Disintegration (video game)
{{Infobox video game
| title = Disintegration
| image = File:Disintegration cover art.png
| developer = V1 Interactive
| publisher = Private Division
| director = Marcus Lehto
| designer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer = Jon Everist
| engine = Unreal Engine 4{{Cite web |url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/developer-interviews/disintegration-blends-fps-and-rts-to-create-a-more-tactical-shooter |title=Disintegration blends FPS and RTS to create a more tactical shooter |access-date=2020-07-30 |archive-date=2020-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020203852/https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/developer-interviews/disintegration-blends-fps-and-rts-to-create-a-more-tactical-shooter |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Working on Game Vistas for Disintegration in UE4 |url=https://80.lv/articles/working-on-game-vistas-for-disintegration-in-ue4/ |website=80LV |date=7 July 2020 |access-date=27 January 2022}}
| released = {{vgrelease|WW|June 16, 2020}}
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| genre = First-person shooter, real-time strategy
| series =
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
}}
Disintegration is a first-person shooter developed by V1 Interactive and published by Private Division. The game also features elements from the real-time strategy genre. It was released in June 2020 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It was also the only game released by V1 Interactive before their shutdown in March 2021.
Gameplay
The game was played from a first-person perspective. The player assumes control of Romer Shoal, a Gravcycle pilot. The Gravcycle could hover above the ground and from this position, Romer could issue commands to his four-person squad and activate their abilities while providing aerial support. The Gravcycle in the game has three distinct models, with each granting players different advantages.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2020/01/06/disintegration-hands-on-preview-a-new-kind-of-shooter-a-ign-first|title=Disintegration Hands-On Preview: A New Kind of Shooter – IGN First|first=Brandin|last=Tyrrel|work=IGN|date=January 7, 2020|accessdate=May 15, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529210326/https://www.ign.com/articles/2020/01/06/disintegration-hands-on-preview-a-new-kind-of-shooter-a-ign-first|url-status=live}} For instance, Heavy can launch strong attacks but it moves at a slower pace. Romer can use his Gravcycle to highlight different areas of interest and resources, which can be salvaged to upgrade the Gravcycle, the ground units, and his own upgrade chip.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/04/08/disintegration-preview-the-world-story-and-gameplay-of-the-single-player|title=Disintegration Preview: The World, Story, And Gameplay Of The Single-Player Campaign|first=Brian|last=Shea|magazine=Game Informer|date=April 8, 2020|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412181625/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/04/08/disintegration-preview-the-world-story-and-gameplay-of-the-single-player|url-status=live}}
The game's multiplayer modes can support up to 10 players.{{cite web|url=https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2020/01/20/try-out-sci-fi-shooter-disintegration-on-ps4-next-week-with-a-multiplayer-beta/|title=Try out sci-fi shooter Disintegration on PS4 next week with its multiplayer beta|first=Marcus|last=Letho|work=PlayStation Blog|date=January 20, 2020|accessdate=May 15, 2020|archive-date=March 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302185523/https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2020/01/20/try-out-sci-fi-shooter-disintegration-on-ps4-next-week-with-a-multiplayer-beta/|url-status=live}} In multiplayer, the player can choose to command a crew, which consists of a gravcycle and several ground units. At launch, players can choose from nine crews. Each crew has their own gameplay characteristics and unique abilities.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/disintegration-multiplayer-tips-teams-and-strategies-a-ign-first|title=Disintegration: Multiplayer Tips, Teams, and Strategies – IGN First|first=Brandin|last=Tyrrel|work=IGN|date=January 29, 2020|accessdate=May 15, 2020|archive-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526200711/https://www.ign.com/articles/disintegration-multiplayer-tips-teams-and-strategies-a-ign-first|url-status=live}}
Story
The game takes place 150 years into the future. Following a complete collapse of society due to climate change, a group of scientists develops a technique to transfer the human brain into a robotic body in order to reduce the demands placed on Earth's resources, which comes to be known as "integration". While integration is only temporary in nature, a militant group named Rayonne emerged to become a superpower and began forcing all humans to conform to the integration process. The game follows a group of outlaws, led by Romer Shoal, who had already "integrated", as they rebel against Rayonne and attempt to "reboot humanity".
