Nexon America has today announced they are taking beta applications for free to play online FPS, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – First Assault.

People can sign up for the beta via the official website, and the first scheduled closed beta test is set to begin on October 1st.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – First Assault is based off Shirow Masamune’s acclaimed manga and anime the Ghost in the Shell, one of most notable titles in the cyberpunk genre.

Nexon has also released a new gameplay trailer, which features English voice work Major Motoko Kusanagi.

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Nexon provided the following details on the game:
First Assault references the anime source material while advancing the dark near-future universe and bringing it to a frenetic but tactical first-person shooter game environment. As an elite, augmented soldier, players will advance and master their character with upgrades and unlocks as they succeed in combat. Each character has exclusive attributes that reflect features of the original franchise, such as Motoko Kusanagi’s ‘Therm-optic Camouflage’ cloaking technology or Saito’s ability to enhance his vision and highlight enemy soldiers.

Players will carry out battle strategies and formations as they choose from among eight initial characters. Adding a unique layer to the experience, each of these can be customized with specialized body augmentations, weapon attachments and enhanced abilities. First Assault also features “SkillSync,” which allows players to leverage shared cyber-abilities with nearby teammates in combat modes to augment and increase their skills. By using SkillSync in smart and tactical ways, teammates can work together in devastating combinations in battle.

My opinion
Personally as a fan of the various Ghost in the Shell anime I am looking forward to playing First Assault, but I am wary of the fact the game will be free to play when it launches in 2016. My fingers are crossed the business model will not push free to play users to the side, and allow paid users to reap all the rewards.

To learn more about Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – First Assault, visit http://firstassault.nexon.net/en.