GDC 09: Section 8 Impressions

I had a meeting with TimeGate Studios for an impression on their new original IP Section 8. While it was an early build, it’s easy to see where TimeGate is heading with their title. Section 8 is a sci-fi first person shooter and it heading into a different direction than other FPS titles.

The first huge difference that Producer Robert Siwiak showed me was the dynamic spawn system. Basically, the player chooses anywhere on the map to spawn and is then dropped out of the sky. But even though you can spawn anywhere there are areas defended by aerial guns which can blow you out of the sky. Watching the animation of the fall is amazing. The map slowly becomes more apparent and detailed the closer you get to the designated spawn point.

The customization of the characters was simple, but robust. It simplified many aspects of FPS shooters and adds more by the addition of deployable vehicles and items during the game. I had a chance to use a heavy armored exoskeleton and it was amazing.

Using the Unreal Engine 3, even the early build had a sophisticated look to it. Though with the build there were some small glitches here and there, but the core of the gameplay was presented. The A.I. was still in an early form, so the bots I fought against didn’t do much in the level.

While playing though, there are a lot of environmental background effects. Siwiak showed me a level that was a base in a forest-type region. But in the sky, you could see ships, and planes doing flybys. It looks like there will always be something to look at in the game, even if you’re not actively playing, though you will be.

TimeGate could have a hit on their hands. With all the changes they have made to the FPS genre with this title, it is going to interesting to see the strategies that players will come up with. I can imagine the real-time deployable items will change how most gamers will pursue victory.