Mindjack now out, apparently destroys line between single and multiplayer
Do you play Call of Duty? Halo? Left 4 Dead? GoldenEye? Well, you were probably pretty sure there was a solid line between the single and multiplayer modes in those games, right? Well, maybe L4D is a slight exception, but Square Enix doesn't care! They've declared that they've just destroyed the line between single and multiplayer gameplay with Mindjack. I know, stop the presses right?
In all seriousness the concept is pretty cool. At any time players can search out a solo game someone else is playing and jack into one of the NPCs, giving said solo player the challenge only a sentient player can produce. It feels a little like Perfect Dark's counter-operative mode where the second player would control a random NPC and respawn in another every time they died (an idea implemented in an 11-year-old game, by the way) just with the randomness of jump-in online play.
It is a cool idea and I'd like to see more games blur the line a bit. That said, I thought Square Enix was more concerned with destroying the respect their fans had for them by shooting C&D's at lovingly created Chrono Trigger fangames. Snap!
SQUARE ENIX DESTROYS THE LINE BETWEEN SINGLE-PLAYER AND MULTIPLAYER GAMEPLAY
Innovative Third-Person Action (Online) Shooter MINDJACK Now Available
LOS ANGELES (January 18, 2011) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in North America, today unleashed MINDJACK™, an innovative action (online) shooter that blurs the line between traditional single-player and multiplayer gameplay by thrusting real-world players into the roles of in-game enemies, allies and cybernetic creatures at any time.
“We are really excited to introduce an entirely new way to play a shooter – in an environment where any character, machine, or even cybernetic creature can suddenly come under the control of another player via Xbox LIVE® or PlayStation®Network,” said Mike Fischer, President and CEO, Square Enix, Inc. “By blending single and multiplayer action into something refreshing and new, MINDJACK truly is never the same game twice. Experienced players may think they know what they’re in for, but will literally never know who is waiting for them around the next corner.”
Developed in Japan by feelplus inc., MINDJACK is now available at retail outlets in North America for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. More information can be found online at www.MindjackGame.com or via Facebook® at www.facebook.com/MindjackGame.
ABOUT MINDJACK
MINDJACK is a unique action (online) shooter that pushes the boundaries of the third-person genre with its thrilling gameplay, mind control abilities and other incredible surprises. Offering no-wait multiplayer, a variety of people, machines and creatures to “hack” into, and a gripping story of corporate greed, MINDJACK is a refreshing take on a well-traveled genre.
MINDJACK blurs the line between traditional single-player and multiplayer gameplay by allowing players to “hack” into another player’s story-based campaign. Once hacked in, players can choose to take control of enemy soldiers and combatants or to join up with the host player as a cooperative ally in the single-player campaign. This establishes a game world where seemingly non-threatening citizens can, at any moment, be instantly transformed into armed, human-controlled allies or vicious, gun-toting foes.
Set in 2031, MINDJACK throws players into the life of Jim Corbijn, a field agent with the Federal Intelligence Agency. As Jim becomes embroiled in a clandestine war between governments and corporations, players must aid Jim by employing futuristic technology to take control of other characters and machines within the game world.
As networked players join another gamer’s single-player campaign through Xbox Live or PlayStation Network, they seamlessly transform the experience into multiplayer, instantly altering the challenge and game world, resulting in each game session being truly unique.
MINDJACK is now available at North American retailers for the PlayStation®3 system and Xbox 360. For more information, please visit www.MindjackGame.com. Fans can learn more, pick up tips and tricks, and meet other players who may already be inside the game on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MindjackGame.
MINDJACK is rated M (Mature). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.
About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 54 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/na.
