| Dead Frontier | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Neil Yates |
| Publisher(s) | Creaky Corpse Ltd |
| Designer(s) | Neil Yates, Greg Taylor (artwork), Fully Illustrated (site) |
| Engine | Unity |
| Release date(s) | Open Beta: 21 April 2008 |
| Genre(s) | Survival Horror, MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Single Player, Multiplayer |
| Media/distribution | Web interface |
Dead Frontier is a free, browser-based MMORPG that is operated by Creaky Corpse Ltd.[1][2] Neil Yates is the creator and developer of the game[3] as well as an active player with his in-game character known as AdminPwn. Dead Frontier was released for open beta on April 21, 2008,[4][5] and currently has over 850,000 registered users with hundreds of new accounts being created every day.[6]
As a web browser free-to-play game, a free registration process is required from the user according to the Privacy Policy[7] and Terms of Service[8] available on the official web-site. Once the registration process is completed, the player creates an avatar which can be used to play in a 3D computer graphics environment. With the avatar, the player is also allowed to interact with multiple services involving trades of in-game items and communication with other players.
Contents |
Dead Frontier takes place in a post-apocalyptic world (Fairview city) infested with zombies.[10] As a co-op game,[11][12] the survivors are able to fight the zombie hordes together and enter outposts spread through the city, safe havens for living and doing business. Travels in the city are made by foot. Players are able to use a multitude of weapons and armor in order to survive the zombie infested streets.
As a survivor, the player starts the game by creating a class, job[13] or profession[14] at Nastya's Holdout outpost which allows to visit and interact with various services available in the outpost, such as market, bank, storage and items retrieval (ranging from food to medication, clothing, weapons, armor, etc.). Players are shown on the screen in the outpost as customizable avatars, limited only by the weapon proficiencies, stats of the player, the class of the player, and most importantly, by what they can afford to buy, or whether they can find the item by looting. Players interact with each other via the forums, the CB Radio, or by chatting in multiplayer rooms as well as mailing each other with private messaging.
Once the player decides to travel to the Inner City, the character avatar is made available to control within a game world in third-person view, exploring the landscape, fighting various types of zombies, completing missions, and interacting with other players and objects. Much of the game revolves around the Inner City, where players can loot items and gain experience by killing zombies, but they are also part of a society ruled by Clans, some virtuous, some neutral, and some malicious influencing the player's gameplay. There is a vast map with four major outposts: Nastya's Holdout, Fort Pastor, Precinct 13 and Dogg's Stockade where players can enter through the Inner City and trade their items in the marketplace or interact with virtual currency facilities and other players.
There are a number of rules in place for player conduct,[15] such as rules against scamming and bug abuse. Majority of the rules apply to the forums or CB Radio, and all the rules are enforced by moderators. Players may also report other players who break the rules. Players are strictly required to follow these rules for fair gameplay, protection of players, and to promote a friendly environment for new survivors. Violating these rules can invite disciplinary action which can range from suspensions to bans.
As other MMORPGs introduced paid memberships (e.g.: Travian), Dead Frontier introduced the concept of a Gold Membership, allowing players to directly influence the game mechanics through a Credit system.
On April 21, 2008, the game was released to the public as a beta version. Multiplayer mode and Player versus Player Combat were released on July 15, 2008, allowing players to team up and play the game, or fight against each other. A player-run market system was created on October 1, 2008, to facilitate trading among players. Named the Dead Frontier Mega Mall, it was popular among players as it was the only proper system for trading at that time. The barricading system, used to secure buildings, build personal outposts, and prevent zombies from entering them, was released on January 26, 2009. It allowed players to create their own outposts in the Inner City, where they can access services (market, bank, storage, etc.) as they could in the main outpost. A new inventory system was released on March 15, 2009, along with the ability to conduct private trades. A proper market system was also released, replacing the Dead Frontier Mega Mall. Missions were released on July 19, 2009. They gave specific tasks to players, such as to destroy all infected in an area, for a cash and experience reward.
On September 16, 2009, a game was released on many game sites in order to promote Dead Frontier. Titled “Dead Frontier: Outbreak”,[16][17][18] it is a text-based zombie adventure game, made to raise awareness among gamers about Dead Frontier, which due to its acceptance and success was followed by “Dead Frontier: Outbreak 2”.[19][20] On September 20, 2010, a 3D computer graphics version of the game was released to every registered player[21][22] (previously tested by Gold Members[23][24]), shifting the way players interact with the game.
Due to potential programming changes, the requirements for this game may change over time, thus official minimum requirements have not been set yet.