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reckjavik — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:58:00 CST

AMD Phenom™ Processor-Based Component Information

Welcome to the AMD Phenom™ Processor-based System Component Information page. The family of AMD Phenom™ processors help ensure superior performance on today and tomorrow's software. Information in this area includes:

Recommended motherboards
Thermal Solution Guidelines
Memory Guidelines
Power Supply Guidelines
Tower Chassis Guidelines
Support Component

Because of the tight control OEM's can maintain over the configuration and power consumption of their products, AMD OEM customers can use power supplies that are not usually recommended by AMD for use with a particular processor. Any questions about power supplies used in OEM systems should be directed to the system manufacturer.

Recommended memory for your AMD Phenom™ processor-based system may be specific to the type of motherboard you plan to use. For more details, we recommend that you contact the motherboard manufacturer for the correct memory to install.

More configuration information is available from your local AMD representative.

AMD Phenom™ 9000 Series Quad-Core Processor Product Brief

INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE

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Purchase with Confidence
Founded in 1969, AMD has shipped more than 240 million PC processors worldwide. Customers can depend on AMD64 processors and AMD for compatibility and reliability. AMD processors undergo extensive testing to help ensure compatibility with Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Windows NT®, Windows 2000, as well as Linux and other PC operating systems. AMD works collaboratively with Microsoft and other ecosystem partners to achieve compatibility of AMD processors and to expand the capability of software and hardware products leveraging AMD64 technology. AMD conducts rigorous research, development, and validation to help ensure the continued integrity and performance of its products.

PC Games

reckjavik — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:33:46 CST

1.Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare

2.Crysis

3.BIOSHOCK

4.World in Conflict

Reckjavik@gmail.com
(For Helps)

World in Conflict

reckjavik — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:31:04 CST

Gameplay

An in-game screenshot showing a tactical nuclear explosion.
An in-game screenshot showing a tactical nuclear explosion.

World in Conflict does not offer base-building or resource gathering. Instead, players are given a pre-determined amount of in-game reinforcement points to buy units with. When a unit is destroyed, the points used to purchase it are slowly filtered back to the player: thus reinforcements can be summoned to the fray. This type of gameplay is similar to most real-time tactics (RTT) games, such as Ground Control—another real-time tactics game by Massive Entertainment,[7] sometimes considered World in Conflict's spiritual predecessor.

Features

Factions

World in Conflict contains three main factions: USA, Soviet Union & NATO. The three are playable on Multiplayer games. However the Soviet Union is not playable for the single-player campaign, as the campaign is centred on the USA and NATO perspective. The USA and NATO are pitted against the Soviet Union throughout the story, and in online play.

Interface
Screenshot of NATO troops and World in Conflict game interface.
Screenshot of NATO troops and World in Conflict game interface.

The game interface for World in Conflict is smaller compared with other strategy games[citation needed]. There is no framing in the game, so the interface is dramatically reduced especially at the bottom middle. The middle is replaced with a list of units, the top right hand corner is the expandable reinforcement procurement list. The bottom left hand corner is the mini map, while the bottom right hand corner is the special abilities buttons (including unit formation). Overall the smaller interface allows players to have a bigger view of the battlefield, allowing them to micromanage more easily than on other strategy games[attribution needed]. Players can also utilise a messaging system which is designed to allow conversation between individuals regardless of whether they are in the same server or playing the same game.

World in Conflict features a fully rotational 360 degree camera. The player uses the WASD keys to move the camera around the map, while clicking and holding the mouse wheel is used to look around from a fixed position, players can move the camera as far down as close to the units on the ground.

Roles

Another feature is a system where the player may choose one of four roles in battle: infantry, air, support or armor. Each role has its own exclusive units, which aren't available for purchase from other roles. The basic units of the roles can be purchased by everyone but are more expensive for players with a different role.

* Infantry - players have access to specialized infantry squads and light transport vehicles.
* Armor - light, medium, heavy grades of tanks as well as APCs and amphibious troop carriers.
* Air - consists entirely of helicopters suited for different purposes including scout, transport, medium attack helicopters and heavy attack helicopters.
* Support - players have access to repair tank, light transport (doubles as light repair vehicle), medium anti-aircraft units, heavy anti-aircraft units, medium and heavy artillery units.

