Spellbreak

Last updated
Spellbreak
Spellbreak cover 2020.jpg
Developer(s) Proletariat
Publisher(s) Proletariat
Engine Unreal Engine 4 [1]
Platform(s)
ReleaseSeptember 3, 2020
Genre(s) Battle royale
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Spellbreak was a free-to-play, class-based third-person shooter video game developed by Proletariat for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, released on September 3, 2020. [2]

Contents

On June 28, 2022, it was announced that Spellbreak would shutdown in early 2023. [3] It was shut down on January 10, 2023. [4]

Gameplay

Spellbreak was a projectile-based PvP shooter, however, unlike other shooters, it used gauntlets that fired magical spells in place of guns. Additionally, players could levitate and carry one 'Rune', giving access to abilities like flight, teleportation or invisibility. Players could choose from one of six elemental classes: wind, fire, ice, lightning, stone and toxic, which granted in game benefits related to that element. Each player started with their class gauntlet permanently attached to them and could pick up one of the other five as a secondary. Gauntlets could deal a primary attack, called a spell, and a secondary attack, called a sorcery. Spells were limited by Mana which was an energy pool shared with levitation, while using a sorcery triggered a cooldown timer. Elements from different gauntlets could be combined to make spells more powerful, provide crowd control effects, or reduce others, depending on strategic desires. [5] [6] [7] According to the developer the game also included role-playing and roguelike elements.

Game modes included battle royale and Clash, a team deathmatch. With the release of Chapter 2 on April 8, 2021, Dominion, a 5v5 mode featuring control points would replace Clash. [8]

Development

The core combat was inspired by old school shooters like Quake and Unreal Tournament . [9] At the time the Battle Royale genre was and CEO Seth Sivak remembers thinking "was really a competitive roguelike for people that didn’t play roguelikes" wondering "Could we do a cool, interesting fantasy version of that and make it into something awesome? All the mean while finishing it up with in 2 years and with a team of 6.’" [10] The setting was decided on after the team realized that most Battle Royale games were gun based and felt that they could produce a fantasy themed version of the genre. According to executive producer Cardell Kerr the game was initially more "swords than sorcery" although the balance would eventually switch. [11] The gameplay was influenced by such games as Unreal Tournament and Quake , while the visual design was influenced by such anime films such as Akira and Princess Mononoke as well as the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender . Further inspiration for the visuals came from games with "gorgeous visual effects like 2D Castlevanias , League of Legends , and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ." [12]

Proletariat announced in late June 2022 that they would stop working on further updates for Spellbreak as they had been acquired by Activision Blizzard and were transitioning to incorporate into Blizzard Entertainment's team that is in charge of developing World of Warcraft . [13]

Reception

Spellbreak received "generally positive" reviews for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One and "mixed or average" reviews for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, according to review aggregator Metacritic.

Related Research Articles

<i>20XX</i> 2017 video game

20XX is an indie action platform video game developed by American indie studio Batterystaple Games. The early access version was released for Microsoft Windows on Steam on October 12, 2016, and in full on August 16, 2017. PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One versions were released in July 2018. A sequel, 30XX, was released on Steam Early Access on February 17, 2021, and in full on August 9, 2023.

<i>Diablo</i> (series) Video game franchise

Diablo is an action role-playing dungeon crawler video game series developed by Blizzard North and continued by Blizzard Entertainment after the North studio shut down in 2005. The series is made up of four core games: Diablo, Diablo II, Diablo III, and Diablo IV. Expansions include the third-party published Hellfire, which follows the first game; Lord of Destruction, published by Blizzard and released after the second game; Reaper of Souls, which follows the third game; and the upcoming Vessel of Hatred, which will follow the fourth game. Additional content is provided through story elements explored in other types of media forms.

<i>Diablo III</i> 2012 action role-playing video game

Diablo III is a 2012 hack-and-slash action role-playing game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment as the third installment in the Diablo franchise. It was released for Microsoft Windows and OS X in May 2012, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in September 2013, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in August 2014, and Nintendo Switch in November 2018. Set 20 years after the events of Diablo II, players control one of seven character classes – Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Necromancer, Witch Doctor, or Wizard – and are tasked with defeating Diablo.

