The Hostile Intent (former known as The Sherman Project) team has been hibernating for some time; in fact the mod was as good as dead (it was dead actually). Lately our mailbox has been filled with news from Milenko considering the "reanimation" of Hostile Intent (from now on HI) filled with news, new AVI's created and other proof that this mod was alive and kicking once more.

The team is working hard on the project; actually they are giving 150% to the project. Many new talented people have teamed up along with some of the old ones to make this project a reality.

Helza: What kind of levels can you expect? (landscape) and do levels include water in which you can swim? (i love water can't help it)

Andrew Wensley: Levels will be set in early morning, evening, in both snowy, moutainous and in green rolling hills. The terrain is really open, with massive valleys, smooth plateaus and rough hillsides. You will move through military airbases, the HQ of a rapid reaction force (tanks, mechanized infantry and choppers), infiltrate border crossings, sneak through nuclear reactors, break into and out of a prison. I hope you'll enjoy what we've got in store for you.

Stomped: The "Land Warrior" of the game's title refers to the U.S. Army's near future program for the foot soldier. What kinds of references and sources were used to recreate the program for the game?

Eckhart: Since our subsidiary, NovaLogic Systems, is adapting Delta Force 2 as a training aid for the real Land Warrior system, we've been lucky enough to have access to some of the military personnel who help run the program, and that's given us a better understanding of the system.

How will this project appeal to both existing Rainbow Six fans and to those who are unfamiliar with the franchise?

Rainbow fans thirst for knowledge-they want their experience to be as fully realized as possible, and COE will provide them with information and a new gameplay experience that will propel them even deeper into the “you are there” CT experience. Players who have not yet experienced the thrill of Rainbow or Rogue will find this a great “entry vehicle” via the training and new Rogue Spear missions. But COE has lots to offer those who aren’t interested in the first-person game experience at all-the content of COE will engage and challenge inquiring minds and will most certainly provide some information that is impossible to get otherwise.

I'm Going In is the first military stealth shooter to stress cunning and covertness over firepower. Use all the latest spy equipment and weapons to get the job done without detection. Battle your way through Eastern Europe in pursuit of a homicidal ex-Russian Colonel bent on turning Europe into a radioactive wasteland. An adrenaline producing plot keeps you glued to your mouse as you go behind enemy lines to save the world from nuclear terror.

Now lets talk with the graphic people. "Graphics of Hidden & Dangerous 2 will be much better than of its predecessor," says Peter Kubek, the lead 3D graphic. This is clear, but more interesting is, how it should be reached. "Thanks to our programmers, Insanity 2 is about 4 times faster than Insanity 1, so we can make use of it and create more detailed and smoother graphics and nicer shadows,"

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Covert Operations Essentials Product Overview

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Covert Operations Essentials (Covert Ops) is an extension of the popular Rainbow Six franchise, in which players will not only get to play new and exciting levels, but will also get an insider’s look at the world of covert operations.

Bridging the gap between fiction and real-world special operations,Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Covert Operations Essentials is an exciting overview covering the subject of counter-terrorism from 1970 until the present. Covert Ops will contain video interviews with top experts in the field, as well as photos and video footage of weapons and equipment, along with a description of situations where they are typically used. Players will also be able to test their skills and knowledge through "Officer Candidate School" testing, as well as by playing the specially created game levels.

Key Features

	Watch video interviews with top experts in the field of covert operations using Magic Lantern’s proprietary ShowTech application environment.
	Learn which weapons and equipment are best used in certain types of covert missions.
	Test your skills and earn awards by taking charge in specially created game levels, similar to those found in the Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six franchise of games.
	Image recognition and tactical puzzles will also test you using the RainbowSix: Rogue Spear engine.
	Special bonus section about the making of the Rainbow Six and Rogue Spear games.

Release date: Currently scheduled for Q3
Publisher: Red Storm Entertainment, Inc.
Informational Content Developer: Magic Lantern Playware

 H&D 2 will use a whole new graphic engine and due to that fact the game will not only look much better but also be four times faster. It will be much more detailed, show accurate shadows and will come with new crash effects.

They will use a new physic of bodies, morphing and stuff. So that means that you will now be able to shoot through walls, ect. and that you can destroy stuff in your environment. The game will also feature state of the art motion capturing.

