The problem with most multiplayer games is that it's hard for developers to tell a story that's always open, because multiplayer games never really end.
Enter Vogelsap: the game developer has created The Flock, a multiplayer game that will actually end. It has a feature that counts all in-game player deaths: once the counter reaches zero, the company will no longer offer the game for sale and players will experience a "climactic finale."
"We've asked ourselves what kind of experience people would be getting from The Flock years after release," said Vogelsap creative director Jeroen van Hasselt in a press statement. "Hardly anyone would be online and those still playing would be either great at the game or brand-new. That's not a fun player-experience."
So in order to create a more fun player experience, Vogelsap needed to sacrifice longevity for story. When The Flock launches, the game's population counter will start at 215,358,979. Every time a member of the Flock dies, that number goes down by one. When it hits zero, Vogelsap plans on pulling the game from Steam and only allowing those who have already purchased the game to participate in the game's final chapter.
Here's the first trailer for the game:
The Flock takes place on a future post-apocalyptic Earth, where sunlight can no longer penetrate through the pollution surrounding the planet. This led to the extinction of humanity, but also to the rise of a new species: the monstrous members of the Flock. A mysterious Light Artifact appears and the Flock find themselves drawn to it: when they touch it, they become a humanoid being called the Carrier.
Gameplay involves stealth and survival with teams of three to five players. Players will be in charge of either the Flock or the Carrier, which decides how they use their skills and powers to challenge opponents.
The Flock releases August 21 for PC on Vogelsap's website, Steam and The Humble Store, with all following DLC free to players who already own the game. Those who pre-order the game get an extra key to share a copy with a friend.
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