Monday Night Combat

Monday Night Combat is a third-person shooter developedby Uber Entertainment with MOBA and tower defense elements. The game was released on February 9, 2010 for Xbox 360 and January 24, 2011 for PC. The title-giving Monday Night Combat, based on Monday Night Football , represents the most popular fatal Monday night sport in a dystopian future. Human clones and robots fight for money and famein special arenas , but the game's presentation is not serious, but rather characterized by humor.

Gameplay

Monday Night Combat (MNC) is presented as a martial, fully commercialized sport: The fight in the arena is accompanied by an obsessively good-humored commentator, there is advertising for fictitious providers of performance-enhancing agents during a game round, you earn money with successful game campaigns and can for it buy better equipment.

The venue is various arenas set up high above the ground. There genetically modified human clones ('Pros') compete, which are controlled by players, supported by robots ('Bots'), which are controlled by the computer. In addition, defense towers can be built at certain positions on the map, also controlled by the computer. The center of one's own base is the money ball, a ball protected by shields and filled with gold coins. If this is destroyed by attacking pros or bots, one game round is lost.

MNC offers two game modes, 'Blitz' and 'Crossfire'.

lightning

In Blitz, up to four players defend the money ball together against the waves of bots getting stronger, so the mode is a variation of tower defense . You earn money by destroying the attacking bots and can use it to improve the skills of your pro, buy and upgrade defense towers and trigger special defensive actions on the map.

Crossfire

In the 'Kreuzfeuer' two teams, the 'Hotshots' in orange and the 'Icemen' in blue, compete against each other. Both teams consist of up to six 'Pros' and are supported by regularly appearing bots. Both teams try to protect their own money ball and destroy the opposing money ball. On the way there, the opposing bots and defense towers must be destroyed and opposing pros killed. The money earned can be used to buy improvements, build bots and towers and unlock improvements in the arena.

Game mechanics

The mechanics are essentially that of a third-person shooter , especially since many abilities contain typical elements such as stun grenades and explosive charges. The playable classes are very similar to the Team Fortress 2 game . Unlike many shooters, most weapons have a very limited effective range, so other pros are mainly fought at close range. So 'handles' also play a special role. Many weapons and some abilities make it possible to grab an opponent in close combat, hit them and eventually throw them away. Since both pros are incapable of acting during the grip animation, grips represent an interesting but also risky tactical element. In addition, the edges of the arenas are hardly limited, so there are many possibilities to use skills to push opponents out of the arena into the abyss

money

The pros earn money with various promotions in one game round. There are rewards for destroying opposing bots and towers, and there is a certain probability that destroyed bots will leave gold coins behind. Killing opposing pros ('Kill') is rewarded with money, with spectacular actions bringing an increased bonus. In addition, after a kill, a mockery can be staged for the audience, which brings an additional bonus.

The money earned during a game round can be spent on various improvements. You can upgrade the skills of your own pro, build or improve defense towers to support your own team and buy additional bots, as well as trigger various actions on the map for money.

Rewards

Destroyed bots are likely to drop rewards that pros can collect. In addition, the mascots 'Bullzeye' and the 'Juice-Bot' occasionally appear in the arena and throw rewards around them. Gold coins give you money to buy upgrades , juice packages and oranges increase the Pro's juice display. Churros heal health and increase the charge status of skills. Bacon is extremely rare as a reward. This gives the player a strong improvement in all stats until death.

juice

A pro wins 'juice' with every damage he inflicts on opposing pros, bots and towers. Also, juice packets and oranges can be collected to increase the juice display. When the juice display is full, you can activate the stored juice. When activated, the missing health is replenished and for a short time all values (rate of fire, health, movement speed ...) are greatly improved.

Arenas

All arenas are designed to be rotationally symmetrical , so both teams have identical conditions. On the main level near the money ball, there are several defense towers and construction sites for additional towers, and two garages from which the bots are sent into the game. One level above is the locker room, from where the pros enter the game. On the main level there are two routes on which the bots move in the direction of the opposing money ball. Some areas on the main level, but especially the areas above and below, are not reached by bots. Higher levels can be reached via jump pads, which, however, must first be activated with money. At various points there are 'ejectors' that can be triggered for money and destroy bots in the area of action and injure and throw off opposing pros. There is also an annulator in the center of every arena, which can be used for money. When activated, it destroys all opposing bots and damages all opposing pros.

