''Bleeding Edge'' is a
multiplayer
A multiplayer video game is a video game in which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time, either locally on the same computing system ( couch co-op), on different computing systems via a local area network, or ...
online
In computer technology and telecommunications, online indicates a state of connectivity and offline indicates a disconnected state. In modern terminology, this usually refers to an Internet connection, but (especially when expressed "on line" o ...
combat video game developed by British developer
Ninja Theory
Ninja Theory Limited is a first-party British video game development studio based in Cambridge, England. Notable games it has developed include '' Kung Fu Chaos'', ''Heavenly Sword'', '' Enslaved: Odyssey to the West'', '' DmC: Devil May Cry ...
and published by
Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios (previously known as Microsoft Studios, Microsoft Game Studios, and Microsoft Games) is an American video game publisher and part of the Microsoft Gaming division based in Redmond, Washington. It was established in March 2000, ...
for
Xbox One
The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third base console in the Xbox series of video game consoles. It was first released in North America, parts of ...
and
Microsoft Windows. The game launched on 24 March 2020. In January 2021, Ninja Theory ended development on ''Bleeding Edge''.
Gameplay
There are 13 characters to choose from, most of whom have melee attacks, though some of them do have ranged attacks. All characters are one of three classes: Damage, support, or
tank
A tank is an armoured fighting vehicle intended as a primary offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs are a balance of heavy firepower, strong armour, and good battlefield mobility provided by tracks and a powerful engi ...
. There are three bars for different abilities that go down when the player uses an ability connected to it. Each ability has its own cooldown period as well.
Development
The development of ''Bleeding Edge'' began as a passion project and was built out of inspiration from the original Ninja Theory game ''
Kung Fu Chaos
''Kung Fu Chaos'' is a 3D fighting party game developed by Just Add Monsters and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released worldwide for the Xbox in 2003. The game's theme song during the opening intro is ''Kung Fu Fighting'' by C ...
''. Creative director Rahni Tucker stated the reasoning behind this game existing was "At home, I play a lot of team multiplayer games, all the way from MOBAs to team shooters. And then I was like: where is this game? A third-person action competitive team multiplayer. It doesn't really exist, and it sounds like my dream project". Tucker said they came to that shortly after the development of ''
DmC: Devil May Cry'' concluded. Tucker pitched the game and at the time nothing came of it but she stated that around halfway for ''
Hellblade'', Ninja Theory approached her on the idea and development went into production. The game began with a development team of ten people and by launch had expanded to 25 developers which were a contrast to the average first party
Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios (previously known as Microsoft Studios, Microsoft Game Studios, and Microsoft Games) is an American video game publisher and part of the Microsoft Gaming division based in Redmond, Washington. It was established in March 2000, ...
large teams with hundreds of developers. Lead artist Aaron McElligo stated that the game began with realistic visuals that Ninja Theory had been known for but quickly realized in a game like this that would not work out.
''Bleeding Edge'' was leaked ahead of reveal at
E3 2019
The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2019 (E3 2019) was the 25th E3, during which hardware manufacturers, software developers, and publishers from the video game industry presented new and upcoming products to the attendees, primarily retailers a ...
. A technical alpha test was announced to begin on 27 June 2019, for those who have signed up via the ''Bleeding Edge'' website.
Reception
''Bleeding Edge'' received mixed reviews from critics, according to
review aggregator
A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services (such as films, books, video games, software, hardware, and cars). This system stores the reviews and uses them for purposes such as supporting a website where users ...
Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created by Jason Dietz, Marc ...
.
''
PC Gamer
''PC Gamer'' is a magazine and website founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future plc. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games m ...
'' criticized the design of the map they played and the controller layout, but praised the feel and look of the melee attacks and abilities.
References
External links
*
{{Ninja Theory
2020 video games
Cyberpunk video games
Multiplayer online battle arena games
Ninja Theory games
Unreal Engine games
Video games developed in the United Kingdom
Windows games
Xbox Cloud Gaming games
Xbox One games
Xbox One X enhanced games
Xbox Play Anywhere games