Second Extinction
{{Short description|Cancelled video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| collapsible =
| state =
| italic title =
| title = Second Extinction
| image = Second Extinction cover art.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = Systemic Reaction
| publisher = Systemic Reaction
| series =
| engine =
| platforms = Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X/S
| released = Cancelled
| genre = First-person shooter
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Second Extinction was a cooperative first-person shooter developed and published by Systemic Reaction for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. In the game, mutated dinosaurs have taken over the Earth, and players must work together in fighting a war against the animals. The game received an early access release through Steam on October 13, 2020, and through Xbox Game Preview on April 28, 2021.
Originally scheduled to leave early access on October 20, 2022, the full launch was delayed several times due to unspecified issues, before being cancelled in October 2023. The game had been in development by a small 35-person team which lacked the resources necessary to continue. The game servers were scheduled to shut down in 2024.
Gameplay
Second Extinction is a first-person shooter,{{cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Alice |title=Second Extinction is a co-op FPS about fighting mutant dinosaurs |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/second-extinction-is-a-co-op-fps-about-fighting-mutant-dinosaurs |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725172248/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/second-extinction-is-a-co-op-fps-about-fighting-mutant-dinosaurs |url-status=live }} and a live service game, with content updates being made regularly.{{cite web |last=Bonifacic |first=Igor |title='Second Extinction' looks like 'Destiny' with dinosaurs |url=https://www.engadget.com/second-extinction-xbox-series-x-165344315.html |website=Engadget |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203512/https://www.engadget.com/second-extinction-xbox-series-x-165344315.html |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Reeves |first=Ben |title=Second Extinction Team Explains Why Their Dinosaurs Are So Deadly |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/video-interview/2020/08/15/second-extinction-team-explains-why-their-dinosaurs-are-so-deadly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815203447/https://www.gameinformer.com/video-interview/the-game-informer-show/2020/08/15/second-extinction-team-explains-why-their |url-status=live |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=August 15, 2020 |at=1:00, 4:00}} Because the game is always online, it does not include a pause feature.{{cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |title=It's A Shooter With Dinosaurs, And That's Enough For Me |url=https://kotaku.com/its-a-shooter-with-dinosaurs-and-thats-enough-for-me-1846790922 |website=Kotaku |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=April 29, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202759/https://kotaku.com/its-a-shooter-with-dinosaurs-and-thats-enough-for-me-1846790922 |url-status=live }}
The game's premise revolves around mutated dinosaurs taking over the Earth. A group of human survivors retreated to an orbital station, and eventually returned to Earth, launching a war against the dinosaurs.{{cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |title=Team Up With Friends To Battle Mutated Dinosaurs In Second Extinction For Xbox Series X |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/inside-xbox/2020/05/07/team-up-with-friends-to-battle-mutated-dinosaurs-in-second-extinction-for |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509103718/https://www.gameinformer.com/inside-xbox/2020/05/07/team-up-with-friends-to-battle-mutated-dinosaurs-in-second-extinction-for |url-status=live |archive-date=May 9, 2020 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=May 7, 2020}}{{cite magazine |last=Tack |first=Daniel |title=Second Extinction Comes To Early Access In September |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/08/12/second-extinction-comes-to-early-access-in-september |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815203746/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/08/12/second-extinction-comes-to-early-access-in-september |url-status=live |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=August 12, 2020}} The animals work together against the player. Enemies include raptors and T. rexes. Because all the dinosaurs are mutated, they possess unusual features, including the ability to generate electricity to launch shock attacks. Some dinosaurs can spit acid,{{cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |title=Co-op dino shooter Second Extinction hits Xbox Game Preview in Spring |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/co-op-dino-shooter-second-extinction-hits-xbox-in-spring/ |website=GamesRadar |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=February 19, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203803/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/co-op-dino-shooter-second-extinction-hits-xbox-in-spring/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |title=The terror of Second Extinction's acid-spitting reptile raid teams |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/second-extinction/gameplay-preview |website=PCGamesN |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203521/https://www.pcgamesn.com/second-extinction/gameplay-preview |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Lowry |first=Brendan |title=Second Extinction preview: A roaring good time |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/second-extinction-xbox-pc-preview-roaring-good-time |website=Windows Central |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805043338/https://www.windowscentral.com/second-extinction-xbox-pc-preview-roaring-good-time |url-status=live }} while others can dig underground, or can call reinforcements.