Classes

Each class has a primary and a secondary weapon. Both usually have a limited magazine capacity, but there is no limit to the number of reloads. Also, each class has three active skills that can be activated. Each ability has a charge state that recovers while the ability is inactive. Some abilities consume part of the charge immediately and can only be activated when the charge is large enough. Other abilities can be activated and deactivated, these permanently consume charge as long as they are active. In addition, each class has a passive ability that, for example, increases health or improves armament. All skills are available at their basic level at the start of a game round. Any skill can be upgraded twice with the money earned during the game round.

attacker: The attacker is a versatile class with average health. He has a medium-range rapid fire rifle and a long- range grenade launcher, but the grenades ricochet off obstacles. The attacker can throw a sticky bomb that wounds, sets fire, and hurls opponents. It can also float through the air for a short time with thrusters, but only horizontally and not vertically. The third ability is a rocket-propelled charge that wounds and knocks enemies along the way.

tank: The tank is slow, but equipped with massive full-body armor that gives it a lot of health. It is equipped with a short-range ray cannon that sets enemies on fire, as well as a rail cannon with a long range. The tank can fire a grenade, which temporarily blocks the view of enemies hit by advertising banners. Like the attacker, he can launch a rocket propelled assault that knocks enemies away on the way. Additionally, the tank can go into defensive position, which makes it immobile, but gives it more range, an accelerated healing rate and is immune to grips.

Sagittarius: The Sagittarius combines great firepower and health, but only moves slowly. It has a medium-range minigun and a long-range mortar . He can strike the ground, knocking away and stunning nearby enemies, as well as crushing enemies directly below him. But it can also grab a single enemy in close combat and throw them away. He can also go into a defensive stance, which makes him immobile, but has significantly improved precision and is immune to grips.

Supporter: The Supporter is a medium health support class that can heal Allied Pros, Bots, and Towers. He has the healing / wedge rifle, which can heal an ally or suck health from an enemy, and a shotgun . He can set up a light cannon that will independently attack nearby enemies and heal allied pros. The supporter can hack towers of his own team to improve their range and rate of fire for a limited time, but also towers of the opposing team, which act as friendly towers for a short time. He can also throw a sticky marker, which shortly thereafter triggers an air strike on the marked position.

Assassin: The Assassin is a very mobile class with little health. She has a katana for close range combat, which gives her the strongest grip in the game, and a shuriken launcher for long range combat. The assassin can sprint for a short time. It can also activate a camouflage field that makes it invisible to bots and very difficult to see for other pros, but which also generates a buzzing sound that can be heard by opposing pros. In addition, the assassin can detonate a grenade, which blinds nearby enemies and also allows an extremely high jump.

sniper: The sniper is a low-health, specialized ranged combat class. He has a sniper rifle with a telescopic sight and a short range submachine gun . He can set ice traps, freeze enemies for a short time and prevent them from using their skills. From a short range he can throw a special grenade that briefly damages all enemies in the area of effect. In close combat, the sniper can also grab an enemy and hurl them away from him.

Bots

There are basically two types of bots. Breakthrough bots are regularly generated in the crossfire in your own base and move on predetermined routes to the opposing money ball. They attack all opponents within range and are able to deactivate the shields of the opposing money ball. Eliminatorbots can be bought by pros. These target opposing pros or guns.

Slimbots and blackjacks: Slimbots and blackjacks are simple breakthrough bots that are regularly generated in your own base. When they reach the opponent's money ball, they perform a kamikaze attack that can deactivate the money ball's shields and damage the ball. The longer the game plays, more blackjacks are generated.

Jackbots: Jackbots are huge breakthrough bots that have far more firepower and health than any other bot. In the crossfire, a jackbot per team is generated every five minutes instead of slimbots and blackjacks. Jackbots attack opposing bots and pros with a far-reaching missile attack. Pros close by are thrown away and stunned by a blow on the ground. You can destroy the shields of the money ball and attack the money ball.

Buzzer: Attackers can buy a swarm of buzzers. They are small, fast drones that carry out a kamikaze attack on opposing pros.

Gorillas: Tanks and riflemen can buy gorillas . They have a lot of health, rush to opposing pros and can grab them and throw them to the ground.

