A majority of video games make gameplay that could potentially last forever. They first design a game that can be played over and over again, and second they release numerous games under the umbrellas of their more successful games in order to keep fans happy and generate sales. That’s the way it has always been, but now, there’s a new player in the video game world changing the way video games are released and sold. Dutch game developer Vogelsap has created a game in which once all the players of the game dies, the game shuts down forever with no chance of redemption or sequel in sight.
Why create a game that can’t be played after a certain point?
The object of the game is to be what is known in the game as the “carrier” — the one who will be collecting items to wi — all while being hunted by the “flock“. Players will continuously switch between being the hunter and the hunted creating an experience of vulnerability that will terrify even the most seasoned of horror gamers.
The temporary nature of the game itself adds to the terrifying nature of the whole concept. Once you die, you could be out forever, and the only way to ensure that the game doesn’t end is to keep as many members of the flock alive as possible. All this while being hunted down and trying to win the game for yourself.
Who are Vogelsap, and why do they want gamers to suffer?
Vogelsap is a team of only 12 from different backgrounds. They began in 2013 and have been trying to change the way that people play video games. The Flock will be the first game that the team releases publicly although they have been developing together for years, according to their website, “Starting out with six people and a small office at school, The Flock was in development during the three month school project. Afterwards, development continued during the summer vacation. In this time the game was playable at Gamescom in Cologne, VMGS in London and the INDIGO Showcase in Utrecht.”
Development of the game continued and they are slated for a public release sometime in 2015.
Will there really be no sequel, or is it all just hype?
With the amount of attention that the game is getting from the media, and gamers alike, chances are the Vogelsap team won’t need to make a sequel to the game. They will design plenty of other gaming concepts in the future. This being their first release, The Flock has a lot is riding on its shoulders. But the game has already won a few awards before its major release date so these guys aren’t sweating about it.
There is the additional possibility that imitators may attempt to follow in the footsteps of these innovators and create a game similar to The Flock, but with a longer time line, for those who love The Flock and want to keep playing after it ends. The Flock is going to be a wild ride from start to finish. If you’re brave enough to play, and don’t mind seeing the entire game suddenly come to an end, then visit their website to sign up for the official release in 2015.
