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This article or section contains information about an unreleased video game. The content may change substantially as more information becomes available. Please do not add speculation to this article, and remember to cite a published source for details. |
| Huxley | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Webzen Games Inc. |
| Publisher(s) | Webzen Games Inc. |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 3.0 |
| Released | Early Q2 2008[1] |
| Genre | MMOFPS |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer, Single-player campaign (Xbox 360 only) |
| Ratings | ESRB: Rating Pending (RP) |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360, PC (Windows) |
Huxley (Korean:헉슬리) is a massively multiplayer first-person shooter computer game published by Webzen Games Inc. to be released in 2008. It is being developed for both the PC and Xbox 360 with special content being made for each platform. Special content includes a campaign mode for the Xbox 360 only. The Xbox 360 version is planned for release six months after the PC. Huxley will be a cross-platform game, though little information has been given as to the extent to which PC and 360 players will be able to interact.[2] The contract to operate the game in China was sold to for $35 million USD on February 12, 2007, considered the largest export transaction to date for a Korean-developed game. February 12, 2007. The official soft launch forums are online at: www.huxleyversus.com.[3] According to a recent financial pack released by the game developer, Huxley is to be released in early Q2 2008.[4] The Korean-only Huxley Beta sign-up began on August 28, 2007 with an official start date of September 13, 2007.[5]
Contents |
Story
In the near future, Nuclearites bombard the world. Destructive earthquakes, massive tidal waves and dramatic climate changes wreak havoc around the globe, isolating continents and driving the human race into chaos. Those who survive the destruction dream of tranquility, but an eruption among the human race and the appearance of horrible mutants drives the world into further disorder. Racism and oppression cause rebellious uprisings and war that divide the landscape between two powers: Sapiens and Alternative. At the heart of the war emerges a powerful energy source called the Lunarites. The Lunarites were created by Huxley, a scientist and possible savior. Both factions seek glory and victory, fighting mercilessly for the Lunarites and their very existence. The story was thought to be based on the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, hence the name, however Webzen has denied any tie to the book's story saying it was just an inspiration.[6]
Races
Alternative
The Alternatives are, or were, humans who had contact with the Lunarites and underwent major mutations to their current state. They are generally taller than humans and more muscular, or at least larger in general body size, than humans. Much racism has arisen from their new mutations from the Humans (Sapiens) who treated them no better than slaves for the most part. The Alternatives in the * Huxley trailer were equipped with unique weaponry. Vehicles included their large APCs, which had limited machine gun capability, against the Hybrids, and a mortar ability. A dropship was featured transferring six "jetbikes" into battle. The jetbikes were viewed as extremely fast, but not heavily armed, seen using only a machine gun but took down a large Hybrid easily. Their armor was also unique, or at least much different from the Sapiens. The armor was large and bulky. Two small stubs protruded from the back, near the shoulder blades, and they glowed blue in various spots of the armor. The helmet is unusual, the entire front is made into sliding plates that pull back and become a form of neck brace when the helmet is deactivated. It is unclear how the other soldiers, aside from the one who opened his helmet, see out of them. Around the back of the rest are small capes (or skirts) that extend down to the ankles. Only two weapons were seen being used, both of which will most likely be available to all races. First was a machine gun, which most of the Alternative soldiers used. This seems to be an early version of the primary assault rifle, it appeared to only do moderate damage to the Hybrids in the trailer. The 2nd weapon was some sort of grenade launcher, wielded by only one of the soldiers, who were mowed down by a charging line of Hybrids. It was held like a gatling gun (Minigun) or a flamethrower.
Gameplay
Little is known about Huxley's gameplay at the moment. Action is directed to be fast-paced, on par with games such as Unreal Tournament 2004, applied to a Massively Multiplayer Online Game setting. This style is in contrast to another MMOFPS, PlanetSide by Sony Online Entertainment, which follows a more tactical and thought out route of action. In a recent interview, Huxley's main producer Kijong Kang said that the cities in Huxley will be able to accommodate up to 5000 (according to recent publications that number was increased to 10000 since summer 2006) people, and the individual battles will support over a hundred players. The battles can be as small as 1 VS 1 or as big as 60 VS 60 players (120), which is a modest improvement over the 150 player maximum of Novalogic's Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising. Player vs. AI will allow up to 64 players of a given faction to play together. Player vs. player battles will be available, as will be player vs. AI quests that the player can choose to take on. The 360 version of Huxley is said to include a single player campaign.
Leveling and experience
Although Webzen has not been specific, it can be derived from the released information that Huxley’s advancement system is actually separated into two. In the early part of the character advancement player system, players can shape their character in the style they like best. After that, players can then add depth to their characters. ‘Experiences’ and ‘Battle points’ are two elements of character advancement. ‘Experiences’ will affect the earlier part of character development and ‘Battle Points’ will affect the later part of a character’s development in a big way. In the earlier part, by acquiring licenses, characters can have opportunities to use upgraded weapons and armor. In the later part of the game, players will concentrate on developing their characters to be more effective under any circumstance. One developer has stated, "We are planning to make the earlier part of character development relatively fast and the later part of development a bit slower but more abundant. This is because we decided that too much difference between characters abilities that affect combat result is not good for an FPS game." Webzen has considered the fact that in most MMOGs the players at earlier levels have no chance of beating those at the higher levels, and therefore they have adjusted the game to make skill more significant than long periods of playing the game and leveling up. Leveling up will give players advantages, such as more slots for upgrades and perhaps faster aiming, but a lower level player can still measure up to a higher one. This is much like the game PlantSide for PC.
Vehicles
The vehicles in Huxley will serve not only as strong offensive weapons, but they will also be crucial in transporting squads in battle. There will be several land, sea, and air vehicles based on the class that the player chooses. In the area of land vehicles, it is known that there will be at least smaller light scout trucks, medium sized APC's (armored personnel carriers) and heavy tanks, although the tanks so far only seem to sport a machine gun. In the area of aviation, there is known to be at least dropships, and small scout/assault ships. So far, there have been no sea vehicles seen. It has been released that vehicles will be divided into two different categories: civilian and battleground. Civilian vehicles are only usable in cities and will mainly function as status symbols for the more wealthy players. Battle ground vehicles will only appear on the battle field and will have a specific license requirement for the driver. The license system for vehicles will be very similar to the one used for weapons.
Weapons
Currently, not many weapons are known. Information about two assault rifles, a sniper rifle, and a rocket launcher has been released. As the player levels up throughout the course of the game, the player can buy more advanced armor and acquire better licenses; which are required before being able to use more advanced weaponry. A marketplace is available in cities where players can trade weapons, armor, etc. There have been reported to be 9 weapons classes, three for each of the three armor classes in the game.
References
- ^ Early Q2 2008 Release Date
- ^ Huxley Interview (Shacknews)
- ^ Huxley Forums launched
- ^ Early Q2 2008 Release Date
- ^ Official Huxley Beta Details
- ^ Producer Kijong Kang talks about the online first-person shooter with amazing visuals and an unusual name (Yahoo Games)