Shovel: Snipers can buy jostlers. These have little health and do little damage, but can prevent opposing pros from using skills.

Gremlins: Assassins can buy gremlins . These are very small, fast bots that attack opposing pros in close combat. They have very little health, but as long as they don't attack they are stealthed.

Gapshots: Supporters can buy snapshots. These are low health mobile artillery pieces that primarily attack enemy towers. However, they move like breakthrough bots on the bot routes.

Towers

Depending on the card, both teams start with several RockIt towers directly at his money ball. Additional towers can only be bought at predetermined positions near your own base. Existing towers can be upgraded. Each upgrade doubles the combat strength, but also costs twice as much money.

Lazer blazer: Lazer blazers are very cheap, poor in health, and do little harm. However, they fire without delay and with very high cadence , also can not be dodged their attacks.

RockIt: RockIt guns are very expensive, have a lot of health, and fire missiles at nearby enemies. The missiles cause heavy area damage, but the rate of fire is very low. The missiles are not tracking, so it is possible to avoid the fire by changing direction.

Shave ice: Shave Ice Towers are expensive, have a lot of health, and slow the movement of enemies within range. In contrast to other towers, they have a permanent effect on all enemies in the area of effect and also affect cloaked units.

Longshot: Longshot turrets are moderately expensive, have low health, and use artillery fire to attack enemy turrets and bots. Due to the long flight time of the projectiles, they are only efficient against immobile targets.

Development and publication

Monday Night Combat was announced for Xbox 360 on January 15, 2010. Playable demos were shown to the public in April 2010 at PAX East and in June 2010 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo . The Xbox version was officially released on August 9, 2010 via Xbox Live Arcade . A port to PC was announced on December 14, 2010. After a beta test on December 16, 2010, the PC version was released on January 24, 2011 via Steam.

Free add-on content called Spunky Cola Special was announced in October 2010 and released on December 1, 2010. This included a new arena for both game modes, numerous bug fixes and other features. Since players achieved significantly higher numbers of rounds in the Blitz than planned, a tightened Super Death Blitz mode was introduced and the arena display for the round was expanded to four digits. Another map for crossfire mode and various visual modifications for the classes were made available free of charge as part of further updates.

The development team initially consisted of six, and when the Xbox version was released it was sixteen. The PC version lists twenty contributors in the credits . The music was composed by Cris Velasco at Monarch Audio, other music and sound contributions come from Robert Navarro and Howard Mostrom. The game was developed based on the third generation Unreal Engine . According to the producer and art director Chandana Ekanayake, PC gamers should be able to use the Unreal Development Kit to create modifications and arenas for the game themselves.

Monday Night Combat offers a fast update system. Instead of updating the game installed on the client to the correct version, numerous changes are made only on the game server. In particular, this allows numerous parameters to be changed in order to improve the game balance without having to distribute a patch to all players. The dynamic update system uses Microsoft's Title Managed Storage, a storage area for developers on the Xbox Live servers. Changing a single text file is sufficient to introduce changes in the game balance immediately.

reception

The game received mostly good to very good reviews (Metacritic: 82% (PC) based on 10 reviews, 79% (Xbox) based on 47 reviews). The combination of humor, the appropriate comic-like graphics and the successful mix of shooter , tower defense and MOBA elements are generally rated very positively. Frequent points of criticism are the difficult introduction due to a very limited tutorial and the small number of maps.

Kristian Metzger from Eurogamer thinks the game is his 2010 favorite because of the “fresh perspective and unusual approaches”. He praises the game's humor, although the “annoying commentator on the futuristic TV show” occasionally clouded the mood. In particular, the unusual approach of not creating a “boring 08/15 shooting game” is emphasized, because “The combination of third-person shooter, tower defense and DotA not only works really well, but inspires boredom even after the umpteenth round Shooter and strategy fans ”. In addition, this offers "always new refinements that can be converted into appropriate tactics" even with longer games. The author only complains about the “relatively small size of the map”. Overall, the game sees the game as an “arcade pearl” and awards 9/10 points as a rating.

