Sony working on free-to-play reality show-based shooter

Sony is working on a free-to-play multiplayer shooter that its developer describes as "pro-wrestling meets Big Brother with guns". Speaking in an exclusive interview with Forbes, Jan-Eric Lauble, the creative director of ACONY Games says Bullet Run, which will be published by Sony Online Entertainment, will allow up to 20 players to customize characters and weapons and take on each other in six different maps.

Sony is working on a free-to-play multiplayer shooter that its developer describes as "pro-wrestling meets Big Brother with guns".

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Forbes, Jan-Eric Lauble, the creative director of ACONY Games says Bullet Run, which will be published by Sony Online Entertainment, will allow up to 20 players to customize characters and weapons and take on each other in six different maps.

The premise of the game is that players are contestants on a reality TV game show where they battle each other to the death. Lauble says that the decision to take the game down the wacky game show path was influenced by society's current entertainment obsessions.

"In a society obsessed by celebrity, the idea that there could be a reality show that broadcasts live, lethal combat game programming around the world just made sense," he says.

"Creatively this meant characters with real standout personalities that players can really become invested in, glitzy set-dressing in the levels such as cameras and television production equipment, and an in-game commentary system where we have dynamic voice-overs that react to player actions in the style of a sportscaster."

Lauble says that their approach allows them to do things that aren't possible in a military-themed shooter.

"We can make up crazy game modes without needing to anchor them to any kind of backstory of rationale – the game is a game show so we can set up arbitrary game rules when we need them for balance, fun, and pacing purposes."

The game is free-to-play but will offer in-game purchases, from superficial items like clothes to game-changing items like weapon options and ability improvement. The items are available to all players, but players who pay for them will be able to cut corners and advance more rapidly.

"We're aiming to sell convenience rather than power," Lauble says.

Sony Online Entertainment will be showing Bullet Run at E3 this year.