E3 2002 Day 1

by Gail Helmer

Article Type: Field Report
Article Date: May 22, 2002


Click here for E3 2002 Day 2

Microsoft

Combat Flight Simulator 3

Combat Flight Simulator 3 places players in the position of either a fighter or bomber pilot in World War II from 1943 to the end of the war. Players can enlist for the U.S. Army Air Force, Britain's Royal Air Force or the German Luftwaffe as they fly missions revolving around air superiority, close air support and low-altitude tactical bombing. Scheduled for Fall 2002.

Microsoft's 'Combat Flight Simulator 3'

Features:

Low Altitude - high impact - For the first time in the history of the franchise, "Combat Flight Simulator 3" delivers a brand-new, ground-breaking graphics engine that allows players to lead exciting high-speed, low-altitude strafing runs to bomb strategic enemy targets.

Fly WWII's finest, fastest and edgiest aircraft - "Combat Flight Simulator 3" features a stunning collection of 18 player flyable WWII aircraft including the first jet fighters and other leading-edge aircraft that pushed the combat aviation technology to the limits. Each of them are realistically rendered in the tradition of the Combat Flight Simulator franchise.

Live the life of an authentic WWII pilot - Pilots manage new character role-playing attributes including G-force tolerance, vision and physical health.

Experience aerial action that never ends - With enhanced online cooperative multiplayer action, players coordinate with friends to influence how battles are fought.

Soar alongside friends - Players can create "campaign servers" allowing people from across the globe to play in an ongoing war theatre over the Internet. Form squadrons and battle in a myriad of missions against other users or coordinate to man a medium bomber, playing the role of either bombardier or gunner.

Click here for E3 screenshots.


MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries

Microsoft announced that MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, the latest installment in the ever-popular MechWarrior franchise, is in development and scheduled for release this fall. Updating the original Mercenaries title, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries adds an edgy standalone chapter to the ongoing saga.

Developed by Cyberlore Studios in conjunction with Microsofts FASA Studios, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries features 10 new Mechs, in addition to the Mechs previously released with MechWarrior 4: Vengeance and MechWarrior 4: Black Knight Expansion; an assortment of weapons; and new electronics packages that enhance the Mechs defensive capabilities. A dynamic single-player campaign offers players more than 40 missions spanning 10 planets. And for the first time in the history of the franchise, players will be able to command a secondary lance.

Microsoft's 'MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries'

MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries follows the rise to power of a newly formed mercenary MechWarrior company, allowing players to experience a captivating storyline that evolves as players take action during the game. Sponsored by one of four legendary mercenary groups, the Wolfs Dragoons, Northwind Highlanders, Kell Hounds or Gray Death Legion, gamers are challenged to decide whether to remain a neutral party in the conflict or to accept contracts that will pit them against one of the great Noble Houses.

Improvements to the multiplayer capabilities are among the most significant additions to MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, which will include 19 multiplayer maps and two new multiplayer game types. Gamers can choose to play in the C-Bill game, where teams are restricted by the amount of money theyve earned, or in the Mercenary Affiliation Zone games, where players track the success of each of the four mercenary units and join forces with their favorite one through Zone.com.

Click here for E3 screenshots.

CDV

Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars

Cossacks - Napoleonic Wars returns to the real-time battlefield - with reinforcements: Meet Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France. This successor combines the qualities of Cossacks - European Wars and Cossacks - The Art of War with the advantages of the third dimension.

CDV's 'Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars'

Napoleonic Wars features, 6 campaigns with a total of 60 missions, 12 single player missions, 10 simulated historical battles and Multiplayer game via LAN or Internet: Deathmatch, Historical Battle and European Conquest modes.

Click here for E3 screenshots.


Cossacks: European Wars Add-on

CDV's 'Cossacks: European Wars Add-on '

The 2nd official expansion to the worldwide hit Cossacks - European Wars. This 2nd add-On provides more battles, more fun, more nations. Battle your way through endless warfare, seek for allies and destroy your opponents. The 2nd Add-On leads good old Switzerland and strong Hungary onto the battlegrounds of Europe. It provides new buildings, new units and a big bunch of new missions. Moreover, the 2nd Add-On includes Mod1 with 30 more new units. Release Date: Fall 2002.

Click here for E3 screenshots.


Blitzkrieg

CDV's 'Blitzkrieg'

Blitzkrieg is another real-time strategy (RTS) game set in World War II. Similar to Sudden Strike, this game allows the player to command Allied, Russian or German troops. However, it also provides entirely new tactical opportunities with its 3D terrain and units. Game play features, 150 types of vehicles and machinery, three military campaigns spanning from 1939 to 1945, armies of the French, Italians, Poles, and a scenario editor which allows you to design your own missions, add your own maps, textures, models or sounds to the game. Release Date: 2003

Click here for E3 screenshots.