The game can be played solo, but is primarily meant as a three-player cooperative video game.{{cite web |last=Ramée |first=Jordan |title=Hunt Mutant Dinosaurs In Second Extinction For Xbox Series X |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hunt-mutant-dinosaurs-in-second-extinction-for-xbo/1100-6476940/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201641/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hunt-mutant-dinosaurs-in-second-extinction-for-xbo/1100-6476940/ |url-status=live }} The game has several playable characters, who are divided into different classes, each one with its own weapons.{{cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |title=IGN Expo: Second Extinction - World Premiere Gameplay Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-gameplay-world-premiere |website=IGN |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=June 10, 2020 |at=5:37 |archive-date=June 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619030103/https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-gameplay-world-premiere |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=McCafferty |first=Ryan |title=Second Extinction Hands-On Preview: When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-hands-on-preview-when-dinosaurs-ruled-the-earth |website=IGN |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620135722/https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-hands-on-preview-when-dinosaurs-ruled-the-earth |url-status=live }} The player can request additional ammunition and health to be airdropped into the environment.{{cite magazine |last=Livingston |first=Christopher |title=Watch humans fight mobs of mutant dinosaurs in this Second Extinction gameplay footage |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/watch-humans-fight-mobs-of-mutant-dinosaurs-in-this-second-extinction-gameplay-footage/ |magazine=PC Gamer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=June 10, 2020}}
The game has various locations, including caves where dinosaur nests must be destroyed. The game has four threat levels (low, medium, high, and emergence), which are applied to each area depending on the local dinosaur population.{{cite web |last=McCafferty |first=Ryan |title=Second Extinction Early Access Release Month, 'War Effort' Multiplayer Details Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-early-access-release-month-war-effort-multiplayer-details-revealed |website=IGN |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=August 11, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624080737/https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-early-access-release-month-war-effort-multiplayer-details-revealed |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Mercante |first=Alyssa |title=Second Extinction, the co-op dino shooter, is hitting Steam Early Access this September |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/second-extinction-the-co-op-dino-shooter-is-hitting-steam-early-access-this-september/ |website=GamesRadar |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=August 12, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204303/https://www.gamesradar.com/second-extinction-the-co-op-dino-shooter-is-hitting-steam-early-access-this-september/ |url-status=live }} Players' success in the war effort will reduce threat levels in parts of the world, although the dinosaurs will turn elsewhere in response, increasing the threat level wherever they go.{{cite web |last=LeBlanc |first=Wesley |title=Second Extinction: Early Access October Release Date, Details Released |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-early-access-october-release-date-details-released |website=IGN |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=September 14, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203943/https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-early-access-october-release-date-details-released |url-status=live }} Threat levels are updated each week. The game has several weather conditions, such as snow storms,{{cite web |last=Polanco |first=Tony |title=Second Extinction (for PC) Preview |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/second-extinction-for-pc |website=PCMag |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=September 15, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205540/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/second-extinction-for-pc |url-status=live }} and some gameplay takes place at night.{{cite magazine |last=Livingston |first=Christopher |title=Co-op dinosaur slaying gets chaotic as hell in Second Extinction |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/co-op-dinosaur-slaying-gets-chaotic-as-hell-in-second-extinction/ |magazine=PC Gamer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=September 8, 2020}}
An update in September 2021 added a horde mode and a new playable character for a total of six. Full crossplay support, matchmaking lobbies, and voice chat were also added.{{cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |title=Co-op dino shooter Second Extinction is getting full crossplay and a horde mode |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/co-op-dino-shooter-second-extinction-is-getting-full-crossplay-and-a-horde-mode/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=November 17, 2021 |date=September 29, 2021 |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117201314/https://www.pcgamer.com/co-op-dino-shooter-second-extinction-is-getting-full-crossplay-and-a-horde-mode/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Jen |title='Second Extinction' adds horde mode in biggest update yet |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/second-extinction-adds-horde-mode-in-biggest-update-yet-3059255 |website=NME |access-date=November 17, 2021 |date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117201314/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/second-extinction-adds-horde-mode-in-biggest-update-yet-3059255 |url-status=live }}
Development and release
