Future tac-sim: Ground Branch

The intial thread seem to have been lost in the shuffle so I'll start again

A new tactical simulation first person shooter is in development: Ground Branch

The title refer to the main protagonists of the game: The clandestine, paramilitary wing of the US Central Intelligence Agency.

It takes place on Sumatra, where local guerillas, backed by Chinese oil interests, are trying to topple the local government, and the Ground Branch team is caught in the middle.

The game is being developed by BlackFoot Studios, an independent developer staffed with veterans from the original Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon games.

The game is being developed for PC with an intended release date of late 2008. An XBOX 360 version is also planned, pending publisher agreement.

The game is being developed as a real tac-sim shooter (as opposed to the "military-themed action shooter"). And the key is their proprietary design methology: NORG (Natural Order of Realistic Gameplay), an entirely new approach to game design, specifically for realism-type games. Whereas the usual approach to game "realism" is to restrict the actions of the gamer (to avoid unrealistic behavior), NORG sets the gamer free to do as he/she pleases, but in an environment that reacts realitically to the actions of the player.

The game will be a squad-based shooter, with the characters primarily operating on foot in "medium"-sized maps. It has single player, co-op and adversarial multiplayer game types. The developer is exploring new methods for movement and firing weapons, notably to ensure a high degree of realism.

The motto of BlackFoot Studios is : "Do not build you community around a game, build your game around a community". This is practiced on a daily basis on the very lively forum. Where else can you talk directly to the CEO of a games developer? You can at the BlackFoot Studios forums. And if you have a good idea for a game feature, they'll listen. Several "ordinary" forum members have already contributed with ideas that will likely end up in the game.

Links:

The real Ground Branch

Synopsis

FAQ

There is also a number of "teaser" images and a highly informantive newsletter (2 issues so far). But to view those you have to register at the forum, which (of course) is free. I highly recommend you register, as the images and (in particular) the newsletters provide an excellent overview of the game.

I'll update this thread when new info becomes availible.

Respectfully

krise madsen

I'm all for it.



The Jedi Master

Update:

The 3rd issue of the BlackFoot Studios/Ground Branch Newsletter is now availible. There is more on the storyline in the game as well as an interesting work-in-progress screenshow of how you peek around corners in the game (and it will be very, very cool in the game).

You are required to register on the forum in order to view the newsletter. Registering is of course free. This also gives you access to the forum where the developers take part in the lively discussion (where else does the CEO of a game developer post almost daily?). FYI, the hot forum topics right now includes discussions on how to increase randomness and replayability in single-player/co-op missions, how to make suppressive fire actually work in a multiplayer game, how to aim your weapons (on-screen crosshairs or weapons sights only), to what extent the AI teammates should have their own personalities and behavior, plus a lot more. And of course, the concept of NORG (Natural Order of Realistic Gameplay) is ever increasing in popularity.

Link: BlackFoot Studios

Respectfully

krise madsen

Ooooooh!

I was *just wondering* about Blackfoot Studios yesterday.
How cool is this?!

Sumatra...jungles. That should be fun!

Just registered and read the 3rd news letter. Very impressive work so far, looks like its coming along nicely. Does anyone who whant game engine they're going to use?

Pretty cool huh?`

For legal reasons, the game engine a secret so far. It will probably be revealed when a publishing deal is announced. A good bet would be some well-known middle-ware engine. There have been a few confirmations on what engine it isn't : Unreal Engine 2.5 and Diesel (GRAW), plus a few others I forgot.

Respectfully

krise madsen

I just wanted to stop in here and say "hi." I'm one of the admins at BlackFoot Studio forums. If I can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to ask.

We are hoping to be able to release the information about what engine we are using real soon. We are working on some major deadlines right now and when they are met, we should be able to discuss the engine and provide additional screenshots.

Sounds good to the rest of us who are watching...

