[Mayo]

So I have been told that Quake live pro's are moving over to this game (Shootmania), there have already been some tournaments and show matches floating around (mainly in France as that is where the development company is located) and some local eSports Managers in Australia are looking to trial it here.

Thanks to Mick from 4seasonsgaming.com.au (Aus/NZ Quake Live Community) I have now got a shootmania key, so I thought I would share a sneak peak into the ALPHA (just like I did with CS:GO).
The images below follow the basic menu's and ingame play with my captions below.



The Launch Menu



Here you can see some of the basic configuration options for the game



You are directed to a 'home page' and from here you can connect with groups, buddies, friends etc. Also view announcements on the game



In this menu you can view servers accross all 'mania' game titles that you own



Once you click on the server you want, it shows you who is in the server and their world ranking



If you are getting the alpha (~800mb) beware of the 2 patches it forces you to download also. One at around 60mb and this one at 214.58mb.



When loaded in you can check the rules (whilst iname) - I have no idea what bb means when they say "bb and gg"


And here are the currest server rules



In-Game options menu



Honestly, I'm not sure if this is a different menu or the menu after an update. But from here you can pick which Mania game you want to play. You will also notice there is "LOCAL PLAY"! LAN!! The local play was unclickable though, so I father Alhpa doesnt allow it yet



Just a random option when I tried to start playing (I had to lower res to 1024x768 and it looks a little stretched. My monitor WAS set on 4:3)



You can search each Zone from around the world. In this zone it displays the players who play in each country/state and their ranking.



As you can see there are 3 players for victoria (4 now that I play)



Here you can see each zone and what servers are available in each. Unfortunately there is only 1 server in France and 1 in Germany at the moment. You can also see your world ranking and the amount of players signed up worldwide.



When loading into a server this is what it looks like



This then popped up (no idea why)



Then I was in the server!



There are currently 2 weapons in the game. The rocket launcher (you can see my round coming from left of screen) and a rail gun.
The rocket launcher takes two direct hits to kill an enemy, your life is displayed as the top bar.
The amount of rocket shots taken to kill varies from game type to game type, this mode is just FFA frag city.



More in-game (lowest graphics and 1024x768 res)



When you are hit twice, you freeze and become transparent and then respawn.



The in-game score board.



Crosshair settings



I can't really test the gameplay until I get home. From my short experience at this stage, the server is very laggy (as it is in France/Germany) and it's hard to move efficiently (let go of A and still keep strafing ingame).
I will post up some more screenshots and thoughts tonight.

[iMSystem]

From what I have seen, it looks VERY promosing. Quake players think that it feels close enough to Quake that they can transition over to this game, the only thing players have been currently worried about is the movement of the game. It isn't as fluid as what Quake players are used to, so either they change the game or the players get used to it.

A big thing with this is that anyone can make their own mode / map. Much like Trackmania. So with this we will see competitive maps / modes be developed, guns and game play be balanced in a sense like Promod is with the current FPS scene. Which I personally feel is a HUGE step into making a Esports focused game.

Not to mention, the spectator view is pretty nice, and they are working to make this as Spectator friendly as possible. Not to mention they are working with Twitch.tv to make it so that you can basically stream from INSIDE the game! What more could you ask for a Competitive spectator game?

I will support this game, and even play it as much as I can, and I am very excited for this to be released!

Next thing would be, Mayo, where is my copy of a key? :P

Quick Comments

Mayo:

No more keys :( People are getting them though! Show matches to come v.soon my friend

[asdfSchnitzel]

http://www.youtube.com/user/TotalHal...ery=shootmania Here is TotalBiscuit casting professional Quake, CS and TF2 pros playing Shootmania. Enjoy!

[TN.Fitz]

There is no model for the fun. Interesting. Not something I am used to whatsoever. Is it like instagib like from Unreal Tournament? It seems so focus on the skill level very cool.

I'll never understand how the caster can understand what is going on in FPS. The ability of casting and following FPS will never be a skill that I will be able to obtain but I am very glad there is another scene of eSports other then RTS and DOTA＾＿＾

[Mayo]

I'm a FPS caster fitz, it's honestly not that hard if you understand the game,.

You just have to be able to predict the strategy and play, talk about the players and teams etc.
Seach for "winoutpro" on you tube and watch some 1.6 casts from Lurrpis and his co-casters.. they are amazingly analytical and informative! I learn so much from them.

Quick Comments

iMSystem:

And go absolutely hype at big frags and clutches :P

[Dox]

For the first time since UT2K4, this game has me really ******* excited about an FPS. Been keen since the first trailer I watched and everything I see/read just makes me want it more.

[Bash]

Its a shame their e3-showing was so... bad? idk. it was weird.

Still, from what ive seen elsewhere its a cool game, and i hope it does well.

The Trailer was badass too, if people havent seen it they should go and do that right now.