H-Hour: World's Elite

H-Hour: World's Elite is a tactical shooter video game, currently being developed by SOF Studios. The game released in early access for Microsoft Windows via Steam in May 2015. A version for the PlayStation 4 is planned to be released at a later date.[1]

H-Hour: World's Elite
Developer(s)SOF Studios
Publisher(s)SOF Studios
Composer(s)Penka Kouneva
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
Release
  • Microsoft Windows
  • May 19, 2015 (early access)
  • February 17, 2020 (full release)
  • PlayStation 4
  • TBA
Genre(s)Tactical shooter
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Initial development was mostly funded by $252,500 from a successful Kickstarter campaign in July 2013.

Gameplay

H-Hour's gameplay takes heavy inspiration from the SOCOM series, to which the developers describe the game as a "spiritual successor". The game is intended to be best when played with a clan and organised teams, and aims to give players a realistic military combat experience.[2]

The game will initially be "8v8" only, with the possibility of testing and adding larger player-counts in the future.[3] Upon release the game will be multiplayer only.

H-Hour: World's Elite is planned to include six maps upon release and at least four gameplay modes. Additional community maps are planned to be supported.[4]

Development

H-Hour: World's Elite is being developed by SOF Studios, located in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Its creative director, David Sears, was also the creative director of the SOCOM series, and H Hour is envisaged as a spiritual successor.[5] The game was announced alongside a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in July 2013 which aimed to raise $200,000, ultimately raising $252,662.[5] These funds were used to create a prototype which could then be used as a pitch for publisher funding.[4] In April 2014, Sears posted a blog about difficulties in funding the project,[6] later leaving his position as creative director at SOF Studios in October 2014.[7]

Initial development and assets were created using Unreal Engine 3 and later transitioned to Unreal Engine 4.[8] The game is being developed for Microsoft Windows, with plans to port the game to the PlayStation 4.[1] The game was entered into Steam Greenlight in March 2014, approved in April, and released onto Steam Early Access in May 2015.[1][9][10]

As of March 14, 2016, all development on H-Hour: World's Elite was ceased awaiting further capital investment.[11]

As of March 21, 2016, a group of industry professionals including former contract workers at SOF Studios stepped forward to volunteer their spare time to continuing the development of 'H-Hour: World's Elite. Between then and the end of June 2016, several improvements were completed.[12] The game entered a beta phase in March 2018, alongside an announcement that the PlayStation 4 version was under development.[13]

References
  1. Corriea, Alexa Ray (27 March 2014). "SOCOM spiritual successor launches on Steam Greenlight". Polygon. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  2. Campbell, Colin (4 July 2013). "How H-Hour aims to bring SOCOM back to life". Polygon. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  3. David Sears (2013-06-07). "H-Hour player count". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  4. Takahashi, Dean (2 July 2013). "SOCOM creator crowdsources his next team-shooter game with H-Hour: World's Elite". VentureBeat. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  5. Campbell, Colin (9 June 2013). "Former SOCOM developer unveils new shooter". Polygon. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  6. Schreier, Jason (20 February 2015). "12 Successful Kickstarters That Never Delivered". Kotaku. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  7. Tom (2014-10-23). "David Sears moves to advisory role for H-Hour". SOF Studios. Retrieved 2015-06-13.
  8. Hillier, Brenna (10 April 2014). "H-Hour: World's Elite built on Unreal Engine 4". VG24/7. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  9. Papadopoulos, John (20 May 2015). "H-Hour: World's Elite – Spiritual Successor To SOCOM – Steam Early Access Now Available". DSO Gaming. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  10. Cook, Dave (4 April 2014). "H-Hour: World's Elite Steam Greenlight campaign successful, new screens released". VG24/7. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  11. Tom (2016-03-14). "Weekly "Quick Look" - 14 March 2016". SOF Studios. Retrieved 2016-03-14.
  12. Rosie (2016-07-01). "Consolidated Patch Notes". SOF Studios. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  13. Davies, Sean (26 March 2018). "PS4 Version of H-Hour: World's Elite Now In Progress As Game Enters Beta On PC". Finger guns. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
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