Gundam Evolution Formal Announcement - Worldwide in 2022

Gundam Evolution, an online, Overwatch style shooter which we first wrote about last July, has been given a full announcement today courtesy of Namco Bandai's press office. In short, the game will debut this year, with closed testing (US & Japan only) starting in April.

There's lots of lovely technical details and quotes from the producers in the announcement, so have a look below and see what you think:

From the press release:

Leading video game developer BANDAI NAMCO Online and publisher BANDAI NAMCO Europe today announced that GUNDAM EVOLUTION will release in 2022 in Europe, North America, and Japan on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One; the title will also simultaneously release on PC by BANDAI NAMCO Online in these same regions as well as across other parts of Asia. The franchise’s first-ever free-to-play hero shooter, GUNDAM EVOLUTION will offer a 6v6 competitive team-play dynamic with playable mobile suits from across the Gundam multiverse.

GUNDAM EVOLUTION is a free-to-play team-based first-person shooter featuring 6v6 PvP combat. The game will offer three objective-based game modes: Point Capture, Domination and Destruction. The title presents a unique set of challenges that will require teams to craft and execute formidable offensive and defensive strategies to emerge victorious.

Each playable unit in GUNDAM EVOLUTION possesses its own unique combination of offensive, defensive and/or supportive skills capable of swinging the tides of battle. The starting roster of playable characters will feature 12 units, including the classic RX-78-2 GUNDAM and the iconic ASW-G-08 GUNDAM BARBATOS. Additional mobile suits and customizable items can be unlocked in two ways: Capital Points (CP), which are accumulated in-game through gameplay, or EVO Coins, which will be available for real-world purchase.

“Rooted in the values of hope, peace, unity and victory, the essence of the Gundam brand is captured in full by GUNDAM EVOLUTION,” said Kazuya Maruyama, Executive Producer at BANDAI NAMCO Online. “We cannot wait for franchise veterans of all ages–whose Gundam fandom may have sparked at different points in the franchise’s 40-year history–and newcomers alike to unite on the GUNDAM EVOLUTION battlefield and duke it out in their favourite mobile suits from across the Gundam Series and beyond!”

“GUNDAM EVOLUTION strives to balance approachability and mastery, making it the perfect shooter for players of all skill levels to enjoy solo or with a group of friends,” said Ryota Hogaki, Gameplay Director at BANDAI NAMCO Online. “With a variety of powerful mobile suits at their disposal, we hope players around the world will latch onto the thrill of epic mecha combat and fall in love with GUNDAM EVOLUTION!”

Players who purchase season passes unlock more cosmetic accessories as they progress, including mobile suit skins, weapon skins, and weapon charms.