Anniston, Alabama– December 2023– The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is excited to announce the launch of Combine 2 in its Sightline series of Esports games – Sandstorm!
See more CMP and competition Shooting News on The Gun Bulletin!
In November, the CMP began its venture into Esports through Sightline, Combine 1, which had over 100,000 unique users and aimed to present versatile marksmanship training through gameplay that can later be translated to a live range. Combine 2 expands upon that notion by engaging users in breath control, crosswind, and shot visualization – featuring fresh gameplay mechanics within a desert environment.
“Sightline Sandstorm adds several features that increase the marksmanship challenges,” said Will Dantzler, CMP’s Chief Information and technology Officer. “With a new environment including incentives, the game keeps bringing you back to do better!”
Similar to Combine 1, users in Combine 2 will play from a perspective set behind the firearm to simulate range scenarios for action pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Users will enter a 3D arena where he or she will be given a series of nine tasks to complete. The player uses a keyboard and mouse to control the speed of play and the movement of the firearm itself.
New elements in Sightline Sandstorm include exclusive rewards, like earning your custom firearm skin for a more personal feel, as well as score history/past shot display to verify which shots earned the most points based on proximity to the bullseye.
In pistol, precision and speed are tested within tasks such as Target Frenzy, Tempo Precision, and Drone Wave. Shotgun challenges each user’s reflexes through Trap Shoot, Maze Race, and Zone Defend – firing at clay pigeons while navigating through a winding labyrinth or defending against a horde of targets. Rifle tasks focus on breath control, simulated through sway motion during gameplay, along with accuracy and crosswind compensation with scope and iron sights.
Global leaderboards will be collected within each task. Finish within the Top 100 of users and earn a special Title! Users may go back and play as many times as they’d like, so keep playing, share with your friends, and earn those rewards while absorbing marksmanship fundamentals along the way!
Those interested in playing may access Sightline Sandstorm by following this step-by-step setup guide through the Steam and Aimlabs gaming platforms: https://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SightlineAccessGuide_Windows.pdf. Unfortunately, MacOS is currently unsupported by Aimlabs, meaning Sightline is only accessible to PC/Windows users until a later date. Note that download times may vary due to user internet connectivity and available hard disk space.
CMP’s Esports Mission:
The CMP is dedicated to finding ways of expanding its footprint and base participation, especially with youth, outside of its static ranges in Ohio, Alabama, and at travel competition sites across the country. Making a move to the virtual world, the CMP is launching a series of “Combines” for users to enter gameplay. Each Combine will present a new series of tasks using a variety of firearms and training techniques through engaging settings, with the hope of migrating marksmanship gameplay to real-world applications.
*If you check out the game, feel free to send your feedback to sightline@thecmp.org!*
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.
Restricted 18+ in CA in compliance with CA State Assembly Bill 2571 prohibiting the marketing of firearms to minors in the State of CA.
About The Author
