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* [[War Pigs]] - [[The Acacia Strain]]
* [[War Pigs]] - [[The Acacia Strain]]
* [[One (Metallica song)|One]] - [[Periphery]]
* [[One (Metallica song)|One]] - [[Periphery]]
* [[Fortunate Son]] - [[The Ghost Inside]]
* [[Fortunate Son (song)]] - [[The Ghost Inside]]
* For What It's Worth - [[Winds of Plague]]
* [[For What It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield song)|For What It's Worth]] - [[Winds of Plague]]
* [[Us and Them (song)|Us and Them]] - [[Misery Signals]]
* [[Us and Them (song)|Us and Them]] - [[Misery Signals]]
* Masters of War - [[Arsonists Get All the Girls]]
* Masters of War - [[Arsonists Get All the Girls]]
* War - [[Oceano]]
* War - [[Oceano]]
* [[Sunday Bloody Sunday]] - [[Veil of Maya]]
* [[Sunday Bloody Sunday]] - [[Veil of Maya]]



==Controversy==
==Controversy==

Revision as of 20:29, 22 March 2011

Homefront
Developer(s)Kaos Studios
Digital Extremes (PC)
Publisher(s)THQ
Writer(s)John Milius[1]
EngineUnreal Engine 3.0[2]
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, OnLive
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Homefront is a first-person shooter video game developed by Kaos Studios and published by THQ, in which players play as members of a resistance movement fighting against a near-future military occupation of the United States. It was released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, OnLive, and Microsoft Windows on March 15, 2011 in North America, March 17, 2011 in Australia, March 18, 2011 in Europe,[5] and April 29, 2011 in Japan.[citation needed] Its tagline is: "Home is where the war is."

Overview

Homefront is set in a near future America in 2027 when a nuclear-armed Korean People's Army invades the USA. The game is written by John Milius, who co-wrote Apocalypse Now and wrote/directed Red Dawn. The opening gameplay is reportedly set in Montrose, Colorado.[6]

One of the major portions of the story arc is not only built around the growth of the North Korean forces over the years leading to the year 2027 (the year in which the game takes place), but also forsees the economic downfall of the United States of America, and the resulting unrest that seems to grip the nation prior to the invasion.[7]

Homefront is speculative fiction, set in a near-future, post peak oil world that features a significantly diminished United States, and a united Korea that has built a massive alliance in East Asia. The Gate Corporation (a major private military company) also plays a minor role. The game focuses on the collapse of the United States, subsequent occupation by the Greater Korean Republic - a united Korea under the rule of North Korea - and the American Resistance that fights said occupation. The player is invited to join the American Resistance, "using guerrilla tactics, commandeering military vehicles, and utilizing advanced drone technology". The player may join the North Korean Forces in multiplayer matches. The game will also feature vehicle-based 32 player online warfare using dedicated servers. The game shipped March 15, 2011 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.[8]

The cover art depicts San Francisco in the grip of war, with smoke rising from the skyline and the Flag of North Korea hanging from the Golden Gate Bridge and Transamerica Pyramid.

Synopsis

The antagonists in Homefront were originally intended to be Chinese, but were later replaced by North Koreans (or "unified Koreans" according to the story) for two reasons: a possible backlash by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the reality of economic interdependence between America and China that made the Chinese "not that scary".[9] Said Tae Kim, a former CIA field agent on the game's backstory, and a consultant: "we went to a very rigorous, academic research process to make sure to not only look at North Korea's current state but to look at historical examples how things could parallel and turn events. History repeats itself. From today to the day the invasion starts in the game, if you combine everything, the odds are very very slim this becomes true. But when you look at the storyline step by step, every step is a coin flip but a plausible step. So once you get there, it's plausible. And from there the next step is plausible as well. Even though the whole thing is fictional, it comes with plausible baby steps."[10]

The finalized version of Homefront's timeline was released at end of January 2011.[11]

