Overwatch-Like Shooter Paladins Headed to PS4 and Xbox One

Paladins, the new shooter from Smite developer Hi-Rez Studios, is coming to PS4 and Xbox One, the company has announced.

Having launched in early access on Steam earlier this month, Hi-Rez announced console versions and opened beta registrations for both new platforms today. A release date for the beta was not announced, with a press release simply saying that those on consoles would be able to play the game "soon." You can sign up for the PS4 beta here and the Xbox One beta here.

Hi-Rez was insistent that Paladins will be a good fit on both systems, as it "was designed with console in mind from day one of development. The control scheme was polished by big-name console gamers, ensuring Paladins feels just right to console shooter enthusiasts."

Access to the PC version is open to everyone on Steam for free, though a $20 Founder's Pack is also available for sale. It's proven to be popular so far; Hi-Rez said it attracted more than one million players in its first 10 days in early access, and it's been a mainstay in Steam's top 10 players list.

Being a team-based shooter where you play as different characters, each with their own look and abilities, there has been no shortage of comparisons to Blizzard's Overwatch. Hi-Rez disputes the idea that it's a clone, saying it instead owes more to Team Fortress 2 and one of Hi-Rez's previous games, Global Agenda. It does admit it's taken some notes from Overwatch, though it emphasizes the game has been in the works for some time and that a closed beta first started last year.