Is mod-copying (or mod-inspiration) something for which to apologize, genuflect, and kowtow [huh?! - Rush] endlessly? Not at all. In my well-supported opinion, all cries of "mod-theft" are baseless and unsupported. I ask you, if it is illegal (or, if nothing else, a violation of Red Storm Entertainment's intellectual property rights) to mod the game Rogue Spear, in the first place, is modding a mod of the game Rogue Spear a violation of the first modder's rights or intellectual property?

NovaLogic also promises to deliver a cohesive, character-driven story based on the exploits of a squad of five veteran Delta Force troopers (you will get to control each of the five main characters in turn throughout the game). Mission types will include hostage rescues, sabotage, and direct assault on terrorist compounds. A variety of new weapons and equipment will be featured in the game, including high-tech items from the Army's next-generation Land Warrior program such as integrated video sights, head-mounted displays, laser range finders, and GPS navigation. NovaLogic's "inside link" with the military is based on a recent contract to modify Delta Force 2 for use in the Land Warrior program (as a training aid). And of course there'll be the usual multiplayer support on NovaWorld.

When it comes to gameplay, Devil's Bridge seems to have built upon all the strengths of Hidden and Dangerous. Play is quite varied; the first campaign involves attacking a German base and stealing an experimental bomber, the second has layers traipsing around the snowy forests of the Ardennes, and the third sends the SAS to take on communists who are hiding out in ancient Greek ruins.

The levels are also large and contain many objectives. The first mission involves ambushing a German counterintelligence officer, assuming his identity, infiltrating a German base, having two men crawl through the sewer system, blowing up several enemy fighters, rescuing a spy, and lastly stealing a bomber.

Tell us about some of the new weapons and the things Delta Force soldiers will be able to do with them.

At the moment, the plan is to replace the standard M-4 carbine-grenade launcher combo with the Objective Individual Combat Weapon, a weapon scheme being designed to replace the M-4 and M-16. It consists of a 5.56mm rifle and a 20mm grenade launcher. It also features an electro-optical sight with infrared for night operation and an integrated laser range finder.

The team is also considering a silenced PSG-1 sniper rifle, the AK-47, the Calico submachine gun--which is an SMG with a long magazine on top that carries a whopping 100 rounds of 9mm--a Pancor automatic shotgun, a MM-1 semi-automatic 40mm grenade launcher, an AT-4, and an FN Mag 7 7.62mm light machine gun. We might incorporate more new weapons, but these are the current safe bets. And of course we will have some returning favorites, such as the silenced SOCOM .45 pistol, the M4-Shotgun combo and the MP5SD suppressed submachine gun.

We are also adding the ability to drop the primary weapon and pick up another one in the field. You still will not be able to haul an unrealistic load of ordinance as in a lot of shooters, but gamers will not be limited to what they start the mission with. For instance, if the sniper decides he needs to close in on an opponent and do some wholesale damage, he will be able to drop his PSG-1 and grab an AK-47 from a fallen terrorist.

Level Designer Wanted:
Zombie Studios currently has opportunities for talented and experienced level designers/3D artists. Applicants should be skilled in level construction and building of realistic models of architecture, terrain and props. Must have the ability to design levels/models in collaboration with a game designer in 2D, create and/or take a drawn or written concept and translate it to 3D, and apply the appropriate textures. The applicant must be experienced in one or more of the following level creation tools: WorldCraft, UnrealEd, dEdit, QRadiant. dEdit experience is a plus. Ability to create textures is a plus.

Requirements:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in new media design, or fine arts. We are not closed to applicants without game industry experience if their portfolios demonstrate the necessary skills. However, industry experience creating and texturing low poly models, levels, and terrains is highly preferred. Intermediate to advanced experience with development tools such as Photoshop, 3D Studio Max is highly preferred. Excellent execution skills, pixel-detail driven, and deadline oriented drive are expected. A passion for playing games is a must.

Qualified applicants should contact Thomas Kim at
tom@zombie.com. (email inquiries preferred).

------------------
Thomas Kim
Producer/Designer
Zombie Studios
114 1/2 First Avenue S
Seattle, WA 98104
vox1: 206.381.9651 (preferred)
vox2: 206.623.9655 x36
fax: 206.623.9714
tom@zombie.com

To make things a bit more interesting, gameplay in I'm Going In isn't just 'go in, kill guy, get out'. Each of your missions will have a primary objective, but your objectives will almost always change, during the mission. For instance, you might be directed to rescue a captured officer, but during mid-mission, HQ will tell you that he has been moved, within the compound. You'll have to be on your toes, and ready for anything.

