It's been a while since we last heard any concrete news about CrossFireX, but today things shifted as the studios started to gear up towards the release of the beta version. Throughout the day, we saw the launch of new community hubs and official social media channels, along with brand new images.
So, What Do We Know So Far?
At the XBOX E3 2019 Media Briefing, Phil Spencer announced a new partnership with Seoul-based developer and publisher, Smilegate. The result of the partnership sees their upcoming game, CrossFireX, launch on the XBOX One in 2020, marking the first console launch for the series. Originally a PC-exclusive brand, the move to console is a bold choice for Smilegate who hopes the switch allows them to expand their audience into new markets, having already established more than 650 million registered players since 2007. For the latest game in the CrossFire series, Remedy has been hard at work developing a story mode campaign.
According to the developers, CrossFireX sees a "sprawling global conflict between Global Risk and Black List" two private military groups. "Global Risk’s agents use advanced technology to fight for order and security, while Black List’s mercenaries fight to destabilize regimes in the name of freedom". Like a lot of Remedy's previous work, it isn't a straight-forward battle between good versus evil but a battle between two morally-grey factions.
Later in the year, X019 attendees got a further glimpse of what was in store as the event revealed new gameplay footage and a behind-the-scenes look at the companies that are working to bring the game to life. Hosted by Xbox On’s Benny Central, his journey takes him from Seoul in South Korea where he spoke with Jin Woo Jung (Smilegate's Technical Art Director), to Espoo in Finland to talk to Tuukka Taipalvesi (Remedy's Executive Producer), and then to Seattle in the USA to speak to Nico Bihary (Director of Production, Global Partner Publishing at XBOX:
What Happened Today?
Earlier today Gematsu caught an update on the Microsoft Store revealing more details about the game (that it is set to be 4K Ultra HD, Xbox One X Enhanced, and allows online multiplayer for 2-16 friends), in addition to new screenshots (see below!). A possible release date for the beta (June 25th) was also posted, along with details about what players can expect to find:
Official Synopsis: CrossfireX delivers an intense first-person shooter experience where players are immersed in a sprawling global conflict between the world’s two most formidable private military factions: Global Risk employs veterans of powerful armed forces who use advanced technologies to fight for order and security; Black List employs hardened mercenaries trained in guerilla tactics who fight to destabilize oppressive regimes in the name of freedom. Choose your side and complete objective-based missions across a variety of classic and innovative modes featuring tightly crafted gameplay and cinematic visuals.Soon after details emerged, official social media channels for the game became to pop up on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. A brand new Discord Server was also set up, as was an official website, and a support centre to answer community questions.
If the beta release date is true, it's going to be a pretty big day for XBOX fans as Control's DLC pack, The Foundation, is due to launch on the same day.
New Character Profiles:
Where will the fight take you? #CrossfireX pic.twitter.com/1574Ph3CGz
— CrossfireX (@PlayCrossfireX) June 17, 2020
Where will the fight take you? #CrossfireX pic.twitter.com/mafQvnMBtq
— CrossfireX (@PlayCrossfireX) June 19, 2020
New Screenshots:
(Source: Microsoft Store)
