Developers First Watch Games, a subsidiary of Hi-Rez Studios, have announced that Rogue Company, their multiplayer tactical team shooter, will be launching on PC, PS4, Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch in closed beta today, with cross-play and cross-progression enabled for all platforms.
Check out the official reveal trailer below.
Rogue Company is a tactical shooter that sees teams of Rogues competing against each other in a variety of objective-based game modes, and each playable Rogue has their own loadouts and abilities. Similar to the likes of Counter-Strike, players will be able to spend cash they’ve earned between rounds on improving the character’s loudout with new weapons and perks.
The developers gave us a demonstration ahead of launch of Rogue Company in action, and the game looks like a lot of fun. It’s clearly taken influence from the likes of Counter-Strike when it comes to tactical shooting and round-based gameplay, while incorporating light elements from hero shooters such as Overwatch. The developers describe it as “a mix of action gameplay and tactical shooting”, so hopefully it’ll stand out from other titles on the market.
Scott Zier, Creative Director on the project, talked about the game’s influences in a follow-up email: “Rogue Company has had a lot of influence from blockbuster hollywood action films, actually. We wanted to make a game that was high adrenaline and tense, but also fun and accessible. A game that could be a bit over the top at times, while still being real.”
He added: “That’s where the idea of the Rogues came from, and why we went with a group of Mercenaries over traditional or more gritty military themes. That was the start of our idea to blend Action and Tactical gameplay as well, bringing in some of our favorite features from each shooter genre.”
The developers also stated that while the meta will always evolve, player skill is a bigger determiner in how successful you’ll be in gunfights. Abilities won’t be a crutch with which you can instantly win, though naturally the game will be balanced if a Rogue’s kit ends up becoming too overpowered. The developers are anticipating feedback in that regard.
Rogue Company is also launching simultaneously on all major platforms, which is a first for Hi-Rez Studios, who typically release on PC first before porting over to consoles. The game will also run at 60fps on all platforms, and that includes Switch handheld, so no one platform should have a competitive advantage over the other. Naturally, input-based matchmaking will be in effect, though cross-input parties will be placed in the keyboard and mouse pool.
Scott also spoke about the difficulties Hi-Rez and First Watch faced when launching Rogue Company on all major platforms: “During development, we started testing cross play with various input types and platforms from the very beginning. This allowed us to much more quickly improve the feel of the game, and ensure consistency of the gameplay experience.”
He also notes: “Getting all console platforms to 60fps was important to us for that goal as well. It did take a lot effort and magic from our development team to make that happen, but fortunately we had the experience of developing through similar challenges when bringing cross play to Smite and Paladins.”
As the game is launching straight into closed beta, Rogue Company will feature 3 different types of Founder’s Pack, which include the Starter Founder’s Pack ($14.99 / €14.99 / £11.99), the Standard Founder’s Pack ($29.99 / €29.99 / £24.99) and the Ultimate Founder’s Pack $59.99 (€59.99 / £49.99).
All versions of the Founder’s Pack will include the six core Rogues, which are Dima, Dallas, Ronin, Anvil, Trench and Saint, along with 2 bonus Founder’s Pack Rogues, Phantom and Chaac. You’ll also unlock the Founder Rare Spray, the Superstar Dance Epic Emote, Speed Demon Rare Outfit for Ronin and the Solar Flare Epic Wraps. The Standard pack also includes six additional Rogues and the Extermination Rare Outfit, while the Ultimate Founder’s Pack includes even more emotes, outfits, sprays and 1500 Rogue Bucks to spend in-game.
In future, Rogue Company will be monetised in a similar manner to other Hi-Rez titles such as Smite and Paladins, with “a variety of skins, wraps and emotes available to purchase” according to a statement from the developers. The developers also mention that we can expect battle passes and season passes in the game’s future.
All in all, Rogue Company could be a great new addition to the shooter genre. Time will tell on the game’s lasting impact, though thankfully we don’t have to wait long to try it out. Will you be playing Rogue Company on PC, PS4, Xbox One or the Nintendo Switch? Sound off in the comments.
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