Pragmata’s Times Square is so superior to New York City’s real hellscape
Pragmata, Capcom’s upcoming sci-fi third-person shooter, features a notable early-game sequence set in a 3D-printed recreation of New York City’s Times Square, created using moon-based technology. The virtual version faithfully recreates the iconic Manhattan landmark with characteristic yellow cabs and towering digital billboards, but with deliberate design improvements that make it superior to its real-world counterpart.
The article draws an amusing contrast between the meticulously designed virtual Times Square and the actual location, which is widely avoided by New Yorkers despite being a major tourist destination. Rather than recreating the chaos and unpleasantness of the real site, the developers appear to have preserved the visual identity while creating a more refined version. The sequence is inhabited by the game’s protagonists—astronaut Hugh and android Diana—as they navigate early story missions.
This Times Square level represents a substantial portion of Pragmata’s opening gameplay, indicating it plays a significant narrative role in the story. The level design showcases Capcom’s commitment to detailed environmental recreation for interactive experiences, while also demonstrating how video games can reinterpret real-world spaces with intentional creative improvements.