Predator: Hunting Grounds
Publisher:
Sony
Developer:
Illfonic
Platforms:
PS4, PC
Genre:Shooter
Release Date:April 24, 2020
Predator: Hunting Grounds is an asymmetrical competitive multiplayer game developed by Illfonic and published by Sony.
Development
Predator: Hunting Grounds was first officially unveiled by Sony during their May 2019 State of Play presentation, where it was confirmed that the game would launch in 2020. It was confirmed that it would support cross-platform play across the PS4 and PC versions.
Later that year in December, it was confirmed that the game would release on April 24, 2020. The game went into beta for three days in March, a month before its full launch.
Predator: Hunting Grounds also launches with a Deluxe Edition, which includes – in addition to a copy of the game itself – double XP for 48 hours, 5 field lockers, an “Eclipse” Predator mask, an exclusive PS4 dynamic theme, a mini digital art book, exclusive PlayStation-themed armour and Predator skin, exclusive PlayStation-themed Fireteam camo and weapon skin, the 120 page digital comic Predator: Hunters by Dark Horse, and the “Battle Hardened” Assault character.
On PC, the game launches as an exclusive to the Epic Games Store.
Gameplay
Predator: Hunting Grounds is a 4 versus 1 asymmetrical multiplayer game, where a team of four Fireteam members attempts to escape a map before another player controlling the Predator takes them out. For the Predator, the main goal is to kill all members of the Fireteam, while Fireteam members have to safely make it to their chopper and escape the map.
In this duration, Fireteam members are also given objectives that involve fighting against local drug lords and their forces, which are controller by the AI. Objectives can include tasks such as liberating outposts on the map, turning generators back on, hacking into hard drives, and more. Objectives are dynamically generated and each match can present different objectives.
The Predator, meanwhile, has to utilize stealth and use the environment for these purposes. Taking fire from heavier weapons can be deadly for the Predator, so utilizing stealth and picking off Fireteam members one by one is essential. If a Predator should attack Fireteam members while they are fighting against AI controlled enemies, the AI enemies change targets and prioritize bringing down the Predator first.
There are multiple maps in Predator: Hunting Grounds, and each is designed to encourage stealth gameplay, with overgrown shrubbery, vegetation, and trees. Each map is also said to be quite large in order to support longer matches with multiple objectives, and to make it harder for Fireteam members to safely make it back to their chopper and escape.
Each player can also choose from several options of playable classes, which goes for both, Fireteam members and the Predator. Each Fireteam member has a wide variety of gear and equipment options, including regular weapons such as pistols, assault rifles, and shotguns, or heavier weapons that are more useful for taking on the Predator, such rocket launchers and sniper rifles. Loadouts and weapons can also be customized, and there are also several unlockable weapons.
Predator: Hunting Grounds also has three playable classes for the Predator. These are the Scout class, a quick and light warrior adept with ranged weaponry, and with high stamina and recovery, but with lower health, able to carry less weight, and with less effective melee combat; the Berserker class, which has stronger melee attacks, higher health, and more energy reserves, but has slower movement, a less agile pounce attack, lower recovery, and lower stamina; and the Hunter class, which is a balanced and versatile class with decent stamina, health, recovery, speed, and recovery power. Each Predator can also equip one of several masks. The game also features a playable female Predator.
Predators also have several weapons to utilize. Each of them have a camouflage ability that renders them nearly invisible, as well as reinforced wrist blades used for melee attacks. There is also the Combi-stick, a lethal spear-like weapon used for both melee and ranged combat. A shoulder mounted weapon called the Plasma canon can be used for ranged combat and can fire plasma bolts. Each Predator also has thermal vision that can be activated to track down and hunt prey. Unlockable weapons include a projectile weapon called the Smart Disc, which uses a guidance system to seek out and attack multiple targets, and the Yaujta Bow, used for ranged combat.
The developers have noted that AI controlled enemies have been designed so they do not mess with the game’s balance, which primarily focuses on the 4v1 aspect of gameplay. Audio is also said to be a big part of the game and the developers have said they spent quite a lot of time on audio design, with Fireteam member players required to pay attention to the sounds around them to figure out if the Predator is nearby.
The developers have also said that players can expect plenty of references, callbacks, and nods in Predator: Hunting Grounds to the movies it is inspired by. That said, the developers have also promised that there will be plenty of new things that they have cooked up themselves that will also be in the game.
Note: This wiki will be updated once we have more information about the game.