The latest in a string of E3 2019 leaks has revealed Bleeding Edge, a brand new IP from DmC: Devil May Cry and Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice developer Ninja Theory. Bleeding Edge is a 4v4 online multiplayer melee combat game featuring a roster of unique characters, each with their own abilities. Bleeding Edge's reveal was unfortunately not intended for today, but likely the Xbox E3 2019 press conference on June 9. Nevertheless, a camera recording of Bleeding Edge's announcement trailer has leaked, complete with a "CONFIDENTIAL" disclaimer written across the screen.

The Bleeding Edge announcement trailer runs just over a minute long and appears to be a fully cinematic trailer, though gameplay is simulated. Two teams of four unique characters, each wielding a wide variety of tech, armor, and weaponry, approach each other before a sequence of high-intensity combat starts. Characters have a mix of jumps, pulls, punches, and so on - making for a frenetic and adrenaline-fueled multiplayer game.

The style and diversity of Bleeding Edge's roster are likely going to be selling point, for better or worse. Bleeding Edge seems to be going for a style similar to Overwatch but kicked up a notch like Sunset Overdrive meets Twisted Metal. That exaggerated, over-detailing may not appeal to everyone, but there's no argument that it stands out from a crowd of character-based multiplayer games that have started to blend together visually.

Ten characters were revealed in the trailer, with their names shown on-screen:

  • Daemon
  • Makuta
  • Buttercup
  • Nidhoggr
  • Kulev
  • Gizmo
  • Miko
  • Maeve
  • Zero Cool
  • El Bastardo

Combat will define Bleeding Edge, of course. The characters could be monotone polygon blobs, but if combat is crisp and exciting then players will flock to the game. Only a short glimpse of Bleeding Edge action is shown in the trailer, though it seems to be cinematic. It shows characters quickly moving in and out of combat only to use an ability to deal devastating damage. There's an obvious touch of the fighting game genre at work, with opponents focusing on taking advantage of distancing and vulnerable opportunities after a player attacks.

ninja theory bleeding edge leaked announcement trailer
ninja theory bleeding edge leaked combat

As disappointing as it is for announcement trailers to leak, the minute-long look at Bleeding Edge will hopefully only make players all the more excited to see more. Given that Microsoft now owns Ninja Theory, those wanting more can expect to see Bleeding Edge during the Xbox E3 2019 press conference on Sunday, June 9, starting at 1:00 pm PT.

For those who are already excited to get Bleeding Edge into their hands to play, it sounds like the game is already close to a playable state. The end of the leaked trailer confirms that a technical alpha will be starting on June 27.

Bleeding Edge has no confirmed release date or supported platforms.