Announced in yesterday's Nintendo Direct, Hi-Rez Studios - the maker of Paladins, SMITE and Realm Royale - is bringing a brand new IP to Switch (and other consoles). Rogue Company is a 5v5 online shooter that moves away from the studios' fantasy-inflected online games towards a more 'modern' scenario.

Hi-Rez is on publishing duties here, though - Rogue Company is being developed by First Watch Games. You take control of one of a group of customisable mercenaries who will duke it out with a variety of weapons across a plethora of available game modes. Here are some serious details from the official website for the game. You know they must be serious because they're ALL CAPS:

ROGUE COMPANY IS A TOP-SECRET SYNDICATE OF ELITE MERCENARIES AROUND THE GLOBE. TO MOST OF THE WORLD, THE ELUSIVE MERCENARIES ARE A RUMOR AT BEST. HOWEVER, TO THOSE IN THE KNOW, ROGUE COMPANY OPERATIVES ARE INDISPENSABLE TO SOLVING THE WORLD’S DEADLIEST AND MOST CHALLENGING MISSIONS. AS A ROGUE COMPANY MERCENARY, PLAYERS WILL GRAB THEIR WEAPON OF CHOICE AND DIVE INTO ICONIC LOCATIONS TO COMPETE ONLINE IN VARIOUS PVP GAME MODES.

For an online team shooter, everything sounds present and correct. Perhaps most interestingly, it goes on to say that the game will feature crossplay and cross-progression across all platforms (Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Switch and PC).

The footage can be seen in the official trailer posted to Twitter with 100% less Nintendo Direct narrator:

We're not sure we're sold on the rather generic name, but if Hi-Rez Studios' previous games are anything to go by, this could end up being quality team shooter, and the ability to transfer progress across all platforms is excellent news. We'll certainly be keeping a laser-sight on this one when it drops onto Switch sometime next year.

Do you prefer your online team shooters with a little more grit and a little less fantasy? Fancy joining this rogue squadron, if you will? Share your thoughts with a comment below, and remember to make it ALL CAPS if you're super serious.