Sega and Creative Assembly have announced Hyenas, the team’s PvEvP shooter behind Alien: Isolation and Halo Wars 2.
Set in a future where millionaires have colonized Mars and made it harder to live on Earth, Hyena is a fast-paced multiplayer FPS that casts players as anti-hero pirates stealing from Megarich. In each match, 15 players are hosted in 5 teams of 3 each, who steal treasure from the spacecraft and compete to escape in the largest loot pile. Hunt: It’s a bit like Showdown, but with the smooth, speedy sensibility of Apex Legends.
Even more complex are AI-controlled security forces that protect the vault containing the treasure you are looking for. These guards, known as MFPFs (or “Murfs”), will fight those who try to steal from millionaires.
“These ships aren’t defenseless,” Creative Director Charlie Beaucher explained in a chat with IGN. “It’s packed with security, sensors, switches, interactive systems, and gadgets. It’s the perfect environment for this competitive game.”
Gravity is also zero because the map is set on a cargo ship moving between Earth and Mars. There is no gravity on any particular segment of the map, so you can float and use 3D space in new ways. Other locations, such as individual rooms and hallways, also have zero-gram on / off switches. The character has Maglock boots that help overcome the problem of gravity. Just in case zooming freestyle isn’t your preferred way to move.
There are numerous corridors, vaults, rooms and hangar spaces, and the map for each hyena is quite large. The Creative Assembly says it expects something bigger than a regular PvP Deathmatch map, but not as big as a Battle Royale map. Nevertheless, the team is inspired by the gameplay found in games such as Fortnite and Warzone.
“I didn’t want to create Battle Royale, but the idea was to create this unpredictable and chaotic space where players would find this new gameplay, new tactics, and finally new player stories. I wanted to incorporate it, “says Bewsher.
“”
Each match is set on a freighter carrying items from Earth’s wreckage to Mars. But these items, which are currently being exchanged for huge amounts of cash by millionaires, are probably not what you’re expecting. In the world of hyenas, the new diamonds are the artifacts of Earth’s past pop culture, stealing everything from Rubik’s Cube and Sony Walkman tape decks to Sonic statues and green warriors. Bewsher even says it could plunder the first album he bought, promising that the game will show IPs for different pop cultures.
The cinematic public trailer shows off a freighter with New York-themed souvenirs, from subway cars to the Statue of Liberty itself. Hyenas definitely don’t take it seriously, and its colorful cartoon-style art reflects that.
The Creative Assembly hasn’t detailed all the playable characters yet, but keep in mind that each falls into one of three categories: Engagement, Avoidance, and Exploits. Engagement characters focus on action, while avoidance heroes focus on nimble movements, sometimes stealth. Exploit characters, on the other hand, are hackers and support characters.
As part of IGN’s announcement stream, Creative Assembly checked the names of hyena heroes. The Pro is a classic style bank robber with a shotgun, deployable turret, and President Nixon’s mask. Commander Wright is an astronaut with a foam gun that can quickly create barricades, covers, and climbing platforms. Doc Hotfix is a gamer who believes he is the character of the game and therefore provides a fourth commentary to break the wall. Some other characters can be seen in the trailer, but they haven’t been described in detail yet.
The release date for Hyena hasn’t been announced so far, but a playable alpha version is planned and you can sign up at playhyenas.com. When Hyenas is finally released, it will be available on the Xbox and PlayStation consoles, as well as on Steam and the Epic Games Store on PC.
For more information on IGN’s Summer of Gaming, see our schedule with all the highlights of all the gaming events going on in June this year.
Matt Purslow is IGN’s UK News and Features Editor.
