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E3 2003 Highlights |
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Future Looks Bright for Online Gaming |
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The place to be in mid May is Los Angeles, basking in the warm glow of the
oversize computer monitors at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, widely known as E3. Fortunately, for those of
us that couldn't attend this year, there has, as always, been no end of media
coverage of the event. These are only a few of the many interesting Net gaming
developments to come out of E3 2003.
Half-Life 2
Even if it doesn't turn out to be as revolutionary
as the original, Half-Life 2 is clearly one of the most highly anticipated
games of the year. It's no surprise that this game dominated E3 2003, with
long waits at their booth to get a look at the latest game play footage. Rest
assured that this sequel will feature some spectacular graphics and cutting-edge
game physics.
Half-Life 2 Preview - GameSpy
Sony and More Sony
No single company has more invested in the video game industry than Sony.
From console hardware to high-end PC MMORPGs, Sony seems to have something
to offer almost every gamer. Naturally, all things EverQuest were getting
considerable attention this year.
EverQuest 2 was previewed, and it's official, there will be incentives for
people with existing EverQuest characters to make the move. This could include
exclusive quest zones in each game open only to subscribers of both games,
as well as possible EQ 2 game item rewards for loyal EverQuest players. Maybe
working that character up to 50th level won't turn out to be a waste of time
after all!
They also announced that EQ will be available in a new box set called EverQuest:
Evolution, which will consist of the original EverQuest and the first five
expansions.
EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers, is on it's way. It will be the first expansion for the PlayStation 2 version of EQ.
Official EverQuest Site
Middle-Earth to go Online
I doubt that there is a medieval fantasy
game around that doesn't borrow something from the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Although there are many MMORPGs forthcoming in this genre, this one will
be the official virtual Middle-Earth. The game will be published by Vivendi
Universal and developed by Turbine, makers of the Asheron's Call series,
so it's likely to feature some impressive graphics.
Midde-Earth Online Preview - GameSpy
The Matrix Online
We're nearly at a point where every major
action movie is accompanied by a video game with the same name. Matrix the
MMORPG, which will be published by Ubi Soft, hopes to bring the movie's remarkable
success to a persistent world game for the PC. They are promising real-time
martial arts combat and a story line that picks up where the third chapter
in the movie trilogy, leaves off.
Official Matrix Online Site
Counter-Strike
Expect to see a stand-alone version of this enormously popular Half-Life
mod coming to store shelves this year after all. Called Counter-Strike: Condition Zero,
it will feature completely reworked models, animation, and effects, even
thought it's being built on the aging Half-Life engine. Ritual has worked
hard to keep system requirements low, so you may not have to upgrade your
rig for a change.
In an unusual move, there are plans to release a CS version 1.6 patch at roughly
the same time as Condition Zero, so that there is online compatibility between
the two games. Probably a wise plan given the current number of CS players out there.
Also worth mentioning is that Counter-Strike will soon be available for the Xbox. If
it's anywhere near as successful as the PC version, it could be the killer
app that takes online console gaming to the next level.
CS: Condition Zero Preview - GameSpy
Lineage 2
The world's largest MMORPG is up for a major face lift,
and a transformation into 3D with help from the Unreal engine. Lineage already
boasts a subscriber base in the millions, and we can safely assume that Lineage
2 has an enormous budget to work with, so this will certainly be one to watch.
Official Lineage 2 Site
World of WarCraft
Blizzard has decided to extend the theme behind
their acclaimed WarCraft series into the MMORPG arena. They are promising
a sophisticated quest system that will provide "an enormous variety of captivating
quests with story elements, dynamic events, and flexible reward systems."
Blizzard has a reputation for making great games and it looks like they will
bring some novel ideas to massively multiplayer online gaming.
World of WarCraft Preview - GamesRadar
Carmack on Doom 3
John Carmack, co-founder of ID software,
spoke to the crowd at E3 about the upcoming release of Doom 3 and the challenges
faced by smaller game developers. Of course, previews of Doom 3 stole the
show in 2002, but it's always fascinating to hear what Carmack has to say
about the gaming industry. Doom 3 should be available for the PC very soon,
and the Xbox shortly after that.
John Carmack at E3 - GameSpy
D&D to Become MMORPG
Clearly we are going to find out over the next few years just how many MMORPGs
the market can handle. Atari and Turbine intend to create a persistent online
world based on Wizard of the Coast's immensely popular Dungeons & Dragons
game. They hope to release Dungeon's & Dragons Online sometime in 2005.
D&D Online Announcement - GamingReport
New Battlefield 1942 Expansion
There is a second expansion coming out for the popular Battlefield 1942 series
called Secret Weapons of War. This will add 16 vehicles and 8 maps to the
game, among other things. There is even a motorcycle with a sidecar and a
mounted machine gun which sounds like an absolute blast.
Secret Weapons of War Preview - GameSpy
Rome: Total War
The strategy series that began with Shogun: Total War is continuing to grow
and breaking new ground. Medieval: Total War has received a lot of praise
from strategy game fans, and Rome: Total War intends to expand on this success
with a fully 3D engine that will make castle sieges and large battles more
realistic than ever. The screenshots of this one are definitely something
to drool over. Watch for the release of this game later in the year.
Official Rome: Total War Site
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