List of ShooterofIO video games

ShooterofIO is a video game series developed by SOI Studios, Air Studios, War Games, and Supreme Studios, and published by Monsteristic, Monsteristic Gaming, and Microsoft. The series debuted with the ShooterofIO 1: Modern Ops, which takes place in the modern day era and was released in October 2007. The most recent title, ShooterofIO: Modern Ops III, developed by War Games, was released on November 10, 2023. The upcoming title, ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare 6 – Declassified, developed by Air Studios and Supreme Studios is scheduled to be released in October 2024.

Games

Title	Details
ShooterofIO 1: Modern Ops Original release date(s): WW: October 18, 2007	Release years by system: Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3
ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare Original release date(s): WW: September 10, 2009	Release years by system: Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3
ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 2 Original release date(s): WW: November 4, 2010	Release years by system: Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3
ShooterofIO: WWII Original release date(s): WW: November 18, 2011	Release years by system: Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3
ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare II Original release date(s): WW: November 8, 2012	Release years by system: Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3
ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 3 Original release date(s): WW: November 12, 2013	Release years by system: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
ShooterofIO: Guardians Original release date(s): WW: October 12, 2014	Release years by system: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare III Original release date(s): WW: November 3, 2015	Release years by system: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
ShooterofIO: Shadows Original release date(s): WW: November 18, 2016	Release years by system: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
ShooterofIO: 1950 Original release date(s): WW: September 19, 2017	Release years by system: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare 4 Original release date(s): WW: October 12, 2018	Release years by system: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
ShooterofIO: Modern Ops Original release date(s): WW: October 29, 2019	Release years by system: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare 5 Original release date(s): WW: November 13, 2020	Release years by system: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
ShooterofIO: Advanced Operations Original release date(s): WW: November 17, 2021	Release years by system: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
ShooterofIO: Modern Ops II Original release date(s): WW: October 28, 2022	Release years by system: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
ShooterofIO: Modern Ops III Original release date(s): WW: November 10, 2023	Release years by system: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare 6 – Declassified Original release date(s): WW: October 25, 2024	Release years by system: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Modern Ops series

ShooterofIO 1: Modern Ops (2007)

Main article: ShooterofIO 1: Modern Ops

In 2004, SOI Studios was founded and aquired by Monsteristic in 2005. The team began work on a entirely new first-person shooter video game inspired by Call of Duty (2003) and instead focused on a game set in the present day, as the team didn't feel World War II would be good for them. The game was officially confirmed by SOI Studios to be releasing in 2007, with the title being announced in January 2007. SOI Studios had developed the SOI Engine that was used on the game to allow better graphics and speed in developing maps and basic mechanics.

ShooterofIO 1: Modern Ops was announced in May 2007 and later released on October 18, 2007, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. The game featured four post-launch paid downloadable packs (DLCs) that all expanded upon the mode's multiplayer mode.

ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 2

Main article: ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 2

Shortly after the release of the first game, SOI Studios began work on a new game for the franchise. Originally, they began to build a game set in the far future around 2060s, however believed that would ruin the success of the franchise. They restarted from scratch and began work on ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 2 in June 2009.

ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 2 was announced in May 2010 and released on November 4, 2010, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. The game featured six post-launch paid downloadable packs (DLCs) that all expanded upon the mode's multiplayer mode and the operations mode.

ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 3

Main article: ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 3

Shortly after releasing Modern Ops 2, the team knew instantly they wanted to make a third game in the Modern Ops trilogy. The plan was to reuse every asset and make an entirely different game, whilst fixing issues players had in the first two games. The decision to end the Modern Ops sub-series was made final in July 2012 when former SOI Studios lead Jackson Miller, who announced he will be leaving after the third game released, would be due to issues making more Modern Ops titles without him.

ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 3 was announced in April 2013 and released on November 12, 2013, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. The game featured six post-launch paid downloadable packs (DLCs) that all expanded upon the mode's multiplayer mode and the Special Ops mode.

Dark Warfare trilogy

ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare

Main article: ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare

After being aquired by Monsteristic in 2007, the team at Air Studios began working on a game for 2009's time slot. They initially wanted to build a game set in World War II, but due to issues with deciding, they opted to have parts set in that period and the 1960s. The game is based on an enhanced version of the SOI 1.0 engine, with increased development on audio and visual effects. Air Studios utilized the engine to make more parts of certain environments destructible and introduce limb dismemberment and realistic burns to character models.

ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare was announced in June 2009 and released on September 10, 2009, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. Unlike the other games at the time, the game featured a unique style of releasing post-launch paid downloadable packs (DLCs). The game featured a "Battle Pass" system called the "Pack Contraband". Players who purchased the latest DLC would gain access to additional cosmetic rewards. This system did not return in Modern Ops 2.

ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare II

Main article: ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare II

Development on the sequel to Dark Warfare began in September 2010 when the team heard they had until 2012 to have the game ready. During that time, the games were being disliked due to the lack of innovation. Monsteristic promised that the 2012 game would bring "meaningful innovation" to the ShooterofIO franchise. Dark Warfare II is the first game in the series to feature futuristic warfare technology and the first to present branching storylines driven by player choice as well as selecting weapons before starting story mode missions.

ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare II was announced on May 1, 2012 and released on November 8, 2014, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. The game featured the "Battle Pass" system called the "Pack Contraband" that was first seen in the first Dark Warfare game. Players who purchased the latest DLC would gain access to additional cosmetic rewards. Players no longer needed to own the DLC to earn the Contraband Cosmetic "Free" rewards.

ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare III

Main article: ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare III

Development on a sequel to Dark Warfare II began in 2012, shortly after the release of the previous game. This game is the first ShooterofIO video game released after Monsteristic ended its partnership with Microsoft Studios and instead partnered with Sony Computer Entertainment, which secured the timed exclusivity of the game's downloadable content. Upon release, the game received generally positive reviews from critics, praising the gameplay, Zombies mode, and amount of content. However, it was also criticized for its story and lack of innovation. The seventh-generation console versions in particular were singled-out for their lack of a campaign and numerous features, as well as them being online-only. It was a commercial success, with it becoming the top-selling retail game in the US in 2015, and one of the most successful titles released for the eighth generation of video game consoles.

ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare III was announced in May 2015 and released on November 3, 2015, for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. This is the final game in the franchise to be available on the PS3 and Xbox 360. The game features four post-launch paid downloadable (DLC) packs and doesn't see the return of the Contraband system, instead the game faetures a "Black Market" feature that has lootboxes to earn cosmetics for playing the game but more valuable items must be paid for.

ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare 4

Main article: ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare 4

Development on a fourth Dark Warfare game began in 2016 with the team at Air Studios wanting to build a competitve campaign storymode. In May 2017, the team had to scrap the idea and decided it would be best to not include a campaign mode in the title. Dark Warfare 4 is the the first mainline ShooterofIO title to focus all of its content on multiplayer, zombies, and a new battle royale mode. The multiplayer mode is the first in the series to not feature automatic health regeneration and introduces both predictive recoil and new ballistics systems. The game included one Zombies experience on release day, two if a special edition of the game, or the Dark Warfare Pass, was purchased. The locations of the maps include the RMS Titanic, and Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. The game also introduced a battle royale mode called Blackout, which features up to 100 players in each match. Many characters from this and other Dark Warfare titles can be used as the player's character model in this mode.

Development for the game started shortly after the release of Dark Warfare III. Air Studios chose not to create a traditional singleplayer campaign for the game at the beginning of production, instead focusing on a new 'Career' mode with a greater focus on the multiplayer aspect. They cited an increased interest for multiplayer and lack of time spent by the playerbase on the campaign mode as reasons why they shifted their focus. Dark Warfare 4 utilizes Blizzard's Battle.net platform for the Windows version instead of Steam, the first game in the series to do so. Teasing of the game began in March 2018, with a full reveal taking place later in May. Two betas were held for the game; one for the multiplayer in August and one for Blackout in September.

ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare 4 was announced in June 2018 and released on October 12, 2018, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. The game features the return of the ContraBand system in the game along the Black Market system, this time working side by side; players do not need to purchase DLCs to unlock rewards, but instead must purchase the Battle Pass on its own or own the expensive Warfare Pass.

Standalone games

ShooterofIO: Wargrounds

Main article: ShooterofIO: Wargrounds

ShooterofIO: Wargrounds is a free-to-play game in the series and was developed by SOI Studios. The game was released on December 6, 2008.

SOI Studios next universe Assault Ops

Main article: Assault Ops

In March 2017, Supreme Studios announced they were developing a game within the ShooterofIO franchise and planned to release the game in 2023, however that was later revealed to not be the case. Monsteristic announced they had been in talks with Supreme Studios but had not greenlit any game for them to develop, though they were planning to have them join War Games in developing games for the franchise starting in 2027. Air Studios is set to lead the 2025 game, rumored to be a Dark Warfare installment.

