PlayStation 4, and Shaun Read, the creative producer working on the title, was kind enough to answer some questions about the core game experience.
Softpedia: How did the team at VooFoo Studios become interested in creating a simulation of the game of pool and when was the decision to work on next-gen consoles made?
Shaun Read: Well, we clearly like our pool games here at VooFoo and with Hustle Kings we felt we had taken the genre as far as it could go on the last generation of hardware. But with Sony and Microsoft treating us to new toys, it got us wondering just how much further we could take it. As it turns out, quite a bit! With Pure Pool, we’ve really been able to turn the dial up in terms of the visuals, the connectedness of the multiplayer and the overall experience – players are in for a real treat!
Softpedia: You claim that the title will blur the line between reality and video game. What kind of tech are you using to deliver on that promise?
Shaun Read: One of the main features Pure Pool has to blur that line is using what VooFoo are best known for - photorealistic visuals. We also dropped unrealistic features such as power bars and top-down views, as they were too artificial, and replaced them with features such as being able to walk around the table to change views. The implementation of a DNA system, which stores gameplay information about you, the player, so that when you're not around your friends can play an A.I. version of you instead. This way the line between playing against a human and A.I. is also blurred.
Softpedia: Can gamers tweak the simulation level and play a more arcade-focused game of pool, or will the focus be on complete realism?
Shaun Read: Pure Pool has been created to be the most realistic, but at the same time intuitive and approachable, pool game ever made. This in turn means that we are focusing on the complete realism aspect rather than on an arcade aspect.
Softpedia: Does Pure Pool offer opportunities to tweak the rules and create custom game modes?
Shaun Read: Custom game modes aren't supported, but the initial game supports both 8 and 9 ball pool variants along with Killer pool and a VooFoo-designed mode called Accumulator. In addition, we have 4 very compelling mini-games with full online leaderboard support.
Softpedia: How smart will the Artificial Intelligence opponents be?
Shaun Read: We've spent a lot of time making sure that the A.I. opponents in Pure Pool feel more like you are playing against another person. For example, rather than taking a perfect, calculated shot immediately, there will be a time delay where the A.I. looks around at all the options available.
This ensures that there's an element of human error emulated, but without jeopardizing the difficulty level. It works in the same vein as the DNA system we have in place for A.I. versions of human players.
Softpedia: How does the DNA system work in Pure Pool?
Shaun Read: Each time a game of pool is played, a wide selection of data is stored to your profile. This varies from how hard you tend to hit your shots, if you often use heavy spin on the cue ball, if you go for pots or play safe or even how long you think before taking a shot. This data gets added to your profile, and after just a few games, creates your DNA player.
Your DNA player is always online, so if your friend wants to challenge you to a game and you're not around, they can still challenge an A.I. player that plays with all of your traits – and vice versa. Our goal has always been to blur the distinction between playing a Real Player online and playing an A.I. opponent. The DNA system really does make this a reality.
Softpedia: Social elements represent one of the trends for next-gen consoles, how are you planning to persuade players to interact with one another?
Shaun Read: Online multiplayer is an area that we’ve built from the ground up to provide players with a system so streamlined that LIVE gameplay is virtually indiscernible from offline play. We want the user to be competing against other players from around the world in fully synchronized gameplay within seconds of booting the game, as the menu system on booting the game makes it so easy to connect you straight to online play.
Softpedia: Are there plans to offer a full league system with persistent stands or to organize competitions based on Pure Pool?
Shaun Read: Pure Pool has an online league mode. This is where you can host a league by inviting everyone you'd like to play against, and proceed to have a predetermined number of matches against each other to decide the winner. For fans of Hustle Kings, this should be a massive improvement for hosting tournaments and leagues.