Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Won't Let the Unforgiveable Happen

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, known for its often brutal depictions of violence.

A Dog-Friendly Adventure

Creative Director Jens Andersson explained the reasoning behind this choice to IGN, stating, "Indiana Jones is a dog person." While the game retains the series' signature action and adventure, the developers have prioritized a family-friendly approach. Instead of harming canine encounters, players will find themselves employing strategies to scare dogs away. Andersson further elaborated, "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."

This compassionate design choice is a refreshing change from other titles where animal violence is commonplace. The game's setting, 1937, places it chronologically between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The narrative follows Indy's pursuit of stolen artifacts, leading him on a globe-trotting adventure from the Vatican to the Egyptian pyramids and even the underwater ruins of Sukhothai.

Players will utilize Indy's iconic whip not only for traversal but also as a weapon against human adversaries within open-world-inspired environments. Rest assured, canine companions are safe from Indy's whip in this adventure.

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.