Digital Extremes, the company behind the popular first-person shooter Unreal and Unreal Tournament, has announced the release of a new game called 'Keystone' that, like its previous titles, promises to shake up the genre. Though it's technically a first-person shooter, Keystone is unique in that it combines its console game with a card game.
In Keystone, card decks will give the players various abilities and powers that they will be able to make use of in the FPS side of the title. Further, making plays with one's card deck will impact how the FPS is played as well. The specific details are hazy now, but the game's site says that "each move transports you into an epic battle."
Keystone will be free to play online, though the card decks may ending costing players money in lieu of an upfront cost.
What's Driving This Trend
- Combined Card and Console Gameplay
- The trend of combining traditional gameplay methods like cards and consoles is growing, and offers opportunities to innovate in both industries.
- Multi-platform Gaming
- Multi-Platform gaming is becoming more popular and presents opportunities for both hardware and software developers to create new products that bridge gaps between different technologies.
- Hybrid Genres
- The rise of hybrid genres such as Keystone presents an opportunity to innovate creative concepts, whilst appealing to a broad range of players.
Who This Affects Most
- Gaming Industry
- The gaming industry is constantly evolving and opportunities for innovation can be found in combining different genres, technologies, and gaming methods.
- Card Game Industry
- Innovative strategies in creating new card game concepts that incorporate digital elements could help to redefine and expand the card game industry.
- Interactive Entertainment Industry
- Hybrid genres, such as those seen in Keystone, are expanding the entertainment industry and creating opportunities for innovative new products and experiences.
