Blackwater is Zombie's latest shooter, your choice of Kinect or controller
Blacklight: Tango Down and Blacklight: Retribution developer Zombie Studios continues its series of shooters with the word "black" in the title with Blackwater, a First Person eXperience (no, really ... that's what it says) shipping for Kinect this fall.
Named after the controversial private security company, Blackwater gives players the option of ditching the controller in favor of a hands-free experience. The game was developed "in conjunction with former members of the Blackwater team" to make sure all the moves and gestures are authentic. If using a controller feels more authentic to you (hey, Joystiq reader!) then you'll be glad to learn that the game is "also playable with a standard controller." We'll track it down at E3 this week to get our hands (and not hands) on it.
Show full PR text
505 Games Drops Players Into High-Octane Shooter Combat With Blackwater,
Coming Exclusively to Kinect for Xbox 360®
Los Angeles, CA – June 6, 2011 – Global videogame publisher 505 Games today announced Blackwater, an immersive First Person eXperience (FPX) coming exclusively to Kinect for Xbox 360®. Produced by Pantierra and developed by Zombie Studios, Blackwater is titled for the former name of the private security company founded in 1997 by Erik Prince, a former Navy SEAL, to provide training support to military and law enforcement agencies.
Blackwater reinvents the modern combat shooter genre by giving players the ability to completely control the gameplay experience using a traditional controller or Kinect for Xbox 360's controller-free abilities which introduces an unprecedented level of immersion to the FPS genre.
"This game and its immersive Kinect-based approach will give players the chance to experience what it is like to be on a Blackwater team on a mission without being dropped into a real combat situation," said Prince.
505 Games will be providing a first look at the title to select press during the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, June 7-9, 2011.
"The Blackwater team is comprised of an amazing group of individuals and we're proud to work with them to create a video game that showcases their talent and courage," said Ian Howe, President, 505 Games. "Being able to get the controller out of player's hands with Kinect and have them on the ground and immersed in the experience will give them a glimpse of what it takes to be a member of an elite fighting force."
Based on a fictional story, the game was developed in conjunction with former members of the Blackwater team to ensure accuracy of moves, gestures and gameplay. The game also features a selection of officially-licensed weapons for your soldier to choose from.
Blackwater is an intense, cinematic shooter experience unlike anything you've ever played before. Lead a team of Blackwater Operators protecting a fictional North African town, battling dangerous warlords and fighting back two opposing militia forces. Using the motion-sensing Kinect controller players can do everything from moving their character to aiming and firing a weapon as you work your way through pressure-filled missions. The game is also playable with a standard controller.
Blackwater is scheduled to release in fall 2011. The game is developed under a trademark license agreement. ESRB rating for this game is pending. For more information on 505 Games, please visit their official website at www.505Games.com.
