GDC Online: Bigpoint Announces Debut U.S.-Created Title Ruined Online

Bigpoint's recently established U.S. studio revealed its first project, Ruined Online, a browser-based, arena-style 3D combat game releasing with an open beta this winter. Set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, the online title is said to include "features common to traditional console games". Bigpoint is building the title with the Unity 3 engine, and has also partnered with audio production company dSonic and 3D design/animation/motion capture studio Cinematico. When Ruined Online's beta launches, gamers will be able to "engage in a death match against other live players" with six playable characters, more than two arenas inspired by well-known San Francisco landmarks, multiple game modes, 3D positional and stereo sound, and voice chat. Bigpoint, which is based in Hamburg, Germany, opened its San Francisco studio in March and had around 20 workers stationed there as of last month. The online game publisher announced plans several weeks ago to add 350 employees to its worldwide operations, including 80 new members for its U.S. office. "We came to the United States to extend and optimise our existing portfolio of games and to create new titles specifically for this market," says Bigpoint CEO and founder Heiko Hubertz. He adds, "With Ruined Online, we believe we’ve taken a huge step forward in producing a game that looks and feels like something you get with console and PC games, but requires nothing more than a browser to play."