New Release Date Set for ShootMania Storm

[Shawn Zipay]

Nadeo and Ubisoft have announced a new release date for ShootMania Storm. You can now get your online multiplayer FPS fun times in on April 10 upon the game's full release or on February 12 when the game enters into an open beta.

So what is ShootMania? Well, it's kind of like TrackMania but you go around shooting people and there are no cars involved. There is still a ton of customization options available. Users have already created 15 new game modes and over 20,000 new maps.

“Nadeo’s model of development has always been to be very close to the community,” said Anne Bondel-Jouin, Managing Director of Nadeo Live. “Following the release of the Beta 2 in December, we received a tremendous amount of information from the very active ShootMania community. For a living, online multiplayer title like this the work is never done, but these extra few weeks will allow us to polish the game further and release it to the level of quality we think our players deserve.”

ShootMania Storm is also apparently a hit amongst some e-sports crowds. In March, it will be played at PAX East and then at IPL 6 in Las Vegas.

(More information is at ShootMania.com)

[K-16]

I wonder how it will compete against Nexuiz? Personally I prefer Xonotic (what's left of the original Nexuiz) or UT99 (if I find a vanilla server with instagib off), so I'm curious to see how ShootMania Storm will tap into those communities (though I imagine Nadeo/Ubisoft will not rely on them); the foundation of user customizations and E-Sports support is a damn good way to start though.

[jimykx]

well, trackmania is quite famous, specially amongst the hardcore and competitive communities so that already gives the devs an edge at this. Not only because of their experience but because the already big community will be interested

[K-16]

As someone who has played TrackMania Original (demo), TrackMania Sunrise (demo and not the eXtreme version), TrackMania Nations (not the Forever version), and owns TrackMania United as a birthday gift (not the Forever version), I do see your point that ShootMania Storm will have many players from TrackMania's huge community, which in itself forms part of ManiaPlanet's enormous community.

However, I'm not sure how many racing/puzzle/modding fans are also shooter fans so they'll need to entice players who haven't played any of the TrackMania series as well. This also applies for QuestMania as well. But again, Zips' newspost shows Nadeo is aware of what they need to do for a strong start, and their quality work on TrackMania gives a strong reputation to trust in (which is your point). Perhaps Nexuiz will have some heavy competition up ahead. I wonder if Quake 3 Arena Live will also be affected by this competition?

On a side note, I've been avoiding TrackMania 2 because until I learn how to ****ing wall drive properly without plumetting in embarassment (after 4 games too!), I don't feel worthy enough to continue in the next installment. God I HATE wall driving and aerial U-Turns. I HATE THEM! I also feel kind of bad for my friend, as he bought TrackMania United for my birthday, only to later hear the announcement of the free Forever version.

[jimykx]

Well, I have never been good at driving games and totally ragequited trackmania nations because I kept getting last xD. Those crazy loops and all those crazy tight turns where every pro got through the first time, while I had to try at least 10 times to luckly pass it. I just started hating the game so much xD

[K-16]

... You PASSED it?! I timeout and DNF! Those games are physics puzzles I can't solve!