The game's development was completed in about 6 months. Gameplay is largely similar to Far Cry 3, though several systems from the base game were simplified or removed, and the game introduces the titular blood dragon, a massive reptile-like creature which can be lured to attack hostile outposts. Blood Dragon, a parody of 1980s action films, cartoons and video games, takes place on a retro-futuristic open world island with players assuming the action role of the military cyborg Sergeant Rex 'Power' Colt. It is a standalone expansion to 2012's Far Cry 3 and the eighth overall installment in the Far Cry franchise. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a 2013 first-person shooter game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft.