Derek Smart's 3000AD Announces Free-To-Play Line Of Defense

3000AD, the Florida-based developer founded and led by industry veteran Derek Smart, has announced a free-to-play massively mutiplayer online game called Line of Defense, which is set to release for Windows at the end of this year. The game takes place in the same universe as the studio's All Aspects Warfare and will focus on player-versus-player combat in an open and persistent game world. 3000AD says that while its engine and tech support player-versus-environment elements, it will explore integrating PVE content after the MMO's release. Line of Defense's gameplay will consist of "two opposing sides fighting for control of military bases across various continents on contested planets and space regions." Players take on the role of an infantry marine with access to "various weapons of mass destruction," land and naval vehicles, and aircrafts and gunships. This will be the fifteenth video game released from 3000AD -- other titles in its catalog include the Battlecruiser series, Universal Combat, and Galactic Command. The studio's president and lead developer, Derek Smart, is also currently the president of Quest Online, developer and publisher of MMO Alganon. 3000AD says it's partnering with Quest Online for Line of Defense's network backend (e.g. database, billing) and other support services. Though the client-based title will have a free-to-play option, it will support a hybrid model that also supports an unspecified premium plan.