It has been a long time since we’ve talked about H-Hour: World’s Elite, Jan 2014 to be exact. Apparently like any good specialist they were keeping their heads down and working overtime to show the gaming world that they could build a spiritual successor to the beloved SOCOM series. Now instead of a new press release with a few screenshots H-Hour: World’s Elite has launched on Steam Early Access to let gamers take a look at the fruits of their labor.
Being in Early Access means there’s a charge to get in and start shooting and for H-Hour: World’s Elite that charge would be $24.99. There’s currently a few reviews up on Steam and while they are mostly positive there are a some negatives sprinkled in which might sway you to wait. The biggest issue, besides trusting SOF Studios to actually finish the game seem to be that there are only 2 maps included in this initial release each with their own game mode (team deathmatch and demolition). The press release and the Steam page make no mention on total number of maps in the final release only that several maps along with other additions are to be expected upon the games completion. The biggest bullet point I see that they should be focusing on is the release of the dedicated server. If they can gather a decent size hardcore community who are allowed to run their own servers H-Hour: World’s Elite could end up sticking around a long time.
Source Link: YouTube | H-Hour: World’s Elite on Steam | https://www.sofstudios.com
PRESS RELEASE
Game Industry Pros from SOCOM and More Join with Special Operations Veterans to Revive Tactical Team-Based Military Shooters in Pre-Alpha Release on Steam
SOUTHERN PINES, NC (MAY 19, 2015) – SOF Studios, an independent developer comprised of both armed forces and game industry veterans, has released H-Hour: World’s Elite™, a tactical, team-based military shooter, via Steam’s “Early Access” program. The game has been in private testing this Spring and heads to Steam as a pre-alpha, community-focused build.
H-Hour: World’s Elite has already drawn a strong group of more than 10,000 early supporters on the forums at www.sofstudios.com that has helped bring the game to Early Access. New players are invited to join in and help shape the future of the game with their impressions, feedback and ideas. The game can be found online on Steam at http://store.steampowered.com/app/293220/ for $24.99 U.S.D.
“H-Hour: World’s Elite is truly a community-led project, with long-time fans of games like Delta Force and SOCOM already providing incredible feedback and ideas to help shape the future gameplay and features of H-Hour,” said Tom Flanagan, Co-Owner and President, SOF Studios. “Steam’s Early Access platform allows us to engage with an even broader community of players who want to share their experience and opinions. We hope everyone interested in reviving the military shooter genre will download H-Hour and help us build the game that they will love to play with their friends for years to come.”
The Early Access version of H-Hour: World’s Elite will include the main framework for the multiplayer experience, including lobbies, 8-v-8 matches, several maps, two game modes, and weapon and armament selection for characters. The game is currently in a pre-alpha state, so players looking for a full-featured game, without bugs, are encouraged to wait until the game’s official release in the future. However, players who enjoy having a real voice in shaping the games they play will find a thriving and excited community of like-minded gamers driving the development of H-Hour alongside them.
Developed by a unique combination of decorated US Special Operations veterans and experienced game creators with past work on titles like Sony’s SOCOM series, H-Hour: World’s Elite aims to revive the tactical military shooter, where teamwork and strategy are paramount to success. The development team includes studio head Tom Flanagan, a retired Army Special Operations veteran with several years of direct action combat; Art Director Russell Phillips, who formerly shaped the look of SOCOM: US Navy SEALs for Zipper Interactive; Creative Direction support by David Sears, former Creative Director for SOCOM: US Navy SEALs; Lead Audio Designer Nathan Brenholdt, whose previous work appeared in SOCOM: US Navy SEALs, God of War, Twisted Metal, Uncharted, and more; and Game Designer Kevin De Respino, formerly of his own independent studio, Look At It Games.
ABOUT H-HOUR
H-Hour: World’s Elite is a tactical, team-based military shooter in which cooperation among players is required for success. The game uses a third-person ‘battlefield’ perspective to enhance the player’s situational awareness, allowing for more strategic game play. The design philosophy is simple: bullets are lethal and players who fail to work with their teammates will not last long, just as in the real world.
H-Hour: World’s Elite’s missions and settings are inspired by real world events—based on the personal stories and recollections of US Special Operations veterans – repurposed and staged in new and equally deadly locations for the purposes of preserving national security. All missions are presented in a plausible and realistic manner.
Fans can jump into the action through Steam Early Access program at http://store.steampowered.com/app/293220/ and visit the SOF Studios official web site for more information at www.SOFStudios.com . The final retail price of the game is unannounced, but will be higher than this special Early Access price.
ABOUT SOF STUDIOS
SOF Studios is an independent game development studio located in Southern Pines, NC with the mission of creating and publishing innovative and engaging video games that educate and inspire their players. Since producing a successful Kickstarter campaign, SOF Studios has been hard at work creating H-Hour: World’s Elite™, a tactical, team-based, military shooter.
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