Second Extinction was announced on May 7, 2020.{{cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Josh |title=Second Extinction brings intense 3-player co-op to Xbox Series X |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/117954/second-extinction-brings-intense-3-player-co-op-to-xbox-series-x |website=Shacknews |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=May 7, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205738/https://www.shacknews.com/article/117954/second-extinction-brings-intense-3-player-co-op-to-xbox-series-x |url-status=live }} It was developed by Systemic Reaction, a newly formed self-publishing division of Avalanche Studios Group.{{cite web |last=Purslow |first=Matt |title=Second Extinction Looks Like a Dinosaur Left 4 Dead From the Makers of Just Cause |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-dinosaur-shooter-xbox-series-x |website=IGN |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620172001/https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-dinosaur-shooter-xbox-series-x |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Avard |first=Alex |title=Second Extinction pits players against dinosaurs in new shooter from the creators of Generation Zero |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/second-extinction-pits-players-against-dinosaurs-in-new-shooter-from-the-creators-of-generation-zero/ |website=GamesRadar |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510024555/https://www.gamesradar.com/second-extinction-pits-players-against-dinosaurs-in-new-shooter-from-the-creators-of-generation-zero/ |url-status=live }} The game was developed by a small team of 35 people, based in Malmö, Sweden.{{cite web |last=Wales |first=Matt |title=Generation Zero company's co-op dino FPS Second Extinction enters PC early access next month |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-28-generation-zero-devs-co-op-dino-fps-second-extinction-enters-early-access-next-month |website=Eurogamer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=September 28, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205818/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-28-generation-zero-devs-co-op-dino-fps-second-extinction-enters-early-access-next-month |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |title=Second Extinction is a 3-player co-op shooter for the Xbox Series X |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/05/07/second-extinction-is-a-3-player-co-op-shooter-for-the-xbox-series-x/ |website=VentureBeat |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202545/https://venturebeat.com/2020/05/07/second-extinction-is-a-3-player-co-op-shooter-for-the-xbox-series-x/ |url-status=live }} The dinosaurs were designed as mutants in order to portray them with monstrous elements. Gameplay was designed to be exceptionally challenging unless playing with other people.{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |title=Second Extinction's dinos and guns: Two great tastes that go great together |url=https://www.polygon.com/22403270/second-extinction-xbox-preview-release-dates-series-x-pc |website=Polygon |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=April 26, 2021 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610210952/https://www.polygon.com/22403270/second-extinction-xbox-preview-release-dates-series-x-pc |url-status=live }} Systemic Reaction developed the game using its Apex game engine, which allowed for a high level of detail, particularly when killing dinosaurs. Producer Brynley Gibson said that with the engine, "no two dismembered raptors even look the same as they sail through the air."{{cite web |last=Avard |first=Alex |title=Second Extinction shows off the power of its Apex Engine in new Future Games Show trailer |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/au/second-extinction-shows-off-the-power-of-its-apex-engine-in-new-future-games-show-trailer/ |website=gamesradar |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=August 28, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202427/https://www.gamesradar.com/au/second-extinction-shows-off-the-power-of-its-apex-engine-in-new-future-games-show-trailer/ |url-status=live }} The game also features an abundance of explosions.
Second Extinction was released for computer platforms, via Steam Early Access, on October 13, 2020. At the time, Systemic Reaction stated that the game still had a number of glitches which would be gradually corrected. The game would remain in Early Access for an undetermined amount of time while the issues were worked out.{{cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Alice |title=Second Extinction wants you and your mates to destroy a lot of dinosaurs |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/second-extinction-wants-you-and-your-mates-to-destroy-a-lot-of-dinosaurs |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=October 13, 2020 |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625032012/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/second-extinction-wants-you-and-your-mates-to-destroy-a-lot-of-dinosaurs |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Chalk |first=Andy |title=Watch mutant dinosaurs get blown up real good in this Second Extinction gameplay video |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/watch-mutant-dinosaurs-get-blown-up-real-good-in-this-second-extinction-gameplay-video/ |magazine=PC Gamer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=September 25, 2020}} The game was released for Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on April 28, 2021, via Xbox Game Preview and Xbox Game Pass.{{cite web |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |title=Second Extinction coming to Xbox Game Preview in April |url=https://www.vg247.com/2021/03/27/second-extinction-coming-to-xbox-game-preview-in-april/ |website=VG247 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=March 27, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205302/https://www.vg247.com/2021/03/27/second-extinction-coming-to-xbox-game-preview-in-april/ |url-status=live }} The full game was scheduled to launch on Xbox and Windows platforms on October 20, 2022.{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|title=Second Extinction launches October 20|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/second-extinction-launches-october-20|website=Gematsu|date=August 25, 2022|access-date=August 25, 2022}} However, the release was delayed until the following month,{{cite web | title=Full Launch Coming In November 2022 | url=https://www.secondextinctiongame.com/news/full-launch-coming-in-november-2022 | website=Second Extinction | access-date=October 19, 2022 | date=October 14, 2022 | archive-date=October 15, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015130135/https://www.secondextinctiongame.com/news/full-launch-coming-in-november-2022/ | url-status=live }} and was later pushed back to 2023.{{Cite web |title=Full Launch is now planned for 2023 |url=https://www.secondextinctiongame.com/news/full-launch-is-now-planned-for-2023/ |date=November 29, 2022 |access-date=November 30, 2022 |website=Second Extinction |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130140142/https://www.secondextinctiongame.com/news/full-launch-is-now-planned-for-2023/ |url-status=live }} The delays were a result of unspecified "critical issues".
