Max Schaefer, CEO of Echtra Games and developer of Torchlight games and other Action RPGs, talked to Game Rant about the future of his studio, Torchlight 3, and more. Torchlight 3 is the long-anticipated sequel of Torchlight 2, an ARPG beloved by many. As such, it had the onus of building on that legacy. Torchlight 3 is also its own game with a different collective vision for it, making this title stand out from the previous two.
Torchlight 3 mixes originality with traditional features of the saga, but it is also seeing for the first time in the history of the series the addition of a fifth class called the Cursed Captain. Schaefer also shared with Game Rant his thoughts on the direction Diablo games are headed towards with both Diablo 2: Resurrected and Diablo 4, and how he feels both nostalgic and excited to play a remastered version of the game he worked on. Interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
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Q: Did the previous entries in the Torchlight series influence Torchlight 3? If so, how?
A: Of course! Since we are mostly a different team than the one that created the original Torchlight games, we feel an immense level of responsibility to the franchise. Since those are both beloved games, we have an equal responsibility to the fans of those games. At the same time, we have our own voice and new ideas, as well as evolving developer/publisher needs, so we pushed the envelope in a few ways with some of the new features.
Q: Many Torchlight 3 players are returning to the series out of love from the previous chapter, and they likely know a thing or two of the world of Torchlight. What would you want these players to take from this experience? What would your tips to new players be, instead? Is there anything you would want them to know before they delve into T3?
A: We aimed for people to feel comfortable once they started playing TL3, but at the same time have everything be new. We didn’t repeat any player characters or settings, and yet it will all feel familiar. Our skill system with the Relics is a little different, and players will discover that immediately after creating their first character. It gives some great combinations and different ways to play any individual character, so we encourage players to make multiple characters and try different builds. Otherwise, just sit back and enjoy the ride!
Q: The world of Torchlight 3 seems much more vibrant than the one of Torchlight 2. It feels even more alive, somehow. Is this something you've been actively working on to enhance players' immersion?
A: Sure. Every time we make a new game, we bring all the experience from previous games and see where we can make improvements. We tried hard to make our environments feel alive, with lots of movement, and a sense of story within the levels that gives the impression these are lived-in places that are the product of their inhabitants. So instead of just making the “forest level” or the “desert zone,” we’re making the shanty villages of the Voltura, or the remnants of the goblin-human battle zones.
Q: Torchlight 3 retains the style of animated 2D cutscenes from previous games, but it also introduces in-game 3D scenes from time to time. For future content will you consider the possibility to make 3D cutscenes as well, or do you think of the 2D ones as defining for Torchlight's narrative?
A: I think both styles of cutscenes work. For TL3, we liked to tell meta-story with the 2D cutscenes, but set up individual locations and action in-game. Going forward as a studio, it’s always a game-to-game decision, but we’ll probably always lean into the in-game 3D cutscenes.
Q: With how the story of Torchlight 3 ends there are plenty of options for either story DLCs or new games entirely. Is this something you have been thinking of, or even begun working on?
A: After this update, we’ll be leaving the franchise in the hands of Perfect World Entertainment. Our studio has been acquired by Zynga and we’re on to new and great things. However, we are excited for people to experience this update for Torchlight 3, with the new Cursed Captain character class and tons of quality-of-life and performance improvements. We’re confident we’re leaving the game in a good place.
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Q: Torchlight 3 introduces brand new characters, just like its predecessors. Which class is your favorite, and why?
A: This is a tough question. I’m partial to the Forged, as it’s our first Mechanica class, but I also love the absurdity of the Railmaster, who has a literal train following him around. We’ve always tried to be creative with our classes and bring something new with each one, and I think those two really deliver.
Q: Things are about to get spooky in Torchlight 3 with the arrival of the Cursed Captain hero class. Can you tell me more about it, both in terms of concept and abilities?
A: The Cursed Captain is awesome! We really needed a strong summoner class, so this is a welcome addition. But we also wanted to bring back the giant hand cannons from TL2, and what better way than a ghostly pirate pillaging his own shipwrecks for ghastly ghouly cannons!
Q: We've discussed the Cursed Captain, and this is the very first time a new hero class is added to Torchlight games after their release. Are you planning on more similar content for the future? Furthermore, are there specific additions you are working on for the upcoming months, or areas that you feel could use some improvement?
A: As I mentioned above, this is our swan song on Torchlight 3, but we’re happy with where we are leaving the game. There are always more ideas, and we would have been happy making more Torchlight content for years to come, but in this business, things change rapidly, and for Echtra Games, it’s time to open a new chapter.
Q: Besides the previous entries in the series, which were your main sources of inspiration when developing Torchlight 3?
A: Our main inspiration was the previous installments of Torchlight, and of course, the standards of the ARPG genre, but across the studio, we have fans of tons of games, and I think game makers can’t help but bring inspiration from everything they play or see. I know there’s influence in there from everything from Diablo 3 to watching The Mandalorian on TV. Nothing is made in a vacuum, it’s how we advance the industry - standing on the shoulders of giants.
Q: I believe it is safe to assume that in your free time you play video games. How often do you play Torchlight 3? Are the games you play other ARPGs or something else entirely?
A: I can’t help but be in “testing mode” whenever I play TL3, so usually, I am trying an unlikely skill build, or trying to break something. But I’m sure when all is said and done, I’ll settle in for a nice relaxing playthrough, but that’s surprisingly hard to do when you’re so close to a project.
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Q: Some people have been labeling the upcoming release of games like Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 the "new era of ARPGs." How do you feel about it? What does it mean for Torchlight as a series? Are you going to play either of them?
A: Of course we will play them! We have a lot of the team that worked on the original Diablo games, and we’re good friends with the guys at Grinding Gear. The ARPG world is one big family, and we’re fans of both franchises. We don’t see it as competition as much as building the genre.
Q: You worked on both Torchlight 1 and 2, and also Diablo 1 and 2. Are you excited about Diablo 2: Resurrected coming out, later this year?
A: Yes. From everything we can see, it’s very faithful to the original version, and it’s just crazy to think that we’re still playing Diablo 2 this many years later. I think it’s awesome.
Q: With Diablo 2: Resurrected being a remastered version of D2, do you feel a sense of nostalgia, looking back? Are the modern graphics something you ever thought was possible so soon, back in the day?
A: Absolutely, the nostalgia is strong. It’s a lot of fun to see how they modernized things, and to revisit all the monsters and places in that game seen through fresh eyes. I think the project is a lot of fun.
Q: With what you’ve seen of Diablo 4, what do you think about the direction of the franchise?
A: I love it! I think Diablo 3 was a great game and project, but it drifted from where we would have taken it. I think every team should make the game they want to make, so I don’t think they did anything wrong with it, but it’s refreshing for us to see the franchise return to its aesthetic roots.
Q: Lastly, is there anything else you'd like to add, maybe touching on things we didn't cover with the previous questions? Or else, is there anything you wish I had asked, or maybe a message to Torchlight 3 players?
A: First, to Torchlight 3 players, thank you for going on this journey with us! We loved hearing from you, whether it was good or bad, it’s all part of the process. We hope we’re leaving the game with you in a good space, and you have fun playing the new update. We think it’s pretty great. Second, keep an eye on Echtra Games. We’re doing incredibly exciting things with Zynga, and while it will be a while before anything is announced, it’s going to be something you’ll be very interested in.
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Torchlight 3 is available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
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