Boomer shooter: Is it an accurate label, or a misnomer?
In the vibrant world of video gaming, a new term has emerged that harks back to an era of pixelated glory - the "boomer shooter." Originating as a descriptor for modern first-person shooter (FPS) games that emulate the style and mechanics of 1990s classics like Doom and Quake, boomer shooters have become a popular subgenre in recent years.
Historically, FPS games began as pioneering titles in the early 1990s, with Wolfenstein 3D and Doom establishing the genre. These early shooters used 2.5D graphics (sprites in a 3D-like environment), simple controls, and heavy focus on shooting action. Over time, FPS games evolved with richer narratives, complex mechanics, and realistic 3D graphics. However, in recent years, boomer shooters have emerged as a retro revival genre, consciously recreating that early-3D, sprite-based feeling and fast gameplay, often as an alternative to modern slow, tactical shooters.
Boomer shooters are characterized by fast movement and combat mechanics with a focus on gunplay. They feature retro or sprite-based graphics evoking nostalgia, minimal narrative emphasis compared to gameplay, and inventive weapons. Settings in boomer shooters often include various types of creatures and levels with lots of resources like powerups and ammo to collect.
The popularity of the boomer shooter revival could be of interest to developers. It is in line with the current trend of 1990s and Y2K nostalgia, as evidenced by the resurgence of various pop culture elements from that era. Boomer shooters have seen a resurgence in recent years, with modern titles like Dusk, Prodeus, Hrot, Cultic, and Ion Fury emulating the genre.
Notably, the term "boomer shooter" has gained popularity among players and critics to differentiate these retro-styled shooters from contemporary FPS games that prioritize story, character progression, or realism. It also captures the cultural backdrop of these games often appealing to an older demographic who experienced the '90s shooter golden age firsthand.
For example, the iconic Duke Nukem series is often cited as a prototype "boomer shooter," with its loud, macho protagonist and 1990s style gameplay. Meanwhile, newer "boomer shooters" seek to revive that gameplay ethos with modern indie or mid-tier production values.
In summary, the history of "boomer shooter" lies in the early 3D FPS games of the 1990s, and its contemporary use denotes a subgenre of fast-paced, retro-styled FPS that nostalgically emulates that era's gameplay and graphics. Boomer shooters continue to deliver exciting upcoming releases for both boomers and Generation X gamers, with titles like Interlopers, Breakky's Berserkers Domain, Gameshaped's Lost Anomaly's Blast Judgement, Ironworks' The Last Exterminator, Hydra Game Works' RetroBlazer, and the 2nd chapter of Altered Orbit Studios' Selaco on the horizon. The Painkiller remake and MGS Snake Eater are also anticipated in the boomer shooter genre.
As the term "boomer shooter" has stuck among fans of the genre, it seems to be here to stay. While some may argue that "retro shooter" or "X shooters" could have made more sense, "boomer" has become commonly used. Even the repetition of the double 'o's in the term "boomer shooter" is considered nice by some fans of the genre.
[1] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-person_shooter] [2] [https://www.pcgamer.com/the-best-boomer-shooters/] [3] [https://www.polygon.com/21268566/what-is-a-boomer-shooter] [4] [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-is-a-boomer-shooter/1100-6468888/] [5] [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/boomer-shooters-are-back-and-theyre-better-than-ever/1100-6473326/]
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