Switchblade Monkeys announces ‘Secret Ponchos,’ a Western-styled shooter with a smorgasbord of customization options.
Switchblade Monkeys – an independent development team comprised of former Senior-Level Staff from Blizzard, Hasbro, Radical, more – announced Secret Ponchos, which features “intense gun-slinging action, devastating special moves, larger-than-life characters and loads of style.”
Switchblade Monkeys is proud to announce Secret Ponchos, which creates a fusion between gameplay genres and conventions and creates its own original feel for multiplayer combat that pits players against each other in intense Wild West showdowns. Scheduled for release on consoles later this year (with no word on PC), a pre-alpha preview of Secret Ponchos was also playable in booth 1031 at PAX East in Boston, March 22 to 24
Engage in one-on-one duels or all-out gunfights as one of several unique and customizable outlaws – each with his or her own strengths, weapon types, special moves and play styles – in a game that rewards tactical awareness, precision timing and most importantly: player skill. Also featuring melee attacks, an original line-of-sight mechanic, cover fire, destructible cover objects and more, Secret Ponchos sounds like an experience with exceptional depth.
When the team at Switchblade Monkeys began development of the game, they left behind the overtly corporate, money-driven world of commercial game development and set out to create something of a passion project between a group of friends, which is something that’s difficult to not appreciate. They studied elements from their favorite games, including team shooters, fighting games and isometric action-RPGs, as well as the style and flair of graphic novels and classic spaghetti westerns, to create an enticing, unique game they could call their own creation.
“Secret Ponchos was created by a new development philosophy,” said Yousuf Mapara, president and creative director at Switchblade Monkeys. “Instead of following a business-oriented studio model, we just set out make the game the way a group of friends gets together to form a rock band, and to see how far we can take it. If we make something we love, put our all into it every day and enjoy the creative process, hopefully we will make something others like, too.”The development philosophy that they speak of is similar to Quantic Dreams (Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls) and that is definitely something to get behind with and support. Do Secret Ponchos’ early promises and gorgeous art-style lure you in and compel you? Let us know in the comments below!For more information, visit http://secretponchos.com.
