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X-WING vs. TIE FIGHTER
from LucasArts Entertainment
Star Wars fans who've longed to feel like a real member of Rogue Squadron will find their flight suits waiting right around the corner as LucasArts, the computer software arm of George Lucas' multimedia empire, will soon release their first multi-player Star Wars game, X-wing vs. TIE Fighter.
For some, assuming controls of a starfighter is second nature, especially after the successful releases of X-wing in 1992, followed afterwards by TIE Fighter in 1994. X-wing vs. TIE Fighter (X-TIE) brings out the best of both worlds with numerous enhancements. In both single and network-play mode, the game will provide pilots a choice of more than fifteen new scenarios. LucasArts has also upgraded the flight engine graphics, and now enemies will appear in texture mapping, with ship details taken directly from the Star Wars archives at Lucasfilm.
The game performs both in single player mode or multi-player mode, although most gamers plan on buying for the multi-player option. X-TIE allows eight players to team up as a squadron or compete against each other via modem or Local Area Network. While LAN's are probably a gamer's best bet for gameplay, most players will be utilizing modem-to-modem features. It is yet to be seen whether or not X-TIE will support TCP/IP.
"Technology has finally reached a point where we can offer networked games without compromising gameplay," said Mary Bihr, director of sales and marketing for LucasArts, in the recent Press Release announcing X-TIE.
"X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter will offer the same compelling gameplay experience that single-player games have always offered, with the additional thrill of real-time head-to-head combat against other Star Wars pilots," confirmed Lawrence Holland, head of Totally Games, a development studio working in conjunction with LucasArts in the development of Star Wars space combat simulations.
FULL THROTTLE
X-Wing vs. TIE Figher will allow "...die hard X-wing gamers to relive the experience all over again. After years of hearing people brag about themselves (as pilots), we get a real opportunity to see what they're made of," said a devout X-wing fan.
Several new starfighters will be added to the game, upping the total to twelve starfighters that players can utilize in their dogfights against each other. Players may choose between fighting for the Rebellion, the Empire, or a Mercenary group. After choosing their side, gamers may fight for their cause in over fifteen combat situations such as the Endor system or an asteroid field.
The press release for X-wing vs. TIE Fighter explains how multi-player functions.
"Prior to each new mission in multiplayer mode, players determine whether they want to fly for the Rebellion or the Empire. After choosing a flight group of starfighters, they are briefed and provided with goals, objectives and role descriptions and may communicate with squad mates to discuss battle tactics. 3D inflight maps will be available in real-time to assist players in determining mission strategy as well as providing rendezvous points."
A few lucky people received the opportunity to "test drive" X-wing vs. TIE Fighter at a space simulator convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. One of the participants, Bill Bradley, spoke of the game. The graphics are "TIE CD all the way," he said. "To be fair, the beta we played used most of the resources from the TIE CD. I'd expect the finished game to at least look different."
Many people have hoped that the game may be modified to even the playing field; for example, a head-to-head match between an A-wing and a TIE Fighter is currently not much of a contest. However, Bradley said he could not detect such a change. "As far as I could tell...no such mods were made." Bradley then went on to praise the gameplay.
Despite the excitement, many questions remain. Many gamers want to know exactly when the game will be released. LucasArts, like many software companies, is known by customers to fluctuate in its release dates. Some games are released precisely on time. Others may appear days -- or even months late. However, all anxious pilots can do now is speculate and wait until we once again gain the opportunity to travel to (and in) a galaxy far, far away.
| X-wing vs. TIE Fighter is being produced by LucasArts Entertainment Company in conjunction with Totally Games, a software development company formed by Lawrence Holland. More information may be found at www.lucasarts.com. |
(Mark Newman can be found impatiently drumming his fingers as he awaits this game at 74123.3642@compuserve.com)