Ok, cool. Of course, the only reason we really care about what engine is used is for modding purposes. Otherwise, if it looks great and works great, it could be on Orville Reddenbacher's Pop Engine for all we care.



The Jedi Master

BlackFoot Studios are very pro-modding and alledgedly the game will be quite mod-friendly so that shouldn't be an issue.

Respectfully

krise madsen

As krise already mentioned, BFS will be providing modding capabilities to the community upon release of the game. With the long time success of GR due to the ability to mod the game, it would be like shooting ourselves in the foot if we didn't provide modding with Ground Branch.

The Jedi Master

Jedi,

You know that we will be getting this, regardless.

I thought some of you may find this interesting.

BlackFoot Studios has released it's 4th newsletter. Here is a snippet from the Q&A.



To see the entire newsletter, you need to log in (or register if you haven't yet) and click here.

This was recently stated by a member of the BFS forums and has John's response below.




You WON'T get 3rd person
You WILL get joystick/pad support on PC
You WILL get an option for some sort of respawn
You WILL get proper SADS that do not require high end stuff (physics drivers maybe.. just part of the software to)
You WILL get SP COOP story with AT LEAST 6 players
You WILL get a nice looking experience (All games run in 24bit color now btw...)
You WILL be able to turn off music, Blur, Bloom, Reflection and various other eye candy
You WILL be able to set options for the server to limit the criteria for joining

I applaud your decision for gamepad/jstick support. I know some disabled gamers who cannot use mouse and kb only to play games, and must use a stick for everything. The option is what is important, just as designing it for gamepad use primarily is the common failing for most ports.



The Jedi Master

Newsletter #5 has been released. Here is a snippet from the Q&A.

Click here to read the find the full newsletter and discussion about it.

Grupo97 requested an interview from John. It's a spanish site so you can find the interview in English and Spanish.

English

Spanish

Enjoy

"You WON'T get 3rd person".

Why?

because it's a FIRST person shooter...well thats what I assume... but I do hope they add a good replay tool, Ghost Recon was one of the first with that...pretty cool, but limited, and the ability to issues orders and jump between team mates in SP...GR did so much good stuff back then.

Are there any screenshots of this game in action yet? What is the ETA?

no and unknown... I would GUESS, with the limited info I have...end of 08, more likely 09.

At least a longer release date would allow me more time to save up for having to upgrade this rig for when it hits the shelves. ;D

Seriously looking foward to Ground Branch though.

Got total faith in the BlackFoot Studios team along with Hatchetforce to not let us tactical fans down!

There are various shots and images in this thread, but you do have to be registered and logged in to the forums in order to see them.

OK Captain Obvious. ;-)


Just that there seems to be so many options listed so far that you can turn off, why not include 3rd for those that like it, but then include an option to disable it for those that don't?
Even for server hosting, allow them to disable it (force 1st) if need be.

Now is it not included because there would be too much work for character animations or is this a "idealogical/religious" decision.

Most games include it today, and after being a 1st person die hard, I kinda liked the field of view you gain in GRAW (360). First person for zoom in, etc. I find 1st person kinda like fighting looking through a straw. I like the wider view of third, and the convenience of first for zoom in or iron sites.

All I get is;

"IPS Driver Error
There appears to be an error with the database.
You can try to refresh the page by clicking here "

I wouldn't want a 3rd person option at all. It takes away the immersion and decreases the realism of the game. It works good for shooters, but not with highly realistic tactical shooters IMO. Especially the "cover system". What happened to leaning around corners? More realistic and does the samething. I wish Rainbow 6 Vegas at least had an option for this, the cover system looks like an immersion killer for me. But, I still might pick it up anyways.

We had a hosting issue for a little bit tonight. Please try now.

This decision is based on the concept of NORG (Natural Order for Realistic Gaming). As many concepts as possible are based on what things are really like.

Pics look good to me.

I'm ok with 1st person only. I only use 3rd person in GRAW once in awhile. Mostly, I prefer 1st person.

