During Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2025, developer GFA Games released a new gameplay trailer for its upcoming MMO shooter Pioner. The trailer, which you can check out below, gives a decent idea of what kind players can expect from the shooter when it comes out later this year.
As its trailer indicates, Pioner wears its inspirations on its sleeves. In this case, the inspiration is the GSC Game World’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. The trailer shows off Pioner‘s slow-paced tactical shooter gameplay, while also revealing that players will have to make of various tools to ensure that the environment is safe enough for them to travel through.
Speaking of the environment, Pioner taps into similar post-nuclear apocalyptic vibes as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. does, while also going more fantastical with the idea. Along with dilapidated buildings, the environments in Pioner are also filled with strange creatures, including airborne jellyfish, and even a massive flying leviathan.
Along with fighting strange flora and fauna, players will also have to take on more human enemies that seem to range from run-of-the-mill poorly-equipped bandits to well kitted out mercenary crews that have heavy weapons and armour. There will also be things like irradiated zombies and mutated animals for players to take on.
Pioner was originally announced all the way back in 2021. At the time, GFA Games was aiming for a 2021-2022 launch window. However, things seem to have obviously changed, with the game now being slated for launch on PC some time in 2025.
The game is set to offer a mix between action gameplay as well as tense horror moments. These aspects will be held together through an RPG system that rewards players with more active and passive abilities as they take on the challenges that the game will put before them.
Pioner isn’t a single-player game, however, and players will have to interact with others as they make their way through the game. The title will feature PvE missions that groups of players can take on together for greater rewards, as well as designated PvP zones where all bets are off.
Among the multiplayer game modes in Pioner is the Shadowlands mode which is based on extraction shooter mechanics. GFA Games promises high-stakes survival and treasure hunting in the Shadowlands mode, with players having to deal with not only environmental obstacles, but possibly even other potentially-hostile players as well.
Multiplayer is a big focus for Pioner, which also feature in-game tools that will allow players to organise and take on its many challenges. Among these tools will be a clan system that will allow players to not only communicate with each other, but also to share resources, compete on clan leaderboards, and create their own community dynamics.
Players will also be able to set up their own base camp, since they will need a place to partake in the game’s crafting system. Players will be able to make use of anomaly energy, scavenged materials and artifacts to make powerful weapons and equipment.
Check out our thoughts on why Pioner looks like the perfect hybrid between Fallout and S.T.A.L.K.E.R..
