Tucked comfortably within the vast swathe of action shooting titles is the niche series Sniper Elite, the darling of developer Rebellion's game roster. The entire series has taken place within the confines of World War II, but it's about time to switch the formula up.
Here are 10 wars that Rebellion could use as settings for future Sniper Elite titles. Not only would it take gamers out of a single historical event, but it would also open the game up with new weaponry and sniper tactics refined since the end of WWII.
10 WORLD WAR I
This setting worked for the Battlefield series, so there's no reason why it can't work here as well. World War I is the natural and obvious second choice for a Sniper Elite game, and an opportunity to put another Fairburne (perhaps Karl's father?) behind enemy lines.
It could also showcase the weapons of the time, specifically sniper rifles such as the Winchester A5 and the traditional Springfield.
9 THE RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR
Enough has been said about the American Civil War, but the 1917 Russian Civil War was far deadlier, leaving approximately 13.5 million people (nearly all of them civilians) dead in its wake.
A Sniper Elite game set in this time period would have an advantage of being the only title in the series with no clear hero or villain to root for. Both the Leninist Reds and the hodgepodge of monarchists and foreigners that made up the opposing Whites were equally oppressive and brutal during the length of this conflict. As such, it could be an opportunity to tell a very different kind of story.
8 VIETNAM
This one is easy! The brutal conflict of Vietnam saw American forces go up against a ruthless enemy known for particularly brutal treatment of prisoners and hostages. The war is remembered for a number of key battles such as the Battle of la Drang Valley, the Tet Offensive, and of course, Hamburger Hill.
It's not the first time we've seen war games take place in Vietnam, but it would present the scope of the conflict (no pun intended) through the lens (pun fully intended) of a sniper on the outskirts of the battle.
7 THE KOREAN WAR
This relatively pointless and oft-forgotten war would cause more trouble than it solved, creating a destabilized Asian peninsula, and giving communism a larger foothold on the rest of the world.
Still, it's an important one, if for no other reason than the scale of the conflict itself. It wouldn't be a bad idea to drop Karl Fairburne into the jaws of iconic battles such as Operation Ripper, the Battle of Hill Eerie, and Operation Courageous. It would certainly be an opportunity to bring attention to a war that too few seem to care about.
6 THE SIX-DAY WAR
This controversial 1967 conflict would have far-reaching implications for Israel in relation to its Arab neighbors, which continues to this day. Before the outbreak of the war, Israeli citizens were under constant barrage from enemy sniper fire, which could set the stage for a semi-fictional narrative featuring a new lead character.
A Sniper Elite game based on the Six Day War could be an interesting one, if for no other reason than the literal 6 days the conflict lasted. It would essentially be a war with a quick narrative that packs the bulk of the conflict into a single narrative.
5 THE GULF WAR
When Saddam Hussein decided to strut into Kuwait and start acting the fool, an alignment of forces led by the United States stepped in to remove him. It turned out to be the most recognizable war of a generation, with an impact still felt today.
This particular war was more chaotic than most, on par with Vietnam in terms of the chaos which ensued, even though it didn't last nearly as long. Nevertheless, it's a prime setting for a Sniper Elite game. Obviously it would necessitate a new character stepping in, but that could go a long way to crafting an important storyline.
4 THE IRAQ WAR
9/11 would forever change the landscape of both U.S. interventionism and foreign policy, and that continues right up to this day as the country struggles to balance how much of a role it's willing to play in foreign affairs.
This would undoubtedly be the darkest Sniper Elite title of the bunch, hitting close to home for many people who still haven't forgotten that fateful September day, and the multiple conflicts that rose up because of it. It would also serve as a pseudo-sequel to a Gulf War-based Sniper Elite game, perhaps with the same character returning over a decade later for another round.
3 THE MEXICAN DRUG WAR
This particular Sniper Elite game would definitely change up the formula by focusing on a very different kind of conflict, as opposed to an all-out war between superpowers. This largely low-key war has been waging since December of 2006, with no true end in sight.
A Sniper Elite title could put the player in the boots of a clandestine undercover operative or an elite special forces soldier deposited into the backyards of various cartels in Mexico. It would certainly be a great excuse to deliver all manner of gory kill-cam shots against those who continue peddling poison to our children, among other heinous acts.
2 THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY
This particular conflict is still going on, and focuses on radical jihadist group Boko Haram's attempt to establish an Islamic state within Nigeria. The setting would be an opportunity to focus on a non-American character as the central eyes and ears.
A game focuses on this kind of subject matter might ruffle a few feathers, but it would be an opportunity to dive into the horrors that this conflict has already wrought for the Nigerian people.
1 THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR
This conflict began as a response to the Arab Spring which affected the regimes of Libya, Egypt and Yemen, before spreading into Syria. The result has been an unmitigated disaster from start to finish, with 470,000 dead Syrians, a bloody conflict with ISIL, and massive disruptions to the stability of the Middle East.
It's also a prime candidate for a Sniper Elite game capable of placing emphasis on the conflict's most notorious battles, from which there are many to choose. If nothing else, this Sniper Elite game could shed some light into a war that few of us have only heard about, but know little of.