The problem with bodycam shooters
A notable trend in first-person shooter games has emerged around the “bodycam shooter” subgenre, where gameplay is presented from a first-person perspective mimicking body camera footage. The trend gained significant attention following Unrecord, a highly realistic bodycam FPS whose developer faced the unusual challenge of proving the game was actually running in real-time rather than being pre-rendered footage. Though Unrecord has not yet released, its viral popularity sparked widespread interest in similar titles.
Better Than Dead, a singleplayer bodycam FPS, recently launched in early access on Steam as a key example of the trend’s momentum. A distinctive feature sets Better Than Dead apart from most bodycam shooters: rather than casting the player as a law enforcement officer—the typical choice in the subgenre—the game positions the player as a “nameless, faceless victim.” This narrative approach represents an interesting design choice that differentiates the title from its peers.
The bodycam shooter subgenre reflects evolving experimental approaches to first-person shooter design and visual presentation, with developers exploring the immersive potential of this specific perspective style. As additional titles adopt or experiment with this mechanic, the subgenre continues to develop and carve out its own space within the broader FPS landscape.