Valkyria Chronicles uses SEGA's proprietary "Canvas" engine

by: Randy - posted: 2/26/2008 11:55:00 PM

Strategy elements.  Real-time action sequences.  Bred for role-players.  Valkyria Chronicles may be working hard towards bucking easy categorization,  but what's got my attention is the new "Canvas" engine, developed internally by SEGA Game Studios Japan, making the 3D environments look like a watercolor painting (and I'm digging the pencil-sketched feel, too).  Valkyria Chronicles will be a PS3 exclusive, coming this fall.  Full press release and two more screenshots after the break.

SEGA’S VALKYRIA CHRONICLES

JOURNEYS TO THE WEST

 

Visually Stunning Role-Playing Game Heads Exclusively to the

 PLAYSTATION® 3 Computer Entertainment System

           

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (February 26, 2008) – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced that Valkyria Chronicles™ a fresh new take on the traditional role-playing genre, is coming exclusively to the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Valkyria Chronicles™ combines strategy elements of conventional tactical role playing games with real-time action sequences. The game takes place in beautiful 3D environments that take full advantage of the processing capabilities of the PLAYSTATION®3 system, giving players breathtaking graphics for a visually astounding gameplay experience.

 

Built upon the new “CANVAS” engine developed internally by SEGA Game Studios Japan, Valkyria Chronicles’ ground-breaking 3D graphics resemble a watercolor painting in motion. The power of the PLAYSTATION 3 system allows the development team to exploit the full potential of the new engine, giving players amazing environments to explore. A new type of tactical battle concept has also been designed for Valkyria Chronicles. Known as “BLiTZ,” this battle concept gives players freedom to strategically move around the environment and attack enemies using real-time controls, something never before seen in the tactical role-playing game genre. The new “CANVAS” engine technology, the “BLiTZ” battle concept and an epic storyline offer players hours of exciting gameplay.

 

Valkyria Chronicles is set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s, Europe divided in two and ruled by the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia, which is situated in the middle of the two great empires. The game follows a hero named Welkin and his fellow soldiers of the Federation’s 7^th Platoon that are fighting against the Empire, who is intent on unifying the continent under its power. The Federation discovers that the Empire possesses a secret weapon, known as the “Valkyria”- an ancient race with special powers thought to exist only in legends. With this new discovery, the fate of the Federation’s ability to win the war and a hope for a better future hangs in the balance.

 

“Valkyria Chronicles’ ‘CANVAS’ engine allows gamers to enter a world that at one time could only be created with paints and watercolors,” said Elliott Chin, Director of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. “With its stunningly unique visual style and the new ‘BLiTZ’ tactical battle system, Valkyria Chronicles is sure to entice gamers to enter its special world and join Welkin and Alicia in their cause to save Gallia.”