Plot

The game introduces the timeline, and acknowledges that the Greater Korean Republic has taken over all US states west of the Mississippi river. Protagonist Robert Jacobs, a former Marine helicopter pilot, is woken in his make-shift house in Montrose, Colorado and ordered to be sent to a reeducation camp in Alaska for failing to answer draft orders from the occupation forces. However, Jacobs's trip is cut short when his bus is ambushed by American Resistance fighters Connor Morgan and Rianna. Jacobs is led to Oasis, a Resistance hideout led by local state policeman and Resistance leader Boone Karlson. Boone, Connor, and Rianna are aware of Jacobs's background as a pilot, and recruit him to help recover fuel for the US military in San Francisco. Boone initiates the operation with himself, Jacobs, Connor, Rianna, and Hopper, a Korean-American technical expert.

They plan to steal several tracking beacons in a school used as a concentration camp. To do this they contact an inside man named Arnie who knows Boone. However, Arnie betrays the team to protect his children, forcing the team to kill the contact and eliminate all forces in the camp. They discover a mass grave and narrowly escape Korean reinforcements by hiding among the bodies. Shortly after Jacobs, Connor, and Rianna succeed in locating the trucks and planting a beacon on one of them, Connor and the team return to Oasis only to find that Boone and all of the inhabitants of the Resistance base have been killed by Korean troops. They narrowly escape with other Colorado resistance fighters by breaching the fortress wall used to keep people trapped in the town.

Jacobs, Connor, Rianna, and Hopper are able to escape from Korean forces with information that a helicopter that they can use in the operation is located in a survivalist base in Utah. The team infiltrate the headquarters and manage to steal the helicopter, pursuing the fuel convoy nearing California. With the convoy successfully hijacked, the team continues their journey to San Francisco where they deliver the fuel and aid the US military.

As the team and the military close in on San Francisco through the Golden Gate Bridge, they encounter heavy Korean resistance. Nearing the other side of the bridge, the helpless team encounters a large Korean convoy trying to push the resistance fighters and US military back. With no other choice, Connor advances towards the convoy with a flare and orders a successful air strike, sacrificing himself in the process.

The news of the operation is then reported by the British media, reporting that the battle could be a turning point for American forces, with the European Union calling for a meeting to initiate talks for helping the Americans.

Timeline

  • 2011: North Korea faces another UN sanction over its latest nuclear test.
  • 2012: Kim Jong-Il dies and is succeeded by his son Kim Jong-un.
  • 2013: Kim Jong-un is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and featured on the cover of Time Magazine for his accomplishment of Korean reunification.
  • 2014: American military withdraws from the Korean Peninsula. General Motors declares bankruptcy for the second time.
  • 2015: The effects of peak oil are felt as gas prices reach up to 20 dollars a gallon due to a war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Russia cuts off all oil trade with Europe. Survivalist literature become bestsellers in America. China's influences diminish.
  • 2016: America withdraws its military from Japan and other countries overseas, focusing on its instability back home.
  • 2017: Martial law is declared in the United States as its infrastructure crumbles due to financial deficiencies.
  • 2018: After the destruction of one of its nuclear facilities by Korean special forces, Japan surrenders to the Greater Korean Republic and is capitalized into a vassal state.
  • 2019: The UN goes out of commission.
  • 2020: Canada closes its borders to Americans. The US military takes over the functions of many emergency services, as well as the distribution of basic goods. This causes many Americans to abandon the suburbs in exchange of the military-managed urban centers.
  • 2021: Korean forces succeed in annexing many countries in Southeast Asia. A new pandemic known as the Knoxville Cough, a type of bird flu, begins to spread in the United States.
  • 2022: To prevent the contagion of the Knoxville Cough, Mexico closes its borders to Americans. Hyperinflation pushes the US dollar to the edge of collapse.
  • 2023: The Knoxville Cough ravages the American public. The Korean People's Army reaches 20 million total personnel.
  • 2024: Using the captured M-V rockets at the Uchinoura Space Center, Kim Jong-un announces a new space satellite program, under the pretense of replacing the decaying GPS, which America could no longer afford to maintain.
  • 2025: A thermonuclear device is detonated by one of the Korean satellites 300 miles above Kansas, blanketing America with an EMP that wipes out its power grid and most of the electronics above ground. The US infrastructure is virtually in ruins. This is followed by the Korean seizure of Hawaii and landings in San Francisco. Korean paratroopers are dropped into central United States. The economic downfall in Europe prevents its nations from intervening.
  • 2026: The United States is split into two as the KPA irradiate the entire Mississippi River, as a fortification for their control of the western side.
  • 2027: The United States Armed Forces are completely scattered.

