Showgunners
Showgunners is a turn-based tactics video game developed by Artificer and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Players control a contestant on a brutal game show where people fight to the death. It was released on Windows in May 2023.
Gameplay
In a dystopian future, contestants fight to the death in modern gladiator battles on the game show Homicidal All-Stars. Players control a contestant named Scarlett, an ex-cop seeking revenge. Scarlett must be guided through turn-based, tactical battles to reach her target. There is no fog of war; all enemies are visible on the map. Distant attacks are affected by random chance, but melee attacks always hit. Each combatant has two action points, which can be used for moving, attacking, or using special abilities. Each action taken costs an action point, though attacking ends a character's turn. The show's host can add additional threats if he believes Scarlett is not being challenged enough. Characters who are defeated in combat revive afterward.Outside combat, players must avoid traps and solve puzzles in real-time. They can also sign autographs for fans, which increases their fame and can lead to sponsorships. Each sponsor, who can offer unique rewards, has different preferences for behavior, so friendly or arrogant behavior toward fans can attract different sponsorships. Between battles on the show, players can interact with other contestants and learn more about why Scarlett became a contestant. Players can recruit additional characters to join Scarlett, though teams are typically limited to three members at a time. As Scarlett and her teammates win battles, they gain special abilities, and each character can have one cybernetic implant. Players can gain new equipment by completing challenges, such as killing multiple people at once, though each character is restricted to using only the type of weapon they specialize in.