The Flock is a multiplayer horror game with an expiration date

Horror multiplayer game The Flock has been announced today as a game that’s going to eventually expire and become unplayable. Ain’t that something?

Set for release in Q3 2015, The Flock runs with the idea of a limited population tied to multiplayer deaths. As players die in the game online, the population of the titular alien race decreases. The population count will be displayed in-game and on developer Vogelsap’s website. Once the flock go extinct, the game is over and will no longer be available for purchase. Those who retain the game in their Steam libraries will have access to the final “climatic” event. After that, the game expires. It’s over.

“A multiplayer game can take players to incredible heights, but at some point gamers will start to play less, get disinterested and stop playing altogether,” said Jeroen Van Hasselt, creative director, Vogelsap. “In opposition to other multiplayer games, we want The Flock’s experience to inspire a sense of awe, to keep players eagerly anticipating what is coming next and to end with a memorable climax.”

Here’s how each multiplayer match in The Flock goes:

Each player begins as a member of the Flock, when a strange light emitting device known as the Light Artifact will suddenly appear somewhere on the map. The first player who touches the Light Artifact will transform into the Carrier, who then becomes the hunted.

Equipped with the Light Artifact, the Carrier can defeat the Flock by using the Light Artifact to illuminate the creatures. The Flock can in turn avoid the light’s lethal effects by remaining motionless when caught by the beam. When a member of the Flock successfully lunges at the Carrier, it seizes control of the Light Artifact and becomes the new humanoid hunted. The previous Carrier then respawns as a member of the Flock just arriving at the scene.

The only way of winning a match of The Flock is to survive as the Carrier while keeping the light lit or to capture certain objectives. Objectives can be captured by directing the artifact’s light towards these key points.

The Flock has a very interesting premise, but there will be an entry fee as the game is not free-to-play. No price has been shared just yet, but I imagine it won’t be too high otherwise consumers won’t feel too inclined to try out this experiment. I think I’ll be checking this out when it releases.

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