Evan Lathi from PC Gamer clearly sees “doppelgangers or mixtures” of the classes from Team Fortress 2 in the classes , but it quickly becomes clear that MNC is something very special. The combination with elements from the game mechanics of Demigod contribute significantly to the originality of MNC, he "never played a shooter like this". In particular, the variety in the fight against human opponents and computer-controlled bots is praised. You can "jump into the crowd of marching droids" at any time instead of chasing human players and still have the feeling of bringing your own team "an inch closer to victory" with every bot destroyed. The few points of criticism, such as the rather small scope of the single player mode or the not-too-lovable and expressive character classes, were hardly significant compared to the “sum of dynamism and humor”. This means that the game is the "best available diversion" to the standard shooter and receives a rating of 91%.

Chris Watters from Gamespot finds it difficult to get started, as there is a tutorial only for the attacker class. In view of the multitude of weapons and skills, this is a hurdle for learning the game. But as soon as one has overcome this, it is "immensely satisfying to explore the complexity of each class". Even if only a few cards are available, take enough care not to get bored quickly. The various ways in which the money earned in combat can be spent on improving skills, buying towers and bots or other things clearly influence the course of a game round. And also the possibility of personalizing a class a little through the selection of sponsors without destroying the “delicate balance of fighting power between the classes” contributes to the motivation. All in all, MNC is "a very addicting and very entertaining game" and scores 8/10 points.

successor

A successor was published on April 18, 2012 under the title Super Monday Night Combat (SMNC). In contrast to MNC, the focus is very much on the MOBA elements, for example there are significantly more classes and skills, a jungle with neutral bots, towers cannot be built or expanded. Support for SMNC was discontinued on May 24, 2018 due to the entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation .

Trivia

Credits: Instead of a simple listing of the developers, they are shown in a real film sequence. Each of the twenty people involved is shown in one setting and their areas of responsibility are shown. In all settings, the person shown is frozen, while Aung Zav OO, one of the developers, walks through the picture in the style of parkour or shows other acrobatic skills. All other people involved are then listed in the usual style of credits .

humor: An essential element of the game is humor, and the graphics are also comic-like . Almost all of the texts, from the announcements of the penetratingly good-humored commentator to the descriptions of the arenas (“built to replace the pyramids that have gone out of fashion and torn down.”) Are funny to absurd (“Pro tip: don't pet a burning dog.”) "). In particular, the dystopian future, which serves as a context, only sounds humorous to cynical in the background. For example, the announcer accidentally announces the overwhelming victory of the top leader in tomorrow's election or a spectator wins the honor of donating a kidney to a member of the upper class.

bacon: A recurring element in the game is bacon . This appears as a very rare and powerful power-up , but also in various advertisements (“AmmoMule - keeps your bacon hot, and your ammo cool”) or tips ("Pro Tip: No shirt, no shoes, no bacon" (German: "Pro tip: No shirt, no shoes, no bacon") based on the minimal dress code sometimes found in the USA: "no shirt, no shoes, no service ”(German:“ No shirt, no shoes, no service ”)). According to producer and art director Chandana Ekanayake, the developers at Uber Entertainment were avid bacon eaters, so it was out of the question to incorporate bacon into the game.

Fan base: Although the official support has long been discontinued, there is still (as of January 21, 2020) a small fan base that keeps the game alive. The group, organized via Steam , has a public game server online and regularly initiates crossfire games.

Web links

Steam group for the preservation of the Game (English)
Thoughts of a developer to the balance adjustment between PC and console version (English)
Fan wiki for the game and its sequel Super Monday Night Combat (English)

