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==Reception==
==Reception==
According to the Homefront Official Facebook Page, [[Playstation: The Official Magazine]] [[Italy]] gave Homefront a 9/10 rating, calling Homefront: ‘One of the most intense, emotional experiences of 2011’.<ref>http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150103284866238&set=a.474463641237.255424.97648136237&theater</ref> [[Metacritic]] awarded the game an 88 out of 100, putting it above [[Call of Duty: Black Ops]].<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/homefront</ref> Gamerankings awarded the game an overall 89.33%, topping [[Battlefield: Bad Company 2]] and Call of Duty: Black Ops.
According to the Homefront Official Facebook Page, [[Playstation: The Official Magazine]] [[Italy]] gave Homefront a 9/10 rating, calling Homefront: ‘One of the most intense, emotional experiences of 2011’.<ref>http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150103284866238&set=a.474463641237.255424.97648136237&theater</ref> [[Metacritic]] awarded the game an 83 out of 100.<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/homefront</ref> Gamerankings awarded the game an overall 89.33%, topping [[Battlefield: Bad Company 2]] and Call of Duty: Black Ops.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 20:20, 14 March 2011

Homefront
Developer(s)Kaos Studios
Digital Extremes (PC)
Publisher(s)THQ
Writer(s)John Milius[1]
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, OnLive
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Homefront is an upcoming first-person shooter video game developed by Kaos Studios and published by THQ. It is scheduled to be released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows on March 15, 2011 in North America and Continental Europe, March 17, 2011 in Australia, March 18, 2011 in United Kingdom[4] and April 29, 2011 in Japan.[citation needed] Its tagline is: "Home is where the war is."

Overview

Homefront is set in a near future America in 2027 when a nuclear-armed Korean People's Army invades the USA. The game is written by John Milius, who co-wrote Apocalypse Now and wrote Red Dawn. The beginning gameplay is reportedly set in Montrose, Colorado.[5]

One of the major portions of the story arc is built around not only the growth of the North Korean forces over the years leading to the year 2027 (the year in which the game takes place), but also the economic downfall of the United States of America, and the unrest that seems to grip the nation before the invasion.[6]

Homefront is speculative fiction, set in a near-future, post peak oil world that features a significantly declined United States, and a united Korea that has built a massive alliance in East Asia. The Gate Corporation (a major private military company) also plays a minor role. The game focuses on the collapse of the United States, subsequent occupation by the Greater Korean Republic - a united Korea under the rule of North Korea - and the American Resistance that fights said occupation. The player is invited to join the American resistance, "using guerrilla tactics, commandeering military vehicles, and utilizing advanced drone technology", but the player may join the North Korean Forces as well but only in multiplayer matches. The game will also feature vehicle based 32 player online warfare using dedicated servers. The game is planned to ship on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.[7]

The cover art depicts San Francisco in the grip of war, with smoke rising from the skyline and the Flag of North Korea hanging from the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of the game's advertisements also depict an enormous North Korean flag draped over the Transamerica Pyramid.[8]

Backstory and Timeline

The antagonists in Homefront were originally intended to be Chinese, but were later replaced by North Koreans (or "unified Koreans" according to the story) for two reasons: a possible backlash by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the reality of economic interdependence between America and China that made the Chinese "not that scary".[9] Said Tae Kim, a former CIA field agent on the game's backstory, and a consultant: "we went to a very rigorous, academic research process to make sure to not only look at North Korea's current state but to look at historical examples how things could parallel and turn events. History repeats itself. From today to the day the invasion starts in the game, if you combine everything, the odds are very very slim this becomes true. But when you look at the storyline step by step, every step is a coin flip but a plausible step. So once you get there, it's plausible. And from there the next step is plausible as well. Even though the whole thing is fictional, it comes with plausible baby steps."[10]

The finalized version of Homefront's timeline was released at end of January 2011.[11]

