Tag: Multiplayer Shooter

  • Multiplayer Shooter with $60M Budget Canceled After One Season

    Multiplayer Shooter with $60M Budget Canceled After One Season

    Key Takeaways

    1. Distinct Duality System: Spectre Divide features a unique gameplay mechanic allowing players to control two characters simultaneously, setting it apart from competitors like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant.

    2. Significant Development Investment: Mountaintop Studios invested over $60 million in the game’s development since 2020, highlighting the studio’s commitment to creating a high-quality experience.

    3. Initial Player Reception: The game attracted around 400,000 players at launch and peaked at 10,000 concurrent players, indicating initial interest and engagement.

    4. Declining Engagement: Despite a strong start, player engagement decreased over time, leading to the decision to shut down the game just months after its release.

    5. Community Challenges: Mountaintop Studios faced difficulties in building a loyal player community, which is crucial for the success of live-service games that depend on a consistent and returning player base.

    Spectre Divide, a free multiplayer shooter that came out in September 2024, aimed to stand out from games like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant with its distinct Duality System. This system lets players control two characters at once. The game was made by Mountaintop Studios, which consists of experienced professionals from Respawn, Bungie, and Riot Games.

    Development Investment

    Since 2020, the studio poured over $60 million into developing Spectre Divide. Initially, the game enjoyed a good reception, attracting around 400,000 players and reaching a peak of 10,000 players at the same time. However, player engagement gradually dwindled. On March 12, the developers revealed that the game would close down in 30 days, meaning that a second season would not happen. Consequently, the studio will also shut its doors.

    Community Challenges

    Even with its creative concept, Mountaintop Studios struggled to cultivate a loyal player community for Spectre Divide. This was a major issue, as games that operate as a service rely on a consistent player base, unlike traditional full-price games that recover costs through one-time purchases. For a live-service model to work well financially, it’s essential that enough players come back frequently and are willing to spend on items like in-game purchases, battle passes, or expansions.

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  • $2 Steam Shooter with 160K+ Positive Reviews on Sale

    $2 Steam Shooter with 160K+ Positive Reviews on Sale

    Key Takeaways

    1. Multiplayer Focus: Battlefield 1 emphasizes multiplayer gameplay, allowing up to 64 players to engage in team-based battles with various combat vehicles and Behemoths that can influence battle outcomes.

    2. Diverse Soldier Classes: Players can choose from four soldier classes (scout, medic, assault, support) and upgrade them to unlock new weapons and equipment, enhancing the gameplay experience.

    3. Single-Player Mode: The game features a single-player mode called War Stories, which includes standalone missions set in different locations of the First World War, though it is less emphasized compared to multiplayer.

    4. Critical Reception: Since its release in October 2016, Battlefield 1 has received positive reviews, with an 86% approval rating on Steam and a Metascore of 88, praised for its visuals and multiplayer options but criticized for historical inaccuracies and short single-player missions.

    5. Affordable Pricing: The game is generally priced around $40 on Steam but is available at a significant discount during sales, making it appealing to new players and maintaining a strong player community.

    Battlefield 1 plunges gamers into high-stakes multiplayer conflicts set during the First World War. Staying true to the franchise’s roots, combat showcases a wide array of weapons, as well as tanks, aircraft, and even horses. Players have the opportunity to control enormous Behemoths like zeppelins, armored trains, and battleships, which can dramatically shift the outcome of battles, even when the odds are stacked against them. The four different soldier classes—scout, medic, assault, and support—can be individually upgraded to unlock new weaponry and equipment, ensuring an exciting and evolving gameplay experience.

    Single-Player Experience

    There’s also a single-player mode known as War Stories, where players traverse various locations from the First World War through multiple standalone missions. Nevertheless, the primary emphasis is on multiplayer gameplay, where as many as 64 players can participate in team-oriented skirmishes. The game features shifting weather, destructible environments, and a grand musical score that creates a cinematic feel, garnering much acclaim from reviewers. The diverse battlefields span from the devastated terrains of France and Italy to the frigid fronts of Russia and the arid deserts of Egypt, providing a rich and engaging experience.

    Release and Reception

    Created by DICE in collaboration with Electronic Arts, Battlefield 1 launched in October 2016. Since its release, it has gathered close to 160,000 reviews on Steam, with an impressive 86% of them being favorable. On Metacritic, it boasts a Metascore of 88 and a user score of 7.4. The German publication GameStar commended the game for its stunning visuals and extensive multiplayer options. However, they pointed out the brevity of the single-player missions and the historical inaccuracies present in the game. With numerous automatic weapons and rapid gameplay, many feel it resembles a Second World War shooter more than a First World War one.

    The standard price for the game is approximately $40 on Steam. Nevertheless, during the Steam Spring Sale, the Battlefield 1 Revolution package is discounted by 95%, bringing the price down to about $2 until March 20. This edition contains the base game along with all released downloadable content. Despite being a few years old, Battlefield 1 still retains a large community of players, making this discounted offer particularly appealing for fans of shooters. As reported by SteamDB, the game reached a peak of 13,908 concurrent players within a 24-hour period during the time of this research.

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  • Hardcore Shooter 75% Off on Steam – 80K+ Reviews

    Hardcore Shooter 75% Off on Steam – 80K+ Reviews

    Key Takeaways

    1. Realism Focus: Insurgency emphasizes realistic combat mechanics, including bullet penetration and lethal shots, without traditional HUD aids.

    2. Teamwork Essential: Cooperation and tactical planning are crucial for success in both player vs. player and AI modes.

    3. Mixed Reception: The game has a strong positive rating on Steam (92% of 86,000+ reviews) but a more modest Metascore of 74 on Metacritic.

    4. Steep Learning Curve: New players may find the game’s difficulty and learning curve challenging, which could deter casual gamers.

    5. Limited-Time Pricing: Currently available at a discounted price of around $3 (75% off), valid until February 25, but prices may change.

    Insurgency is a multiplayer shooter developed by New World Interactive, recognized for its authentic combat, strong focus on collaboration, and demanding hardcore features. Unlike typical shooters, it skips standard aids like crosshairs and ammo indicators, making it distinct from more casual, arcade-like games. Even though it doesn’t have a complex narrative, players are drawn into a battle between a paramilitary security unit and insurgent groups. The game’s maps are designed based on Middle Eastern war zones, featuring both crowded urban settings and wide-open areas.

    Realism at Its Core

    The game strongly emphasizes realism throughout its mechanics. Firearms exhibit noticeable recoil, bullets can go through cover, and just one bullet can often be lethal. Without any HUD support, gamers need to keep track of their ammunition on their own and depend on visual and auditory cues. Players can engage in objective-focused PvP matches or team up against AI opponents. Regardless of the mode, cooperation and tactical planning are crucial since reckless individual actions can quickly lead to losing.

    Mixed Reception Over Time

    Since launching in January 2014, Insurgency has garnered over 86,000 reviews on Steam, with 92% rated positively. However, its reception on Metacritic is a bit less impressive, holding a Metascore of 74 and a User Score of 8.4. A frequent point of critique is the steep learning curve, which may deter more casual gamers. Furthermore, the visuals appear dated after more than ten years. Even so, for hardcore shooter enthusiasts, this game could be an excellent pick—especially now that it’s on Steam for only around $3 instead of the usual $15, due to a 75% price cut. This deal is valid until February 25.

    Important Pricing Note

    Prices can change at any time. The discount was in effect when this article was published, but it may be time-limited or have limited availability. All details provided are without guarantee.

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