I'm Going In is a military stealth shooter, which means you might be spending a good deal of your game time thinking your way into and out of dangerous situations. This doesn't mean that the game will be boring, however, as you can expect constantly to be up against an enemy AI that will use actual military tactics to stop you from achieving your goals--and will shoot to kill if you are caught. You can also expect the enemy to show up in the form of bunkers, tanks, and killer gunships. If you're lucky, you'll actually get to call a napalm strike on the enemy using your PDA, but we're guessing you're going to have to do some serious sneaking and fighting in order to get to that point.

The new engine uses the latest in environmental technology to create a world almost as extensive as its voxel ancestors. Extensive or not, the improvement close up is colossal and you can see even the smallest details at a distance of 1,000 meters, quite a view. The actual viewing distance is likely to be somewhat more (3,000?), yet past 1,000 things are expected to get misty.

Hidden and Dangerous definitely excels in the graphics department. The trees look excellent, the water flows sweetly, and the buildings are well detailed. Furthermore, the different weather effects are beautiful to behold. This game really brings to life the tension involved in trying to cross a guarded bridge in the middle of a storm at night.

The special effects are also up to par. While the guns often sound more like toys than like real British weapons, the explosions seem very realistic. Running away from a train station as warning sirens blare and bombs fall is certainly a fantastic aural experience. The music also becomes suitably stirring when your troops approach an important objective.

There's still room for improvement in the Rainbow Six line. We'd like to see more control over squads, the addition of formations, increased personality in the operatives, better operative adaptability to dynamic situations, support for the prone position, and still more weapons and gadgets (mines would have been useful on those Defend missions!). For now, Urban Operations makes Rogue Spear hard to take off the hard drive by increasing the appeal of both the solitaire and multiplayer modes. That's exactly what a good expansion pack should do.

Just in case you guys are not aware, there is a way to record demos in DF2 single player missions. All you need to do is start df2.exe with /r parameter.

Then go to any single player mission and start playing it. When you are done, or dead just exit the mission. Exit the game and in the DF2 folder you will find a file with the extension .dfr. That is your movie.

To play it, just launch DF2 with parameter /p followed by the .dfr file-name. Then launch *any* singleplayer mission and watch the demo playback.

Summary:
df2.exe /r to record
df2.exe /p xxxxxx.dfr to playback

Before you begin a mission you receive a short brief and you can also change your weaponry. Novalogic have provided quite an arsenal, the M4, Barrett Light 50. Calibre sniper rifle, H&K MP5 to name a few. You also could choose one of two sidearms and an item of secondary equipment (Satchel charges, Claymores, LAWs, Extra Ammo). This is a nice feature that has continued to Delta Force 2. Although they showed a map of the area in which you would be operating you couldn't amend waypoints or AI team member loadouts, in fact you have no control over anyone else and believe me the AI is dumb! This is one of the major flaws in Delta Force, both your friendly and enemy AI are completely thick. In some cases you could walk right up to the enemy and they wouldn't react until you fired.

These screenshots show a hugely improved graphics engine, that cleverly combines a high resolution polygon engine with the patented Voxelspace engine. This allows Land-Warrior to offer huge outdoor environments to battle over, whilst still having the capability to offer great, graphically smooth and fast, indoors CQB. Fans of all tactical operations simulations should be getting hyped up over this game and its potential!

In other news:

The Dreamcast version of Spec Ops 2 is moving along and should be out soon.

The PSX verison of Spec Ops is the #2 selling PSX title of the year to date!!

I'm Going In pits you as a lone spy against a rogue Russian Colonel in a showdown to stop nuclear disaster in Europe. Among the tasks you'll perform are infiltration, computer hacking, sabotage, and theft. Although you're alone on the mission, you'll have access to NATO weapons and spy gadgets, and be able to call in air strikes via your Personal Digital Assistant. According to Eidos, I'm Going In will place emphasis on stealth over shooting, making it seem like a modern day version of Thief. But action fans shouldn't worry about pyrotechnics; from the screen shots we get the idea there will be plenty of shooting to do.