Timeline

  • 2011: North Korea faces another UN sanction over its latest nuclear test.
  • 2012: Kim Jong-Il passes away, he is succeeded by his son Kim Jong-un.
  • 2013: Kim Jong-un is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and featured on the cover of Time Magazine for his accomplishment of Korean reunification.
  • 2014: American military withdraws from the Korean Peninsula. General Motors declares bankruptcy for the second time.
  • 2015: The effects of peak oil are felt as gas prices reach up to 20 dollars a gallon due to a war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Russia cuts off all oil trade with Europe. Survivalist literature become bestsellers in America. China's influences diminish.
  • 2016: America withdraws its military from Japan and other countries overseas, focusing on its instability back home. Texas splits from the United States, border bloodshed takes place as refugees from other states attempt to enter Texas.
  • 2017: Martial law is declared in the United States as its infrastructure crumbles due to financial deficiencies.
  • 2018: After the destruction of one its nuclear facilities by Korean special forces, Japan surrenders to the Greater Korean Republic and is capitalized into a vassal state.
  • 2019: The UN goes out of commission.
  • 2020: Canada closes its borders to Americans. The US military takes over the functions of many emergency services, as well as the distribution of basic goods. This causes many Americans to abandon the suburbs in exchange of the military-managed urban centers.
  • 2021: Korean forces succeed in annexing many countries in Southeast Asia. A new pandemic known as the Knoxville Cough, type of bird flu, begins to spread in the United States.
  • 2022: To prevent the contagion of the Knoxville Cough, Mexico closes its borders to Americans. Hyperinflation pushes the US dollar to the edge of collapse.
  • 2023: The Knoxville Cough ravages the American public. The Korean People's Army reaches 20 million total personnel.
  • 2024: Using the captured M-V rockets at the Uchinoura Space Center, Kim Jong-un announces a new space satellite program, under the pretense of replacing the decaying GPS system, which America could no longer afford to maintain.
  • 2025: A thermonuclear device is detonated by one of the Korean satellites 300 miles above Kansas, blanketing America with an EMP that wipes out its power grid and most of the electronics above ground. The US infrastructure is virtually in ruins. This is followed by the Korean seizure of Hawaii and landings in San Francisco. Korean paratroopers are dropped into central United States. The economic downfall in Europe prevents its nations from intervening.
  • 2026: The United States is split into two as the KPA irradiate the entire Mississippi River, as a fortification for their control of the western side.
  • 2027: The United States Armed Forces are completely scattered.

Gameplay

Single Player

Homefront's gameplay has been completely reworked from its origins in Frontlines: Fuel of War, focusing on a more cinematic, character driven experience.

David Votypka, the design director of Homefront, stated in an interview with G4TV that the gameplay will be based around guerilla style tactics, inspired by Half-Life 2.[12] The same interview also contained information stating that one of the important facts concerning your surroundings is that they are built to try and build a connection with the user by using real companies and brands.[13] The campaign is said to be 5–10 hours long depending on experience.[14]

Multiplayer

The multiplayer component of Homefront is focused on large-scale vehicle based combat reminiscent of Kaos' first title, Frontlines: Fuel of War. The defining innovation of Homefront's Multiplayer is its battle points system, which is an in-game currency that allows player to purchase weapons, gear and vehicles. Players earn points by taking objectives and getting kills and are forced to choose between many small purchases such as weapons versus larger, higher cost items like helicopters and tanks. It has been confirmed that the multi-player will support up to 32 players in one match, with 16 players on each team. According to rumors, there will be 7 maps for the PS3 and PC and there will be 8 maps for the Xbox 360. Nothing has been confirmed.[15] Homefront on Xbox 360 will be getting a limited exclusive map called "Suburbs", which will be set in the Suburbs of America and will be infantry / drone only.[16]

The Multiplayer takes place in the period before the U.S. Armed Forces were completely scattered.[17]

Each new copy of Homefront contains an online pass, enabling users the full multiplayer experience. Although the online pass is not required to play multiplayer, those who play without an online pass will be capped at level 5 (out of 75).[18]

PC version

Homefront's PC version has been outsourced to Digital Extremes, a Canadian developer responsible for numerous Unreal Tournament games and Bioshock ports. Frank Delise, the executive producer of the PC version has stated that the PC version of the game will feature exclusive content and dedicated servers. Additional exclusive features include clan support, DirectX 11 graphics, and first person vehicle cockpits.[19][20] It has also been confirmed that Homefront will be released on Steam,[21] as well as the OnLive gaming service. Also, spectator mode and demorecording will be included along with a dedicated server executable, server tools and RCON.[3]

Other media

THQ announced a tie-in novel that explores the early days of the occupation of the United States by the GKR, and sets the stage for the game itself. The story focuses on the journey of a group of reporters making their way across America, and while not a specific focus of the narrative, the characters from the game are involved. The novel is written by John Milius and Raymond Benson and is due out before the game's release. It is part of what THQ is describing as a "vast transmedia strategy" for Homefront.[22][23]

Controversy

Advertising for Homefront has simulated a declaration of war in mainstream websites and media, creating confusion amongst many non-gamers. The nature and timing of the advertising created panic in the wake of the ROKS Cheonan sinking and the recent artillery strike on Yeonpyeong Island, causing mainstream media coverage of the advertising campaign.[24]

