Following the announcements today that Lone Echo’s multiplayer mode will launch free for all Oculus Rift owners, developer Ready at Dawn has confirmed that the multiplayer mode has actually spun out into its own game, separate from Lone Echo.
Though initially conceived as a multiplayer mode for Lone Echo, developer Ready at Dawn has apparently seen fit to spin out the ‘Arena’ mode into its own VR title, now called Echo Arena. A new trailer (heading this article) shows Echo Arena in action:
In Echo Arena—the fast-paced competitive multiplayer mode for Lone Echo—you’ll join a team of up to four other players and face off against the competition in a zero-gravity clash of robotic glory as you glide, boost, and punch your way to scoring goals in a breathtaking virtual arena. As a team sport, Echo Arena rewards players that work well together; with the incredible social expression offered by Touch, you’ll be able signal for a pass with a shout and a wave just as you naturally would, while throwing and catching the disc becomes a valuable skill to master. Even better though, Echo Arena is also full-contact sport: make a fist and use a swift punch to an opponent’s head to stun them, or grab onto another player’s back and catch a ride down-field. And of course, after you score a goal you can flaunt it with your own victory dance.
Lone Echo will launch as a separate title containing the full single player experience.
Both Lone Echo and Echo Arena will launch on July 20th. Lone Echo can be pre-ordered today on the Oculus store for a 10% discount off the $40 price tag. Echo Area will launch for free for Oculus Rift owners for a limited time.
If you’re hyped for Echo Arena (we quite enjoyed it in our previous hands-on), mark your calendar on June 23rd for a free early access beta weekend starting at 10AM PT.