Brave New Genre: Huxley, the MMOFPS

An MMOFPS? Many scoff at such a feat. A cross-platform MMOFPS? Many more join in. A cross-platform MMOFPS with the name of Huxley? Everyone dies of laughter. Korean-based Webzen is developing the Massive Multiplayer Online First-Person Shooter, Huxley (what a mouthful!) with battles up to 120 people participating in a persistent online world. Webzen plans to couple the hectic and fast-paced FPS with more traditional MMORPG elements, like leveling and questing.

Although no release date has been confirmed, Huxley is anticipated to be released for the PC in late 2008 with the Xbox 360 version following a few months later. The Xbox 360 version will have an exclusive single-player campaign (who’s going to play that?). It’s currently in open beta in South Korea with Webzen, sadly, having no plans for an open beta anywhere else.

Although Webzen has stated that there will be some cross-platform play between the PC and Xbox 360, it remains to be seen to what extent. Hopefully Webzen will take a page out of the now-defunct FASA playbook and allow gamers on the Xbox 360 to fight with and against those on the PC.

Huxley is being developed with Unreal Engine 3 (so you know it’s going to look good) and will have the aforementioned 120-player battles, along with advanced AI, 9 different types of weapons, 3 classes, ground and air vehicles, and armor.

Huxley will have two playable warring races and two non-playable AI races. The two playable races include the human Sapiens and the mutated Alternatives who are bigger and stronger than their more normal counterparts.

Massive battles, leveling up, and cappin’ fools with your friends—what’s not to love?