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Offensive Combat ships out on Facebook today
While the year-end avalanche of video game deals (looking at you, Steam) may have conditioned you to believe you need to pay money in order to play games, this is not entirely true – there is a wealth of free-to-play games out there. One such game is Offensive Combat, a team-based FPS from ex-Activision folks, available on Facebook today.Formed in late 2011, developer U4iA Games gave us our first look at its first game Offensive Combat back in May. After a "limited test" over the holidays on Facebook, Offensive Combat enlisted over 500,000 players. Clans and tournament play are currently unsupported, though U4iA hopes to implement both soon.
iHeartRadio hearts Ouya; U4iA crafting 'Offensive Combat' port
Beyond its use as an Android-based gaming console, and its use as an OnLive streaming device, Ouya is also a radio, apparently. iHeartRadio announced its intention to partner with Ouya this morning via Kickstarter, which will bring the usual selection of iHeartRadio functionality to the $99 console (streaming actual radio stations, creating custom stations, etc.). For non-US streamers, don't fret! Ouya says it is "actively reaching out to international partners as well."Also of note, iOS/Android first-person shooter Offensive Combat is headed to the Ouya. Developer U4iA said of the news, "Given that consoles are so expensive and face an uncertain future, Ouya stands out as the perfect example of an afford home-entertainment platform created specifically for core gamers like us." CEO Dusty Welch also said he "can't wait to bring all-new games in the Offensive Combat universe to the Ouya platform." Whoa Dusty, slow down there!Ouya's Kickstarter page is just five days away from completion, and as of this writing has approximately $6.5 million accrued. That is well over its original $950K goal.
U4iA rips the wrap off free-to-play FPS Offensive Combat
Browser-based FPS Offensive Combat is the new game from U4iA, a studio formed last year by Activision expats. It's an FPS with a mobile/tablet sidearm, described as working together "unlike any game before," though no further details beyond that were provided. The only other aspect U4iA revealed is customization, which we figure is the awesome lizard hat seen in the screenshot above.U4iA was founded by Chris Archer and Dusty Welch, former Activision and Call of Duty vets. With Offensive Combat, the two hope to deliver "the most competitive multiplayer action ever seen within a browser." A beta for Offensive Combat kicks off this summer.%Gallery-155523%
Former Activision heads start U4ia, begin 'hardcore freemium' FPS
The video-game industry is trying to find the balance between casual and hardcore gaming, with freemium, social-networking titles leading the casual sphere. A new development company established by former Activision employees Dusty Welch and Chris Archer, U4ia, plans to bridge the gap and make freemium a staple of hardcore titles, as well. Its first target -- the FPS. Welch, who launched the Call of Duty franchise as senior vice president at Activision, said U4ia's first game will be an "online-only, hardcore freemium, first-person social" title. "Many studios are making casual games for a core audience," Welch said. "We're making core games for a social audience." This is very different than making core games for the socially hardcore audience or social games for the casually hardcore audience, and it may present an intriguing hybrid for new and old gamers alike. U4ia plans to launch a beta of its first title in 2012, billed as one of its "free-to-play, AAA, hardcore, browser-based games for the connected generation." As a freemium FPS, we wonder how the weapons will be scaled -- if it will be a matter of pay to win, or if skill will have a greater impact on gameplay than money.
