Filed under: Gaming, Software, Freeware, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Eliminate now available on the App Store
Ngmoco's Eliminate has been building up buzz ever since it was announced, and now the first-person shooter is out on the App Store to try for yourself. As you can see above, it offers some relatively basic FPS gameplay when compared to shooters on other platforms (I've been having a lot of fun with Borderlands lately), but given that this is the iPhone we're talking about, this kind of twitch 3D gameplay is actually pretty impressive. You can play online over 3G or Wi-Fi, and as you play, you can earn credits and level up, which gives you access to more weapons and better gear. The game itself is free, but it's all based around a microtransaction system where you buy "energy" which allows you to earn those aforementioned resources. You get a certain amount of energy per day on your own, and if you use it up, you can't progress any further unless you get out the wallet or wait another day. And the game uses ngmoco's own Plus+ social interface to track leaderboards and accounts. Interesting plan, and we'll have to see if players vibe with it or not. Some have already voiced strong concerns about the in-game pay-to-play microtransaction system.
If that doesn't vibe with you, and you'd rather play some old-school (and old business model) FPS gameplay instead, id's Doom Classic also got released on the App Store last weekend. That game comes at a cost of $6.99, but then again, with old-school Doom, you know exactly what you're getting into. And you won't have to buy any extra energy to charge your BFG and slay any demons you happen to come across.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ryan S. said 1:10AM on 11-03-2009
I don't see why people are complaining. I LOVE the model. I don't have to pay for a nice FPS. I play for fun, and this is the perfect way to let me have this great game on my phone, since I'm broke!
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Jason Martin said 10:42AM on 11-03-2009
I agree. For me, this can also serve as a way to ensure that I don't waste too much time playing the game. If I run out of "energy", I won't buy more; I'll just stop playing for the day. Of course, I could keep playing for no credits, but without that incentive to KEEP playing, I'm more likely to put it down and do something more productive. Great idea, if you ask me.
andy said 1:50AM on 11-03-2009
Downloading this now. I saw the video last week and have been itching to play it ever since. Curious to see how well it plays over 3G.
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Mike said 1:53AM on 11-03-2009
Now we Just need Mebo and ESPNS 3.0 features they showed of and we finally have everything from what almost a year ago?
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Cris said 1:58AM on 11-03-2009
Downloaded earlier after Kevin Rose's tweet about it. Looks sweet.
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Nick said 2:34AM on 11-03-2009
Why don't people see the problem with this? sure it's great to have the pretty graphics in a cool fps. But half the screen is covered by your fingers! Why the hell don't we have peripheral game controllers yet. Playing this way is just stupid.
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Jason Martin said 10:48AM on 11-03-2009
Honestly, when I'm playing a game like this, I don't even notice my fingers being in the way. I think its because the good games put the controls in places you typically aren't looking anyway. Whatever the reason, I haven't found it to be a problem for games such as these.
Burpethead said 7:00AM on 11-03-2009
I'm more excited about Nova from Gameloft.
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G said 7:51AM on 11-03-2009
Why wasn't Doom's release announced on TUAW at the time? Most important piece of software ever!
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Martin said 8:58AM on 11-03-2009
Yeah, circa 1993.
kc! said 11:29AM on 11-03-2009
Everytime i read "Ngmoco's Eliminate", I think of pooping.
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