Name the Game to Follow F.E.A.R.

Developer Monolith Productions needs a name for the sequel to its 2005 shooter F.E.A.R., and it is soliciting gamer suggestions at its Name Your Fear website. As reported last year, Monolith and parent company Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment own the rights to the F.E.A.R. universe, but not to the name itself. While original F.E.A.R. publisher Vivendi Games plans to publish its own non-Monolith-developed sequel using the actual branding, Monolith will essentially be developing a true sequel in all but name. The site features the Games for Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 logos, suggesting a multiplatform approach. At the time that Monolith's sequel was initially announced, the company stated its intention to lead development on PC and follow up on consoles. Since then, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of F.E.A.R. were announced and released. It is unknown whether that development plan remains, or if Monolith will be pursuing more straightforward multiplatform development. F.E.A.R. was published in 2005 on PC, with its Xbox 360 and PS3 versions following in 2006 and 2007 respectively. On the Name Your Fear site, Monolith has published a story primer describing the events of that game and the origin of Alma (pictured left), the creepy blank-eyed girl who is at the center of the F.E.A.R. world. Submissions for the name of the followup will be accepted until June 22, and public voting on three finalist entries will occur from July 23 to July 27. The finalists will have their names and likenesses featured in the games, and will be granted a trip to Monolith to sit in on the game's development; the winning entry will of course grace the final product. "Make sure that the name is easy to pronounce," advises the site, which offers word associations such as "Horror (Asian)," "Paramilitary," "Apocalypse," and "Gore." Entry is restricted to residents of the 48 contiguous United States who are at least 18 years of age. Shacknews humbly calls dibs on F.R.I.G.H.T., D.R.E.A.D., A.G.I.T.A.T.I.O.N., S.T.A.L.K.E.R. I.I., and M.I.L.D. P.E.R.T.U.R.B.A.N.C.E.