As part of the D23 Disney & Marvel Games Showcase presentation, Disney officially announced the surprise development ofTron Identity.Tronisn’t a particularly big gaming franchise anymore, at least compared to the 80s. But Disney is aggressively seeking partners for licensed projects andTronandTron Identityare the result.
The official announcement was made via a short teaser trailer that focused entirely on teasing that the game is part of theTronuniverse. The video featured aTronidentity disc slowly lighting up, almost like a loading bar reaching 100%. The only other details confirmed in the trailer are thatTron Identityis being developed byBithell Games, in partnership with Disney, and that the game is planned for release in 2023.
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While the shortD23trailer forTron Identitywas short on information, more was revealed via a Steam profile for the game that went live after its announcement.Tron Identityis described as a visual novel adventure following detective program Query. Query is a part of a new Grid, abandoned by Users and left to its own, investigating a crime that threatens the Grid’s future. Gameplay will involve branching decisions that actively impactTron Identity’s story, all helping Query solve the mystery at the game’s heart.
As noted,Tron Identityis developed by Bithell Games. Bithell is known for its diverse indie offerings, includingJohn Wick Hex,Thomas Was Alone, andVolume. More recently, Bithell has focused on adventure games includingSubsurface CircularandQuarantine Circular, as well as the espionage-based solitaire gameThe Solitaire Conspiracy. Bithell’s past works should make clear a novel intent to tell exciting stories through experimental gameplay.
What the announcement ofTron Identitydoes, perhaps more than anything, is showDisney’s interest in experimenting with its game licensing. It’s difficult to imagine anyone predicting a Disney visual novel being made for release in 2023, let alone aTronvisual novel. Yet with Bithell Games working onTron Identity, it’s an exciting project and a unique opportunity.
Tron Identityisn’t the only example of Disney seeking interesting gaming partnerships. Disney could easily settle for major partnerships likeMarvel’s Spider-Manfrom Insomniac Games. Instead, there are games like the tactical RPGMidnight Suns,Pokemon GOdeveloper Niantic’sMarvel: World of Heroes, Nintendo Switch-exclusive co-op platformerDisney Illusion Island, and a remaster of the Sega Genesis game Gargoyles.Tron Identityis in good company.
Tron Identityreleases in 2023 on PC and consoles.
