Arena of Valor will be the first MOBA on the Nintendo Switch and has previously been the League of Legends for mobile. At Gamescom 2018, we spoke with Edward Gan, the Game Operation Manager, who told us more about the implementation on the Nintendo Switch. Tencent wants to leverage the full potential of the hybrid console.
The Game Operation Manager Edward Gan presented Arena of Valor to me on a large, modern Samsung television. The Switch was in its docking station and displayed its full graphical potential on the large screen – it definitely has it!
Arena of Valor received a major graphical overhaul for the Switch
Edward Gan told me that Tencent polished the entire graphics for the implementation on the Nintendo Switch. Many details that are now present in the Switch version were not available on iOS and Android.
Love went into the details: At first, I was struck by the detailed textures and shading. Arena of Valor looked better on the big screen than I expected. Such a graphical fine polish is not necessarily needed on smaller mobile screens, as it doesn’t stand out anyway. However, it’s different on the TV.
The map was made more lively: Gan showed me small insects that scurried through the grass during the matches. These were added specifically for the Switch, as the team felt it was important to introduce such finer details.
Heroes now also look good in large format: Every single hero was completely overhauled graphically so that the faces and textures look good on the large television. You can see that as well. Clothing and wings cast realistic shadows, and the movements look fluid. The heroes come quite close to their in-game artworks.
The implementation for controllers was particularly difficult
A lot of time and effort went into implementing Arena of Valor with the controllers. The Switch changes the way the MOBA is played.
On mobile, players use their thumbs: On iOS and Android, players control the heroes and the action with their thumbs on the touchscreen. The left thumb moves the hero, and the right is used for skills and skill shots.
On Switch, there are suddenly buttons: Gan and his team found the implementation on the controller particularly challenging. Which button layout would make sense? By the time the final version was ready, several months had passed. Handling with the controller also changes the use of some champs, and the heroes had to be reworked because the balance was no longer appropriate.
The Switch’s touchscreen is minimally used: Tencent wanted to release Arena of Valor as a true console game. It will be possible to use the touchscreen to operate the mini-map.
All functions are, however, to be used on the controller. Gan himself also recommends using these, as the Switch version was designed for controllers.
Mobile and Switch versions will differ
Arena of Valor will not have the identical version on the Switch as on mobile. Edward Gan: “A lot of the content will look identical between mobile and Switch. However, if you look closely, you will discover many differences.”
Heroes need to be reworked: The champs that are currently top-tier on mobile do not necessarily have to be on the Switch. Gan mentioned that simply due to the different controls, the heroes have received a partial re-balance for the Switch.
Exclusive modes and features on the Switch: Tencent wants to fully utilize the possibilities of the Switch. This also includes the motion sensors of the small Joy-Cons. Thus, there will be an arcade mode on the Switch called “Hook Wars,” in which they come into play.
Players can drag their opponents along with the hook and pull them into their own base for ganks. The motion sensors of the Joy-Cons will be used here to throw the hooks with a swinging motion. This would not be as easy to implement with smartphones.
Content decisions will be made platform by platform: The team will not bring every piece of content from mobile to Switch and vice versa. They will carefully examine which content makes sense for which platform. They also see the Switch and mobile players as a different target audience, with different needs.
Will the Switch release make a breakthrough in the West?
Arena of Valor may be a mega-hit in Asia, but here in Europe, we hardly notice it. Mobile gaming is still in a niche here and is associated with games like Candy Crush.
Arena of Valor is a complex MOBA: I myself played Arena of Valor on my smartphone. I would rather not say how many hours I sunk into League of Legends at my peak. The games do not differ much, especially regarding complexity, at the end of the day. However, the mobile version offers a faster pace and an easier entry.
It is rather the stereotype of mobile games that still prevents players from getting into games like Lineage2Revolution or Arena of Valor on their smartphones.
Tencent is not specifically looking at the West: During the presentation, I asked Edward Gan if Tencent believes it can also make a breakthrough in the West with the Switch, especially as it becomes increasingly popular. However, Gan said that developers are really looking at the complete global picture.
The difference is made more between the target audience “console players” and “mobile players.”
What is Arena of Valor? Arena of Valor is a classic MOBA that was previously only available for tablet and smartphone. It is currently the largest mobile game in the world and is incredibly successful in Asia. It is essentially League of Legends for mobile, but plays much faster and allows for an easier entry.
In September 2018, Arena of Valor was released on the Switch. Players who have already played Arena of Valor on their tablet or smartphone will get a “lighter” entry into the Switch version.
Mobile players do not have to start from scratch: In Arena of Valor, different champions are unlocked or purchased with real money. Players who have already unlocked heroes in the mobile version will receive the corresponding in-game currency on the Switch.
If you want to know more about the gameplay, check out our preview report of Arena of Valor on mobile.
