There's something about zombies and video games that bind geeks together in harmony, which is why we've been anxious to see what Jeff Strain's Undead Labs has in store for our favorite end-of-the-world scenario. Well drop your linen and start your grinnin', because Game By Night reports that EGM's latest physical issue (241.0) is chock-full of zombie goodness on the project.
The unnamed MMO is going to be console-only and will take place in today's world following a zombie apocalypse. Strain promises that the world will be dynamic and malleable -- think "sandbox" -- as players will build up defenses to protect settlements, lay down traps for the zombie horde and eventually take the fight to the undead. There may also be gardening (yup, you read that right).
A more dynamic world isn't the only cue from modern MMO development that Undead Labs is taking -- the game will skew more toward quick action-based fights than traditional MMO combat: "Banish the memories you have of the PC MMO paradigm for combat, and start thinking AAA console action game... weapons (like the M14 assault rifle or long-bladed machete) need to feel snap-fast and satisfying, to pierce bones and dismember limbs just so."
While the title is still in very early stages, EGM says that the team is looking to allow a more free-form character development, with players taking on specialty roles instead of being forced into rigid class constructs. You can read the full analysis over at Game By Night.
Reader Comments (62)
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 9:22AM (Unverified) said
Stopped reading at "The unnamed MMO is going to be console-only"
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 10:31AM Scarecrowe said
Same here. Oh well. If it had been PC-based, my wife and I would definitely be checking it out.
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Posted: Oct 6th 2010 12:34PM GryphonStalker said
Bummer, my hubby and I were interested but not if it's console based. Without an option to play together there is no point in checking this one out. :(
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Posted: Oct 7th 2010 10:21AM (Unverified) said
Yup, guess I have to keep playing Left 4 Dead 2 instead of their game :( Be interesting to see how they roll a console MMO though - who is going to own that world? Can't be for all 3 consoles at once, their networks don't talk to each other.
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Posted: Oct 6th 2010 9:23AM (Unverified) said
I can't wait.
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 9:25AM Grumms said
Console only? Ugh, what?
If this was PC, I would be very interested.
If this was PC, I would be very interested.
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 9:44AM Snichy said
Much like the above comments, I saw the picture and started reading and thought it looked awesome, then read "console-only" and was a bit disappointed. Oh well, I may give it a try if any good but unlikely - I do have a PS3 but would never play a MMO on it!
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 9:57AM Skyydragonn said
Console only?
Sorry, I'll pass. I don't even own a current gen console nor have any intention of purchasing one.
I've been waiting for ages for a zombie themed MMO. sadly I guess i'll be waiting a bit longer (if ever?)
Sorry, I'll pass. I don't even own a current gen console nor have any intention of purchasing one.
I've been waiting for ages for a zombie themed MMO. sadly I guess i'll be waiting a bit longer (if ever?)
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 10:03AM (Unverified) said
a console MMO huh? i dont undertsand though why not PC? anyway, theres alot of questions im hoping to see answered here. like whether its an FPS or a TPS? how scarce they plan to make player interactions, since alot of the horror comes from both isolation against the oncoming horde and then eleation when you get together with a small band of people.
can you rob players? can you come back as a zombie ala Resident Evil online? could this be the one game where perma death is actually an OK feature? how much interaction with the environment is there considering zombie movies (as well as games) almost entirely rely on the interaction of materials found around the game world? and finally, how many places can i enter and vandalize or turn into small headquarters or go to a mall and claim it as my own?
and yes, ive thought way too long and way too hard on how id tackle a zombie mmo. that and a Battletech/Steel Battalion/Chrome Hounds/Mech MMO are like the only 2 things i feel is missing from that genre.
can you rob players? can you come back as a zombie ala Resident Evil online? could this be the one game where perma death is actually an OK feature? how much interaction with the environment is there considering zombie movies (as well as games) almost entirely rely on the interaction of materials found around the game world? and finally, how many places can i enter and vandalize or turn into small headquarters or go to a mall and claim it as my own?
and yes, ive thought way too long and way too hard on how id tackle a zombie mmo. that and a Battletech/Steel Battalion/Chrome Hounds/Mech MMO are like the only 2 things i feel is missing from that genre.
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 10:05AM bate said
Console only? Really? Maybe they can draw from the massive pool of FFXI players.
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 10:15AM (Unverified) said
Stopped reading at 'Console only.' Most of Massively readers are pc users (or so it seem) so we have little interest in console only mmos.
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 10:16AM AlluvianEstEndrati said
Mmmm. Zombies.
I definitely like the sound of this game. Minecraft Multiplayer meets L4D.
I definitely like the sound of this game. Minecraft Multiplayer meets L4D.
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 10:18AM alucard3000 said
Console only? wth is this some kind of revenge against the pc move?
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 10:29AM (Unverified) said
I don't know why so many of you are shunning it because its console only. It's very rare that theres an MMO on a console, and considering this one has barely any information on it, its kinda silly to judge how it will be now.
I can't see whats wrong with there being MMO's on consoles as well as PC's, especially since the PC MMO market is currently flooded, and theres a lot of people out there who do own consoles and would love to play MMO's as well as us PC users.
I can't see whats wrong with there being MMO's on consoles as well as PC's, especially since the PC MMO market is currently flooded, and theres a lot of people out there who do own consoles and would love to play MMO's as well as us PC users.
Posted: Oct 6th 2010 10:37AM alucard3000 said
I dont think anyone is "shunning" it because its console, I know I am not,I am however shunning it because it is console "only".
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Posted: Oct 6th 2010 10:36AM (Unverified) said
Excitement upon reading the articles title = 10
Excitement upon reading "Console MMO" = 1
Excitement upon reading "Console MMO" = 1









