Sony launches first of three new freemium titles through PS Home
Sony has announced three new freemium games will be heading to PlayStation Home, which it hopes will "help showcase the ability for PS Home's developers" to create experiences on the platform unmatched by the social games space.
Here's a list of what's on slate for release from now and through the summer:
- Cutthroats: Battle for Black Powder Cove: Offering the biggest multiplayer experience in PS Home thus far, Cutthroats: Battle for Black Powder Cove allows up to 24 gamers to battle aboard pirate ships as both ship captains and gunners, attempting to take down their opponents' ships. Utilizing a freemium game model, Cutthroats: Battle for Black Powder Cove is completely free-to-play, though users wishing to expand their ship's offenses can purchase coins to use for upgrades. (Release: Today, March 28)
- No Man's Land: Arguably PS Home's most ambitious title yet, No Man's Land offers gamers the most advanced shooter experience the platform has ever seen. The game's unique cover-based mechanics were designed to take full advantage of the platform's technology. Players utilize a grid interface to sprint from cover to cover, popping up to take out opponents at every turn. The game offers a traditional "Team Deathmatch" mode, as well as a cooperative mode where salvage must be delivered back to the team's depots, while fighting to stay alive in the process. (Release: Spring 2012)
- Mercia: Developed by Lockwood Publishing, PS Home's first multiplayer role-playing title transports players into a fantasyl world of treacherous dungeons, magic spells, and a plethora of weapons and enemies. Mercia invites players to traverse a number of enemy-filled dungeons, and for the first time in PS Home's history, the game continually streams new content, leading to zero load times while playing. Mercia also utilizes a number of RPG mainstays such as crafting, upgrading, and resource management, giving gamers the deepest RPG experience available on the platform. (Release : Summer 2012)
"These new titles are delivering on the promise we made to the PlayStation Home community when we first launched the new core experience in November of last year, offering a variety of genre-based games to suit every gamer's preference," said SCEA's Chris Mahoney,senior business manager of PlayStation Home in the press release.
"We're bringing gamers the kind of experiences they expect from these genres with the social elements that are only available through PlayStation Home."
Along with these three new titles, the Adventure Districtwill also be released through Home, which offers "a number of tropical vistas to explore, including an ancient temple, a sweeping coastal shoreline and a beachfront bar."
This new district is also a launch point for Cutthroats: Battle for Black Powder Cove where players can get some target practice using a cannon situated on the virtual beach in order to practice for upcoming sea battles in Cutthroats.
Sony has recently updated the US PS Blog to reflect the new information along with some assets.