INTERPLAY - E3 2000
Interplay was the company to beat at the 2000 E3 show. Surprised? I was. I was not expecting much out of the Interplay booth, perhaps the usual assortment of games. I was totally wrong, Interplay had the finest assortment of software to be found. I only wish they had a bigger booth in one of the primary convention halls so that the E3 regulars could see their greatness. The real Interplay booth was an appointment only event, and the general E3 crowd did not get the opportunity to see the games. Let me assure you, Interplay is in a great position for dominating the PC game market for the foreseeable future! In addition to the titles listed below, Interplay had many other good looking games, including the highly anticipated 'Messiah'. Also looking sharp was Baldur's Gate 2 and Giants.
| Neverwinter Nights -
PC game of the show? I think
so! While my heart will always be set on real time strategy
games, I couldn't help but fall in love with Neverwinter
Nights. Bioware, under the Black Isle label (which falls under
Interplay distribution) has an absolute gem on their hands.
The gameplay is influenced by Diablo, with graphics comparable to
that of Vampire the Masquerade by Activision. The game is set
to be a multiplayer type of game where you can quest with
friends. Bioware plans on having 2 server types, one which
allows player killing, and one that is more friendly. A
powerful level editor will be included for those inclined to design
their own levels. Awesome shadows created by source lighting
give this game an eerie realistic mood. Based on the 3rd
edition Dungeon and Dragons rule set, Neverwinter Nights is
where this genre is headed. Awesome!
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| Sacrifice -
Stuart Roch, Executive
Producer of Sacrifice at Shiny Entertainment spends some
time explaining the features of this unique game.
Sacrifice is a real time strategy game (RTS) that plays
unlike traditional games. There is no resource management,
instead, players concentrate on combat and capturing the
souls of the fallen. Once you 'sacrifice' the
captured souls at your home base, you are able to use them
in your army. It sounds a little spooky, but the
game has some interesting innovations and the graphics are
breathtaking. You are able to see miles into the
distance with a unique 3D game engine that reduces polygon
count of objects and terrain as they get further
away. The result is a highly detailed game that runs
liquid smooth. Several former Blizzard employees are
currently working on the Sacrifice project. StarCraft was
the greatest real time strategy game, but now there may be a game that blows it
away! We'll see this winter when it is released.
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Star Trek:
New Worlds - While
not the best real time strategy (RTS) game of all time, it
is what RTS gamers have wanted to find in the Star Trek
universe. Capital ships the
size of a base that fire decimating blasters make this
game look totally sweet. Star Trek: New Worlds is an
entirely 3D game that lets you take control of one of
three different races, including Klingon, The Federation, and
Romulan. Sound effects are extremely high quality
and are familiar to fans of the series. There are 25 missions
total to trek through ;) . Overall, a
solid looking title that will please fans of the series
looking to fill their strategy desires.
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