What are boomer shooters and why are they suddenly so popular?
They look like «Doom» and «Duke Nukem 3D» from the 90s, but they’re actually brand new. Games known as boomer or dad shooters are spreading like wildfire right now. Three developers weigh in on why these games are more than just a homage to an old genre.
«No inflated cutscenes. Just non-stop shooting. You get what you asked for.» That’s how level designer Jason Mojica describes «Prodeus». This game is part of the «boomer shooter» genre, sometimes also known as «dad shooters». It’s a genre that’s on the up. In terms of content and visuals, it follows the model of 30-year-old shooters. And that’s what gives it the appeal. «Back then, there were fewer distractions. You just hit your head against a brick wall until you worked out how to proceed,» explains Jason. «Prodeus», «Project Warlock», «Ultrakill» and all the others, combine the best of two eras. I can only agree. In the last year, I’ve probably played more of these kinds of shooters than I did when they were at their peak in the 90s.
No baby boomers involved
At first, the genre description sounds contradictory. Baby boomers weren’t the main generation playing shooters in the 90s. That would’ve been Gen X or Gen Y – in other words, millennials like me. Besides, ever since the «OK Boomer» meme, the word is now loaded with negative connotations. In that instance, it’s used to describe people from that period who have stereotypical views. On the other hand, Arsi Patala, developer of «Ultrakill», thinks the name is perfect. «It rolls off the tongue, and you know what it means. ‹Boomer› is shorthand for old; it doesn’t mean baby boomers were the main audience.» What’s more, Arsi reckons the phrase is catchier than «throwback shooter» or «retro FPS». The term «throwback shooter» could also include «Halo», and that’s definitely not a boomer shooter.
Source: Arsi Hakita Patala
Shooting, exploring, finding keys
Boomer shooter games are characterised by their simplicity. That’s what Kuba Cisło, the 19-year-old developer of «Project Warlock» thinks in any case. «First and foremost, it’s about having fun, without having to get bogged down in the complexities of the game.» Other features include actions such as collecting keys, finding secrets and exploring maps – and of course, fast, action-packed fights. «In battle, you have to make spontaneous decisions, while dodging combatants and dealing damage at the same time. That causes a constant tension of push and pull,» remarks Arsi. His game «Ultrakill» is most like «Quake 3 Arena» or «Unreal Tournament».
«Ultrakill» almost does away completely with resource management and the pressure to explore. Arsi’s game focuses entirely on action. «The levels are continuous obstacle courses. We’ve removed any baggage so you can fully concentrate on fight improvisation and short-term strategy in each encounter.» Jason confirms that boomer shooter games come without filler. «We’d rather not waste your time. Our goal is to maintain a constant flow of gameplay.» That’s why there are just as few breathers in «Prodeus» as in «Ultrakill». The pace and game principles, however, are geared towards the more leisurely and grimmer «Quake 2».
Source: Buckshot Software
It’s true that boomer shooters give you a sense akin to «Doom», «Hexen» or «Unreal», but lurking beneath all that is, in fact, modern game design. «The challenge is in restoring the feeling of nostalgia, without bringing the bad bits with it,» explains Jason, who used to work for Raven Software. The company’s portfolio includes «Heretic», «Soldier of Fortune» and «Quake 4». If you’ve dug out a classic shooter recently, you’ll know that most of them haven’t aged well. Whether that’s the graphics, monotonous levels or outdated weapon design. That’s why most boomer shooters offer some sort of upgrade, perk, combo or magic system, as «Project Warlock» does, for instance. In that game, opponents can be frozen, and the holy shield blocks damage. Both work in tandem with firearms. Which is something that didn’t used to exist in this format.
«It’s easy to make a slightly adapted version of a classic. But it’s a lost cause,» says Arsi with conviction. We shouldn’t expect to improve games that have been tried and tested for decades. Anyone who wants to succeed better deliver more than just a poor copy of an original. «Otherwise, you may as well just play the old game,» points out Arsi. As far as Kuba, maker of «Project Warlock», is concerned, level design is one of the biggest challenges. «It’s really difficult to develop a good level. It has to be sophisticated and well executed.»
Source: Bounding Box Software Inc.
Another key aspect of a good boomer shooter is the graphics. You can recognise this kind of game instantly. Rather than photorealism, you’re met with a pixel polygon diet. However, the reduced graphics are deceiving. «Ultrakill», «Prodeus» and «Project Warlock» clearly stand out from their elderly role models. Either through innovative lighting techniques, comic design or a variety of effects that would make any basic PC melt just by looking at them.
Here to stay
«I’m not sure if this type of game will ever go out of fashion. Boomer shooters are the essence of what makes a great shooter,» maintains «Prodeus» designer Jason. «You don’t have to think about the mechanics of the game, it’s easy to learn and simply fun to play. It never gets boring,» notes Kuba. That certainly applies to someone like me who’s played this game for 30 years. Boomer shooters always surprise me with a new spin on old mechanisms, unusual design or just a solid punch of nostalgia. The question is, if boomer shooters imitate classic shooters, what will we call games that pay homage to them in 20 years’ time? Double retro boomer shooters? New age boomer shooters? Renaissance shooters? I think that’s the retro nostalgia talking. I’ll spin the boomer shooter roulette now and see what else there is.
Header image: "Prodeus" Image: Bounding Box Software Inc.
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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