first-person shooter
Latest
Here's the Mac's first first-person shooter from the 80s
If you've ever spent a evening racking up headshots in Call of Duty or Marathon, you should probably pour one out in respect for MazeWars. Originally released in 1974 MazeWars is widely considered one of the original first-person shooters in history. Players moved a selected avatar through a maze looking for their opponent. When you found your opponent you'd shoot a missile at them until they died. Deus Ex this wasn't. By the time the game hit the Apple Macintosh in 1987 the title had made a number of major improvements. Released as MazeWars+ the Mac version included fully 3d levels that, although crude by today's standards, are still incredibly impressive. Players could play with friends online over an AppleTalk network. For a period of time the title was included with the purchase of a brand new Macintosh. Enjoy a few minutes of game play below, it's a delightful reminder of how far Mac gaming has come.
Warface raids towers, captures new modes
Crytek issued a new update for the PC version of Warface this week, adding two new modes to the multiplayer game. The free-to-play FPS received a co-op mode known as Tower Raid, shown in a new trailer for the game, in addition to the Capture versus mode. Crytek also renamed the Claymore mine in the update, changing it to the "Directional Mine," and increased the item unlock progression speed in both co-op and versus modes. Crytek provided the full patch notes in a post on its GFace social platform. There's no word on whether these modes will wind up on Xbox 360 as well. Warface entered its beta phase on the platform earlier this month, and requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play. [Image: Crytek]
FPS Warriors 2 bundle has eight Steam shooters for four bucks
Bundle Stars' latest cheap game pack is the FPS Warriors 2 bundle, which features eight games for $3.98. The game bundle site says the FPS Warriors 2 collection saves players a whopping $80 on total standard price of the games, each available for PC via Steam. The following eight shooters are included in the bundle: Nuclear Dawn, Hard Reset Extended Edition, Painkiller Overdose, Painkiller: Black Edition, AirBuccaneers, Zeno Clash 2, Zeno Clash, and Chaser. If the four-dollar price tag isn't convincing enough, players have plenty of time to buy in, as the bundle is good for the next 28 days. Bundle Stars is also currently selling the Brutal and Kingdoms bundles for the next few weeks.
Free for All: The confused state of Firefall's first few hours
As part of my research for an upcoming article about MMO shooters, I have been playing a lot of Firefall. There are definitely worse assignments in the world. I really, really enjoy the game; I love the fact that I can do almost anything I want even within a short play session and feel as if I accomplished something. Of course, the current enlightened state I am in does not reflect the game's non-newbie-friendly designs. As a matter of fact, the only place I was able to turn for reliable explanations and non-stop answers was a reader of Massively who recognized my name in the chat. This reader and I have played together several times, and he went out of his way to answer all of the newbie questions that should have been answered by the game. I know that the developers have said (through Tweets to me and in other places) that a better newbie experience is on its way. There are also friendly little helper robots sprinkled throughout the game and a handful of helpful videos that can be found as well. So why are so many new players still confused about Firefall?
Rekoil launching on Jan. 28 for PC, Jan. 29 for XBLA as Rekoil: Liberator
Team-based first-person-shooter Rekoil is set for a late January release on PC and Xbox Live Arcade for $14.99, publisher 505 Games confirmed with Polygon this week. Steam users will be able to load up and aim for each other's vital organs on January 28, with Xbox Live Arcade players following suit on January 29 with Rekoil: Liberator. Aside from their names, 505 Games explained that Liberator will be different "in that it does not support mod tools and/or eSports the way the PC version does." The XBLA listing notes multiplayer for up to 10 players, which sounds like a decent-sized group to leverage the game's five classes and 40 weapons against each other. Rekoil will also launch with 10 maps and seven game modes.
