Brink is the innovative First Person Shooter that will feature seamless transitions from Single player, co-op, and multiplayer.

The Story

It is being developed by Splash Damage set to release in May 17th, 2011 in the U.S. (May 20th in Europe and Australia). It offers team-based multiplayer missions with authored narratives, persistent player characters and an approachable nature. It is also developer Splash Damage’s first original title as past titles were part of franchises. On November 30, 2009, an exclusive preview video was released on G4tv. The footage, narrated by BRINK’s game director and Splash Damage CEO Paul “Locki” Wedgwood, shows off the game’s Smooth Movement Across Random Terrain (S.M.A.R.T.) system and combat. In Brink, two factions, “Resistance” and “Security”, fight in the outskirts of a utopian city known as “The Ark”, a floating city surrounded by the waters of a flooded Earth. The Ark was designed as a prototype of the perfect city, with renewable resources and no pollution, large enough to support 5,000 residents. Its population has grown to 50,000 however, leading it to the brink (hence the name of the game) of civil war.

Gameplay

Brink is a first-person shooter which features the SMART (Smooth Movement Across Random Terrain) Freerunning System. In a similar manner to Mirror’s Edge, SMART lets players maneuver around environments in dynamic and unique ways all based on player position and immediate need. It has a story mode which can be played cooperatively online in missions with up to 8 players. Players can create custom characters with additional rewards bought with experience points. When joining a game, the player replaces an AI fighter. Players are offered objectives that will award them with experience points if completed. When one player selects a particularly important objective, other team members are offered complementary objectives.

Brink is an immersive first-person shooter that blends single-player, co-op, and multiplayer gameplay into one seamless experience, allowing you to develop your character whether playing alone, with your friends, or against others online. You decide the combat role you want to assume in the world of Brink as you fight to save yourself and mankind’s last refuge. Brink offers a compelling mix of dynamic battlefields, extensive customization options, and an innovative control system that will keep you coming back for more.

Brink’s advanced player customization offers a near-endless combination of looks for your character – allowing for the appearance of your character to be truly unique. As you progress through the game and acquire more experience, you’ll have even more opportunities for customization.

Choose to fight through two complete story campaigns as either a member of the Resistance or Security. Experience these campaigns solo, co-operatively, or competitively – it’s your choice.

Take your unique character online at any time you choose. Brink allows you to seamlessly move between single player, co-op with friends, and intense multiplayer action. Multiplayer takes the story online where you can play with up to seven other people (or AI characters) cooperatively as you take on the opposing faction or with up to 16 players competitively.

Brink uses the familiar shooter controls that you’re used to and adds a new feature: the SMART button. When you hold down the SMART button, the game dynamically evaluates where you’re trying to get to, and makes it happen. Whether you’re a seasoned FPS veteran or someone just getting started, you’ll be able to make more intelligent decisions during the fast-paced action with SMART.

Objectives, communications, missions, and inventory selection are all dynamically generated based on your role, your condition, your location, your squad-mates, and the overall status of the battle in all gameplay modes. You’ll always know exactly where to go, what to do when you get there, and what your reward will be for success.

Security

The Security are in place to keep order on the Ark. They have run-ins with the Resistance often making it hard to move around the city.

Back when the Ark was a floating five star eco-resort and R&D eco-science park, it only needed a small corporate Security team to perform risk management and VIP protection duties. But as the seas rose, and the trickle of refugees to the Ark became a flood, the Ark needed a police force. And then an armed gendarmerie. Ark Security has now expanded into a heavily armed counter-terrorism force.

Most Security personnel have volunteered because they’re convinced that for the Ark to survive it must have peaceful order and conserve its remaining resources. And the extra water ration comes in useful too. Resistance provocations have forced Security to clamp down on guest unrest, which has lead to the Ark teetering on the brink of outright revolt.

In contrast to the Resistance, the Security is known to have armor of a uniform-like style, apparently professionally manufactured with well-maintained weapons, Ark Security Helicopters, and has access to a type of Bomb-Defusal Robot. Their uniforms reflect the various tasks they may be charged with, from basic security work to bomb-defusal.

The Resistance

The Resistance is an organization oppositional to that of the Security Forces, that actively engages in combat in an attempt to contact the outside world and to escape The Ark

When the Seas began to rise and coastal nations fell into panic, boatloads of refugees fought to find the Ark’s secret location mid-ocean – only the lucky ones survived the trek. Initially, they were happy to have survived and gratefully accepted the cramped temporary housing, water rationing and dangerous maintenance jobs. But as the years passed, and conditions worsened, the Ark’s new “Guests” came to question the status quo.

After working under harsh conditions, Resistance members began to question the higher powers in the Ark, curious to if they really were attempting to contact the Outside World, why the water is rationed, and why their dangerous work goes unappreciated. The Resistance fights for equal water rations for all, and they want to use all the dwindling resources left to attempt to contact the Outside world. This rebellious thinking and acting aroused the suspicion of the Security forces, and they began to crackdown on Resistance operations, only feeding the flames of the conflict, putting the Ark in the Brink of a civil war.

Whereas the Security has uniform-like armor appearing professionally manufactured, the Resistance’s armor is thrown together from everything they can find, combined with old, shabby-looking clothes. Their weapons are noticeably more worn and rugged compared to the security weapons, which does not appear to change gameplay. Also of note is their tendency to have elaborate tattoos, to a far greater extent than the Security.