Salmi Games has unveiled its latest project, Drifters: Blackout Crew, a virtual reality co-op extraction shooter, during the VR Games Showcase. This new title is set to launch on both Meta Quest and SteamVR platforms.
Here’s the announcement trailer:
Gameplay Dynamics
In Drifters, players find themselves marooned in the vastness of deep space, grappling with scarce resources. This dire situation compels them to embark on perilous missions into heavily fortified facilities, where they must loot essential supplies and make a hasty escape before being overwhelmed by security systems. The gathered resources can be transformed into various upgrades, new gear, cosmetics, and enhancements for their base.
The game features cooperative gameplay for up to four players, emphasizing tactile weapon handling and reloading mechanics, along with a jetpack that allows for more dynamic movement throughout the environment.
Market Positioning
Previous entries in the VR extraction shooter genre, such as Ghosts of Tabor and Contractors Showdown: Exfil Zone, have garnered significant popularity among VR enthusiasts. By introducing a stylized sci-fi aesthetic, Drifters aims to carve out its unique identity within this competitive landscape.
Salmi Games, a German developer, has a track record of supporting its titles effectively, as evidenced by the multiple updates and platform releases for its previous game, Sweet Surrender. Expectations are high for similar ongoing support for Drifters, with private playtests already on the horizon.
The development of Drifters has been bolstered by support and funding from the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, underscoring the project’s significance within the industry.
Availability
Players can now wishlist Drifters: Blackout Crew on both Meta Quest and Steam. However, as of this writing, there are no announcements regarding a release for PlayStation VR2. While Sweet Surrender was successfully ported to Sony’s platform, it reportedly did not perform well in terms of sales, according to Salmi Games.
