Section 8 is an upcoming first person shooter and original IP developed by
TimeGate Studios and published by
SouthPeak Interactive. It utilizes the
Unreal Engine 3 and will be on PC and next-generation consoles.
[1] Section 8 will allow players to dynamically alter the flow of combat as they see fit, employing tactical assets and on-demand vehicle deliveries. It is scheduled to be released during the fourth-quarter of 2009.
[2]
Gameplay
Section 8 is a first person shooter set in futuristic universe. The players wear futuristic armor that covers their entire bodies and features shielding technology which is able to absorb enemy damage.
[3]
Players will be able to “burn-in” by dropping onto the battlefield from orbital dropships hovering at 15,000 feet from the surface, thus eliminating fixed spawn points.
[4] “Burning-in” also creates the opportunity for the player to choose where they drop on the map, making the game unpredictable.
[5] This process is an interactive experience as players can be shot down upon entry by players and anti-aircraft turrets alike, though these situations can be avoided or mitigated by using the “air-brake” feature which allows the player to make mid-air adjustments.
[6]
Section 8 features in-depth character customization. Players are able to choose not only their primary and secondary weapon choices, such as assault rifles, pistols, shotguns, and sniper rifles, but from items called “Active Gear:” grenades, explosives, knives, shoulder-mounted mortar launchers and healing units.
[7] The player is also able to create their own player-class through various stackable modules that increase the player’s speed, stealth, or the regeneration of the limited-use jetpack. Excessive damage endured by the player to certain parts of their body, such as their legs, arms, head, or chest, may disable or hinder the use of these enhancements.
[8]
Players will be able to deploy a variety of vehicles in the game, including heavy-armor suits and a four-person tank.
[9] A variety of turrets, healing supply depots, and sensor arrays that place enemies on a map will be available and can be purchased within the game using “Requisition Points.”
[10]
A feature called “Dynamic Combat Missions,” or DCMs, will be featured in the game. These have been described as a meta-game within the game itself and can be activated mid-combat by the player.
[11] DCMs reward the player with Requisition Points when completed successfully. Some DCMs will include protecting a convoy, destroying a bridge, or assassinating an enemy VIP.
[12]
[edit] Single-Player
Section 8 will feature a single-player mode that allows the character to play as a member of the 8th Armored Infantry named
Alex Corde. Previews indicate that the single-player campaign will be more objective-based and deals with the motivation behind the ARM of Orion and Alex Corde.
[13]
[edit] Multiplayer
Section 8 will feature a large-scale multiplayer mode for players. A 16 player maximum has been confirmed on the Xbox 360 thus far with a goal of 24 to 32 players.
[14] On the PC, a 32 player maximum has been confirmed with a goal of 54 players and over.
[15] Bots may also be used to fill the remaining slots in multiplayer games.
[16]
[edit] Synopsis
The name “Section 8” derives from an old United States military discharge regulation for reason of being mentally unfit for service and refers to the 8th Armored Infantry in the game.
[17] The nickname resulted from the near-suicidal missions the 8th Armored Infantry went on, causing them to be labeled as insane by other military units.
[18]
Section 8 takes place in the future after the human race has discovered time-travel and has colonized across the galaxy. As they expanded, opposing human factions began to appear across the galaxy. One rogue group, called the ARM of Orion, begins to disconnect the outermost frontier planets from the main governing body, devastating them by creating a growing insurrection.
[19] Because travel and communication are so slow across the large distances of space, the ARM of Orion are granted enough time to accomplish many of their goals undetected and set-up an ambush.
[20] The government eventually discovers the ARM of Orion’s deeds and sends in the 8th Armored Infantry, including Alex Corde, on a mission to scout and secure difficult objectives, and smash enemy defenses in lighting-quick assaults.
[21]
