By Ken Walton, VP of Growth, Azra Games
In a room, somewhere behind closed doors, the world’s most capable gaming device rests in the palm of a hand. This device is not what you might think. It’s not the latest Xbox or PlayStation. It’s not a high-powered gaming PC. This, my friends, is a smartphone — a device whose gaming capabilities have long been overlooked or dismissed. Let me tell you, this underestimation could be one of the greatest misjudgments of the decade. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s a reality we at Azra Games are shaping with our upcoming game, Project Legends.
As we prepare to subject Project Legends to its first playtest this week, the capabilities of mobile devices, and their inevitable eclipse of legacy gaming devices, is on my mind. The word is out — mobile processors have become pocket-sized juggernauts. The ARM architecture is more capable than ever. Recent processors like the Qualcomm Snapdragon series and Apple’s A-series are powerhouses. They don’t flinch at 3D graphics or extensive in-game physics. Why should they? They’re engineered to impress. So, when we decided to build Project Legends, a 3D action RPG, our development conversation was not plagued with questions of limitations. No, it was alight with the possibilities.
We’re not alone in this mobile frontier, either. The market has given its verdict through the incredible success of portable consoles like Nintendo Switch and Valve’s Steam Deck. The success of these platforms speaks volumes. They’re indicative of a collective yearning for gaming experiences that are both deep and mobile. People are hungry for the convenience of gaming on the go without sacrificing the quality they’ve come to expect from console gaming.
Technology has obliged.
But let’s not get sidetracked; we’re here to break old molds, not fit into them. In Project Legends, we’re using Unity to create expansive open worlds that run equally well on both mobile devices and PCs. These worlds are not mere imitations of what you’d find on a console — they are every bit as detailed and interactive. We’ve paid attention to elements like ambient occlusion, realistic lighting, and dynamic weather — all to ensure an experience that engulfs you, not one that serves as a half-hearted reminder of something you could be playing on a bulkier machine.
This isn’t an ‘attempt’ at bringing console-level gaming to mobile. We aren’t ‘trying’ to do something here. This is doing it. Project Legends is not a test; it’s a statement. When we test our battle system, we expect to hear that the gameplay was fluid, the controls intuitive. The thrill players derive from executing a perfect combo or dodging an attack in the nick of time is palpable, tangible. That moment when you’re teetering on the edge of your seat? Yeah, we think we’re nailing that too, except the seat is wherever you choose to be.
Now, I hear the skeptics: “But mobile screens are too small” or “The touch controls will never be as responsive as a gamepad.” Well, welcome to the future, where you’re not confined to just that little screen. Technologies like Google’s Chromecast or Apple’s AirPlay already allow you to project your phone onto bigger screens. It’s only a matter of time before you’ll be able to steam your favorite mobile titles directly to your 4K TV. Controllers? Bluetooth technologies have made it possible to connect traditional game controllers to your mobile device. The lines between mobile and console gaming aren’t just blurring; they’re being eradicated.
So what are we looking at in the future? Imagine a seamless gaming experience, a continuous handoff between screens without compromising on quality. Begin your adventure on your 4K TV, continue on your tablet while you’re on the train, and complete epic quests as you wait in line for your coffee — all without skipping a beat.
You see, this is not a coup, nor is it a gimmick. It’s an evolution, one born out of necessity and fueled by technological advancements. At Azra Games, we’re not simply riding a trend; we are part of the charge pushing the boundaries. Our bet is not on whether mobile gaming can match the console experience, but on how quickly the remaining skeptics will convert when they see what we and others are achieving.
As for Project Legends, it’s not just another game; it’s our flag in the ground, a demonstration of what’s possible when you’re not afraid to challenge the status quo. Sure, we’ll have the skeptics and the naysayers, but we also have something they don’t — your smartphone, a device of untapped potential sitting snugly in your pocket, waiting to surprise you.
So let it be known: The revolution will not be televised. It will be held in the palm of your hands. Welcome to the future of gaming. Welcome to Project Legends. Welcome to Azra Games, where we’re not waiting for the future; we’re building it.