<i>The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth</i> 2014 indie video game

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a roguelike indie game designed by Edmund McMillen and developed and published by Nicalis. Rebirth was released for Linux, Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in November 2014, for Xbox One, New Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in July 2015, for iOS in January 2017 and for Nintendo Switch in March 2017. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions were released in November 2021.

<i>Dungeon of the Endless</i> 2014 video game

Dungeon of the Endless is a roguelike tower defense game developed and published by Amplitude Studios. It is the third game of their loosely connected Endless series, which includes Endless Space and Endless Legend. It was released in October 2014 for Microsoft Windows and OS X, August 2015 for iOS, and for Xbox One in March 2016. The PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch ports were released in May 2020. A revamped version for iOS and Android devices, called Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, was released in March 2021 by Playdigious.

<i>Ziggurat</i> (2014 video game) 2014 video game

Ziggurat is a first-person shooter dungeon crawl video game developed and published by Milkstone Studios. The game was released for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Mac in October 2014 after being available for two months in early access. The game was released in 2015 for the Xbox One in March, and PlayStation 4 in April. It was inspired by Heretic and Hexen: Beyond Heretic. A sequel, titled Ziggurat 2, was released on October 28, 2021.

<i>Quest of Dungeons</i> 2014 video game

Quest of Dungeons is a roguelike video game released on March 25, 2014 by Portuguese developer Upfall Studios. The game has graphics resembling 16-bit game consoles. It was initially released for Windows, Mac, and iOS, then for Xbox One via ID@Xbox on September 7, 2015. In February 2016, it was announced that the game was being developed for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS and was released on September 29, 2016. It was later released for PlayStation 4 on January 17, 2017. On August 2, 2017, it was announced that it would be coming to the Nintendo Switch.

<i>Snake Pass</i> (video game) 2017 video game

Snake Pass is a puzzle-platform game developed and published by Sumo Digital for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. Players play as a snake traversing floating islands in themed levels. Despite being a platform game, the player cannot jump and has to move similar to a real snake. The game was released in North America, Europe, and Australia in March 2017.

<i>City of Brass</i> (video game) 2018 video game

City of Brass is a single-player first-person dungeon crawl video game, set in a procedurally generated, Arabian Nights-themed city of interconnecting corridors, courtyards and rooms. Players assume the role of a thief, fighting to reach a treasure hidden in the heart of a mythical city filled with traps and enemies. It was developed by Australian independent video game studio Uppercut Games and was announced on 6 July 2017 as being in development for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The Windows version was released on Steam via its Early Access program on 18 September 2017.

<i>Battle Chasers: Nightwar</i> 2017 role-playing game

Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a turn-based role-playing video game developed by Airship Syndicate and published by THQ Nordic. It was released in October 2017 for Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and in May 2018 for Nintendo Switch and Linux. Based on the Battle Chasers fantasy comic book series by Joe Madureira, the game involves the cast of that series being marooned on an island and being forced to stop the plans of an evil sorceress in order to escape.

<i>Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 + 2</i> 2020 video game

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a 2020 skateboarding video game developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Activision. It was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One on September 4, 2020, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on March 26, 2021, and Nintendo Switch on June 25 of the same year. It is a remake of the first two games in the Tony Hawk's series: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (1999) and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000), which were originally developed by Neversoft. It is the first major console game in the series since Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 (2015) and is Vicarious Visions' final work as a subsidiary of Activision before it was merged into Blizzard Entertainment on January 22, 2021.

<i>Bayonetta</i> Video game series

Bayonetta is an urban fantasy action-adventure video game series created by Hideki Kamiya. It is developed by PlatinumGames, owned by Sega, and currently published by Nintendo. The franchise was introduced in 2009 with Bayonetta, which was followed by two sequels, Bayonetta 2 (2014) and Bayonetta 3 (2022), as well as a spinoff, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (2023). The games follow the titular character, a witch who wields dual pistols, shooters in her high heels, and long, magically transforming hair which becomes a deadly weapon.

<i>Othercide</i> 2020 video game

Othercide is a horror-theme tactical role-playing video game developed by French independent video game development studio Lightbulb Crew and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on July 28, 2020. The game later released for the Nintendo Switch on September 10 that same year. It had received generally positive reviews upon release.

