EIEIO 08: Section 8 details fall from the sky

by JC Fletcher { Mar 12th 2008 at 9:50PM }

click to embiggen

It's been a long time since we first heard about TimeGate Studios' Section 8. Based on the "not even pre-alpha" game on display at this year's EIEIO, it's going to be even longer before we see a final game. It's currently slated for the third quarter of next year on Xbox 360 and PC. But developer TimeGate Studios – they did the F.E.A.R. expansions, if you'll recall – did give a short gameplay demonstration, and revealed one of the major facets of the Section 8 experience.

The game's name comes from the nickname given to the future 8th Armored Infantry, of which your character is a member. This group consists of soldiers who have volunteered to wear a super-powerful armored suit (awesome!) and be launched into combat from space. The joke is that you would have to be crazy to volunteer for that, so the squad is informally called "Section 8" after the military code for a psychologically-motivated discharge.

Gallery: Section 8 (Xbox 360, PC)

In the game, you'll be able to choose any area of the stage that is currently in your control to "burn in" (that's what they call the launch process). This is the game's method of respawning, and it is pretty much the most exciting way to start over that I can imagine. The whole map is visible when you choose, a massive desert expanse in the case of the demo. You have some control over your descent, so you can fine-tune your aim. You also have jetpacks that allow you to soften your landing -- your shields go out temporarily if you crash down at top speed. Another tantalizing possibility, for which the exact details have yet to be finalized: using your flying body as a projectile weapon. You can choose to land on enemy vehicles, which, at top speed, could be devastating to an enemy tank. Or hilarious to somebody who sees you slam into that tank.

click to embiggen

The concept of big guys in neat armor shooting at each other may have been well-explored in the FPS genre, but TimeGate may be onto something with the burn-in concept, which takes the worst part of the game (being dead) and makes it fun.

Tags: eieio, fps, gamecock, section-8, timegate

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DBuck_Eye @ Mar 12th 2008 10:04PM

Embiggen...I didn't know George W. Bush contributed to this site under the alias "JC Fletcher." But I guess that's perfectly cromulent since he's the President and all.
Seriously though, if you don't get that, search for "Lisa the Iconoclast."

Phi Nguyen @ Mar 12th 2008 10:54PM

Well, I guess it's a little better than Enzyten. ;)

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 13th 2008 2:48AM

Cease your embiggotry.

brandon @ Mar 13th 2008 3:18AM

embiggen is a perfectly cromulent word. look it up.

(in case you didn't know, this is a pop culture reference to an episode of the simpsons that the internet picked up on long ago. the word embiggen has been in use for many years now)

jcd @ Mar 12th 2008 10:08PM

I would just kill myself over and over and kill everyone by crashing into them

sifer2400 @ Mar 12th 2008 10:10PM

looks like an interesting game the screen look really good

Yuccadude @ Mar 12th 2008 10:12PM

Judging by the first screen above, the guys kind of look like Hunters from Halo, but I can now see that that is where the similarity really ends.

Austin @ Mar 12th 2008 10:27PM

I agree Yuca

Stunt @ Mar 12th 2008 10:37PM

It's coming out for PS3 too JoyStiq. http://ps3.ign.com/objects/746/746149.html

Joe @ Mar 12th 2008 10:58PM

I was thinking the same thing. I was wondering what happened to the PS3 version. I thought there was one now I know I was not dreaming.

kyle @ Mar 12th 2008 11:01PM

That looks an awful lot like a hunter...

wootman @ Mar 12th 2008 11:08PM

he looks like a hunter + a transformer + a space marine, which is a very, very good combo.

Corey B. @ Mar 13th 2008 1:28AM

When I saw a game called "Section 8" and the futuristic screenshot, I thought it would be about deadbeat stoners in the future who go rogue against the landlord who is trying to evict them from their apartment. Man, that game would be awesome...

colin @ Mar 13th 2008 2:55AM

here in memphis, stoners don't live in section 8. It is, well, more like this http://a799.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/31/l_abb8a9a92165ae48dc8a4d9daef2a836.jpg

Ihavepants @ Mar 13th 2008 2:49AM

You know what, that screen had me really interested, but then I read that they made the FEAR expansions... no thank you.

PojoMofo @ Mar 13th 2008 10:10AM

yeah that really isnt something that looks to impressive on teh resume. Ill track this one but I am skeptical as well

Serith @ Apr 1st 2008 1:29AM

There are multiple teams working on different projects at TimeGate. The Section 8 team isn't the same as the FEAR team. Also, they aren't using the same engines, section 8 being a next-gen game. (FEAR=Lithtech, Section 8=Unreal Engine 3) And the art direction is different as well. The graphics, gameplay, and storyline will be much better in Section 8 than FEAR expansions. This is TimeGate's baby, you can bet that there's no holding back on this one.