J2LRG
Games

Where it came from

In 1987, Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear let you hide under a cardboard box. The suspense in the mission “All Ghillied Up” in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare made me feel like I was a real sniper. On our Halo LAN nights we'd play shotties only and I loved how every match was decided by pure skill.

Those three things shaped the game I've always wanted to make: blending into your surroundings, the suspense of a sniper hunt, and the fun of everyone playing with the same kind of weapon.

That's what I wanted to capture in Ghillie Wars.

Everyone gets the same rifle and access to the same camouflage choices, even if they've just started. There's no race to a particular spot on the map to pick up a better gun. I want the advantage to come from how you play: where you hide, what you notice, and when you take the shot.

You have one life per round. Once someone is eliminated, they stay out until the next round. I left out pistols and knives to keep the fight focused on the sniper rifle.

Your instincts on how to move, when to move, and where to move decide how long you survive. Your skill with the rifle decides whether you make the shot count.

Patience is at the heart of this game. I'm working to keep that suspense while giving players reasons to move, so the match doesn't go quiet because everyone's waiting for someone else. I want us to sit down, enjoy the hunt, and find out who's the best sniper in the lobby.

Equip the environment. Hold still. Take the shot.