Switchblade is a new vehicular shooter from the makers of Project Gotham Racing

Lucid Games is a new outfit comprised of veteran developers from Bizarre Creations, makers of acclaimed racing games such as the Project Gotham Racing series and Blur. They are back with a new vehicular racing game, but this time with a twist.

Switchblade is the name of the game and it is a free-to-play vehicular combat game in development for PC and PlayStation 4. Featuring 5v5 arena combat, this may sound like traditional MOBA fare, but should have a deep tactical approach to the battles. The twist is that you can seamlessly switch between heavily armed sci-fi vehicles at any time to provide for an infinite number of tactical choices. This is one official example: “Chase down a rival in a speedy fighter, then swap to a heavy-duty battlewagon to defend a tower as your teammates switch between healers & artillery to back you up.”

Sounds interesting, and could be the defining feature that distances Switchblade from the few competitors such as Crossout, and maybe even Rocket League. But there is also an interactive spectator mode where you can “broadcast to a worldwide audience that regularly influences in-game action”. Sounds a bit like what SOS used to be, but we don't have the details yet.

As for how one traditional Switchblade match is expected to unfold, it's something like this: you have to escort explosive mobs to take out the shields of the opposition towers, then blast its core to take it out – when you destroy enough towers, you win the match.

You can already sign up for the Switchblade beta on PC or PS4 while you wait for some actual gameplay footage.