As an avid first-person shooter fan, I’ve eagerly followed People Can Fly’s explosive games for over a decade. This Poland-based studio first won me over with 2011’s Bulletstorm, a raucous riot filled with outrageously gory “skillshot” kills. I’ve craved that creativity and adrenaline-fueled action ever since.
So when I heard People Can Fly has not one but three new projects in development on the heels of this year’s solid co-op hit Outriders, my trigger finger started itching something fierce. Let’s dive in on what these FPS veterans have brewing behind the scenes:
Resurrecting a Cult Classic for VR Carnage
While details are scarce, job listings suggest People Can Fly is cooking up a virtual reality port of one of their existing games. As a VR enthusiast always looking for energetic shooters, my money’s on a Bulletstorm remake.
Bulletstorm’s emphasis on yanking enemies towards you and juggling them in crazy combos seems like FPS perfection for VR. Who wouldn’t want to step into Grayson Hunt’s boots to skillfully dispatch foes up close and personal?
As a fan of the games from all the way back in my teenage years over a decade ago, this remaster also represents a smart way to experience Bulletstorm with fresh eyes.
Below is a comparison of People Can Fly’s major shooters, highlighting why Bulletstorm stands the test of time:
| Game | Release Year | Units Sold | Single or Multiplayer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulletstorm | 2011 | Over 1 million | Singleplayer |
| Painkiller | 2004 | Over 1 million | Singleplayer |
| Outriders | 2021 | Over 3 million | Co-op Multiplayer |
As this summary shows, Bulletstorm still holds up incredibly well over 10 years later, lacking the antiquated designs of Painkiller while avoiding Outriders’ dependence on multiplayer servers.
Project Gemini: An Electric Co-Op Shooter with Square
Several new job postings point to Project Gemini being People Can Fly’s next-generation online shooter. As someone who put nearly 100 hours into Outriders’ explosive co-op, I love this team’s dedication to loud, adrenaline-fueled gunplay.
And I expect Gemini to dial the insanity up to 11 by partnering with Square Enix, who recently found multiplayer success with titles like Outriders and Babylon‘s Fall.
Knowing People Can Fly’s breakneck action pedigree paired with Square’s experience merging RPG mechanics into shooters has me ready to dive in guns blazing. Based on their descriptions emphasizing "online shooter,” I anticipate Gemini will expand on Outriders‘ mission-based co-op model with integrated persistent multiplayer worlds or campaign co-op.
Either way, Gemini won’t disappoint those hungry for more intense, high-octane firefights with friends.
Project Dagger: People Can Fly‘s Single Player Phoenix
What excites me most as a longtime fan, however, is Project Dagger, the tantalizing new AAA shooter game being built for publisher 2K Games. With iconic story-driven epics like BioShock and Borderlands under their belts, 2K represents the ultimate partner for People Can Fly to stake their claim as narrative maestros.
Make no mistake, Bulletstorm’s lead smart-ass Grayson Hunt still holds a special place in my heart a decade later. Which leaves me trusting People Can Fly can weave that same sarcastic yet engaging flavor into Dagger’s cast and campaign. Especially while channeling 2K’s writing talent steeped in dark humor and social commentary.
Dagger may ultimately land more on BioShock’s slower paced, atmospheric side over Borderlands never-ending loot treadmill. But either creative direction presents a refreshing chance for People Can Fly to showcase their captivating world-building skills as FPS virtuosos. Provided they infuse the same trademark People Can Fly ingenuity into Dagger’s weapon design, I’ll happily embark on whatever intense single-player journey awaits.
People Can Fly clearly has a packed pipeline ahead as they ascend into the upper echelon of shooter studios. And as an eagerly awaiting fan, I can’t wait to dive headfirst into the VR carnage, co-op chaos, and narrative-driven gunplay they have in store across these three new projects. Watch out, bad guys – this FPS fan already has you in his crosshairs!
