Prediction: The Future of the FPS

In an earlier article, Game Nook discussed where the FPS genre stood today, however its future has yet to be given the same attention. Call of Duty 4 is arguably the most influential FPS of this generation because of its integration of RPG elements and fast, accessible gameplay. Countless studios have incorporated infinity ward's formula to the point where it has become standard across the genre. However, very little innovation has occurred since Modern Warfare launched in 2007, until only recently. Perhaps in response to a stagnating market, some developers are iterating and morphing CoD's formula, into -what I think- is the next big revolution in the genre.


Looking at games that follow this trend, I propose the genre will change in 4 big ways. First, and most obvious, the FPS genre will lean toward a semi-futuristic/sci-fi setting. Next, titles will continue to heavily integrate RPG elements into the gameplay and metagame. Third, games will focus on player differentiation and player freedom, further abandoning an "equal-level playing field" model. And finally, the genre will emphasize strategy and slower-paced combat. This prediction won't go untested as the challenges of this proposal will also be considered.

The FPS genre will shift away from modern warfare to a more futuristic setting as evidenced by the recent influx of cyberpunk and sci-fi environments in the genre today. There are three possible reasons for this change: the market is over saturated with modern combat-type games, futuristic settings complement the intricate game mechanics utilized, or both. Recent games like Crysis 2, Dues Ex: Human Revolution, Syndicate, Prey 2, and Hard Reset indicate that this setting is rapidly becoming more popular among developers. Games set in modern day has been a popular setting for close to five years; perhaps it'll begin to slow down as fewer developers attempt to break CoD's dominance on the modern setting. If this trend continues to grow, sci-fi/future environments could potentially replace modern-style combat.

I predict that First Person Shooters will continue to heavily integrate RPG elements further than what is seen in most of today's popular shooters. Dues Ex: Human Revolution and Syndicate are currently leading the pack in terms of RPG integration. These games have expanded CoD 4's formula, offering fresh, iterative experiences in an otherwise stagnant genre. These titles have all the Skinner box rewards expected in a modern FPS, but they also add RPG staples like health bars, skill trees, mana-like systems, and a further emphasis on loot-based rewards. Syndicate, in its Co-Op mode, has even integrated MMO-style dungeons and the trinity system (DPS, Healer, Tank) into its gameplay. These FPS-RPG hybrids are growing in popularity and could set a new standard if this style continues to gain momentum. 

Further incorporating these RPG tropes is consistent with the industry's focus on player freedom and differentiation. Currently, bonding to your unique character in an FPS is -at least to me- very difficult. Player customization, whether it is aesthetic or statistic-based, is almost always invisible to the player because of the genre's first person perspective. Clothing, unique symbols, and perks can't be seen in-game by players. The only signifier of progression is the appearance of your weapon. A weapon's color and its attachments are the only constantly visible symbols players have in-game that shows one's progression.

However, heavy RPG integration mentioned earlier will help remedy this problem. In addition to weapon modifications, RPG ability trees -where players choose which abilities to learn- could diversify players enough to increase investment. As seen in Deus Ex: Human Revolution for example, players diversify themselves by choosing which augments to activate. Whether learning to track enemies, enhance the radar, or see through walls, players are free to construct their characters in any way they choose. Giving players the freedom to construct how they play could yield greater character investment in an FPS.

Lastly, FPSs could become more strategic and slower paced as a result of greater RPG blending. Giving the player more gameplay options -like diversifying abilities- will most certainly add more strategy than today's twitch shooter. Managing mana/energy bars and deciding when and how to use a specific ability requires significantly more thinking power than sprinting and shooting. However, the inclusion of RPG-like ability systems, health bars, and energy meters, would probably result in slower gameplay; somewhat akin to Halo. This isn't a necessarily negative aspect, but it's a departure from what is now considered standard.

There's strong evidence to suggest this prediction may become a reality, but this theory is not without its flaws. Firstly, RPG integration on this scale would require massive balancing issues for multiplayer. The varying ability and skill tree combinations would be very difficult to balance I'd imagine. Perhaps this is why the majority of titles mentioned above are single-player only experiences. The only game that has a multiplayer component, Syndicate, only features a Co-Op mode. In addition, science fiction environments require significant amounts creativity and vision, an asset that's risky, time-consuming, costly, and rare. Thirdly, injecting a higher degree of strategy may discourage a large portion of the player-base. Strategic thinking may increase the barrier of entry by a wide margin. Lastly, the varying RPG elements could result in a cramped, confusing HUD. This is already the case with some titles adapting this trend. 

Based on the current trend of games like Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Prey 2, and Syndicate, I predict that current FPS standards, established with 2007's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, will change. I propose the genre will lean toward a futuristic setting, further integrate RPG elements, focus on player diversification, and inject greater strategy. However, it may take years for this trend to become large enough because this proposal does face many technical and creative challenges. It will definitely be exciting to see where this trend, the modern military shooter, and the creators of CoD 4's formula -now heading Respawn Entertainment- go from here.