Section 8 freefalls into orbit in 2009
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jul 3rd 2007 at 4:15PM }
The whole project sounds incredibly ambitious, as do many of Gamecock's titles, and FPS' typically have a very high bar to hit nowadays; however, the game isn't expected until 2009 so there is some time. We have very little background as to why the group is called Section 8, as Section 8 has a very specific connotation in the US. Section 8 is a subsidy program to assist the fiscally challenged with housing. Then again, they couldn't call it Section 9 because then all the Ghost in the Shell fanboys would freak. Is Section 7 taken? Oh well, we'll talk to the developers next week at Min-E3 and get an answer to the meaning behind Section 8.
Update: The developers let us know their Section 8 is based on the military reference to being discharged from service for being mentally unfit.
Gallery: Section 8 (Xbox 360, PC)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sheppy @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:19PM
Apparently this is the elite fighting force BEFORE Arakawa took over. Then he was all like "What's this 8 shit everywhere? Now we're section nine. Motoko, Batou? Get da haxxorZ!"
drummand @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:22PM
Another definition of Section 8: a kind of discharge from the United States military due to mental illness and/or problems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_8_%28military%29
arthur barnhouse @ Jul 4th 2007 12:27AM
You forgot the most common connotation with Section 8: Military Discharge for Mental Instability.
The screenshots look a lot like Starship Troopers (The book version, not the movie).
Blizz4l9 @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:31PM
here in Massachusetts section 8 is what we call housing (you know to get cheaper rent through government help)
the pjs was a horrible show @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:34PM
Isn't Section 8 also the name for low-income housing projects in California?
Jacob P. @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:36PM
Section 8 is what we in Oklahoma call...well...actually we don't have anything that I know of...I just wanted to fit in =(
Tony @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:09PM
Section 8 is a national project as far as I'm aware, it doesn't matter if you live in California or Illinois.
Shagittarius @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:39PM
Here in Ohio we break our cousins bodies up into 12 sections...section 8 is the section you want to inbreed with.
Freeze @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:40PM
@5
Actually in New Jersey, section 8 is some sort of thing where welfare helps your family with when paying for some of the rent, utilities, etc. in your home. I know because my mom and dad tried to get on that for years but no dice.
miles foreman @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:40PM
Funny, I thought "Section 8" was pretty common... haven't you Joystiq boys watched any war movies? There's always some guy that goes section 8 because of the stress and whatnot.
Magarnacle @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:43PM
Well great. Another game I won't get to play as the world ends late 2008. Stupid Armageddon. Ruining everything.
Xen @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:51PM
Section 8 is the term used in the military when someone is discharged for being crazy.
SinisterUrge @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:51PM
The term for Section 8 housing *is* from the military usage of the term, Section 8 housing would be low income residences that accept Section 8s from the military.
Intentless @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:54PM
So these are the guys that instead of being discharged they are put in this group... seeing as they are freefalling like they are... you would have to be nuts...
BeckRokk @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:57PM
If Corporal Klinger isn't a playable character, I'm not interested.
James @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:03PM
Is this the last time your gunna tell me or will someone remind me in 2009?
smartguy1600 @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:16PM
Seeing as how this is pretty far into the future, Section 8 could have a very different meaning at that point. So while I think the military discharge due to insanity is a pretty good reason to name it that, it could be something entirely different.
ben @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:22PM
isn't section 8 like, half-welfare? here in california, the government uses the money from the taxes we pay to pay a portion of of your rent and utiliies because you can't pay for it because you're a bum who's 36 with eight kids who works at taco bell full-time and you never graduated from high school or, much less, got a degree.
fawazr @ Jul 3rd 2007 7:36PM
Here in NY, Section 8 is also housing, but also a pain in any landlord's ass as he'll probably go broke and destitute because of worthless section 8 tenants.
incrediblebulk92 @ Jul 3rd 2007 7:51PM
Ok ok enough with the actual section 8 comments and more about the game, seriously guys I don't come here to read government legislation.
Oh and I think I'll pass on this, seems a little um... anime from the trailer, I hate anime
Rotten Apple @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:44PM
Here we go again. Another fuckin FPS. Who do you people keep playing and wanting these kinds of games.
I just don't understand. FPSs need to go away forever. Developers stop making them! You lazy assholes, do something else please!
Is that all gamers play today? FPSs?
samfish @ Jul 4th 2007 1:41AM
I'm in Ohio, too!
Oh, and I still kinda hope every one of these Gamecock games suck...that'll hopefully learn the media a thing or two about not buying into hype!
nate @ Jul 4th 2007 2:04AM
section 7 is taken: the new Transformers movie states it as a sub-government investigation organization...