For sales of Homefront to Japan, the game has been censored by removing all references to North Korea including pictures of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.[25] The changes are replaced by a "A Certain Country to the North" and the "Northern Leader".[26] Spike, the game's Japanese/Asian publisher, justified the censors because they said to "use their real names would have been 'malicious' to an 'existing person' and an 'existing country.'"[27][28]

The game has been banned from all types of sales in South Korea. [citation needed]

THQ has denied that the game was developed to piggyback off the tensions on the Korean peninsula, saying that "Homefront is a work of speculative fiction, set in the year 2027. Recent real-world events on the Korean peninsula are obviously tragic and, like everyone, we hope for a swift and peaceful resolution."[29]

THQ's promotional balloon stunt for the game at the GDC angered San Francisco residents after 10,000 balloons fell into San Francisco Bay.[30] It was then revealed that the balloons were made from 100% green materials.

Reception

According to the Homefront Official Facebook Page, Playstation: The Official Magazine Italy gave Homefront a 9/10 rating, calling Homefront: ‘One of the most intense, emotional experiences of 2011’.[31] Metacritic awarded the game an 83 out of 100.[32] Gamerankings awarded the game an overall 89.33%, topping Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops.

References

  1. ^ Plunkett, Luke (May 27, 2009). "THQ Announces "Homefront", By The Guy Who Wrote Red Dawn". Kotaku. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  2. ^ "Homefront PC specs released". New Game Network. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  3. ^ a b "Official game specs on Homefront-Game.com". Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  4. ^ http://www.thq.com/uk/gamenews/show/14623/5501/Homefront THQ Release date info.
  5. ^ Lindburg, Matt (Jan 5, 2010). "Video game set to take place in Montrose". Montrose Daily Press. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  6. ^ "HomeFront Homepage". Kaos Studios. Retrieved 2010-06-16. {{cite web}}: Text "2010" ignored (help)
  7. ^ http://store.steampowered.com/app/55100/
  8. ^ http://www.flickr.com/photos/djwu/4708674176/sizes/o/in/photostream/
  9. ^ "China Is Both Too Scary and Not Scary Enough To Be Video Game Villains". Kotaku.
  10. ^ "Interview: Kaos Studios' Tae Kim on Homefront". Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  11. ^ http://www.homefront-game.com/#/timeline
  12. ^ "Homefront 'more Half-Life than Modern Warfare'". CVG. Retrieved 2010-06-16. {{cite web}}: Text "2010" ignored (help)
  13. ^ "Homefront Hands on Demo/Interview". G4TV. Retrieved 2010-06-16. {{cite web}}: Text "2010" ignored (help)
  14. ^ http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/03/08/homefronts-short-campaign-prompts-question-is-the-single-player-fps-a-lost-art/
  15. ^ Hinkle, David (Oct 6th, 2010). "Homefront multiplayer preview: Funding the war machine". Joystiq. Retrieved 2010-01-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ http://gamerant.com/homefront-dlc-xbox-360-exclusive-tao-61240/
  17. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnda77GwJZI&feature=player_embedded
  18. ^ www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/67030
  19. ^ McDougall, Jaz (Aug 18, 2010). "Gamescom: PC Homefront gets dedicated servers, exclusive content". Gamescom. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  20. ^ Grabowski, Dakota (October 15, 2010). "Homefront Interview: PC Gamers Won't Be Left Behind". PCGamezone. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  21. ^ "[INTERVIEW] DAVE VOTYPKA, HOMEFRONT".
  22. ^ Rick, Christopher. "Homefront Novel to Accompany Game Release, More Games Planned?". Gamers Daily News. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  23. ^ Morris, Chris. "Analysis: Does Going 'Transmedia' Help Game Properties?". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  24. ^ Kevin Bradford (2011-03-11). "Game advert on YouTube sparks war worry". Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  25. ^ Laura Parker (2011-02-06). "Kim Jong-il axed from Homefront in Japan". Gamespot. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  26. ^ Anoop Gantayat (2011-02-04). "Kim Jong-il Cut From Japanese Homefront Intro". Andriasang. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  27. ^ Joseph Jackmovich (2011-02-05). "Kim Jong-il, North Korea Removed From Japanese Homefront". GamrFeed. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  28. ^ Phil Owen (2011-02-07). "Japanese Version of Homefront Loses References to North Korea". Game Front. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  29. ^ "Homefront not piggybacking on Korean conflict - THQ". CVG. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  30. ^ "Balloon stunt raises anger in San Francisco". Yahoo. 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2011-03-05.
  31. ^ http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150103284866238&set=a.474463641237.255424.97648136237&theater
  32. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/homefront

Outpostgamez - HomeFront Leaked (03/06/2011)

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