View source for Project Reality

{{about|the first person shooter|text=Project Reality was also an early code name used by Nintendo for the [[Nintendo 64]].}}
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{{Notability|1=Products|date=April 2024}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}}

'''''Project Reality''''' is a series of [[MilSim|military]] [[Tactical shooter|tactical]] [[first-person shooter]] [[video game]] [[Video game modding|modifications]] that aim to create a realistic [[teamwork]]-based shooter centered around [[modern warfare]] and [[combined arms]]. The original version, ''Project Reality: BF2'', was released in 2005 for ''[[Battlefield 2]]''; this version is still being updated on a regular basis<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realitymod.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=604|title=PR Changelogs|website=Project Reality Official forums |access-date=2022-10-08}}</ref> and became a stand-alone game in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f380-project-reality-news/134902-project-reality-bf2-v1-3-standalone-released.html |title=Project Reality: BF2 v1.3 Standalone Released! |date=2015-05-30 |website=Project Reality Official forums |access-date=2015-10-12 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-31 |title=Battlefield 2 mod Project Reality has gone standalone with patch 1.3 |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/battlefield-2-complete-collection/battlefield-2-mod-project-reality-has-gone-standalone-with-patch-13 |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Project Reality: ARMA 2'', a version developed for ''[[Arma 2]]'', was released as a [[betaware|beta]] in 2011; development was later moved to ''[[Arma 3]]'' in 2013, with the project being renamed to ''Project Reality: ARMA 3''. In September 2015 it was announced that the ''Arma'' project had been suspended.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f380-project-reality-news/138518-pr-arma-3-development-update.html |title=PR: ARMA 3 Development Update |date=2015-09-26 |website=Project Reality Official forums |access-date=2015-10-12 }}</ref>

The team was founded by Noel Tock, aka Requiem, in 2004. In 2005, After launching a very basic initial 0.1 release known as Project Reality Mini Mod (PRMM), the team struggled to gain traction due to Electronic Arts adopting policies towards BF2 modifications that deterred players from engaging with mods. Later that year, Eamonn Glass, aka eggman51, took over day-to-day leadership of the team, driving all aspects of design, production and community engagement. By 2009, Project Reality received several awards, amassed a community of over 100,000 active players, and was the most played BF2 modification under Eamonn's leadership, introducing innovations in tactical team play gaming that helped to redefine the genre.

''[[Squad (video game)|Squad]]'', a standalone game built on [[Unreal Engine 4]], is a [[spiritual successor]] to ''Project Reality''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://joinsquad.com/faq |title=FAQ - Squad |website=Squad Official website |access-date=2015-10-12 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author1=Phil Savage |date=2015-04-07 |title=Squad is a team FPS from the makers of Battlefield 2 mod Project Reality |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/squad-is-a-team-fps-from-the-makers-of-battlefield-2-mod-project-reality/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref>

== ''Project Reality: BF2'' ==
{{Infobox video game
| title = Project Reality: BF2
| collapsible = 
| state = 
| image = Project Reality Dogtags Logo 256.png
| caption = 
| developer = The Project Reality Team
| publisher = The Project Reality Team
| series = ''[[Battlefield (video game series)|Battlefield]]''
| engine = Refractor 2
| platforms = [[Windows]]
| released = '''PR Mini-mod'''<br />
{{Video game release|WW|{{Start date|2005|07|08}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f380-project-reality-news/1359-project-reality-mini-mod-0-1-a.html |title=Project Reality Mini-Mod |website=Project Reality Forums |access-date=2015-04-09 }}</ref>}}
'''PR 1.0'''<br />
{{Video game release|WW|{{Start date|2013|08|02}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f380-project-reality-news/121919-project-reality-bf2-v1-0-released.html |title=Project Reality 1.0 released |website=Project Reality Forums |access-date=2015-10-07 }}</ref>}}
'''PR 1.3 Stand-alone'''<br />
{{Video game release|WW|{{Start date|2015|05|30}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f380-project-reality-news/134902-project-reality-bf2-v1-3-standalone-released.html |title=Project Reality 1.3 Stand-alone released |website=Project Reality Forums |access-date=2015-10-07 }}</ref>}}
'''PR 1.8.1.2 Latest Update'''<br />
{{Video game release|WW|{{Start date|2025|04|08}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://forum.realitymod.com/viewtopic.php?p=2259316#p2259316|title=PR:BF2 v1.8.1.2 Changelog |website=Project Reality Forums |access-date=2025-04-09}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Tactical shooter|Tactical]] [[first-person shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}

=== Gameplay ===
''Project Reality'' features five game modes. Two of the most popular game modes are Advance and Secure, and Insurgency.

Advance and Secure involves capturing and holding control points, similar to the Conquest mode of ''[[Battlefield 2]]''. However, in Advance and Secure, control points typically must be captured in a certain order, with both teams attacking and defending control points, though some Advance and Secure maps have one team attack and the other defend.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

The second most popular game mode, Insurgency, is intended to simulate [[asymmetrical warfare]]. The Insurgency game mode involves a conventional forces team searching for and destroying hidden weapon caches while the other team, the insurgents, try to defend them.