Gameplay

Single Player

Homefront's gameplay has been completely reworked from its origins in Frontlines: Fuel of War, focusing on a more cinematic, character driven experience.

David Votypka, the design director of Homefront, stated in an interview with G4TV that the gameplay will be based around guerilla style tactics, inspired by Half-Life 2.[12] The same interview also contained information stating that one of the important facts concerning your surroundings is that they are built to try and establish a connection with the user by using real companies and brands.[13] The campaign is said to be 5–10 hours long depending on experience.[14]

Multiplayer

The multiplayer component of Homefront is focused on large-scale vehicle based combat reminiscent of Kaos' first title, Frontlines: Fuel of War. The defining innovation of Homefront's Multiplayer is its battle points system, which is an in-game currency that allows a player to purchase weapons, gear and vehicles. Players earn points by taking objectives and getting kills and are forced to choose between many small purchases such as weapons versus larger, higher cost items like helicopters and tanks. It has been confirmed that the multi-player will support up to 32 players in one match, with 16 players on each team. According to rumors, there will be 7 maps for the PS3 and PC and there will be 8 maps for the Xbox 360. Nothing has been confirmed.[15] Homefront on Xbox 360 will be getting a limited exclusive map called "Suburbs", which will be set in the Suburbs of America and will be infantry / drone only.[16]

The Multiplayer takes place in the period before the U.S. Armed Forces were completely scattered.[17]

Each new copy of Homefront contains an online pass, enabling users the full multiplayer experience. Although the online pass is not required to play multiplayer, those who play without an online pass will be capped at level 5 (out of 75).[18]

Freezing Issues

Following the release of the game, several freezing issues have arisen. Mostly on the Xbox 360 version, but also widespread on the PS3 and PC, the game will freeze after the KAOS screen and before getting to the main menu. The problem is being looked at by the developers.

The issue has been addressed by THQ in an online statement. "We have received several reports of freezing occuring on Xbox 360 version of Homefront. Players were able to successfully play the game (singleplayer or multiplayer), but when starting a new game, they are met with a hard freeze at the THQ or KAOS loading screen. We are aware of the issue, and have communicated the problem to our Development teams. We are awaiting an ETA on a fix at this time. The problem is not your Xbox 360 hardware, nor the game disc. Once a fix is communicated to THQ Customer Support, this knowledge base article will be updated. As well, the Homefront Community Forums will also be broadcasting the fix when it occurs: http://www.homefront-game.com/forum. In the interim, players are able to create a second profile on their Xbox 360 and play the single-player component of the game. Our apologies for the inconvenience; we're working hard to get this fixed for you."

Achievements/Trophies

The achievements (XBOX360)for this game can be found here http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/homefront/achievements/ The trophies (PS3) can be found here http://www.ps3trophies.org/game/homefront/trophies/ Most players will need to play through the single player game three times to 100%, due to such challenges as playing through each of the 7 chapters without dying and finding all 61 hidden newspaper articles. The Multi-player achievements have been projected to take as many as 70–100 hours of on-line play to complete. Each weapon requires 200 kills until you are considered an expert.

PC version

Homefront's PC version has been outsourced to Digital Extremes, a Canadian developer responsible for numerous Unreal Tournament games and Bioshock ports. Frank Delise, the executive producer of the PC version has stated that the PC version of the game will feature exclusive content and dedicated servers. Additional exclusive features include clan support, DirectX 11 graphics, and first person vehicle cockpits.[19][20] It has also been confirmed that Homefront will be released on Steam,[21] as well as the OnLive gaming service. Also, spectator mode and demo recording will be included along with a dedicated server executable, server tools and RCON.[4]

The Game for the PC is authorised and validated through Steam.

