MachineGames, the developers behind Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, have confirmed a heartwarming detail: players won't be able to harm dogs in the upcoming game. This decision marks a significant departure from the studio's previous work, such as the Wolfenstein series, known for its intense combat, including against animals.
"Indiana Jones is a dog person," stated MachineGames Creative Director Jens Andersson in an interview with IGN. While the game retains the series' characteristic action and brawling, encounters with canine characters will be non-lethal. Instead of harming them, players will find ways to scare them off.
Andersson further explained the reasoning, highlighting the family-friendly nature of the Indiana Jones IP. This commitment to a more compassionate approach to animal representation is a deliberate choice by the developers.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launches December 9th on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a PS5 release tentatively scheduled for Spring 2025. Set in 1937, the game follows Indy's pursuit of stolen artifacts, taking him on a globe-trotting adventure from the Vatican to the Egyptian pyramids and beyond. His trusty whip will be used to disarm and subdue human foes, but thankfully, canine companions are safe from its wrath.
For a deeper dive into the game's mechanics and features, be sure to check out our related article (link to article would go here).