An indie developer has reimagined flamethrowers in shooters and demonstrated a more realistic approach to their implementation

Many action shooters feature weapons that can significantly change the flow of combat, and the flamethrower has long been one of the most striking examples in this category. However, not everyone is satisfied with the way it's typically implemented in games, so one independent developer decided to demonstrate what he thinks this weapon should really be.

Indie developer Travis O, also known as TraVinh, posted a detailed account of the development of his retro shooter, The Revanchist, on Reddit, specifically focusing on the flamethrower's operating system. He noted that in most games, such weapons are reduced to a reinforced burner with an increased kill zone, depriving them of depth and tactical value. In his project, the developer sought to achieve greater realism and force the player to consider the specifics of using fire in combat. As a result, he implemented a jet flamethrower designed for medium range: at close range, it becomes dangerous due to the risk of fuel deflection, and at long range, it quickly loses its effectiveness.

The discussion under the post showed that many players shared this view. Users pointed out that flamethrowers are much more dangerous in reality than they are typically depicted in video games, and complained about the monotony of the classic cone flame, which has long since ceased to be impressive. It was also noted that developers often intentionally nerf such weapons for balance reasons; otherwise, they would be too difficult to counter. Commenters also recalled games where flamethrowers looked and felt particularly good, including Helldivers, Alien vs. Predator, Alien: Isolation, Call of Duty: World at War, and World War Z.

However, TraVinh's approach is consistent with reality, just like more familiar versions of flamethrowers in games. In reality, the behavior of flamethrowers depends heavily on the type of fuel and the design of the device itself. The jet model demonstrated by the developer resembles the operation of flamethrowers using kerosene or diesel, while mixtures of gasoline and kerosene create a more diffuse flame, forming the same cone familiar to players from many shooters.