Cliff Bleszinski wants to do an arena shooter on PC
"I have a slide deck, I have a pitch, I have concept art, I know pretty much what I want to do." Cliff Bleszinski has his next project in mind: a first-person shooter for PC that pays homage to classic arena shooters like Unreal Tournament and Quake. Bleszinski revealed the news on former Attack of the Show host Kevin Pereira's podcast, Pointless. "It will be a PC experience that will harken back to a certain type of game that we cut our teeth on, if you know what I'm saying." Bleszinski went on to say that "a lot of these kids playing Call of Duty, I don't think they know what a proper arena shooter is" and that he wouldn't "work with the old guard" on this potential new project. "I'll talk to them, have meetings, but the last thing I need is some mid-level marketing guy telling me that, 'Well, traditionally, this doesn't sell well, so we're concerned,' and all that because they're all rearward-looking and it just drives me fucking batshit." In order to fully realize this vision, Bleszinski added, he'd need to have the support of a full studio. Bleszinski, who created the Jazz Jackrabbit and Gears of War series, left Epic Games a little over a year ago. Bleszinski, who was looking for a fresh start, left in order to "redefine" his footprint on video games. In an interview on X-Play last year, Bleszinski said, "I don't really want just the whole chainsaw gun to be my legacy."
Daily iPhone App: Zombie games are alive and well with Dead Trigger 2
There's no shortage of zombie games on the App Store, and many of them vary greatly in terms of quality, which makes taking a chance on a new undead romp a somewhat risky affair. But if you're looking for a zombie-slaying adventure that plays nearly as well as a proper console or PC release, look no further than Dead Trigger 2. Dead Trigger 2 is a first-person shooter set in a near-future where a zombie plague has ravaged the United States. With nothing but a wrench and a handgun to defend yourself, you begin your journey roaming alleyways and dilapidated buildings before meeting your first companion. It's a somewhat generic storyline, but the real treat here is the gameplay itself. As you can see by the screenshots, Dead Trigger 2 is a gorgeous game, and it plays just as well as it looks. Using your thumbs as virtual analog sticks on either side of the screen, you can move fluidly as you dodge and dispatch hundreds of shambling monsters. Firing a gun or swinging a weapon is done automatically as long as you have an enemy in your crosshairs, which helps keep the action extremely fast paced. After the first few missions, you are introduced to a central hub where you can craft items, purchase upgrades and choose your next mission. As is so common these days, you can drop some cash on in-app purchases and get an upper hand, but I'd advise against using this option unless it's absolutely necessary as it takes away a great deal of survival aspect. My singular complaint about the game is that my iPhone 5s actually got quite hot when I played the game. The back of the device in particular became almost uncomfortably warm. I'm not sure if this is an isolated occurrence -- if there's something wrong with my phone itself, for instance -- or if the ridiculous graphics the game is producing are pushing the iPhone 5s' internals to the boiling point. Being free to play, Dead Trigger 2 is a great game whether you're looking for a long-term adventure over many sittings or simply a quick and brutal distraction. Either way, you'll likely be left with a smile on your face.
Brick-Force Season 3 trailer highlights Bricksaga update
If you like brick-by-brick construction in a sandbox environment coupled with a first person shooter, have we got the game for you: Brick-Force! Here, players fight out matches in maps they build themselves. And now Season 3 - Bricksaga brings even more to the experience. Along with a new medieval setting (complete with wizards and knights), Season 3 introduces a host of new goodies to the game, including features, costumes, weapons, and even new game modes. Players can now use interactive bricks and portals as well as doors, windows, trap doors, and spike traps to add a previously unknown dynamic and variety to matches. Additionally, level progression has been revised, match assignments have been improved, and players can unlock equipment on a regular basis. Check out all the action in the trailer below. [Source: Infernum Productions press release]
Warface launches in Europe and North America
Warface. Warface launched. Warface launched today, and so did the requisite Warface launch trailer. As you can see, the word Warface never, ever, gets old no matter how many times you type it, say it aloud, or roll it around in your brainpan. I thought seriously about filling this entire post with 100 instances of the word Warface, but I figured you'd probably like to know that the title is now live in both Europe and North America. As for what you can expect, Warface is a free-to-play class-based multiplayer FPS powered by the CryEngine. Aw heck, just watch the video after the break, will ya?