American Conquest

American Conquest is a Historical RTS that delves into the pages of history after the discovery of the American continent by Christopher Columbus in 1492 AD. Live through 300 years of fierce armed conflict for land, riches and freedom - all in four campaigns with 30 missions.

CDV's 'American Conquest'

American Conquest features, real-time battles with up to 16,000 units, era between 1492 and 1813, 4 campaigns with 30 missions: the American War of Independence, the Seven Years' War, the War of Tecumesh and Pizarro's Expedition, 6 simulations of historical battles and 12 separate single player missions with 12 different nations: Spanish, English, France, Aztec, Incan, Mayan, Sioux, Huron, Delaware (Algonquin), Iroquois League, Pueblo, American.

Click here for E3 screenshots.

JoWood

SOLDNER: Secret Wars

It's the year 2010: After more than a half century of military interventions, the super powers are growing weary of their role as a global police force. Failing economies and political infighting have forced the world powers to drastically reduce their military forces and rely more and more on secret, highly specialized mercenary units mobilized for specified operations. Wars are no longer waged by state controlled-armed forces, but by small, highly trained, well-armed mercenary units.

In SOLDNER: Secret Wars, the player takes command of these highly mechanized elite units in either team play of up to 128 players, or in dynamic single-player campaigns. Soldiers, helicopters, light tank and vertical take-off planes stationed on a camouflaged carrier are ready to engage the enemy anywhere in the world.

From Wings Simulations, creators of the Panzer Elite, SOLDNER: Secret Wars contains complex geopolitical systems that provide for dynamic campaigns: every decision the player makes --every assignment they accept or reject, brings consequences that can severely affect future objectives. Release date: Early 2003

K-Hawk: Survival Instinct

K-Hawk: Survival Instinct is an action/adventure where players find themselves in the combat boots of Kitty Hawk, a Navy S.E.A.L. and helicopter pilot who has been shot down over an island in the Pacific, her only companion killed in the crash.

As she makes her way through jungles, forests, laboratories and a huge military base, Kitty learns the terrifying truth behind the downing of her helicopter.

In the clutches of a ruthless Colonel, the once peaceful island has turned into an enormous test site. Here, maniacal scientists shake the very foundation of humanity to create a new breed of super-soldiers. Vastly outnumbered by an entire garrison of the Navy's elite, Kitty is forced into the shadows. Initially armed only with a pistol she uses her wits in a quest to stop the evil Colonel in his tracks and prevent a global catastrophe. Release Date: Fall, 2002

U.S. Army

America's Army


The U.S. Army today unveiled America's Army, an innovative, realistic computer game providing civilians with an inside perspective and a virtual role in today's premier land force, the U.S. Army. America's Army players will experience soldiering in a state-of-the-art new manner.

The America's Army game blends two vivid simulations: Soldiers, a role-playing portion in which players navigate life's challenges to achieve goals, and a first-person action game, called Operations.

The action-packed "Operations" portion allows up to 32 players to enter into "virtual service" with the U.S. Army on the same unit mission. Players begin their virtual Army experience as a recruit with an anonymous user name to experience challenging Army missions from a first-person perspective. Developed using the latest version of Epic Games' "Unreal Engine " and optimized for NVIDIA GeForce2 graphics processors, "Operations" features 20 single and multiplayer missions. Training missions build player capabilites -- from navigating Fort Benning's obstacle course to parachute drops in preparation for assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division. Multiplayer missions are played free on a virtual playing field online with web servers hosted by HomeLAN.

U.S. Army's 'America's Army'

Multiplayer missions are organized into assignment tours, such as being part of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) or the 75th Ranger Regiment. To join a multiplayer game, the players must complete the appropriate training. Gamers use realistic equipment and authentic military hardware. Teamwork, leadership and the benefits of training are emphasized. As in any team effort, communication is key: gamers use different speech, whispers, shouts, radio messages and -- in a game industry first -- genuine military hand and arm signals. Borrowing a page from Army force-on-force training methods, players always perceive they always are on the U.S. team.

The two games are interlaced, with experiences and attributes accumulated during gameplay in one game shaping adventures and opportunities in the other. Players can jump from one game to another to find out additional mission and career information and learn hints to help them advance.

