Codies: "We didn’t want to do a 'token' competitive online experience with Red River just to tick a box"

Codemasters' Adam Parsons has said that, while there are no plans to include competitive multiplayer in Operation Flashpoint: Red River, the next time the team does PvP "it's got to be right."

Speaking with Strategy Informer, Parsons also reiterated creative director Sion Lenton's comments that the game is more tactical, and not a typical run-and-gun shooter.

"Red River is fully built around the co-op experience, and with our join-in-progress feature this means that your friends can join your campaign or FTEs whenever they want to, without waiting for prescribed checkpoints," he said. "We’ve got no plans to include competitive multiplayer as DLC for Red River. However, if and when we do return to PvP multiplayer with the Flashpoint series, it’s got to be right – we were adamant that we didn’t want to do a 'token' competitive online experience with Red River just to tick a box.

"We’ve got a long-term strategy for Flashpoint, which means we’re not cramming in features just for the sake of their inclusion. However, don’t underestimate the amount of work we’ve put into the Fireteam Engagements. These are detailed co-operative game modes which provide a strong replay value and that classic competitive-style score-based game mode.

"Red River is a unique offering in the FPS market, requiring a more tactical, considered approach rather than a ‘run and gun’ style of gameplay and we think there’s an appetite for this amongst gamers. We can’t wait to get Red River into the public’s hands, and we genuinely believe that once players have experienced it, corridor shooters won’t be enough any more."

While there is no set date for the game, Parsons confirmed the game is still slated for a Q2 2011 release.