Un-Reality Not-TV: Bullet Run Goes Live
Well, I suppose I have to give SOE and Acony some credit for their approach to gritty, ripped-from-the-headlines F2P shooter Bullet Run: at least they ripped it from a different part of the headlines. Specifically, top billing's been given to Bullet Run's "unique storyline" about a reality TV show on which insane people try to kill each other in stylish fashions to claim their 15 minutes of fame. DON'T WORRY THOUGH: there's a magical "Synth" device that brings them back to life, so it's all perfectly harmless. Or, you know, kind of really disturbing. But integrating a focus on style into the shooting is, at least, kind of interesting.
Specifically, here's the bit that stands out to me:
"In Bullet Run, players are pit against each other in a reality TV show setting where performance is everything - simply gaining the kill does not win your character fame. Style and attitude, combined with a hair trigger and cat-like reflexes, will bring players, also known as 'Contestants,' the fame they crave. Through their showmanship, players will have the opportunity to unlock and/or purchase new weapons, weapon modifications and attachments, wardrobe items, accessories, and custom weapon decals -- all contributing to thousands of possible combinations for customization of their characters."
The rest, however, sounds and looks like incredibly standard multiplayer shooter fare. Let's run down the list, shall we? You've got weapon-upgrading character progression, six "thrilling" maps that include an industrial complex and a desert, two whole modes (TDM and Domination), and an active reload system. Hooray.
But who knows? Maybe it's far better than I'm giving it credit for. And it's now officially live, so you can go find out for yourself and then - if I'm wrong - call me any number of incredibly rude, hurtful, and oddly personal insults. However, if I'm correct, I expect gifts. Also, I was hoping to present you fine and intimidatingly attractive folks with a new trailer, but then I realized the reel SOE loaded into its YouTube-puncturing image cannon today is the exact same one Adam posted about a couple months ago.
With this information, I can surmise one of two things: either 1) SOE's not taking Bullet Run particularly seriously or 2) Adam's some kind of time-traveling devil magician. Hah, and speak of the devil magician, he just appeared right behind me in a smokey burst of bats and locusts, brandishing a very impressive knife. Hmmm, I wonder what he wants. I hope it's a hug!