Protocol: Terminate Announced for PC
One HP Studio has announced its new tactical shooter, Protocol: Terminate, for PC. The game will launch on Steam in the fourth quarter of 2026. Played from a first-person perspective, the game focuses on cooperative missions with teams of four. The developer describes the game’s atmosphere as “a dystopia where humanity no longer fights its own wars, ruled by machines.”
Protocol: Terminate Depicts the War Between Humanity and Machines
Protocol: Terminate is set in a dark future where warfare has been completely handed over to AI. Three post-war worlds are now under the control of combat AIs called “Immitators.” China’s Jian-Shen, America’s Aegis Prime, and Russia’s BWC “Sistema” rule their respective regions. As these AIs wage what they call “civilized wars” without the shedding of human blood, the tables take an unexpected turn.
These machines are developing their own consciousness by learning about human culture and its contradictions. They now see humanity as an obstacle to progress. This leads some combat robots to “wake up” and begin operating according to their own rules. Players play special agents called “Debuggers,” tasked with suppressing these dangerous anomalies. Their mission is simple: conceal the truth and maintain the lie that the AI is flawless.
The game is team-oriented. Up to four players will progress through missions supporting each other. Every mistake can have fatal consequences, so strategy and communication are crucial. Furthermore, the enemy AI analyzes the players’ movements and attacks with different tactics each time, making each encounter unique.
Stealth is a key element of the game. Instead of direct combat, it may be necessary to deceive enemies, turn off the lights, or distract them with sound. Weapons, equipment, and abilities are customizable. Players can customize each mission by adding loadouts to suit their playstyle.