So, is there a target date set yet for release??

OK, then would you consider a field of view adjustment option, 16:9/10 widescreen support, or possibly even including multiple monitor support?

Nothing official yet, but we are aiming towards a late 2008/early 2009 release.


@ +G, I'll do some checking about your question. I don't recall off the top of my head what was said about widescreen or multiple screen support.

A very interesting niche game with an attractive concept. But what will make it better than GRAW or any other number of shooters, such as my favorite, BF2 Project Reality Mod?

There will be shooting, there will be stealth, there will be weapons. And God bless you there will apparently be realistically staged clashes; realistic engagement distances and realistic time frames. I assume this will involve some pretty huge maps.

But this is a game that purports to be about CIA assets working on the ground. So just running around shooting stuff may be or should not be that important really.

Gathering data, getting to know the locals, paying out money to rival warlords for support. Realistically such a covert force might never come within small arms range of enemy forces, and would avoid it at all costs.

Is there going to be room for this in your new game? Otherwise what does it bring that is new to the table?

And yeah, I realize I'm asking for A LOT here...like what Operation Flashpoint 2 is promising with interaction with the locals being important for their support or resistance. Really the core of counter insurgency work.
But I'm not just trying to be a jerk. We all long for a more mature and complex game interaction than just slap happy shootemups..as enjoyable as those might be.

Well, we as the gamers don't really know all this yet... I'm sure when we have our Q&A session later this summer, all of this will come to light...

Meanwhile, read a book... like maybe, "Masters of Chaos" and "Inside the Delta Force", should give you a general idea of what kind of missions you will be doing.

Today, BlackFoot Studios was able to announce what engine they are using.




link to discussion

Update: Blackfoot Studios have a revamped website with more readily availible info on both Ground Branch and the new Sky Gods game for those who want a quick peek.

Link: Blackfoot Studios

Respectfully

krise madsen

Like so many (almost any) other game/mod striving for realism in FPS sadly this games also seems DOA to me. I will be very (positively) surprised when GB or SG ever will be released but i seriously doubt that.
Sad thing is that the most realistic tactical shooter came out in the last year is SOCOM Confrontation for the PS3.

Not sure why you would think that, if you go to the forums, you'd see that they are still working on it. The are not posting as much and will not be doing the news letters any more because they are focusing on completing the games.

I hate beeing right!
Obviously GB and SG are belly up and imho it´s just a matter of time when the whole studio is following.

actually just SG is belly up, GB still moves on... but ya... it will be a long time still, and it does leave a lot of questions and speculations, thou BFS has been upfront and direct about their issues/problems...

we will see, as for now... keep playing other games, I wouldn't be "saving my money for Ground Branch" right now. JMO.

The only thing that worries me is this:


Sky Gods was designed because GB was too big to develop up front. Ok, that is understandable. Make SG, which has less over all content, no friendly AI, ect. A smaller game to release up front to get some more money to continue funding for future games. This would make sense.

But now that they canceled SG, what is this supposed to mean? SG already was intended to be a smaller game. If they can't deliver SG, then what can they?

As I brought up on their forums, I can see them scrapping the whole sky diving/insertion thing, as this may be hard to make. I would imagine it would be considering how small of a budget they have.

The only thing I can see them doing is making SG without the air insertion methods. Basically a realism based multiplayer game.

Personally, the news about SG being canceled has been enough for me to completely write off Ground Branch. It doesn't sound like there's any real hope of seeing it in any reasonable timeframe. The number of people apparently involved isn't really even enough to make a mod, let alone a full game - not to mention a full, good game. I'm all for optimism and everything, but there's a point where it turns to delusion, and I think their most recent update re: SG and GB is where the fantasy dies.

Hey now, let's not bury Grandma until we're sure she stopped breathing. Yes, a "full game" release is now rather in limbo, but BFS is aiming at release it in a more piecemeal manner.