MachineGames, the developer behind Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, has 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, notably the Wolfenstein series, which often featured violent encounters with animals.
"Indiana Jones is a dog person," stated MachineGames Creative Director Jens Andersson in an interview with IGN. While the game retains the series' signature action and adventure elements, including brawling with human enemies, canine encounters will be handled differently. Instead of harming them, players will find ways to scare dogs away.
Andersson explained the reasoning behind this choice, highlighting the family-friendly nature of the Indiana Jones IP: "It’s a family-friendly IP in many ways...We have dogs as enemies, but you don’t really hurt the dogs. You scare them away."
Set in 1937, between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle sees Indy pursuing stolen artifacts. His quest takes him across diverse locations, from the Vatican to Egyptian pyramids and even submerged temples. While Indy's whip remains a key tool for traversal and combat against human adversaries, dog lovers can rest assured their furry friends will remain unharmed throughout the adventure.
The game launches December 9th on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a PS5 release tentatively scheduled for Spring 2025.
