That development on Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn was a lengthy process is well known. Constructing an engine from the ground up, crafting an RPG for the first time, and focusing more heavily on character could not have been an easy task. Fortunately, the team’s hard work continues to pay off. The sales numbers and acclaim surrounding Horizon is nothing short of incredible. If the love of critics and fans do not offer enough proof, then Guerrilla only need look to the awards the new IP has generated.
Yes, a riveting narrative, rich world, and near-perfect gameplay helps Horizon excel on numerous levels. However, lead character Aloy ensures that all of the above is worthy of engagement for 30 or more hours. She’s already a PlayStation icon, standing alongside the likes of Nathan Drake, Kratos, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro and others. During an interview with GamesBeat at Barcelona’s Gamelab event, Guerrilla executive producer Angie Smets details just how the Aloy we know and love changed throughout seven years of development. The studio bore no issues with the game’s lead being a girl. However, the “publishing side” did question whether “she had to be a woman.” Sticking to its guns, Guerrilla tested the concept with focus groups. According to Smets, the testing population seemed ecstatic about the lead’s gender. But other concerns were brought to the fore, concerns that would permanently alter Aloy’s charac...