Ex-Naughty Dog veterans rebuild the single-player cover shooter in Crossfire

Crossfire shifts the long-running franchise into a cinematic, single-player tactical adventure
Key Takeaways
  • The Developers: That’s No Moon is an independent studio founded by Naughty Dog and Infinity Ward veterans, backed by a $100 million investment from Smilegate.
  • The Gameplay: The game features an “Adaptive Cover” system built on Unreal Engine 5, replacing traditional magnetic chest-high walls with realistic environmental interactions.
  • The Structure: Crossfire is a purely single-player, narrative-driven experience with no multiplayer or live-service components, coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

What Is Crossfire and Who Is Developing It?

Crossfire is an upcoming single-player, narrative-driven tactical third-person military shooter developed by independent studio That’s No Moon and published by Smilegate. Coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, the game focuses on grounded, high-stakes combat and a deeply cinematic storyline, completely eschewing multiplayer elements.

The project marks the debut title for That’s No Moon, a studio established in 2021 by high-profile industry veterans including Taylor Kurosaki and Jacob Minkoff. Both creators are widely recognized for their previous work shaping morally complex narratives at Naughty Dog and Infinity Ward, most notably on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

Rather than adapting the traditional multiplayer template of Smilegate’s massive intellectual property, the team is leveraging a $100 million backing from Smilegate to build a premium, Western-focused single-player campaign.


Inside the Adaptive Cover System: A New Era for Tactical Combat

Instead of relying on the conventional, rigid cover mechanics popularized in the mid-2000s, Crossfire introduces a proprietary mechanic called Adaptive Cover. This custom-engineered framework, developed within Unreal Engine 5, completely eliminates the magnetic attachment to chest-high barriers that defines most third-person shooters.

According to game director Jacob Minkoff, the system forces characters to dynamically adjust their posture, stance, and orientation based on proximity to complex physical geometry and shifting enemy sightlines.

In early demonstrations, characters naturally transitioned into low crab-walks near low stone walls and dropped into full prone crawls to blend into rugged hillsides. The combat itself is designed to be highly lethal and strategic, requiring careful planning over reckless aggressive maneuvers; a mere few shots separate survival from death.

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A Narrative Rooted in Forced Alliances and Grey Morality

The storyline takes place in the harsh landscape of the Atlas Mountains, following a reconnaissance contract that rapidly deteriorates into an existential threat known as “The Pressure.” The plot centers on an uneasy alliance between two ideologically opposed protagonists who must cooperate purely out of a mutual need for survival.

Layla Qassem, an anti-establishment mercenary described by developers as a tactical activist, is portrayed by Claudia Doumit (The Boys). Her foil is Delroy Cross, a rigid Tier-One Operator dedicated to preserving the very institutions Layla fights against, played by Ricky Whittle (American Gods).

Reflecting the developers’ pedigree in crafting narrative shades of grey, the writing deliberately avoids standard villain tropes, focusing instead on shared humanity amidst deep ideological friction.


Production Details and Supported Platforms

Crossfire is being built natively for current-generation hardware, targeting Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The studio has confirmed that development is well underway, though a specific launch window or exact pricing tier has not yet been finalized.

The title is currently available for players to add to their wishlists on digital storefronts. Further production updates are expected as development progresses through the pre-alpha phases.


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