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SCOOP! |
base, a radar station in Siberia, and a destroyed village in Afghanistan. All of the locations will be accurately modeled for weather, terrain, and building data. Bunkers, watchtowers, and sniper nests create a tight cordon around each. Add patrolling enemy APCs, tanks, helicopters, and soldiers to the mix, and you have a hot situation that requires special skills to survive. "Jones can, and will use sheer firepower to complete his goals and save his hide," says producer Eric Adams. "However, since our |
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artificial intelligence hears and sees based on their skill set, a good
portion of the game will involve stealth infiltration, hacking or sabotaging computer and security systems, saving hostages, or neutralizing nerve gas, and then getting out and calling in an airstrike." Each mission will have several goals and objectives, some of which could change depending on the situation you find yourself in. Aiding Jones in these missions will be a PDA, which provides spy plane and satellite data, including live thermal views of the surrounding area. Jones will be equipped with the latest NATO assault and sniper rifles, tear gas, grenades, and other real-world instruments of destruction. (Hard not to think of "Jones" as "Indiana Jones"; we'll start calling the character Dave. -Ed.) Additionally, he may also man the M-60 on a jeep or take over a bunker and fire its fixed guns. One unique stab at realism is the inclusion of a range finder, which also acts as a pair of power digital binoculars. "The range finder is used for gauging
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distances and calling in friendly support fire," says Wensley. "It acts as part of Dave's situational awareness support equipment; it's as valuable as any weapon. Weapons have effective ranges, after which bullets can become highly inaccurate.
IGI is a thinking man's shooter. You can't run into an area blasting away; the enemy will simply call in an APC or helicopter support and take you down. Instead,
you have to conduct surveillance first and find out where the major threats are before moving in to carry out your mission."
Innerloop is working hard to make this a realistic-feeling simulation as well as a good tactical action game. Two elements in particular stand out: the enemy Al and the physics modeling. Projectiles are modeled accurately based upon real world data. Elements such as air resistance and material density are factored into the equation. This means bullets penetrate light metal in different ways. You can shoot through a wall to kill a guard, or have a shot stopped dead. Shots ricochet accurately, meaning (in theory) that you can actually aim low on rocky terrain and hit an enemy on the bounce. Elaborate AI scripting makes some realistic situations possible. The enemy forces are comprised of more than just soldiers guarding points or patrolling. You may see guys fixing engines or sleeping. "Enemy AI is a mix of careful scripting and tactical AI responses to combat situations," says Wensley. "Our AI programmer sat down with an |
ex-SAS soldier. They spent time talking about small squad tactics and search and evade techniques, as well as how soldiers of different quality react under fire. Guards use cover in combat and will try to outflank you. If you are spotted, some guards will take anti-artillery and heavy machine guns, instead of assaulting your position. Guards are graded according to their status within the game; elite guards act differently to raw recruits and employ more effective tactics." The multiplayer component is being developed with 16-player support via LAN, TCP/IP, Mplayer, and Gamespy. Gameplay modes include deathmatch, team deathmatch, and "Spy vs. Spy." Custom mapping, and probably a custom skins feature, will also be included. Wensley sees Project IGI as akin to Delta Force 2. "Speed, tension, and excitement are our goals," he says. "IGI is about being alone behind enemy lines with very little support. This is covert ops that are blacker than midnight." --T. Liam McDonald |
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