Units

Units in World in Conflict have various special features. Most units have special offensive abilities which recharge after use. Examples include standard infantry with grenade launcher attack, medium tanks with fragmentation shells, heavy (main battle) tanks with HEAT shells, medium attack helicopters with anti-aircraft missiles, heavy attack helicopters with anti-tank missiles, medium artillery (mortars) with white phosphorus shells, and heavy artillery (howitzers, rocket launchers) with smoke screen shells. In addition, most units also have a defensive ability. For example, infantry are capable of sprinting, tanks can utilise smoke screens, and helicopters are equipped with countermeasures. Some defensive abilities, such as smoke screens, may be a hindrance as well as a help by allowing a unit to remain hidden but at the same time also clouding its own view.

Tactical Aids
Carpet bombing, one of the more expensive tactical Aids.
Carpet bombing, one of the more expensive tactical Aids.

World in Conflict uses a Tactical Aids system similar to that of Command & Conquer: Generals. Tactical Aids allow the player to perform special actions such as calling in airstrikes, deploying paratroopers, carpet bombing, or ordering the launch of a nuclear missile. Tactical Aids are available once the player has gained enough tactical aid points, which are accumulated through action on the battlefield, such as destroying enemy units, capturing and fortifying command points, or repairing friendly units. There are three categories of Tactical Aids: non-destructive, discriminative strikes and indiscriminate strikes. Each category contains five to seven different actions, which vary in effectiveness. The more effective the action, the more tactical aid points it costs to deploy. Most offensive Tactical Aids will affect not only enemy (and friendly) troops but also the environment; forests and buildings, which can be used as cover for infantry, may also be destroyed, and carpet bombing or nuclear explosions leave the landscape covered in craters. Other Tactical Aids include artillery barrages, additional units, and various forms of air support. In multiplayer games, teammates are able to pool their Tactical Aids points by donating them to a specific player, enabling more expensive actions to be purchased. Players may launch three of these at one single time where it is less expensive than launching one tactical aid strike at a time and waiting for it to regenerate.Modes

Single player campaign

The single player campaign, owing to inspiration from Call of Duty and Medal of Honor (see the 'Influences' section below), gives the player the role of an officer of some importance, in charge of a company, while the AI handles the remainder of action on the battlefield. This contrasts the approach of most RTS titles, in which the player is in charge of whole armies and thus responsible for most of the action on the battlefield. The player will experience many different locations from various parts of the United States then to Soviet-occupied Europe then Russia and then back to the United States for the grand finale.

The storyline ultimately forces the player to differ from the usual reinforcements seen in the skirmish mode or the multiplayer mode. The campaigns limit what the player can order and where they can deploy. The Single-player campaign is narrated by Alec Baldwin. The AI in the campaigns could be considered inferior when compared to the skirmish mode, as their locations and moves are fairly predictable. The Friendly AI also frequently gives hints and tips making the game too easy, though it may aid struggling players. The campaign can be played on Easy, Normal and Hard. At the conclusion of a campaign mission, a summary screen shows the usual performance statistics as well as any combat medals, ribbons, badges that a player has earned based on their performance.

Skirmish mode

In the skirmish mode, players can add up to 15 bots to play against. The player can choose the time limit from as short as a 5 minute round to a 40 minute round. The bots can be in various modes including:

* No Bots - Player vs Player (LAN)
* Player(s) VS Bot mode -Player(s) vs Bots
* Auto even teams mode - Teams of players and bots are even.
* Advanced mode - The Player picks how Bots will act throughout the game, how many there are, and which faction the bots are placed into.

If a player plays with a total of 4 or less players, they can select the few player mode which gives players around 18000 reinforcement points. The few player mode doesn't allow the player to select one out of the four roles (armor, air, support, infantry) but rather all of them are available and units from each role will be at the same cheap reinforcement price the player would incur if they selected that specific role in a multiplayer game. AI in the skirmish mode is quite intelligent, using different techniques for different game types and uses combined forces meaning that they use a variety of forces together, so there are little or no weaknesses. The bots are good at adaptations, and react well to changing situations on the battlefield. They are also quite good at using tactical aids and place the tactical aids well, which can aid struggling players. Bots try to obey commands given by the player by replying on screen. There are various modes of skirmish mode including Advanced mode, player vs bot mode and even balanced.

