| S4 League | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Pentavision |
| Publisher(s) | Neowiz Games (Pmang), ProSiebenSat1 Games (Alaplaya), AsiaSoft |
| Version | 2.8.3.26956 (June 21, 2011) |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date(s) | 2007 (KR), 2008 (EU & NA), 2011 (Thailand & SEA) |
| Genre(s) | Third-Person Shooter |
| Mode(s) | Online Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | 12+ |
| Media/distribution | Internet download |
S4 League (Korean: S4리그) is a third-person shooter multiplayer game developed by Pentavision and published by Neowiz Games in 2007. It is hosted exclusively in Korea by Pmang. It's also hosted in Europe and North America since 2008 by Alaplaya.[1] A sequel, S4: Dark Lightning, has been announced and released.[2]
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Default game settings make S4 League a third-person shooter. Altering the camera position can bring the experience from the game closer to that from a first-person shooter.
To play games, registered players have to log–with the game client installed–into the servers provided by the S4 League publisher. The playerbase gets separated into "servers" (alaplaya publisher has language labeled servers), and–subsequently–"channels" which may have restrictions such as based on player character level. Clan system and "channels" for clan vs clan matches are available. Once in a "channel", players can create rooms that define the game mode and limitations. When enough players join the room and declare themselves ready, the game can be started. Maximum number of players in a match is 16. Majority of the game modes are competitive, though win or loss doesn't have much impact on experience points or in-game currency gains. Few weapons being an exception, no friendly fire is possible. Some of the lower character levels, when attained, unlock emotes and clothes-equipment available for use.
Deathmatch mode is of team variation, players being divided into two teams: "alpha" and "beta". From either team's point of view the opposing team player characters wear red clothes, while nicknames in green text are constantly being displayed next to allied characters.
In Captain mode the deathmatch-like game is split into rounds. Players start the round with increased hit-points and are termed "captains". The objective of the round is to eliminate opposing team "captains", while preserving own team ones. Until the next round starts, a once-killed "captain" respawns as a non-"captain", with standard hit-points and the ability to detect opposing team "captains".
Touchdown mode has the highest number of different maps available. Allusively to american football game process, the two teams in this game mode have to bring a ball (termed "fumbi") to opposing team "goalpost" to score the points that serve as primary win criterion. The player characters can kill each other, like in deathmatch, and ball-carrying character drops the ball when killed. Successful "touchdown" finishes a round and awards a TD score point. Start of the new round resets player characters and "fumbi" to respawn at the normally designated locations.
In Chaser mode games, each round a randomly selected player is appointed the role of "chaser", other players are teamed against that player. "Chaser" player is faster than usual, has distorted vision and increased damage resistance. Both "chaser" and the opposing team can see "target" mark pointing to the non-chaser character with the highest score. The more players participate, the larger time limit is allotted to the round. Currently-"chaser" player is given points for killing the opposing team characters. Killing a "target"-mark shifts the mark to the next survivor and nets additional points. Opposing team players earn points by dealing damage to the "chaser" and by surviving till the end of the round.
Battle Royal mode is a non-team, "free-for-all" deathmatch. Killing a player currently in the lead nets additional points. In Battle Royal mode, 5 points are obtained by killing the individual currently in first place whereas 2 points are gained by killing a player whom is not in first place. However, any kill assist nets only 1 point no matter if the player on either end of the killing was in first place or not.
Arcade mode is the non-competitive mode. Similarly to instancing, the team of 1 to 4 players is put on the pre-generated time-limited map. Scripted sequences of computer-controlled opponents are spawned. 8 maps are available, comprising a single plot narrated by cutscenes.
Siege mode is a team based mode where both teams have to capture 3 points scature around the map. There are currently 2 maps available for this mode. During the gameplay drops will be found across the map the will serve benefits to your character such as bonus pen and also attack increases.
Additional variations are restriction of allowed weapons and skills. Some modes provide on-the-fly balance alterations. For example, players from the team that falls behind in Deathmatch or Touchdown would begin to take less damage from similar attacks, compared to their opponents'. Majority of the maps are available only in a single specific game mode.
Up to three characters can be created, the characters share the level, nickname and inventory associated with the game account. A character should have from one to three different weapons and one "skill" equipped to participate in a game match. During the half-time short break available in Deathmatch and Touchdown modes, players can switch from one of the game account character to another (for example to a character equipped with another set of weapons).
A number of clothing elements can be purchased and equipped. These items serve to alter character appearance and to impart bonuses, such as additional offense or defense. Weapons differ in their appearance, bullet spray patterns, damage, clip size, speed, etc. A number of weapons fall under the category of melee (such as swords, dagger). "Skills" are an assortment of special equipment and are player-activated or constantly active during actual matches (examples: invisibility; additional maximum hit points). Activated "skills", as well as acrobatic special moves (wall jumping, running, etc), spend points from a regenerating but limited "SP" pool, which is also affected by certain game modes rules.
The equipment is purchased for in-game currency earned by participating in matches. Real-world currency micropayments serve to purchase of special currency, exclusively from the game service provider. This special currency is spent to purchase a wider variety of character equipment, including that with bonuses of otherwise unattainable level. No inter-account transfers of currencies and equipment is possible.
A special version of the game called S4 Portable is in the works for the PlayStation Portable game system since 2008.[3] However, since nothing has been announced, the normal speculation is that it has been canceled.