Other media

THQ announced a tie-in novel that explores the early days of the occupation of the United States by the GKR, and sets the stage for the game itself. The story focuses on the journey of a group of reporters making their way across America, and while not a specific focus of the narrative, the characters from the game are involved. The novel is written by John Milius and Raymond Benson and is due out before the game's release. It is part of what THQ is describing as a "vast transmedia strategy" for Homefront.[22][23]

A soundtrack was released online with covers from various metal bands.

Controversy

Advertising for Homefront has simulated a declaration of war in mainstream websites and media, creating confusion amongst many non-gamers. The nature and timing of the advertising created concern in the wake of the ROKS Cheonan sinking and the recent artillery strike on Yeonpyeong Island, causing mainstream media coverage of the advertising campaign.[24]

For sales of Homefront to Japan, the game has been censored by removing all references to North Korea including pictures of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.[25] The changes are replaced by a "A Certain Country to the North" and the "Northern Leader".[26] Spike, the game's Japanese/Asian publisher, justified the censors because they said to "use their real names would have been 'malicious' to an 'existing person' and an 'existing country.'"[27][28]

The game has been banned from all types of sales in South Korea.[29][30]

THQ has denied that the game was developed to piggyback off the tensions on the Korean peninsula, saying that "Homefront is a work of speculative fiction, set in the year 2027. Recent real-world events on the Korean peninsula are obviously tragic and, like everyone, we hope for a swift and peaceful resolution."[31]

THQ's promotional balloon stunt for the game at the GDC angered San Francisco residents after 10,000 balloons fell into San Francisco Bay.[32]

Reception

Homefront was met with mixed to positive reviews across all platforms, with most critics praising the atmosphere and story, as well as giving particular praise to the multiplayer, while criticism has focused on the short length of the single player campaign. According to the Homefront Official Facebook Page, PlayStation: The Official Magazine Italy gave Homefront a 9/10 rating, calling Homefront: ‘One of the most intense, emotional experiences of 2011’.[33] CVG has given the game a 8.6/10. GamingExcellence awarded the game an 8.4/10, praising the cinematic story-driven gameplay, but criticizing the short campaign.[34] Metacritic awarded the game an 71 out of 100 on Xbox 360[35] and 74 of 100 on PlayStation 3. Metacritic User Ratings are 69/100 and 63/100 respectively. GameRankings awarded the game an overall 74.32% for the PlayStation 3 version and 74.45% for the Xbox 360 version. IGN awarded the game a 7/10, praising the setting and presentation, while criticizing the short campaign.

GameSpot gave the game 7.0 of 10, praising some memorable moments and the well crafted multiplayer, however it criticized the short length and that it felt too familiar compared to other first person shooters.

Sales

THQ announced that Homefront sold approximately 375,000 units in North America during its first day of availability.[36]

Despite mixed reviews, Cowen & Company analyst Doug Creutz expects THQ FPS Homefront to sell two million units. Writing in an analyst note about the game's 72 Metacritic rating, which led to a drop in the publisher's share price, he said: "With over 20 reviews now reported at the Metacritic website, it is clear that Homefront has not lived up to expectations in terms of game quality. We note that EA's Medal of Honor earned a similar 74 aggregate review score last year but has still sold over 5M units to-date, in part due to aggressive marketing by EA and positive pre-release buzz. Homefront has been building buzz up to the launch date so we believe the title will still be a decent seller for THQ despite mixed reviews."[37]

DLC

Kaos Studios announced that upcoming DLC will take place after the events of Homefront. The DLC will point out directions to a decided sequel taking place in London around the events of Homefront. Recently, a leak confirmed that there will be two DLC with three single player missions for each one. It was confirmed that you will assume the role of Robert Jacobs once again pushing the Korean army out of California. The second DLC will assume the role of an unknown SAS soldier with his squad taking back Hawaii from the North Koreans. This campaign will open doors to the Homefront sequel, which takes place in London.