Developed by the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense experts in simulations and virtual environments, America's Army will be available in August. The Army will distribute America's Army for free through distribution partners that include leading computer game magazines, at Army events and recruiting stations and through Internet download.

Click here for E3 screenshots.

Novalogic

Delta Force - Black Hawk Down


In an exclusive E3 announcement, NovaLogic unveiled its plans to develop and publish the next generation of Delta Force franchise, Delta Force - Black Hawk Down. Set in Somalia in 1993, Delta Force - Black Hawk Down is based upon and around the Operation Restore Hope and Task Force Ranger campaigns and follows members of the elite Delta Force and US Army Rangers as they participate in a number of daring raids against the oppressive Somali warlords in and around Mogadishu.

Novalogic's 'Delta Force: Black Hawk Down'

Developed using an enhanced version of NovaLogic's graphics engine, Delta Force - Black Hawk Down features air and ground vehicles including Attack Chopper's and Humvee's, an arsenal of authentic weapons used by US Special Forces during Operation Restore Hope and Task Force Ranger, new AI system and large-scale multiplayer action over LAN or via NovaWorld

"In Operation Restore Hope the men of Task Force Ranger fought a fierce battle in what is now recognized as the war on terrorism," said Lee Milligan, President of NovaLogic. "In Delta Force - Black Hawk Down, gamers will step into the shoes of US Special Operations Forces tackling some of their most dangerous missions," he added. "We dedicate this game to the men who were there, to Delta Force, Rangers, Navy SEALs and the 160th SOAR."

Delta Force - Black Hawk Down is scheduled to ship on PC CD ROM in Q4 of 2002.
Click here for E3 screenshots.


Task Force Dagger


Delta Force: Task Force Dagger is based on missions from Operation Enduring Freedom. Take control as 1 of 10 different Special Forces soldiers over 25 intense and varied missions set in Afghanistan.

NovaLogic's 'Delta Force: Task Force Dagger'

Select to become members of the 2/75th RANGER, SEAL Team 6, CIA Spec Ops, the UK SAS 22 Regiment, SFOD-SF Viper Team (Green Berets), Australian SASR, Canadian JTF-2, Marine Force Recon, USAF CSAR (Air Force Para rescue) and of course SFOD-DELTA. Missions take place deep in enemy territory, from Kandahar to Mazar-i-Sharif to Tora Bora. Delta Force Operatives raid rebel headquarters, take control of a local airport, ambush enemy convoys and destroy key SAM and SCUD missile sites.

Utilizing NovaLogic's updated Land Warrior engine, Task Force Dagger has been designed by Zombie Studios as a stand-alone mission pack with new characters, weapons and single and multiplayer levels.

Check out our interview with Zombie Studios CEO, Mark Long.

Click here for E3 screenshots.

Codemasters

IGI 2: Covert Strike


Covert Strike is set soon after the events in Project IGI. The Cold War has ended and the Soviet countries are attempting to rebuild their shattered nations. The game takes place over three linked campaigns, each packed with individual missions. The plot takes the action through Russia, across Libya and into China utilising locations including military airbases, harbours and secret government installations.

Codemaster's 'IGI2: Covert Strike'

New updates in Covert Strike include, the "Save" system has been redesigned and improved over the original IGI and the map computer has the functionality to download and upload – to save and load – the current mission status and position. Doing this in the field will take time and drains battery energy from the map computer, so players will have to save tactically. Meanwhile, development work on IGI 2: Covert Strike’s all-new multiplayer mode continues. IGI2: Covert Strike will deliver a full team-oriented multiplayer mode, with squads of eight players per side. With objective-based gameplay, it pits IGI operatives against terrorists from around the globe.



IGI 2: Covert Stike has been delayed to September 2002 from its original date, June 2002. Release Date: Fall 2002.

Check out our interview with, Ole Marius Kohmann, Innerloop Studios.

Click here for E3 screenshots.

Operation Flashpoint: Resistance


Operation Flashpoint: Resistance the expansion to Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis, is developed by Bohemia Interactive Studio. Operation Flashpoint: Resistance creates an additional 100km2 island complete with industrial-style buildings and original landscape scenery. Thanks to the use of high-resolution textures throughout, the visuals will be much more detailed and dramatic than ever before.

Codemaster's 'Operation Flashpoint: Codename Resistance'

The expansion also delivers a new campaign that forms a prequel to the original game’s plot and is set years before Operation Flashpoint’s Cold War hit crisis point. All the events in the Resistance campaign are closely linked. As players progress through the campaign, the amount of equipment, ammunition and fellow soldiers persists from one mission to another.


