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Jagex’s Block n Load shooter launches on Steam, riffs on Minecraft

Jagex has launched its first shooter game on Steam today, and it’s available to play for free.

Titled Block n Load, the ambitious FPS takes inspiration from Team Fortress 2, Minecraft, and tower defence games in an effort to disrupt the genre.

Jagex, best known for the popular MMORPG RuneScape, is offering the title on a Steam free weekend. This means anyone can try out Block n Load without shelling out cash.

The studio also says the game will be available to buy at a 15 per cent discount for the launch week, after which it will switch to full price – that’s £10.99.

The game went live on Steam’s Early Access back in December, but it’s now been tweaked and released in full.

Related: 8 best games you’ll never get to play

Block n Load has a simple premise; teams of five battle it out to protect their own cube generators, while attacking the enemies’.

Riffing in Minecraft and the tower defence genre, teams can build protection using blocks, throwing up turrets and catapults to fend off adversaries. This will feel familiar to fans of Steam rival Dungeon Defenders.

David Solari, Jagex’s VP of Technology, said the studio wanted to make a more intelligent shooter by adopting a Minecraft-style approach.

We wanted to make a game where building is as important as bullets, where smarts are as important as skills, and where players could contribute to their team in their way,” explained the tech lead.

“We can’t wait to see the creativity and invention of those that play Block N Load now that it’s live. Today’s launch is only the beginning. We have a player first mentality, and we look forward to an exciting journey with the players as the game evolves.”

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