Hi-Rez CEO: Without SMITE, Tribes would have 'closed down'
Hi-Rez co-founder and CEO Erez Goren took to Reddit yesterday to deliver a message about his studio's history and its plans for the future. Discussed in the post were challenges of making a profitable game (Global Agenda, for example, lost money throughout its lifespan) and some of the reasoning behind recent decisions made by Hi-Rez about its biggest titles. On the subject of Tribes Ascend, Goren explained that the decision to go free-to-play was made in an effort to give fans easy access to the game. Goren noted that the game broke even "at best," though some financial concerns may have been the result of poor monetization strategies. According to Goren, Tribes Ascend launched to good reviews and a positive community response, but nothing Hi-Rez did could stop players from leaving the game over time. Goren also answered calls for mod tools and accusations that Tribes development was shuttered due to the success of the studio's new MOBA, SMITE. Goren explained that Hi-Rez's development platform does not support modding and that developing the feature set would represent a massive cost to the company, and noted that without the successful development of SMITE, Tribes likely would have been shut down along with the studio itself. According to Goren, the success of SMITE is "very unusual" but has allowed Hi-Rez to expand its team and to find financial stability. Hi-Rez feels as though the future of SMITE is bright, and is dedicated to making it "the best MOBA game in the world" through continued development and partnerships with publishers like TenCent.
Blacklight Retribution adds Sonic Tomahawk, Dropzone map
Zombie Studios has updated its Blacklight Retribution multiplayer shooter. The title, which is published by Perfect World, now boasts a new map called Dropzone that hearkens back to Zombie's 2010 Blacklight: Tango Down. Zombie says that due to the map's small size, gameplay will be "fast and frenetic." The team has also raised the level cap from 40 to 50 and added new titles, camouflage, and gear including Riot Shield and Sonic Tomahawk melee weapons. [Source: Perfect World press release]
Hi-Rez's Todd Harris argues Tribes: Ascend is a 'complete' and 'content-rich' experience
We reported earlier this week that Hi-Rez decided to stop updating Tribes Ascend in favor of user mapmaking tools because the studio feels that the Tribes experience is "complete" as-is. In a follow-up interview with Rock, Paper, Shotgun, Hi-Rez's Todd Harris has now discussed the development hiatus in more detail and answers some tough questions on extant issues with game balance. He argues that not only is the game complete, but it's already feature-rich and a bargain for the price. Since launch, we added 54 new weapons. We added a new game mode, a new leveling system, custom servers, server browser, shielded base assets, 29 new maps – all free – and all that in a brief period of time. We also added an option for people to pay one price and get all the weapons. I don't know of any other free-to-play game, other than our own SMITE, that has that option. It's free-to-play, but it does have a twist. You can get all the gameplay elements for the price of a normal game. It's fairly complete in its content. Harris also tells RPS that a new tutorial would be only a "modest improvement as far as new people sticking with the game"; instead, he says, he hopes to facilitate community resources. But mostly, he appears to believe the game has already found its audience. "The days of major changes in the game are behind us," he says. What about insinuations that the studio bit off more than it could chew? Harris explains that the studio has three small teams working on multiple games and has learned "learned the value of focus." According to Harris, Tribes has supported itself commercially and profits were always returned to the game's development. Even so, the studio is focused on the MOBA space: "SMITE is doing well enough that it's justifying a large amount of resources on it . . . we see the biggest studio opportunity on SMITE."
Todd Harris confirms no more development on Tribes: Ascend
If you've been a fan of Tribes: Ascend, we hope you're happy with the current state of the game -- or that you like SMITE just as much. In response to a user inquiry, Hi-Rez Studios head Todd Harris announced that there are no major updates planned for the game within the next six months. The studio's current resources are devoted first to SMITE, then to Global Agenda 2, and beyond that a full-on sequel to Tribes: Ascend is more likely than a major content patch. While Harris goes on to mention that there are additional maps being worked on, he states there is no definite date for release, if indeed these maps are ever released. While support for servers and the existing game is not in question, the long-term health of the community without further content is questionable. And with no developers working on a sequel, even that seems rather unlikely at this point.
Ascots and crossbows: Hands-on with Renaissance Heroes
A few months ago, when New Year's resolutions came around, I decided to take broad, sweeping strides outside of my comfort zone -- I decided to play more FPS games. Long have I lingered in the comforting bosom of tab targeting, cast bars, and kill-10-boars. So when Renaissance Heroes, a newly released free-to-play FPS, came to my attention, I thought I might have finally found an FPS game that's more my style, that style being "shoot people in the face with crossbows." I was not disappointed.
