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Project Severity: yet another FPS trying to revolutionize the genre
A new game is on the horizon -- Severity. Developed using idSoftware technology, possibly the Tech 5 engine, the game intends to be a marvel to behold. PSU snagged an interview with the developers over at Escalation Studios and their funding source, the Cyberathlete Professional League. Before we run into the interesting bits like crazed bloggers, let us warm you up to the game with one potentially fantastic feature: full cross-platform play. PS3 vs. 360 vs. PC -- something we've been waiting a long time for! Two things you should also know about the game, but aren't exactly helping to pump us up for it: influences and gameplay modes. The influence for the game is Quake III Arena, so expect a ton of fast-paced insanity. Escalation Studios has a lot planned for multiplayer outside of Deathmatch or Team Deathmatch. Then again, if a game just included those two modes, the FPS fanbase would probably mutiny.If you haven't seen anything built from idSoftware technology, it's very impressive and you live under a rock. While we have no idea what this game actually looks like, it's possible that nothing yet exists outside of the dev studio. The game is planned for a 2009 launch, so we've got a while to wait. Geez, 2009! What are you going to be doing then?[Thanks, Justin!]
CPL developing new competitive game: Severity
John Romero had a surprising announcement for the assembled crowds at Sunday's Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) finals. No, he didn't declare he was going to make you his bitch (and no that joke will never get old), but he did announce the development of a new first-person shooter tuned specifically for professional gaming.According to a CPL press release, Severity will support both single-player and team matches, will be based on an id Software game engine, and will be released for both console and PC by late 2007. The game will also include "enhanced tournament support, spectator modes, [and] detailed player and tournament statistics tracking," whatever that means. Development on the project is being headed by Tom Mustaine, an industry veteran who worked on games ranging from Final Doom to 25 To Life.While it's nice to see pro gaming grow large enough to support a custom-made game environment, we have to wonder whether a new property will be able to make any inroads against popular competitive gaming standards like Quake and Counter Strike. Should competitive gaming start focusing on custom-made games, or stick with the popular, third-party creations that have gotten it to this point?[Thanks Will]
