WW2 Shooter Days of War Hits Early Access in January

Clear the ramp! 30 seconds!

By Luke Reilly

Developer Driven Arts has announced today its multiplayer WWII shooter Days of War will be available via Steam Early Access in January, 2017.

Days of War will debut in Early Access with US and German forces, plus four maps, for $24.99 (€24.99, £19.99). One of the maps will be based on Omaha Beach, which Driven Arts explains was highly-requested by community members earlier this year. Infamous for some of the most ferocious fighting of the June 6, 1944 Normandy landings Omaha Beach has been depicted in various games and films, including the much-loved Medal of Honor: Allied Assault and Saving Private Ryan. Indeed, Driven Arts has created a cinematic trailer for the map that riffs very heavily on the latter’s memorable opening sequence.

More maps will be added to the game throughout the Early Access period for no further cost. The team also hopes to introduce Commonwealth and Red Army forces in the full version, each with their own new weapons.

People are realising they don’t want the same stuff repackaged and resold to them every year.

“Growing up we played the hell out of games like Medal of Honor, Day of Defeat, Call of Duty 2 and Enemy Territory and have always yearned for a return to that classic play style and attitude,” Driven Arts founder George Rivara told IGN. “A game that relies on core gameplay to be fun and addictive rather than level grinds and gimmicks to keep you chasing a carrot on a stick. The model is changing, people are realising they don’t want the same stuff repackaged and resold to them every year.”

“There’s an older crowd of gamers who have been waiting over 10 years for a great classic style shooter and a whole crop of younger players who don't even know what they've been missing.”

“We’ve surprised ourselves with what the team has been able to do in the last 6 months,” added lead animator Alex Mijalkovski. “Probably the most surprised members of the team are the ones with AAA experience because they are seeing what’s possible with a skeleton crew in UE4.”

Days of War was first revealed back in March, with the studio explaining it’s seeking to “revive the style of classic WWII shooters from the 2000-2010 era.” The team launched a Kickstarter campaign “to accelerate the final stages of development” although funding was later cancelled.

It’s very hard to develop a multiplayer title in a vacuum.

“The biggest value we’ve gotten from our Kickstarter campaign was an extremely enthusiastic and dedicated community that has helped us transform a barely playable prototype back in April to something that is starting to resemble a full game,” explained lead designer Lee Snodgrass. “Our harshest critics are also our biggest supporters, and we owe them a tremendous debt.”

“It’s very hard to develop a multiplayer title in a vacuum.”

Driven Arts plans to officially release the full version of Days of War inside the next 12 months. Following launch the team plans to continue to add more free maps and weapons.

Luke is Games Editor at IGN's Sydney office. You can find him on Twitter @MrLukeReilly.

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