Renaissance Heroes fires its starter blunderbuss
The day of days is finally here: Renaissance Heroes has launched. Yes indeed, after countless years of anticipation, fan speculation, and agonizing countdowns, this renaissance-themed first-person shooter has been delivered into the hands of eager players. The title, which has released in both Europe and North America, received a rather substantial last-minute upgrade. Renaissance Heroes added a couple of new arenas, the Domination game mode, and a crossbow-wielding character to its list of bullet point features. ChangYou has plans to both livestream the game and throw tournaments featuring the most elite heroes of the 16th century. If you're curious but don't want to pick it up just yet, stay tuned as we livestream the game next week! [Source: ChangYou press release]
The Firing Line: On Destiny, Tribes GOTY, and Ghost in the Shell
It's been a pretty eventful week for online shooter news, and The Firing Line is back to help you catch up on all the tidbits you might've missed. Since we've got so much to cover, what say we skip the usual game journo intro puns and get right to it?
Exclusive video shows off Renaissance Heroes prior to next week's launch
If you've got a special passion for both shooters and the Renaissance, then ChangYou's upcoming lobby-based Renaissance Heroes is right up your dark, cobblestone alley. And come next week, you can dive right into that olden time with guns blazing; the game launches on February 19th in both North America and Europe. Players familiar with the game from the beta will find even more content once the game goes live, including new maps, new weapons, a new character, and competitive game modes. Eager to get in on the action? To help tide you over during the wait, Massively has an exclusive trailer for you after the break. [Source: ChangYou press release]
Bullet Run shutting down on March 8th
Sony Online Entertainment has announced the imminent closing of its short-lived multiplayer FPS, Bullet Run. In a post on the game's official forums, the studio announced that "after much review and consideration, Acony Games and Sony Online Entertainment have mutually made the decision to discontinue development on the free-to-play FPS game, Bullet Run." SOE will be officially sunsetting the game on March 8th, 2013. Until that time, however, the servers will remain up-and-running for any players who want to have one last hoorah before the game takes its final bow. Membership billing, however, ended yesterday, February 1st. Any players who still had time on their Platinum Memberships as of that time will receive a "pro rata refund for any time remaining on [their] Bullet Run subscription[s]" from SOE. The full details can be found on the game's official forums, and we wish the best of luck to the game's dev team in its members' future endeavors. [Thanks to Jack Pipsam for the tip!]
EVE Evolved: Merging EVE with DUST 514
When console MMOFPS DUST 514 was first announced, players were cautious of the game's ambitious goals. Developers promised that DUST battles would decide the ownership of planets inside PC MMO EVE Online, and that this would tie into system sovereignty and ultimately ownership of entire regions of space. We expected the two games to have separate communities and economies that would interact only when EVE players hired DUST mercenaries to take over sectors of particular planets, but we couldn't have been more wrong. Two years later, CCP blew our expectations out of the water with details of how DUST and EVE will be practically joined at the hip. We learned that the two games would share the exact same corporations and that ISK would be transferable between games. We also got a glimpse of the incredible plans for realtime integration, with EVE ships able to deliver air strikes to planets and DUST players able to shoot down ships in orbit with ground cannon. But have those ambitious goals stayed in focus during development, and what can we expect from DUST when it launches early next year? In this week's EVE Evolved opinion piece, I look through the public information on DUST 514's launch integration with EVE Online and speculate on how the link may evolve after release.
Watch Nathan Fillion, Wil Wheaton, and Felicia Day play Firefall
You can't beat getting some Halloween treats without having to go out in the rain knocking on doors. It's no trick -- Red 5 Studios is giving out plenty of goodies to FireFall fans this week. First up is hours of video featuring famous gamer stars checking out the upcoming shooter. Last week, the studio livestreamed FireFall Fest, an event depicting a number of celebrities -- Nathan Fillion, Wil Wheaton, and Felicia Day, to name just a few -- playing FireFall along with the community. But even if you missed an episode or two, Red 5 has saved the recordings for your viewing pleasure. Check out the highlight reels of day one and day six after the break, then head to the official site for links to watch the full two-plus-hour videos for each day. FireFall is also offering fans a special Halloween patch. Along with spooky masks and other appropriate decor, beta players will find new monsters to kill and new abilities to use. For a full list of all of the Halloween goodies, head to the patch notes.