Despite being faced with an enemy who has the advantage both in numbers and location, all is not lost; you have immediate access to any weapon held by a downed foe, which can also be used to replenish your ammunition. As you get further away from your cell and closer to your goal, you'll find equipment of increasing lethality and stopping power, thereby providing a relatively natural progression. For instance, you're initially defenseless as you stumble from your newly opened cell, but you can find a knife and an AK-47 or two on the bodies of nearby air raid victims. Eventually, you'll come across other genre standards, such as an M16 Assault Rifle, an M60 Machinegun, a grenade launcher, a sniper rifle, as well as a light anti-tank weapon.

The mega-bundle includes the original Spec Ops 1, the multi-person expansion called Spec Ops Ranger Team Bravo, Spec Ops 2: Green Berrets, and the Spec Ops 2 expansion with 25 new levels, new multi-person game modes, enhanced AI, better graphics and more. Also included will be a Spec Ops game guide. The bundle should reach stores sometime in August.

M.O.U.T. 2025 (Military Operations in Urban Terrain set in the year 2025), brought to us by Ripcord and Zombie, puts you in command of a group of highly-trained counter-terrorism specialists charged with defending the United States from attack from within. Missions are set in four different types of locales - desert, forest, industrial urban, and large city - and promises brutally intelligent enemy AI who respond to threats that are seen and heard. The bad guys will even get suspicious and raise the alarm if they find your footprints or what's left of one their buddies after running into you and your squad of hardasses.

Artillery Marker - Places an artillery marker in front of you. Artillery markers can only be placed outside. When you place an artillery marker, artillery fire can therefore be directed to that location by mortarmen on your team.  Markers are cruicial to inform others that the area is targeted for artillery fire.

Request Artillery Fire - Informs mortarmen on your team that ou want artillery fire to be directed at your marker immediatly

TS: What has been done to balance the learning and training with fun?

KP: The balance is perfect, because the player is allowed to choose exactly what he or she wants. If the player doesn't want to bother with any training at all, there is no reason to install the Training CD. Conversely, if an armchair special forces fanatic can't be bothered with the intricacies of a squad-based realistic shooter, he or she need not ever install the Mission CD.

Since most people will fall between these two extremes, Covert Ops can easily accommodate their needs. Covert Ops is essentially two separate approaches to the same topic in on box.

Flash Point: 1985 Status Quo is a tactical combat action wargame that promises an unprecedented freedom of action integrating command of large squads and use of any available vehicles for total immersion. Player can also experience the best cold war military equipment - infantry, mobile, armor and aircraft - in large detailed 3D environments.

The enhanced variety is not limited to the weapons and settings here; the terrorists have become equally diverse, instead of relying on stereotypes. In one setting, the terrorists might have a Middle Eastern appearance, while in the next mission; you might see a few gangsters with black suits and sunglasses like they just stepped out of the film Heat! Not stopping with their appearance, Red Storm has given the terrorists more skills and has better equipped this element for their cause. Players will have to deal with hidden snipers and highly armed and well-guarded enemies.

4) Are we going to see a Capture The Flag mode in Covert Ops, or any other new play modes?

There are no new play modes, but both the Zone and MPlayer will have special rooms set aside for the unique missions of Covert Ops. All nine missions are fully single and multi-player capable.

One great thing about this game is the difference between the campaigns, in the first one, its rescue the hostages, but you have to find them first, another one it is blow up a dam, but not all goes to plan, another is to kill a head admiral guy, then to escape the pursing army. The difference between these campaigns can really be noticed in the environment. I’m sure you have played Goldeneye on N64, do you know the level “frigate”? Well, it’s a level on a ship, and everything is right. Everything is bright and pretty. Well, in Hidden & Dangerous there is a level on a battle ship, and the weather is terrible, its pouring rain, windy, the ship is on a terrible slant, is early evening, so the light is minimal, and its great!

Basically, Covert Operations Essentials is a game where players will start to train to become a true FBI soldier. What this means is that the game, which spans across two CDs, will have real footage of troops in action, weapons, tactics, and strategies used in the real field of counter-terrorism. Then, players will actually carry out such missions in real-life re-created situations using the Rogue Spear engine.

Everything that could be learned from the training missions will be carried throughout this game and tested on, including: when to use which weapon, how to travel, and when to do something and when not to.