Bethesda's BattleCry Beta Beginning... Autumn

Bethesda’s first ever E3 press conference kicked off the event with a strong showing, but despite Doom and Fallout flavoured highs, it wasn’t without its lulls. Namely, BattleCry [official site]. Which, from the looks of the E3 trailer (found below), seems about as generic and uninspiring as its name suggests.

The trailer serves to introduce the Han Republic, a new faction for the free-to-play class-based multiplayer shooter, who are decked out in lurid green coats and Eastern stereotypes. If there's something here that tickles your fancy, you can sign up for the global beta which is taking place this autumn. Doing so before June 18th will give you “priority access” and an exclusive in-game item. Details on what that actually means will be coming at a later date.

It's the first game from Bethesda's BattleCry Studios.

BattleCry's art style actually looks pretty good in still images (art direction is by Half-Life 2 and Dishonored chap Viktor Antonov), but there’s something about this game in motion that I find seriously jarring. Maybe it’s the pause-on-hit or the flashy cutty whizz bang effects, or the way everything feels weightless. Whatever it is, I am seriously jarred. Your mileage may vary, however, so have a look for yourselves at the trailer below.