<i>HyperParasite</i> 2019 video game

HyperParasite is a roguelike shooter video game developed and published by Troglobytes Games. Early prototypes of the game were distributed through Steam's early access program in 2019. The game was released on 3 April 2020 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, which was followed by a physical release for the Switch on 19 February 2021. The game received generally positive reviews, earning praise for its uniqueness and design and criticism for its difficulty.

<i>Curse of the Dead Gods</i> 2021 video game

Curse of the Dead Gods is a 2021 roguelike video game developed by Passtech Games and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game was released via early access in March 2020, and in full in February 2021 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

<i>BPM: Bullets Per Minute</i> 2020 video game

BPM: Bullets Per Minute is a roguelike rhythmic first-person shooter developed and published by Awe Interactive. The game incorporates elements from rhythm games and roguelikes. It was released for Microsoft Windows in September 2020, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in October 2021, and for Nintendo Switch in September 2022.

<i>One Step From Eden</i> 2020 video game

One Step From Eden is a roguelike action video game created by American independent developer Thomas Moon Kang, and published by Humble Bundle. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, it was released for Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch in March 2020, and later ported to PlayStation 4 in June 2020, and Xbox One in November 2021.

<i>Neon Abyss</i> 2020 video game

Neon Abyss is a run and gun video game with roguelike elements developed by Veewo Games. The game's premise is centered around members of the Grim Squad as they descend the Abyss, which consists of a series of levels with procedurally generated rooms, in pursuit of powerful entities known as the New Gods. The characters can use a variety of firearms and special abilities to fight enemies across each level. Neon Abyss was released for multiple platforms on July 14, 2020, with British video game developer Team17 as their primary publisher. Neon Abyss has received a generally positive reception with video game critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proletariat (company)</span> American video game developer

Proletariat, Inc. is an American video game developer based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded by Seth Sivak and former Zynga industry veterans in 2012. The company was acquired by Blizzard Entertainment in 2022. Proletariat, Inc. has developed multiple independent games and launched its best-known game, Spellbreak in September 2020.

<i>The Persistence</i> 2018 video game

The Persistence is a survival horror video game developed and published by Firesprite. Originally released for the virtual reality headset PlayStation VR in July 2018, the game was released for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One in May 2020. An Enhanced version of the game was released for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S in June 2021.

References

  1. ↑ "Spellbreak is a unique battle royale game that combines magic, roguelike, and RPG elements". Unreal Engine. February 19, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Spellbreak to launch as free-to-play title". Gematsu. 15 July 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  3. ↑ "On the future of Spellbreak". Spellbreak. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  4. ↑ "Servers Have Sunset". Spellbreak. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  5. ↑ Hargreaves, Jim (19 March 2020). "Preview: Is Spellbreak the next must-play battle royale game?". The Sixth Axis. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Orland, Kyle (3 March 2020). "Spellbreak beta stands out from the copycat battle royale crowd". Arstechnicha. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  7. ↑ Chandler, Sam (29 February 2020). "Spellbreak hands-on preview: Battle royale with a magical twist". Shack News. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  8. ↑ "Spellbreak officially reveals new Dominion game mode details". PC Invasion. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  9. ↑ Hargreaves, Jim (19 March 2020). "Spellbreak developer talks PS4, inspirations, and cross-play". TheSixthAxis. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  10. ↑ "Spellbreak is a chaotic, magic-slinging take on battle royale". Venturebeat. 30 October 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  11. ↑ Shubhankar, Parijat. "Spellbreak Interview – Progression, Upcoming Improvements, Possible Next-Gen Ports, and More". Gamingbolt. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  12. ↑ Hargreeves, Jim (19 March 2020). "Spellbreak developer talks PS4, inspirations, and cross-play". The Sixth Axis. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  13. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (June 29, 2022). "Blizzard acquires Spellbreak studio Proletariat to bolster World of Warcraft". Venture Beat . Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Spellbreak for PC Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Spellbreak for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Spellbreak for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Spellbreak for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  18. ↑ Andriessen, CJ (19 September 2021). "Review: Spellbreak". Destructoid . Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  19. ↑ Jagneaux, David (19 September 2021). "Spellbreak Review". IGN . Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  20. ↑ "Spellbreak Review (Switch eShop) | Aces high". Nintendo Life . 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.