Forget what you thought you knew about Tom and talking Friends-outfit 7 is entering a bold new chapter for its beloved characters. ,
And the leadership of the charge? Talking me Tom Friends 2Which is already live and ready to download.
This is not just a sequel, however, it is a full neighborhood makeover – to explode with more personality, to detect more places, and characters that feel more alive than ever.
Barabara Arman, behind this ambitious change, is Principal Game Designer (Ekipa2 Doo assistant) in Outfit 7.And we have been lucky to get the inner scoop about how this lively new world was built, now what fresh system is in sports, and how they balanced all this innovation with the timeless attraction fans.
What was it Overall vision for Friends 2, and how did you bring it to life from the perspective of gameplay?
Barbara: The vision for the sequel was to make something that really felt alive-a vibrant, dynamic neighborhood where the characters did not hang out just one place, but their own unique houses could find the players. It was about feeling the game like a real -world experience, not just a set of rooms to navigate. We had to think about the upper -forming systems working together, to ensure that the personality of the characters was reflected in every detail. The target was to provide a harmonious experience while on track with production and keeping it in balance.
How is the new game first different from one in terms of gameplay mechanics, character development and player experience?
We have expanded how the world of Tom Friends 2, who talks to me, feels and works. Instead of all the characters living under a roof like the first game, we have created a complete neighborhood for them to call home. Each friend now has its own home that really shows who they are, who opens more space for storytelling and emotional depth.
We also made some major improvements under the hood-especially when it comes to how the characters behave. Now they have more autonomy, which means they will answer what is happening around them by smart, natural methods. All this makes it feel more alive and comfortable. Another fun addition is the day and night cycle, which helps the world feel that it is moving and changing, a slight surprise based on the day’s time. In addition, a big leap is definitely definitely that the English voiceover will be included in the game-but for now, which can only apply to English-speaking markets.
The characters are different from the first game. Why that change was made, and how does it affect the gameplay?
We refreshed the brand and gave the characters a little more lead – felt them more real, more independent, you know? Less than that super cute energy, and a “Hey, I am getting my own thing” vib. We also promoted their animation so that their personality could also be bright. We did not just change how they look – we gave them a strong voice, boulder approach and a new sense of identity. It is as if they were always in them, and now they finally meet to show it. The same crew, but with more edge and personality.
How did you ensure that the personality of each character brings more clearly in friend 2?
All this comes down for personalization. We ensured that every house had its own styled style-home-second interactive items, color and vibe in layouts. It is not only about objects, but how to tell a part of each place character’s story. Players can host a performance in Tom’s house or play with Bug Vivarium in Hack’s house, and a group of other activities in other homes. We also sewed the system of needs and desires, making it more personal and reliable. Players can now choose to whom they interact with and build their emotional relationship. This is about giving players freedom to experience experience while staying right for the essence of each character.
Talking about characters, how does the voice play in the overall emotional design of the game?
The voice is a game-changer. It actually breathes life in characters. We are experimenting with English lines in some markets and keeping things fickle with gibbacks or our invented language in others. This idea is to make the game feel like an interactive film, where the characters speak in a language that you can understand, can spark more curiosity, motivate them to experiment, follow the story or develop it for yourself. It is technically one of the complicated parts of the project, but the initial response has been amazing. It combines humor, heat and personality, and it has made the experience even more immersive.
How did Rebrand affect the direction and character behavior of the game?
Rebrand fully combined what we were already doing for the game. We worked closely with the Rebrand team to ensure that the design, animation and everything else matches new vision. It was just more than a visual overhaul-it was about preparing a more harmonious and integrated identity for the characters on every stage.
How did you design the homes of the characters?
Each house is perfectly unique and conforms to reflect the personality of the character. We did not recycle assets; Every detail-layout, color, interactive elements were designed to fit as the character. Even outsiders are designed to make it easier for players to identify who lives there. Customization updates will come very quickly, but in the global launch, we are sticking with this strong foundation.
Will you call friends a 2 life-simulation game?
Absolutely! This is the nearest style-an open experience where players shape their journey. There is no right or wrong way to play; It is all about personal choice. We ensured the players to give a lot of quick-passe moments everywhere such as choosing a character in a minigam, spraying from tones pictures, selecting the color of their favorite RC car, or even deciding to eat. These small options actually resonate with players and feel the world alive. It is a simulation of life everyday that is packed with meaningful moments and endless recurrence. Any two games are never the same, and players have complete freedom to find out their stories, use and make their stories.
What about progress? Is there a story arc, or is it all open?
We have taken a more structured approach to progress this time. In the first game, it was slightly more hidden than the player, a background system of unlocking most of the materials returned to a player game each day. But in Tom Friends 2 talking to me, we have linked the progress directly to the wheel-day cycle. It is also how the players are at the level and level Unlock new characters and their homes, props and materials, which helps the trip feel more tangible and satisfactory. It is still open, but now it seems that you are slowly moving towards something big and it is easy to see what you are unlocked.
Will the neighborhood expand in future?
We have already received exciting plans at speed. For example, a water park trip with a global launch is coming. These trips will now be completely interactive places, not only static screens. We will continue to connect new events, new places, and possibly more houses. The player’s response will definitely play a big role in shaping what we do.
What was the most challenging part of the project?
This was not a very big challenge, but a lot of interconnected. To make sure that everything was working together was difficult. A challenge was knowing that when a feature was “done”, we did not want to take the risk of over-polish or over-engineering and losing focus. But we handled it well and everything went well.
What are you most proud of?
I really proud how the game world came together. Everything naturally flows from mini-game to core gameplay. It is compact, yet is filled with meaningful materials, and is comfortable, yet it is leveled with depth. We have created something that feels alive without overwhelming the player. And the fact is that the team took ownership and gave such high quality work in such a short time, something that I am really proud of.
How do you imagine the last question of Talking Tom and Friends Franchise that are developing over the next few years?
I Believe in creating experiences echoed with our fans. Whether it is creative, fiction-driven, challenging or social, we want to craft the world that feel harmonious and fresh. As long as we are connected to what the players want, I think the future is incredibly exciting. We are always looking for new ways to develop and develop with them.
You can download my Talking Tom Friends 2 on Android and iOS – Just click here,