Development
The game was directed by Marcus Lehto, the co-creator of the Halo series. It was the debut title for his studio, V1 Interactive, which employed 30 employees. While Lehto first began brainstorming ideas for the game in 2014, the actual development took around three and a half years.{{cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interview-halos-co-creator-on-building-a-new-universe-with-disintegration/|title=Interview: Halo Co-creator on Building a New Universe with Disintegration|first=Andy|last=Robinson|work=Video Games Chronicle|date=April 15, 2020|accessdate=May 15, 2020|archive-date=May 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527131359/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interview-halos-co-creator-on-building-a-new-universe-with-disintegration/|url-status=live}} Initially, the team envisioned the game as a real-time strategy (RTS) title, though he felt that the gameplay was not unique enough. Therefore, Lehto decided to incorporate elements of first-person shooter into the game by converting the RTS camera into an active participant in combat. Myth was one of the games that inspired Lehto when he was designing the gameplay.{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/10/08/disintegration-interview/|title=Disintegration Interview: how Halo's co-creator concepted a shooter-strategy hybrid|first=Alex|last=Donaldson|work=VG 247|date=October 9, 2019|accessdate=May 15, 2020|archive-date=June 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615170555/https://www.vg247.com/2019/10/08/disintegration-interview/|url-status=live}} The game's musical score was composed by Jon Everist, who previously worked on Battletech. Talking about the process, Everist worked closely with the lead audio director and ensured that his music blended well with the gameplay and cinematics, owing to relying on character themes and suites as a basis for the score.{{cite web |last1=Burke |first1=Ron |title=We interview composer Jon Everist about Battletech, Disintegration, and much more |url=https://gamingtrend.com/feature/interviews/we-interview-composer-jon-everest-about-battletech-disintegration-and-much-more/ |website=Gaming Trends |accessdate=June 19, 2020 |date=October 7, 2019 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309192043/https://gamingtrend.com/feature/interviews/we-interview-composer-jon-everest-about-battletech-disintegration-and-much-more/ |url-status=live }}
Private Division announced that it would publish the game in December 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/14/16776158/take-two-private-division-kerbal-space-program-project-wight|title=Take-Two announces new indie label, Private Division|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|work=Polygon|date=December 14, 2017|accessdate=May 15, 2020|archive-date=April 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418093119/https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/14/16776158/take-two-private-division-kerbal-space-program-project-wight|url-status=live}} It was officially announced in July 2019.{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/07/11/private-division-and-v1-interactive-unveil-sci-fi-shooter-disintegration/|title=Private Division and V1 Interactive unveil sci-fi shooter Disintegration|first=Dean|last=Takahashi|work=VentureBeat|date=July 11, 2019|accessdate=May 15, 2020|archive-date=March 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316141525/https://venturebeat.com/2019/07/11/private-division-and-v1-interactive-unveil-sci-fi-shooter-disintegration/|url-status=live}} A multiplayer beta was released in January 2020, lasting for two days.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2020-01-15-disintegration-public-beta-january-31.html|title='Disintegration' public multiplayer beta starts January 31st|first=Jon|last=Fingas|work=Engadget|date=January 15, 2020|accessdate=May 15, 2020|archive-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116135443/https://www.engadget.com/2020-01-15-disintegration-public-beta-january-31.html|url-status=live}} The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on June 16, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-05-07-halo-like-shooter-disintegration-launches-this-june|title=Halo-like shooter Disintegration launches this June|first=Emma|last=Kent|work=Eurogamer|date=May 7, 2020|accessdate=May 15, 2020|archive-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515101753/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-05-07-halo-like-shooter-disintegration-launches-this-june|url-status=live}} The game's multiplayer support was completely removed on November 17, 2020, less than six months after the game's initial release. According to V1 Interactive, "the game unfortunately struggled to build a significant audience necessary for a compelling multiplayer experience".{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/disintegration-is-ending-multiplayer-support/|title=Disintegration is ending multiplayer support|first=Andy|last=Chalk|work=PC Gamer|date=September 17, 2020|accessdate=September 19, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920094314/https://www.pcgamer.com/disintegration-is-ending-multiplayer-support/|url-status=live}} V1 Interactive announced on March 8, 2021, that it would be closing.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-03-08-v1-interactive-is-officially-closing-its-doors |title=V1 Interactive is officially closing its doors |first=Eric |last=Van Allen |date=March 8, 2021 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309192041/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-03-08-v1-interactive-is-officially-closing-its-doors |url-status=live }}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 62/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/disintegration/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Disintegration for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=September 19, 2021 }}
PS4: 60/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/disintegration/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Disintegration for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=September 19, 2021 }}
XONE: 67/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/disintegration/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Disintegration for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=September 19, 2021}}
| IGN = 6/10{{cite web |last1=Stapleton |first1=Dan |title=Disintegration Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/disintegration-single-player-review |website=IGN |date=19 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021}}
| GI = 6/10{{cite magazine |last1=Reeves |first1=Ben |title=Disintegration Review – A Strategic Misstep |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/disintegration/disintegration-review-a-strategic-misstep |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610233351/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/disintegration/disintegration-review-a-strategic-misstep |url-status=live |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |magazine=Game Informer |date=19 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021}}
| PSQ = {{Rating|5|10}}{{cite web |title=Disintegration Review (PS4) {{!}} Aces high |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/disintegration |website=Push Square |date=19 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021}}
| GRadar = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web |title=Disintegration review: "Combat is maddeningly simple and bafflingly slow" {{!}} Aces high |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/disintegration-review/ |website=GamesRadar |date=19 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021}}
| Destruct = 6.5/10{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Chris |title=Review: Disintegration |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-disintegration/ |website=Destructoid |date=19 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021}}
| SN = 4/10{{cite web |last1=Chandler |first1=Sam |title=Disintegration review: Troubleshooting |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/118484/disintegration-review-troubleshooting |website=Shacknews |date=19 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021}}
| USG = 2.5/5{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Matthew |title=Disintegration Review: Tin Men in Search of Heart |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/disintegration-review-v1-interactive-private-division-fps-rts |website=USgamer |date=19 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021}}
}}Disintegration received "mixed or average reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic.{{Cite web |title=Disintegration |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/disintegration/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618114933/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/disintegration |archive-date=2020-06-18 |access-date=2020-06-21 |website=Metacritic}}{{Cite web |title=Disintegration |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/disintegration/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620183116/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/disintegration |archive-date=2020-06-20 |access-date=2020-06-21 |website=Metacritic}}{{Cite web |title=Disintegration |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/disintegration/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Metacritic |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.disintegrationgame.com/}}
Category:First-person shooters
Category:Private Division games
Category:Post-apocalyptic video games
Category:Real-time strategy video games
Category:Science fiction video games
Category:Unreal Engine 4 games
Category:Video games scored by Jon Everist