In October 2023, Systemic Reaction announced cancellation of the full launch, due to a lack of necessary resources to leave early access. The company stated that Second Extinction would be removed from sale, and that its early access servers would be shut down in 2024,{{Cite web|title=A Final Update on Second Extinction|url=https://www.secondextinctiongame.com/news/a-final-update-on-second-extinction|date=October 16, 2023|access-date=October 17, 2023|website=Second Extinction|language=en}} making the game unplayable to those who purchased it. The development team did not have the resources to add an offline mode, which would have required significant changes to the game.{{cite web |last=Ngan |first=Liv |title=Servers for online dino shooter Second Extinction to shut down next year |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/servers-for-online-dino-shooter-second-extinction-to-shut-down-next-year |website=Eurogamer |access-date=October 19, 2023 |date=October 18, 2023}}
Reception
The game had a Mostly Positive rating among Steam players.{{cite web |last=Saed |first=Sherif |title=Dino shooter Second Extinction coming to Xbox Game Preview this spring |url=https://www.vg247.com/2021/02/19/second-extinction-xbox-game-preview/ |website=VG247 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=February 19, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202911/https://www.vg247.com/2021/02/19/second-extinction-xbox-game-preview/ |url-status=live }} David Jagneaux of IGN concluded, "As far as Early Access games go, Second Extinction is in excellent shape. For all intents and purposes, it feels very close to being finished already".{{cite web |last=Jagneaux |first=David |title=Second Extinction Early Access Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-early-access-review |website=IGN |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=October 22, 2020 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507160204/https://www.ign.com/articles/second-extinction-early-access-review |url-status=live }} Chris Jarrard of Shacknews praised the graphics in the Early Access version,{{cite web |last=Jarrard |first=Chris |title=Second Extinction hands-on preview: Raptors and roughnecks |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/120859/second-extinction-hands-on-preview-raptors-and-roughnecks |website=Shacknews |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=October 12, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203454/https://www.shacknews.com/article/120859/second-extinction-hands-on-preview-raptors-and-roughnecks |url-status=live }} while some critics found the weapons to be dissatisfying.{{cite magazine |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |title=Second Extinction's janky co-op dino shooting shows potential |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/au/second-extinctions-janky-co-op-dino-shooting-shows-potential/ |magazine=PC Gamer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=October 16, 2020}} Gameplay was compared to other games such as Left 4 Dead, Destiny 2, the Turok series, and Avalanche's Generation Zero.{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Mike |title=Section Extinction is the Modern Answer to Turok: Dinosaur Hunter |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/section-extinction-is-the-modern-answer-to-turok-dinosaur-hunter |website=USgamer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203529/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/section-extinction-is-the-modern-answer-to-turok-dinosaur-hunter |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Chalk |first=Andy |title=Second Extinction is a co-op FPS that looks like Turok crossed with Generation Zero |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/second-extinction-is-a-co-op-fps-that-looks-like-turok-crossed-with-generation-zero/ |magazine=PC Gamer |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=May 7, 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
- [https://www.mobygames.com/game/second-extinction Second Extinction] at MobyGames
{{Avalanche Studios}}
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Video games about dinosaurs
Category:Early access video games
Category:First-person shooters
Category:Post-apocalyptic video games
Category:Video games developed in Sweden
Category:Cancelled Windows games
Category:Cancelled Xbox One games
Category:Cancelled Xbox Series X and Series S games
Category:Avalanche Studios games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Delisted digital-only games