The Division Will Focus On RPG Elements

Ubisoft's upcoming always-online survival shooter, The Division, will include a major focus on RPG elements, as well as survival.

In an interview with Massive Entertainment's Lead Game Designer Mathias Karlson and Design Director Axel Rydby, the duo said that there will be character gear, limited ammo, and food and water will hold a great deal of value.

"Not only do you actually have to go out and look for food and water, but they become very valuable and rare resources that can be used to trade and stuff like that," Rydby explained. "But when it comes to having to drink water and eat food to be able to survive, that's not really what we want from it. Food and water will be a very important part of the game, but players will not need to eat and drink to stay alive."

According to the duo, you'll start out with 72 hours-worth of basic equipment and supplies when joining the game.  But, it won't last you very long, so you'll quickly have to acquire more loot and gear up your character.

Unlike most RPGs, you won't be choosing a certain class when you begin the game.  Instead, your role will be defined as you continue to make "tough" decisions while playing the game.

It was also stated that water and food won't be used to "fuel" your character, but will instead be used to trade for other needed supplies.

Also noteworthy is Karlson's brief comments on driving in the game.  As we've seen in numerous trailers, there are a ton of abandoned cars littered around the open world game, but we've yet to see any driving.  He says, "The way you navigate and move through the city or a game that is open in nature, it's very core to how you experience the world. We are currently investigating what is the best for our game, what can we do to give you the best experience as a player because that is, in the end, what's most important to us."

Rydby also created a scenario in which society has fallen and you're beginning to run out of fuel--do you A) use it to purify water, B) use it to fuel a generator to cook food, or C) to fuel a car?  Clearly, there will be an emphasis on tough decisions.

The Division is scheduled for a Winter 2014 release on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

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