GDC 09: Taking Nut Shots

Last year, Nexon introduced a free first person shooter known as Combat Arms, which placed players in a warzone with soldiers of fortune. Characters could customize their warriors with different weapons that were purchased on the game's "Black Market," and could also change character models and equipment thanks to the in-game currency and experience system. Flexible and arcade like, Combat Arms allowed the developers to introduce loads of additional content, like holiday themed equipment. At GDC, I got a chance to check out the latest extras being added to the game, which will be even more tongue in cheek: Nut Shots.

That's right, you'll now be able to score instant kills for blasting the nether region of male opponents. This isn't the easiest shot to make, but once you do, a large logo is emblazoned across the screen declaring your deadly aim, bracketed with an image of exploding walnuts. Players in other sections of the map are made aware of your accuracy with a golden squirrel icon, similar to the golden skull that pops up whenever a head shot has been successfully made. Obviously, female characters can't suffer from this fate, but they will giggle whenever they make one of these shots. Male characters also laugh when they land one of these blows, and whatever further humiliation you wish to inflict on your targets is up to you.

Another element that makes the inclusion of Nut Shots in the game stand out is that you're not restricted to sniping or blasting in close quarters. Players can also use melee weapons like knives or scythes to collect this accolade. This feature is timed to roll out in April's update for the game, and while it's essentially a standalone feature that will make players laugh, it wouldn't be too surprising to see future updates potentially turning the Nut Shot into a central part of the gameplay.

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