Indie Calendar - Block N Load

Jagex are about as borderline as they come when considering the range of studios featuring in our Indie Calendar. Sure they're independent, but they're also relatively huge, and have a selection of games in their stable, like Transformers Universe and, of course, RuneScape, that are certainly not suitable for our purposes here.

However, one game that has crossed our desk in recent weeks that is suitable is Block N Load, a new shooter that sees the studio return to a concept they've already explored in Ace of Spades. However, while the two games may have plenty in common, Block N Load is a refinement of the original formula, and by the looks of it, a significant improvement.

We talked with David Solari about the refreshed concept, and what players will be expected to do in this base-building shooter: "Block N Load is essentially a shooter that combines first person action with strategic construction."

"What this means in-game is that players engage with an opening build phase, and then launch into frenetic combat that tests these defences to destruction. One of our core development mantras, right after ‘fun first', was ‘brains should be as important as bullets'. In Block N Load it's the combination of character class and build strategies that really opens things up and ensures that no two games are the same."

 
What we wanted to know was how the concept has evolved since Ace of Spades, because there's a number of similarities between the two games. Even the font used in the title of the game is the same.

"We were inspired by the core idea in Ace of Spades which was a battlefield which players could build and destroy," Solari said. "That's really where the similarities end. We knew that we wanted to take the building and shooting gameplay that was present to some extent in the earlier game, but really refine and develop it until it became the core experience!"

"The build phase in Block N Load allows teams to form offensive and defensive positions before combat, which really brings an exciting and strategic dimension to gameplay. This only opens up further once the barriers drop in the arena and players assault the enemy's bases while defending their own from attack at the same time."

Solari went on to explain a little bit about the different classes that players will have to pick from, and how these classes will affect the game. They're certainly more distinctive those that featured in their other blocky shooter.

The six classes "represent different ways to play," Solari says. "We've also got a really great range of six unhinged heroes in the game that represent different ways to play, whether that's the more tank-like Sarge and Cogwheel, or defensive Tony Turretto."

"It's been really fun to see how players during our alpha play-tests have adapted to different battle tactics when they control the various characters, and how they face up to the various enemy team make-ups. Playing against a team using a good mix of characters is totally different and much more effective than facing up against five O.P. Juan Shinobis or Doctor Eliza Doolallys!"

Block N Load is now in closed beta, and you can already apply for access (more details on that here). We asked where they are in terms of development, and what their hopes are for the game for the next 12 months.

"Well, we've literally just gone into a closed beta phase this week which is a significant milestone. There's been really good feedback from those who have played it, whether that's YouTubers, games journalists, or members of the public, and we're looking to get our heads down over the next few months ahead of a full launch in early 2015."
  
Solari finished up by saying: "We're really excited about what the first year of Block N Load will bring, especially as breaks the mould for Jagex games in that it's not browser-based, it's not free-to-play and, of course, it's not an MMORPG."

Gamereactor's Indie Calendar