Earlier today, Redhill Games premiered a first-ever look at their upcoming team-based tactical FPS, Nine to Five, giving potential players a glimpse at gameplay just ahead of the PC Closed Alpha that begins June 4th.
Originally unveiled during 2019's Game Awards, Nine to Five's name is a reference to its near-future setting where corporations negotiate with one another using hired guns rather than boardroom discussions As such, being a mercenary is just another job - and a lucrative one at that. Whoever said that the pen is mightier than the sword clearly didn't anticipate the invention of assault weapons.
Nine to Five takes a somewhat novel approach to the genre by pitting three teams of three against one another, which I would imagine ups the ante quite a bit. According to Redhill Games CEO Matias Myllrinne, the reason behind this was to encourage players to rely on wit and strategy more than brute force.
“We believe shooters can be smarter — and smarter can be more fun. We want teamwork to triumph over brute force and reflexes, giving players a refined shooting experience with the freedom to customize your game plan as you see fit,” said Myllyrinne in today's press release.
At it's current stage, the game looks like a cross between Counter-Strike and Rainbow Six: Siege. However, given that those two titles essentially dominate the tactical shooter space, it's no surprise that Nine to Five would want to use their collective formulas as a springboard to create a unique, albeit familiar experience.
As for the closed alpha, the developer is hoping that bringing players in at such an early stage will help craft a more tailored experience for the final game. “You can expect plenty of rough edges and thrilling surprises in the alpha, and we’ll be engaging closely with the community for your feedback on day one.”
Signups for the closed alpha are live on the game's website for PC players that would like to participate.