Individual evidence

^ Mitchell Richard: Monday Night Combat announced for XBLA. Retrieved December 14, 2010 .
↑ Alex Rubens: Uber's Hail Mary: The long road of Monday Night Combat. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .
↑ E3 2010: Blitz Gameplay. Retrieved December 14, 2010 .
↑ Product page for Monday Night Combat on Xbox Live. Retrieved January 16, 2020 .
↑ Owen Good: Monday Night Combat Review: The Happy Warriors. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .
↑ ^a ^b Luke Plunkett: Monday Night Combat Smashes Keyboards, Releasing On Steam. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .
↑ Product page of Monday Night Combat on Steam. Retrieved January 16, 2020 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c Matthew Keast: gamesradar + test from Monday Night Combat. Accessed January 16, 2020 (English).
↑ Uber Entertainment: Monday Night Combat Halloween Unmasking Part IV (Finale). (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on August 31, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .
↑ Griffin McElroy: Monday Night Combat's free 'Spunky Cola Special' DLC out tomorrow. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on December 3, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .
↑ Brad Gallaway: Interview with Uber Entertainment's Chandana Ekanayake on Monday Night Combat: Spunky Cola Special. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on December 6, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .
↑ Update history of Monday Night Combat on Steam. Retrieved January 1, 2010 .
↑ Mitch Dyer: Five Things You Didn't Know About Monday Night Combat. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on August 28, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .
^ Contributions by Cris Velasco. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .
↑ ^a ^b Evan Lathi: Interview - Monday Night Combat devs talk Steam, bacon. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c Eurogamer Test from Monday Night Combat. Retrieved January 15, 2020 .
↑ Richard Mitchell: Monday Night Combat 'on the fly' updates explained. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on August 9, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .
↑ ^a ^b Metacritic to Monday Night Combat (PC). Retrieved January 15, 2020 .
↑ ^a ^b Metacritic for Monday Night Combat (Xbox). Accessed January 21, 2020 (English).
↑ ^a ^b PC Gamer Review from Monday Night Combat. Retrieved January 15, 2020 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c Gamespot test from Monday Night Combat. Retrieved January 15, 2020 .
↑ Daemon Hatfield: IGN Test from Monday Night Combat (Xbox). Retrieved January 22, 2020 (English).
↑ Griffin McElroy: Super Monday Night Combat available now on Steam. Accessed January 21, 2020 (English).
^ Owen S. Good: Super Monday Night Combat will close down, citing EU's new digital privacy law. Accessed January 21, 2020 (English).

[1] Mitchell Richard: Monday Night Combat announced for XBLA. Retrieved December 14, 2010 .

[2] Alex Rubens: Uber's Hail Mary: The long road of Monday Night Combat. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .

[3] E3 2010: Blitz Gameplay. Retrieved December 14, 2010 .

[4] Product page for Monday Night Combat on Xbox Live. Retrieved January 16, 2020 .

[5] Owen Good: Monday Night Combat Review: The Happy Warriors. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .

[announce_pc-6] Luke Plunkett: Monday Night Combat Smashes Keyboards, Releasing On Steam. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .

[7] Product page of Monday Night Combat on Steam. Retrieved January 16, 2020 .

[gamesradar-8] Matthew Keast: gamesradar + test from Monday Night Combat. Accessed January 16, 2020 (English).

[9] Uber Entertainment: Monday Night Combat Halloween Unmasking Part IV (Finale). (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on August 31, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .

[10] Griffin McElroy: Monday Night Combat's free 'Spunky Cola Special' DLC out tomorrow. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on December 3, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .

[11] Brad Gallaway: Interview with Uber Entertainment's Chandana Ekanayake on Monday Night Combat: Spunky Cola Special. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on December 6, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .

[12] Update history of Monday Night Combat on Steam. Retrieved January 1, 2010 .

[13] Mitch Dyer: Five Things You Didn't Know About Monday Night Combat. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on August 28, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .

[14] Contributions by Cris Velasco. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .

[interview_ekanayake-15] Evan Lathi: Interview - Monday Night Combat devs talk Steam, bacon. Retrieved January 22, 2020 .

[eurogamer-16] Eurogamer Test from Monday Night Combat. Retrieved January 15, 2020 .

[update_system-17] Richard Mitchell: Monday Night Combat 'on the fly' updates explained. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on August 9, 2010 ; accessed on January 22, 2020 .

[metacritic-18] Metacritic to Monday Night Combat (PC). Retrieved January 15, 2020 .

[metacritic_xbox-19] Metacritic for Monday Night Combat (Xbox). Accessed January 21, 2020 (English).

[pcgamer-20] PC Gamer Review from Monday Night Combat. Retrieved January 15, 2020 .

[gamespot-21] Gamespot test from Monday Night Combat. Retrieved January 15, 2020 .

[22] Daemon Hatfield: IGN Test from Monday Night Combat (Xbox). Retrieved January 22, 2020 (English).

[23] Griffin McElroy: Super Monday Night Combat available now on Steam. Accessed January 21, 2020 (English).

[24] Owen S. Good: Super Monday Night Combat will close down, citing EU's new digital privacy law. Accessed January 21, 2020 (English).