Tactical use of supplies comes into play as there’s no telling what lies ahead. In addition to the new campaign, the expansion offers enhanced network code, incorporating an in-game server browser system and completely overhauled communication code for better multiplayer performance. Release Date: Fall 2002

Click here for E3 screenshots.

Watch for our interview with, Codemaster's External Development Studio Head, Jonathan Smith, during our E3 2002 Day 2 coverage on Thursday.

Prisoner of War


Codemasters has released 5 new screens from the upcoming 3rd-person adventure game "Prisoner of War". The game captures the heroism of Allied escape attempts from POW camps during World War II and Colditz is its toughest stronghold.

Codemaster's 'Prisoner of War'

Gameplay takes place across the tightly guarded German POW camps, where the main character Captain Lewis Stone, an American Flight Officer, must use his resourcefulness to escape and eventually fulfil his surveillance mission and report back to Churchill's Special Operations Executive in London.

Once in camp, Stone must communicate with other prisoners and use stealth to avoid guards, spotlights and dogs in an effort to gather as much information and equipment as possible while plotting the best escape route. Stone must then race for freedom in dramatic escape sequences that can range from impersonating a guard to engineering mass escapes before calling in Allied air strikes using the Germans' own radio. The game features, an AI that completely recreates the daily life of a WWII POW and numerous escape options. Release Date: September 2002

Check out our interview with, Carl Jones, Executive Producer of Wide Games.

Click here for E3 screenshots.

WWII: D-Day to Berlin


The North American version, WWII: D-Day to Berlin, and UK version, WWII: Frontline Command, is Codemasters first real-time strategy (RTS) depicting actual battles of WWII. As Commander of the Allied Forces, players will attempt to drive the Axis forces deep back inside their own territory.

Codemaster's WWII: D-Day to Berlin

WWII: D-Day to Berlin will feature an original system dubbed Frontline that gives individual soldiers and units the potential to display everything from heroism to confidence, despair and cowardice, thanks to this new morale-based system.

Click here for E3 screenshots.

Vivendi Universal

SWAT: Urban Justice

SWAT: Urban Justice takes the gameplay pioneered in SWAT 3 to a new level with the Takedown engine, 16 realistic missions, and 24-person multiplayer capabilities. As the team leader of a SWAT element, you will choose your team, outfit members with gear and weapons, assign positions, and then command their tactical actions throughout each mission. More than 40 real-world weapons including the HK 69A1 40mm break open rocket launcher, Serbu Super Shorty 12 gauge, and the Gemtech Quantum .22 caliber rifle with integrated silencing. Most weapons also have several customizable components, including the stock, optics, suppressor, magazines, fire rate, and more.

Vivendi Universal's SWAT: Urban Justice

SWAT: UJ can be played in single mission, career, and multiplayer mode. SWAT: Urban Justice also includes the Mission Editor that allows you to easily create worlds, add characters and objects, adjust the lighting, and set mission objectives. This robust mod support helps to ensure massive replayability by allowing gamers to share new content with other members of the community. Compete as either the officer or the criminal in multiplayer mode with up to 23 other gamers via LAN or the Internet. Several different multiplayer game types are also included: Team Co-Op, Versus Co-Op, Deathmatch, Trophy, Hunted, Team Deathmatch, and airsoft modes.

The Takedown engine uses DX8 graphics hardware, including multi-texture rendering, motion-captured animation blended with procedural and inverse kinematic motion, pixel shading, advanced particle system, and dynamic lighting with real-time shadow casting. Release Date: September 2002. Web site: http://www.swatuj.com.
Click here for E3 screenshots.


Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest

The add-on Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest expands the scope of Empire Earth further into the future, allowing for planetary conquest. The expansion pack builds upon the award-winning real-time strategy game by offering a new, 15th Epoch to the 14 existing Epochs in the original game. Players have conquered new lands before, but this time to continue the dominance of their civilization, they must cross the boundaries of space.

Vivendi Universal's Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest

With Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest, gamers can become the greatest conqueror of all time by creating, building, and leading a civilization to transcend the ages - from the discovery of fire, to flight, to the next frontier: space.

The expansion pack also includes the three most requested campaigns worldwide; ancient Rome, World War II, and Asia in the 24th century.

From Prehistory to the Nano Age of the 24th Century, Empire Earth serves up gaming on an epic scale. Empire Earth is an epic real-time strategy (RTS) game that covers over 500,000 years of human history, from the discovery of fire to the laser battles of the future. Each player takes control of a fledgling civilization and strives to forge the greatest of all empires.

Click here for E3 screenshots.


Click here for E3 2002 Day 2









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