Game Evaluation Assignment Kasey Thompson CIS487 F09 9/28/09

Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Preliminary Info Creator: Tripwire Interactive – Make Something Unreal contest $50,000 in cash Unreal Engine commercial license worth approximately $350,000. Publisher: Bold Games, Valve Corporation Genre: First Person Shooter, Period Piece Price: – Original ($30), Current($15), Specials($5) Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Preliminary Info Cont. Minimum Hardware Requirements: – CPU: 1.2GHz (single-core) – RAM: 512MB – GPU: 64MB w/ DirectX9 Compatibility – HDD: 2GB Space Actual Requirements Hold True Recommendation – 3.0GHz, 1GB RAM, 128MB GPU Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Game Summary Play as either a Soviet or German soldier during the Eastern-Front (OstFront) Campaign of World War Two in a realistic FPS. From Operation Barbarossa (Summer 1941) to the Fall of Berlin (Spring 1945). The storyline follows actual history of World War 2, but with limited continuity. – (i.e. battles are like Death Match in Quake) Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Game Summary: Player’s Role The Player can choose many different roles in each game, which can vary during and between battles. Play as member of a small squad (16-32 other players) Infantry (FPS) – Many roles as infantry (Rifleman, Officer, Antitank) Tanks (FPS/Simulation) – Tank crew/Tank commander Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Game Summary: Player’s Role Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Game Summary: Installation Download and install via Steam – Purchase Hardcopy and install in typical software fashion Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Game Summary: Interface Game Menus – Similar Layout to Unreal Multiplayer Simple and Familiar In Game Interface – Similar to Most FPS Except: No crosshairs No ammo counter No health bar No “super map” with teammates pointed out Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Game Summary: Game play The Object of each map is to take and hold key strategic “Control Points” placed around the map. Attack/Defense & Meeting Engagement Maps Take Control Points by having more team members in the radius for seconds Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Game Summary: Scoring Score Individual Points by: – Killing Opponents (1 pt) – Helping Teammates (3-5 pts) Giving ammo, etc – Capturing/Assist Capturing Control Point (10 pts) Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Art Vintage Propaganda Posters Ambient Colors and Contrast – Serious/Warlike undertones E.g. gray/red/black Mood setting models, skies, and textures – Drab, dark, dirty Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Sound and Music Realistic sounding weapons and vehicles Immersive ambient sounds – Distant artillery/machine guns Bland Musical Track – Takes away from the immersion – Recommend to play without music Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Special Features ‘Dual Arc’ Control – Two independent arcs allow hands to move separate of body Realistic Weapon Behavior – Physics (bullet drop) – Sway (breathing) – Mechanics (manually work bolt, change barrel) Realistic Tank Geometry – Deflections at specific angles/ranges Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Known Bugs Frame Rate & Recoil of Firearms – Users with poor performing computers will sometimes experience zero recoil of firearms resulting in a cheat-like control of weapons Animation Bugs/Glitches – Rifle reloading, etc Historical Inaccuracies – Minor details on some weapons – Some propaganda art is not of Period Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

The Good Immersive Game Play – Feels like you’re a part of history Challenging Game Play – Victories are more enjoyable because of difficulty Social Game Play – Play as a part of team (VoIP) Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

The Bad Challenging Game Play – New users may be put off by learning curve – Old users may be frustrated on a “bad day” Graphics Outdated – Noticeably old graphics can be awkward at times – Can lead to removal from immersive game play Lack of Continuity – E.g. Germans can win the battle of Berlin, but to no affect Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

…In the Same Genre Red Orchestra is very unique World War Two – First Person Shooter, there are not many games like it. Many World War Two games but… – Red Orchestra is only which looks solely at non American involvement in the war. Other shooters: Arcade type, fast paced, non-realism oriented – Red Orchestra is only which looks solely at non American involvement in the war. Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

…In the Same Genre Cont. Why is RO better than similar genre titles: – Looks at untapped areas in the Genre – Very niche game model Why is RO worse than similar genre titles: – Large learning curve for typical FPS – Very specific game which might not be enjoyed by large audience Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Appropriate Audience Fans of World War Two History Fans of War-gaming Fans of First Person Shooters – Not typical game, but it’s a nice change in pace Teen/Mature age – Graphic depiction of war Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Design Mistakes Very few design mistakes – Years in public beta as a mod for UT2K3 AI development could have more effort placed towards it Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Summary: Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths – Immersive atmosphere – Realistic game mechanics – Price Weaknesses – Long learning curve – Repetitive game play – Outdated graphics Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Summary: Ways to Improve Update game engine – Graphics, Physics Add more content – Campaign Mode, would help with continuity issue – More theaters of war – Yugoslavian/Romanian? Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Summary: Worth Purchasing? YES! Great value at $30, let alone $15 or $5 If you enjoy FPS, history, or a great game Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Any questions? Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Trailers/Game Play Footage wd-w&feature=related wd-w&feature=related 48g 48g i192Sc&feature=related i192Sc&feature=related Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45