The other game modes are Vehicle Warfare and Command and Control. The Vehicle Warfare mode differs by putting full emphasis on heavy vehicles and assets, and restricting the player to one kit role (crewman or pilot). The play style for Vehicle Warfare is otherwise identical to Advance and Secure where players must capture objective points in order. The Command and Control mode removes all control points. The objective instead is focused around player-built fortifications and their single [[Forward Operating Base]] (FOB). Players must build and defend their hidden FOB while also searching for the opposing forces' FOB. The mod also features a co-op mode, where human players may play alongside or against computer controlled players. Co-op can also serve as a single-player mode (with bots standing in for teammates).

In contrast to the original system of ''Battlefield 2'', players may not spawn at their squad leader when they die, but must instead spawn at permanent spawn points such as main bases, or at temporary rally points created by the squad leader. Players may also spawn at FOBs which can be constructed if supply crates are delivered to the desired location. When constructed, other fixed defences such as stationary machine guns and various defensive constructs such as [[barbed wire]] or [[Defensive fighting position|foxholes]] can be placed after the delivery of additional supplies.

The Insurgency game mode diverts slightly from these rules, limiting the insurgent side to spawn at their weapons caches which they must defend, or they lose the ability to spawn. The opposing team can discover the location of these caches by acquiring intelligence about the insurgents, after which an enemy cache will be marked on the conventional forces' map, indicating its position. However, insurgents can still deploy and construct destructible "hideouts" to spawn at, which act in a similar way to the FOBs in conventional game modes. The conventional forces are also able to construct their own FOBs for forward deployment.

''Project Reality'' currently features over 25 factions and over 70 maps, with more of each in development. Factions and maps depict multiple time periods, namely [[World War II]] (European eastern<ref>{{Cite web |last=Papadopoulos |first=John |date=2024-06-23 |title=Project Reality: Battlefield 2 just got a new major update |url=https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/project-reality-battlefield-2-just-got-a-new-major-update/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=DSOGaming |language=en-US}}</ref> and western fronts), the [[Vietnam War]], the [[Falklands War]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-11-28 |title=Big Battlefield 2 mod Project Reality adds the Falklands War |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/big-battlefield-2-mod-project-reality-adds-the-falklands-war |access-date=2024-07-29 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Sherif |last=Saed |date=2016-11-28 |title=Battlefield 2 mod Project Reality adds the Falklands War |url=https://www.vg247.com/battlefield-2-mod-project-reality-adds-the-falklands-war |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=VG247 |language=en}}</ref> the [[War on terror|War on Terror]], and the present day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Features {{!}} Project Reality |url=https://www.realitymod.com/features |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=www.realitymod.com}}</ref>

== ''Project Reality: ARMA 2'' ==
{{Expand section|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox video game
|collapsible = 
|state       = 
|title       = Project Reality: ARMA 2
|image       = Project Reality Dogtags Logo 256.png
|caption     = 
|developer   = The Project Reality Team
|publisher   = The Project Reality Team
|series      = ''[[ARMA (series)|ARMA]]''
|engine      = Real Virtuality 3
|platforms   = [[Windows]]
|released    = 
'''Windows'''<br />
{{Video game release|WW|{{Start date|2011|09|02}}{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}}}}
|genre       = [[Tactical shooter|Tactical]] [[first-person shooter]]
|modes       = [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
}}

''Project Reality: ARMA 2'' exists as a standalone modification requiring both ''[[Arma 2]]'' and ''[[Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead]]''.<ref>{{cite web| title = PR:Arma2 FAQs|url=http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f440-pr-arma2-general-discussion/77975-arma-2-faqs.html| access-date = 2010-09-30 }}</ref> It remains self-contained, self developing and does not rely on or use externally held add-ons from other sources where at all possible. What that means to the player is that it is a 'one stop shop' as an installation package, with no requirement for additional multiple add on packs.

''Project Reality: ARMA 2'' v0.1 BETA was released on September 2 which was shortly followed by the release of ''Project Reality: ARMA 2'' v0.15 beta on March 16, 2012. A year later on March 1, 2013 0.16 version was released including two new terrains (maps). With the release came the news of a cease in development with the ''Arma 2'' mod and a movement of efforts towards ''[[Arma 3]]''.<ref>[http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f380-project-reality-news/118597-project-reality-arma-2-v0-16-beta-patch-released.html Project Reality: ARMA 2 v0.16 Release Announcement]</ref>

{{clear}}

== Successors ==
In early 2009 it was revealed through the official Project Reality forums that a standalone successor ''Project Reality 2'' was in pre-production. A license for the [[C4 Engine]] has been purchased as of 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-01-11 |title=Project Reality 2 {{!}} Project Reality |url=https://www.realitymod.com/pr2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111071331/https://www.realitymod.com/pr2 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |access-date=2022-07-18 |website=Project Reality}}</ref>

