Uncharted 4 Multiplayer: Launch Modes Detailed, All DLC Is Unlockable for Free, Content Planned Until Spring 2017

With Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End releasing in just over a week on May 10, Naughty Dog fully detailed the multiplayer portion.

As Lead Game Designer Robert Cogburn explained, these are all the multiplayer modes available at launch:

Ranked

In Ranked Team Deathmatch, Ranks range from Bronze III to Diamond I. You’ll be awarded points for winning a match, and points will be deducted for losing. When you acquire the necessary number of points, you’ll enter into Qualifiers – which is where things get really interesting. At this point, a player is given the opportunity to increase his or her Rank by winning a certain number of the next few matches. Failing to do so will knock the player out of Qualifiers, and he or she must earn points again for another attempt.

For example, if you are Rank Bronze I and earn enough points to enter Qualifiers, you must win three of your next five matches to reach Rank Silver III. Failing to win at least three of your next five matches will result in a failure in Qualifiers, and will force you to earn points to try again.

It’s a system that we think the competitive among you will enjoy as much as we have in the office.

Command

In this mode, you’ll capture Command Sites for a steady flow of points, or knock out enemy Captains for a large point bonus. Command emphasizes teamwork and a large part of that comes from protecting your Captain.

There are a number of Command Sites across each map. When your team captures one, your team’s score will increase. Command Sites captured by the enemy team must be neutralized before you can capture them for your side. Command Sites are captured faster when more members of the team are inside them.

Whichever player contributes the most points to the team’s objective is the Team Captain. The Captain will receive bonuses — cheaper In-Match Store Items, the ability to revive teammates faster, and more health when downed. When a Captain is designated, the Captain starts at Level 1, but as the Captain gains objective points without being KO’ed, the Captain goes up a Level to a max level of three, which increases the effectiveness of the Captain bonuses. However, at higher levels, the Captain is more visible to the enemy:

Level 1: Enemies see a Captain icon by the Captain’s name

Level 2: Enemies can always see the Captain on radar

Level 3: Captains are automatically Marked until they lose Captain status

Captain status is lost when the Captain is knocked out, which scores the enemy points depending on the level of the Captain. This mode can have some intense comebacks given the large point value a Captain can reach.

Team Deathmatch

A fight to the end with teammates at your side. The goal is to score a certain number of points to win, with each enemy KO being worth one point.

Plunder

In Plunder, grab the idol and return it to your treasure chest for one point. You can throw and climb with the Idol.

Warm Up Playlist

We have made a lot of new gameplay mechanics available, and the Warm Up playlist gives players the opportunity to explore them. You will only be able to play in this playlist for a certain number of matches, to help you understand the multiplayer mechanics before joining the fight.

Trials

Set up as pseudo competitive matches, players go up against enemy NPC opponents with the goal of getting a high score using specific multiplayer mechanics. Each of the 10 Trials will include different levels of difficulty and will award Relics for completion.

To keep the Uncharted 4 multiplayer community from being fragmented by different types of DLC, all future modes and maps, gameplay items, and Co-op will be included at no additional cost by Naughty Dog. Additionally, all vanity and gameplay in-game store items will be unlockable through gameplay.

Cogburn said:

We strongly believe that players must be on an even playing field. To do this, we made Relics, a currency that can only be earned through gameplay and will be able to unlock all DLC, present and future. We will be putting future gameplay items ranging from Mysticals to Boosters into DLC Gameplay Chests. Each Chest will contain new gameplay items.

You earn Relics by completing daily Challenges or winning matches, and can spend them on the two types of DLC Chests: DLC Vanity Chest or a DLC Gameplay Chest. Neither chest will ever give you a duplicate item.

Furthermore, maps and modes will be available on the same day to everyone, no DLC item is available exclusively using Uncharted Points (currency purchased through the PlayStation Store to unlock items faster), and a Cinema mode to review matches and create custom multiplayer footage is coming in the near future.

As for the two post-launch DLC multiplayer packs included in the Uncharted 4 Triple Pack, here’s what they include: