This past Wednesday, directly following the Upload VR Summer Showcase 2024, Niorun Studios unveiled TIER ONE: DIRECT ACTION, an innovative VR multiplayer tactical first-person shooter that emphasizes teamwork and realistic VR mechanics.
Inspired by acclaimed titles like ArmA and Rainbow Six Siege, and regarded as the spiritual successor to ONWARD, TIER ONE: DIRECT ACTION (TODA) aims to raise the bar for the VR tactical shooter genre. The reveal marks a significant first step for Niorun Studios, a team dedicated to delivering the caliber of VR shooter that players have been requesting for years.
“Our mission at Niorun Studios is to set a new standard for VR FPS games,” said Angelika Reich, Co-Founder of Niorun Studios. “To achieve this ambitious goal, we’ve assembled a top-tier team dedicated to creating a game that encapsulates adrenaline-pumping action, strategic depth, and immersive realism.”
The development team includes over 20 VR industry veterans, with eight key members who were instrumental in developing the long-time staple ONWARD. Their combined experience spans other notable VR titles such as ZENITH, Marvel’s Iron Man VR, Blacktop Hoops, STILT, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Many of the developers and game designers are military veterans, adding a unique depth of realism and authenticity to TIER ONE: DIRECT ACTION.
Set in a near-future scenario, players join elite operatives from two factions, Specter and Buran, embroiled in high-stakes conflicts. To promote a strategic, cooperative gameplay experience, the game rewards players for actions such as reviving teammates and capturing objectives.
In early access, TODA will feature three classic game modes: Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and Satcom (Objective Mode). The full release will expand to include up to 10 different game modes, offering both PvP and PvE experiences.
To give players complete control over their equipment, the game features a customizable arsenal of weapons and attachments, including scopes, silencers, and foregrips. The game also offers specialized tools like grenades, breaching devices, and Electromagnetic Pulses (EMP). To allow players to create a unique identity on the battlefield, character customization options include a wide range of headgear, patches, uniforms, camouflages, and tactical vests.
Immersive mechanics such as climbing ladders, fast-roping, applying bandages, helicopter extractions, and air support are designed to pull players deep into the action. The game features dynamic day and night variants, destructible environments, and a special forces training hub equipped with a killhouse, shooting range, and parkour course to sharpen skills.
“Being deeply involved in the development process, I’ve seen firsthand the common pitfalls in VR shooters,” said Daniel Bonacini, Head of QA & Game Design. “Thanks to the field and personal expertise of many of our developers, we’re making sure every aspect, from the weapons to the gear, feels spot-on. We can’t wait to have you join us on the battlefield!”
The Kickstarter campaign for TODA is scheduled to launch in July. With a successfully backed campaign, the game’s Early Access release is planned for Q3 2024 on Meta Quest App Lab. Between Q1 and Q2 2025, the game is scheduled to be ported to PlayStation VR2, Pico, and Steam, with the full game release planned for Q3/Q4 2025.
For more information and to stay updated on the latest developments, follow TIER ONE: DIRECT ACTION on social media, visit the official website at www.tieronevr.com, and stay tuned to XR Update.