An entry for a game called "''Project Reality 2 - The Beaten Zone''" has been posted to the official [[Crytek]] developers community ''crytek.net'', stating that the game would be using the [[CryEngine 3]].<ref>{{Cite web| title = The Beaten Zone| work = crydev.net| publisher = Crytek UK Ltd.| access-date = 2013-01-17| url = http://www.crydev.net/project_db.php?action=project_profile&team_id=3325&project_id=3165| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140725140326/http://www.crydev.net/project_db.php?action=project_profile&team_id=3325&project_id=3165| archive-date = July 25, 2014| df = mdy-all}}</ref> ''Project Reality'' staff have dismissed the supposed engine change as rumor, and did not acknowledge any connection to the ''crydev.net'' posting.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f10-pr-bf2-general-discussion/112513-pr2-beaten-zone.html#post1796914 |title=PR2: The Beaten Zone |author=BloodyDeed |date=2012-07-23 |website=Project Reality Forums |access-date=2013-01-17 }}</ref>

However, new announcements from the Dev Team, made sure that PR2 will be in fact using the [[CryEngine 3]], since most of the people involved in the development of the game on the [[C4 Engine]] thought it wasn't so good to work with,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-09 |title=Project Reality 2 |url=https://www.realitymod.com/pr2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109225608/https://www.realitymod.com/pr2 |archive-date=January 9, 2015 |access-date=2022-07-18 |website=Project Reality}}</ref> and they have chosen the [[CryEngine 3]] as their new engine to work on. There is no set release date for the game.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Project Reality 2| publisher = Project Reality| access-date = 2013-01-17| url = http://www.realitymod.com/pr2}}</ref> Since 2014 there has been no more word from the team behind the standalone. One of the main developers also mentioned that the game's production had stopped.

On October 10, 2014 a team consisting of current and former Project Reality: BF2 developers announced a new commercial game based on the Project Reality gameplay formula.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Merlin / Sniperdog|title=Squad: A commercial game made by developers of and inspired by PR:BF2 |url=http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f11-off-topic-discussion/131654-squad-commercial-game-made-developers-inspired-pr-bf2.html|website=Project Reality Forums|access-date=9 April 2015|format=Website}}</ref> The new game is named ''[[Squad (video game)|Squad]]'' and is built on [[Unreal Engine 4]]. The game, as of December 2015, was available on Steam Early Access, and officially released on September 23, 2020.<ref>{{cite web
 |url= https://joinsquad.com/2020/09/23/squad-v1-0-released/
 |title= SQUAD V1.0 RELEASED!
 |date= 23 September 2020
 |access-date= 25 September 2020}}</ref> The game was initially funded through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.<ref>{{cite web
 |url= https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/offworldindustries/squad/posts/1248335
 |title= Project Update #2 - WE ARE FUNDED!
 |date= 30 May 2015
 |access-date= 25 September 2020}}</ref>

== Reception ==
''[[IGN]]'' and [[GameSpy]] have both reviewed ''Project Reality''. IGN's review praised the mod, stating "all ''BF2'' players should download this mod."<ref>{{cite web| title = IGN Review|work = IGN|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/763/763618p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216003157/http://pc.ign.com/articles/763/763618p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 16, 2007| access-date = 2007-03-10 }}</ref> GameSpy said that "the mother of all realism mods [has] arrive[d] for BF2".<ref>{{cite web| title = GameSpy Review|work = Gamespy|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/battlefield-2/766629p1.html| access-date = 2007-03-10 }}</ref> ''[[PC Zone]]'' also reviewed ''Project Reality'', saying that "not only does it make the virtual warfare harsher, ''Project Reality'' also adds fantastic new maps, vehicles and weapons to the fray".

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.realitymod.com/}}
* {{YouTube|id=mFEV8PUOfAw|title=Project Reality: BF2 v1.8 Trailer}}
* ''[http://www.moddb.com/mods/project-reality-arma2 Project Reality: ARMA 2]'' at [[Mod DB]]
* ''[http://www.moddb.com/mods/project-reality Project Reality: Battlefield 2]'' at [[Mod DB]]

== See also ==
* ''[[Squad (video game)|Squad]]''
* ''[[Forgotten Hope 2]]''

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Battlefield series}}

[[Category:2005 video games]]
[[Category:Video game mods]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Tactical shooters]]
[[Category:Video games about the military]]
[[Category:World_War_II_first-person_shooters]]
[[Category:Vietnam War video games]]
[[Category:Falklands_War_video_games]]
[[Category:Iraq_War_video_games]]
[[Category:War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%932021)_video_games]]
[[Category:Video_games_set_in_Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Video_games_set_in_Iraq]]
[[Category:Video_games_set_in_Syria]]
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[[Category:Video games set in Palestine]]
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[[Category:Video_games_set_in_China]]
[[Category:Video games set in Vietnam]]
[[Category:Video_games_set_in_Russia]]
[[Category:Video_games_set_in_Germany]]
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[[Category:Projects established in 2005]]