First Shattered Horizon Content Pack Announced, Doubles Multiplayer Map Count

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Having previously promised to support Shattered Horizon with free "new levels and features," developer Futuremark Game Studios today announced the first expansion for its zero-gravity PC-exclusive multiplayer shooter.

Dubbed "Moonrise," the pack will deliver four new levels--"effectively doubling the number of levels in the game," writes the studio. Those that pre-ordered the game prior to its November 4 release will be invited to help playtest the new arenas beginning this week.

As for when the free pack will be available to all Shattered Horizon owners, Futuremark has yet to decide, explaining that "the release date of the Moonrise pack will depend on the feedback we get from [playtesters]."

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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  • reply
    November 16, 2009 6:18 AM

    Was this game any good?

    • reply
      November 16, 2009 6:32 AM

      Yeah, someone comment on what the game is like. I want to play it, but am hesitant.

      This is what Idle Thumbs was for :(

    • reply
      November 16, 2009 6:37 AM

      Also interested.

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      November 16, 2009 6:40 AM

      I haven't played it a lot yet, but it seems fun. Some maps don't work though, there was one with just a bunch of asteroids... maybe they need more time to figure out how the game plays. These new maps will probably fix that. But players also need time to figure it out because it is pretty damn unique.

      If you're looking for something different, give it a shot.

    • reply
      November 16, 2009 6:47 AM

      I would be interested if I knew how it runs. :|

    • reply
      November 16, 2009 6:53 AM

      I purchased it, but hadn't time to play it yet.

      But Futuremark does have a Review Thread on their own Forum.
      http://futuremark.yougamers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115850

      Oh and btw, sometime today or tomorrow they activate guest passes, so if you know someone who bought it, just ask for a guest pass. (Every owner get 3 passes redeemable for 30 days( actually playtime is 3 days.(starting from the point you download the Game.)

      If Someone wants a guest pass just Pm me i will give them out as soon i get them.

    • reply
      November 16, 2009 6:53 AM

      I think the game is really fun. However there is only one gun and four maps right now. This isn't really too bad because the one gun can go into sniper mode and switch between three grenade types.

      I think it is good for $20 and I'm glad I bought it. Just make sure you have Vista/7 or you can't play. I run on medium settings fine with a Q6600/3GB ram/8800gt 512mb.

      • reply
        November 16, 2009 6:56 AM

        A bit more precise, Vista/7 AND a DX10(D3D10) GFX Card. ;)

    • reply
      November 16, 2009 6:58 AM

      Yah i like it... its a fun game. Runs quite well on my system too. Run everything mostly on High @ 1680x1050. E8500/8GB Ram/GTX260

    • reply
      November 16, 2009 7:38 AM

      IMO $20 to support a high quality PC-only release is worth it on its own.

      Anyway, here are some pros and cons...

      Pro:
      Very good looking and unique graphics. This game looks different than anything else out there.
      Flawless networking (although not so many players). Even at 100ms the game is quite playable, and I've never gotten booted off a server or had to fuss with ports etc.
      Pretty fun gameplay. It is a different formula than anything else out there, maybe mostly reminiscent of Descent. It is good, but couldn't be my go-to multiplayer game. It is a fun diversion.

      Con:
      The servers I get a low ping to have been empty every time I check for the last several days.
      I had to turn down the detail level some for a framerate as smooth as I want, and as a result the shadows look blocky and bad. This wouldn't be a big deal in most games, but the contrast between lit and dark areas is so high in this game that the shadow quality makes a big difference.
      Only 4 maps - although obviously they're doubling that with this release, and if they keep it up a lack of maps won't be a concern.

      • reply
        November 16, 2009 9:18 AM

        I pretty much agree with this assessment. It's a great game overall.

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      November 16, 2009 8:16 AM

      It's a fun game. More maps = awesome!

    • reply
      November 16, 2009 4:58 PM

      It is worth the $20. The play mechanics are a nice breath of fresh air in the shooter market.

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      November 16, 2009 5:49 PM

      I like it, but I am terrible at it.

      I need to practice a bit more to get the controls sorted out. I spawn in, end up floating along for a bit, and usually before I can even get my bearings I am respawning. Again.

      I would really like some maps with more interior space to work with, like some of the tunnels and underground bases in some of the Tribes 2 maps. I get a bit tired of having only these huge open areas with nothing but some flying boulders to break up line of sight.

      Also, some additional game modes would be nice. Something as mundane as CTF doesn't seem like it would fit very well in the maps that are out right now, but Domination could work. I suspect there's room in this game for a whole new kind of thing that hasn't been done before...

    • reply
      November 17, 2009 7:22 AM

      its a unique game... you have to get used to it, but its such a unique gaming experience!

      buy it! :)

    • reply
      November 17, 2009 7:30 AM

      - Graphics are excellent. At 1680x1050 res, max detail, 2xAA, on Intel i7 2.67GHz, Geforce 275 GTX, 6GB DDR3 I get 30-40 fps. Currently turn things down a bit for performance.

      - Only one gun, straight forward shooting mechanics. Regular assault rifle shots, feels like it takes 10-12 bullets to kill someone on average. 2 sniper shots to body. Critical hits on helmet visor or jetpack fuel tank. I can see why they went "simple", will talk more about it on the next point.

      - The game is more about movement and angles than shooting, per se. Being attacked from 360 degrees makes a world of difference. Flying between asteroids, there can be a guy above/below/behind every single rock. It's like an FPS/flight sim hybrid with a learning curve.

      - Even with the red dmg indicator, you can't always find your enemy before you die if they approach from an angle you don't expect. Try to get an angle on them while being aware of what angles you're open. Also radar doesn't help as much as I imagined. Enemies only show up after they've been "tagged" by a teammated (just hold aim on them for 2 sec).

      - Assault mode can have a lot of camping because of the above point. Maps are very big, you have to learn how to flank from unexpected approaches to overcome defense.

      - Way too few players on servers as of now.

      Overall, I have fun with it. I hope mod tools get released, and some official support help the game move forward.

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