Bethesda has announced a new melee-based multiplayer game called BattleCry, which is a free-to-play title set to release on PC.

The game, developed by the Austin, Texas-based BattleCry Studios, is described as “a fun and accessible free-to-play game” with “fast-paced and frenetic 32-player battles” utilising melee weapons and crossbows.

BattleCry is set in a world where gun powder was banned following a world war at the dawn of the 21st century. “Traditional warfare is now a relic of the past and all conflicts are settled head-on by elite teams of chosen warriors in sanctioned WarZones,” Bethesda explains, in part. “Trained and bred for battle they face off for the glory of their nations.”

Players will fight using “transformative” weapons including swords that can transform into shields and “bows that can punch an arrow straight through an armored skull” or “high powered blades crackling with electro-static energy.”

“The BattleCry team is happy to unveil the game that bears our studio’s name,” said Rich Vogel, president of BattleCry Studios. “We have been hard at work to create a fresh experience for gamers that brings together multiplayer action with visually stunning combat and are excited to share details about the game and have people play Battlecry in Bethesda’s booth at E3.”

(via CVG)