Earlier this week, Daybreak began sending emails to players and former players teasing a new game being worked on within the studio’s walls and scheduled for a Twitch reveal today at 1 p.m. EST.
The announcement of an announcement raised more than a few eyebrows from fans with memories that stretched back at least four days to last Friday, when Daybreak laid off 60-70 people working on another unannounced game. Skepticism and speculation has run rampant, naturally; what we do know is that Daybreak and its NantWorks partner have several games cooking – including mobile titles for EverQuest and H1Z1 – as well as trademark registrations and employment ads that suggest an MMO shooter and/or a new entry in the PlanetSide franchise. Watch along with us at 1 p.m. and wonder no more.
https://youtu.be/dRi_ouHH-vM
Click for the whole press releaseNew Massive Sci-fi Arena Shooter to Feature Match-Based PvP Combat, Class-Based Gameplay and Unique Seasonal Progression Mechanics
Launches for Windows PC on January 29, 2019
SAN DIEGO – December 13, 2018 – Daybreak Games®, worldwide publisher, developer and creator of compelling multiplayer online worlds, today announced PlanetSide® Arena™, a new massive-scale multiplayer sci-fi shooter set to release on Steam for Windows PC on Jan. 29, 2019. Featuring a robust class system, combined arms gameplay, and dynamic in-match and seasonal progression, PlanetSide Arena brings the franchise’s signature epic-scale, all-out FPS action to new massive arena game modes capable of supporting up to 1,000 players per match.
“PlanetSide is a ground-breaking series that introduced the gaming world to truly epic FPS battles,” said Ji Ham, CEO of Daybreak Games. “We are very excited to introduce PlanetSide Arena as the next step in the growth of the franchise, as we continue to invest and build towards our vision for the future of the entire PlanetSide universe.”
PlanetSide Arena initially launches with three major game modes: Massive Clash, an epic 500-player Group vs. Group experience, along with Solo and Team Battle Royale modes. New modes like Capture the Flag, Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, and Global Conquest will be introduced each new game season.
Players will begin every match by selecting from one of three initial character classes – Assault, Engineer, and Medic – before deploying via drop pod into a massive map dynamically tailored for each game mode. Each class comes equipped with a jetpack, personal vehicle, and unique abilities which can be upgraded throughout a match, offering a layer of strategy to team construction and combat.
“There’s simply no other multiplayer shooter that can replicate the depth of play and massive scale of PlanetSide,” said Andy Sites, Executive Producer. “PlanetSide Arena will expand and evolve the franchise with new modes, new technology and new content, delivered on a scale that only PlanetSide can offer.”
In addition to the upcoming launch of PlanetSide Arena, Daybreak Games remains fully committed to providing active development support for PlanetSide 2, which recently announced engine technology improvements and a new robotic faction as part of its sixth anniversary game update. The next major update for PlanetSide 2 will introduce Oshur, the first new continent in five years, when released in 2019.
“It’s great for our team to see PlanetSide grow,” said Nick Silva, Producer of PlanetSide 2. “PlanetSide Arena offers fans something new that both preserves and builds upon all the traits that make PlanetSide 2 so unique: the massive-scale warfare, the smooth movement and combat mechanics, the iconic vehicles and weapons. It’s a huge win for all of us to introduce more players to the franchise.”
PlanetSide Arena is now available for pre-order on Steam. The Sanctuary Assault Edition (SRP $19.99) includes the Season 1 Battle Pass and the Assault Armor set. The Legendary Edition (SRP $39.99) is packed with Season 1 Battle Pass, three Class Armor sets (Engineer, Assault and Medic), and the M-20 Tempest (hoverbike) Pack. Each pre-order grants players Closed Beta access. In addition, Daybreak will also be offering Closed Beta access to the game to some of their most loyal and active PlanetSide 2 players.