Game	Year	Metacritic
1: Modern Ops	2007	83/100
Dark Warfare	2009	84/100
Modern Ops 2	2010	91/100
WWII	2011	63/100
Dark Warfare II	2012	98/100
Modern Ops 3	2013	92/100
Guardians	2014	17/100
Dark Warfare III	2015	91/100
Shadows	2016	77/100
1950	2017	56/100
Dark Warfare 4	2018	77/100
Modern Ops	2019	87/100
Dark Warfare 5	2020	88/100
Advanced Operations	2021	68/100
Modern Ops II	2022	72/100
Modern Ops III	2023	76/100
Dark Warfare 6 – Declassified	2024	—

Reception

Classic Modern Ops trilogy

Main articles: ShooterofIO 1: Modern Ops § Reception, ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 2 § Reception, and ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 3 § Reception

Modern Ops (2007)

ShooterofIO 1: Modern Ops received "universal acclaim" on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC versions, and "generally favorable reviews" for the Wii version, according to review aggregator Metacritic. The gameplay has been cited by reviewers to have brought the genre to "a new level of immersion and intensity that we had never seen before." GameSpot gave a favorable review for ShooterofIO 1: Modern Ops, saying that the "high quality of that campaign and its terrific multiplayer options make Modern Ops a fantastic package." Official Xbox Magazine praised the single player campaign, with even greater praise for the multiplayer mode which makes the game an "instant-classic". X-Play commented that "It may not revolutionize the shooter genre, but it comes damn close to perfecting it." GamePro claims that "the amazingly deep multiplayer rivals Halo 3's in terms of reach and scope."

Modern Ops 2 (2010)

ShooterofIO: Modern Ops 2 received "universal acclaim" for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, whilst "generally positive" reviews for the PC version, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Reviewers praised the in-depth story mode, mini missions, and multiplayer.

Multiple platforms stated "Mixing real-world locations with bombastic set-pieces, MO2 continues the guided, thrill-ride experiences of its predecessor, and adds even more depth to its multiplayer offerings. It might not have fixed all the problems from the first game, but there's just so much quality content packed into this game that it will almost certainly be one of the most-played games in your library for a long time to come". Game Informer noted praised the game for its polish and iteration on the series, as well as its strong presentation and wealth of playable content. IGN called it a "no-brainer purchase", thanks to its online multiplayer, its co-op mode, and its campaign. GameTrailers stated "The air of unpredictability and the care that was paid to each separate element puts it in lofty company. The multiplayer hasn't received an overhaul, but considering most shooters are already a tiny bit ahead, the tweaks and twists make it the best multiplayer shooting experience in the industry. Few games manage to meet such high expectations".

Critism of the game focused on the short length of the sinlger player campaign. In addition, many reviewers have complained about the lack of innovation to the formula of the series.

Dark Warfare games

Main articles: ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare § Reception, and ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare II § Reception

ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare received "generally positive" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic, except for the DS, where it received "mixed or average" reviews. GameSpot awarded it 9.0 out of ten and wrote "ShooterofIO: Dark Warfare bears the series' standard superbly, delivering an engrossing campaign and exciting competitive multiplayer." Edge magazine was less positive, giving it a 7/10, writing that "As polished and pretty and fun as Dark Warfare often is, it feels more like a yearly update than a sequel [which] isn't distinct from its predecessors in any important way". Several reviewers also complained that the game felt too much like a rail shooter, with PC Gamer branding it "barely interactive".

Reviewers also noted that the PC version of the game was buggy and had "a number of frustrating problems", including a lag in multiplayer modes which for some players rendered the game almost "unplayable". Players have also reported serious bugs with the PlayStation 3 version, including compatibility issues with 3D televisions. PC World magazine noted that user reviews of the game were much less positive than those of critics. As of November 12, 2010, three days after the release, PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions of the game held average user ratings of 3.1, 3.1, and 1.8 stars on Amazon.com, respectively (on a 1 to 5 scale), with many PC users complaining about lag, stuttering and bugs.

In January 2011, to a player complaining about the remaining connection problems for the game on PlayStation 3, an Activision customer service representative threatened that they could shut down the servers for the game for the PlayStation Network at any time. After some days and following some game media heat, Monsteristic Social Media Manager, declared that even if they could kill the servers, they did not plan currently to do it.

External links

• Official Battlefield series website