Physics-Based MOSA, Arena: Cyber Evolution kicks off Early Access

Michael Dunaway
By Michael Dunaway, News Editor Posted:
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Spearhead Games, a small indie studio based out of Montreal, has just kicked off the Early Access period for their upcoming 'MOSA' known as ACE or, Arena: Cyber Evolution. ACE pits players against one another in physics-based 3-vs-3 cyber soccer battles, where each player can choose to play as one of several specialized characters. Think air-hokey meets Tron's Disc Wars, in a team environment.

So just what is a MOSA? According to Google, a tile manufacturing company, but for Spearhead it describes the Multiplayer Online Sport Arena genre of which ACE is the only inhabitant. We actually covered ACE at this year's Pax East, back when the game was known as Project Cyber. The game has since undergone a huge number of changes, with the developers streaming the entire process and taking feedback from the community along the way.

Making a popular MOBA, even one which departs from the traditional combat oriented formula, is certainly difficult right now and Spearhead seems to know this. Simon Darveau, Spearhead's co-founder put it bluntly stating, “building a legitimate e-sport – especially when the market is as MOBA-saturated as it is right now – is an ambitious endeavor." It's for this reason he says the team has made their development process 100% transparent, "we’ve streamed our design meetings on Twitch every day since we began, and that open feedback loop has ensured that the game we are building is something that gamers want.”

Arena_Cyber_Evolution

The end result is an Alpha which features five cyberpunk superheroes and dynamic arena-changing shifts - giving way to earthquakes, gravity reversals, black holes, arena rifts and other hazardous traps. Interestingly, Spearhead eventually intends for these elements to be directly controlled by viewers spectating the match.

Players can already download the Alpha for free through Steam Early access and can choose to support the developers by purchasing non-obligatory DLC content. Depending on how much players contribute, Spearhead has outlined several tiered stretch goals, including ranked play, dedicated servers and eventually, an international tournament.

Spearhead has even made it a point to mention all character implant upgrades found in-game can only be purchased with a special "Cyberbux" currency, earned exclusively through leveling and completing missions.

To download ACE, head on over to the Early Access page or check out the official website for more information here.

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About the Author

Michael Dunaway
Michael Dunaway, News Editor

Michael Dunaway has been part of the MMOBomb team for years and has covered practically every major Free-to-Play MMO title since 2009.

More Stories by Michael Dunaway

Discussion (14)

Hurrdurr 9 years ago
"MOSA", "ZOMBA", "MOBA"..it seems everyone can just make acronyms willy-nilly nowadays.

SOFSS. Sheeple Often Follow Stupid Shit. Hurrr.

Brian 9 years ago
Great game that I tried last Pax East. Games are pretty quick too if your time is limited.

lovelife 9 years ago
This is a great game and has great potential. Cant wait till final release and its more of Ice Hockey than soccer as the game evolved from it pre-alpha state to early access

Helloworld 9 years ago
Its more of Ice Hockey than soccer as the game changed from pre-alpha to Early access. Anyway this is a great game with potential in my opinion.

YO 9 years ago
Game is great fun. the Developers actually work with the community to resolve issues and address suggestions. Everyone show try it out once it fully releases or atleast gets into beta.

FaTe 9 years ago
I have played this game from pre-alpha, its good, has great potential. Can't wait for upcoming features.

GMAlonzo 9 years ago
Still waiting for Saints Row MMO, and well Crack down 3 which is coming. SRMMO not likely but still.

Piratedcopy 9 years ago
I find it ridiculous that games are constantly making up new genre names, that are similar to "MOBA". First Transformers Universe and now this. Are they really that desperate to have some temporary "success", staining the game industry with countless "new genres"?

View 1 reply
Estriel 9 years ago
It does not look half bad it actually looks pretty good

anip 9 years ago
soccer?

more like air hockey

lol

zzz™ 9 years ago
zzz™

GMAlonzo 9 years ago
sigh


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