References

  1. ^ Plunkett, Luke (May 27, 2009). "THQ Announces "Homefront", By The Guy Who Wrote Red Dawn". Kotaku. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  2. ^ "Homefront: Face off". Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  3. ^ "Homefront PC specs released". New Game Network. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  4. ^ a b "Official game specs on Homefront-Game.com". Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  5. ^ http://www.thq.com/uk/gamenews/show/14623/5501/Homefront THQ Release date info.
  6. ^ Lindburg, Matt (Jan 5, 2010). "Video game set to take place in Montrose". Montrose Daily Press. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  7. ^ "HomeFront Homepage". Kaos Studios. Retrieved 2010-06-16. {{cite web}}: Text "2010" ignored (help)
  8. ^ http://store.steampowered.com/app/55100/
  9. ^ "China Is Both Too Scary and Not Scary Enough To Be Video Game Villains". Kotaku.
  10. ^ "Interview: Kaos Studios' Tae Kim on Homefront". Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  11. ^ http://www.homefront-game.com/#/timeline
  12. ^ "Homefront 'more Half-Life than Modern Warfare'". CVG. Retrieved 2010-06-16. {{cite web}}: Text "2010" ignored (help)
  13. ^ "Homefront Hands on Demo/Interview". G4TV. Retrieved 2010-06-16. {{cite web}}: Text "2010" ignored (help)
  14. ^ http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/03/08/homefronts-short-campaign-prompts-question-is-the-single-player-fps-a-lost-art/
  15. ^ Hinkle, David (Oct 6th, 2010). "Homefront multiplayer preview: Funding the war machine". Joystiq. Retrieved 2010-01-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ http://gamerant.com/homefront-dlc-xbox-360-exclusive-tao-61240/
  17. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnda77GwJZI&feature=player_embedded
  18. ^ www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/67030
  19. ^ McDougall, Jaz (Aug 18, 2010). "Gamescom: PC Homefront gets dedicated servers, exclusive content". Gamescom. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  20. ^ Grabowski, Dakota (October 15, 2010). "Homefront Interview: PC Gamers Won't Be Left Behind". PCGamezone. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  21. ^ "[INTERVIEW] DAVE VOTYPKA, HOMEFRONT".
  22. ^ Rick, Christopher. "Homefront Novel to Accompany Game Release, More Games Planned?". Gamers Daily News. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  23. ^ Morris, Chris. "Analysis: Does Going 'Transmedia' Help Game Properties?". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  24. ^ Kevin Bradford (2011-03-11). "Game advert on YouTube sparks war worry". Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  25. ^ Laura Parker (2011-02-06). "Kim Jong-il axed from Homefront in Japan". Gamespot. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  26. ^ Anoop Gantayat (2011-02-04). "Kim Jong-il Cut From Japanese Homefront Intro". Andriasang. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  27. ^ Joseph Jackmovich (2011-02-05). "Kim Jong-il, North Korea Removed From Japanese Homefront". GamrFeed. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  28. ^ Phil Owen (2011-02-07). "Japanese Version of Homefront Loses References to North Korea". Game Front. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  29. ^ Jon Donato (2011-03-03). "Homefront Is the Most Pre-Ordered Game in THQ History - News". Game Zone. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  30. ^ John Gaudiosi (2011-03-16). "The game is already banned in South Korea, but Kaos Studios already saw a record for pre-orders in the U.S." Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  31. ^ "Homefront not piggybacking on Korean conflict - THQ". CVG. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  32. ^ "Balloon stunt raises anger in San Francisco". Yahoo. 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2011-03-05.
  33. ^ http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150103284866238&set=a.474463641237.255424.97648136237&theater
  34. ^ Alex Coulter (2011-03-15). "Homefront Review". GamingExcellence. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  35. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/homefront
  36. ^ http://www.vg247.com/2011/03/16/thq-announces-first-day-north-america-homefront-sales/
  37. ^ "Homefront 'will be a decent seller' – analyst". CVG. 2010-10-16. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
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