Multiplayer
A large skirmish battle.
A large skirmish battle.

Multiplayer games support up to sixteen players. Multiplayer games include 3 types of gameplay:

* Domination - Where players must control command points to win the game. As more command points are controlled by one team, the domination bar speeds up, and when all command points are controlled by one team, the domination bar speed doubles.
* Assault - Where one team is placed to defend a series of command points, and the other to assault the command points. It is separated into 2 parts, with the second part, the two teams are switched around.
* Tug of War - Teams must fight to capture a series of command points in one line (frontline), once a line is captured the frontline is pushed back towards the enemy team. This is repeated until all of the frontlines are captured, then the game ends.

The game supports clans which players can create or can be invited to. World in Conflict uses the Massgate system, which is derived from Ground Control. The game developers have further customised the system to make things easier for players. Players can search up friends and see if they are online or playing a game. This interaction is further extended to that players could join the same game their friend/s may be playing in a click of a button. Clans feature ranks of Grunts, Officers and the Clan Leader. Players can customise their online account such as changing display pictures, allowing people to view their account. Online accounts which are based upon that of Battlefield 2 feature ranks, medals and badges. Clans can also have tournaments against each other. There are various achievement records that a player can obtain by playing well. Awards show how well the player did in a match, how well the player did in that multiplayer mode etc. Rankings show how a player ranks compared to other players, while medals show the player's achievements, they are similar to awards but easier to obtain. Badges also show the player's achievements but are easier to obtain than awards and medals. They are all separated by bronze, silver and gold and honor stars counting as extra rewards. Friend lists and acquaintances are also to be included to make finding other players easier. There is also a search tool which allows players to search for clans and players. Leaderboards are also available listing the rankings of clans, players.

Ranks, Leaderboards

For a player to successfully rank up in ranks and the leaderboard position, he or she must reach a certain score and achieve a specific amount of medals and badges. This will entitle the player to rank up. As the player ranks up more, it becomes more difficult to rank as the higher a rank is, the more awards and scores a player will need to achieve. Clans will also have leaderboard positions depending on how well they do. The ranking system featured in the game is based on the US Army ranking system. There are also statistics available to be seen in-game on Massgate or on the Massgate website.

Plot

The player experiences the war through Lieutenant Parker of the United States Army. At the beginning of the game he is on leave in Seattle at the onset of a Soviet surprise invasion of the city. Through the course of the game, Parker is promoted to the rank of Captain.

The player controls Parker's role as the West engage the Soviets across several combat theaters from the west coast of the United States during the surprise invasion of Seattle to NATO's defense of Europe, particularly that of southern France. Two commanders which fight alongside Parker are - Captain Mark Bannon and Captain (later Major) James Webb. The trio are under the command of Colonel Jeremiah Sawyer who has been called out of retirement.

The game pursues a "what-if" scenario where 1989 did not signal the end of the Cold War. In the 1980's, the Soviet Union found itself unable to compete with the United States because of its bankrupt and disorganized economy. Funds for the Soviet nuclear and conventional arsenal were becoming scarce. This led to increasing cuts in the civilian sector, which created widespread famines and supply shortages. As a result, the Soviet Politburo decided to blackmail Western Europe to get the aid they needed or invade Western Europe and take it themselves.

The Western Alliance viewed the Politburo's threats as a bluff and attempt to orchestrate an end to the crisis through diplomatic channels. As the crisis continued, the Warsaw Pact increased its readiness level compelling NATO to mobilize a defense along the borders of the Iron Curtain. The Soviets eventually invaded West Germany and faced an undermatched NATO. As the battles continued, REFORGER convoys resupplied NATO troops with fresh reinforcements and weaponry. This led to a stalling of the Soviet advance.

At the time of the initial Soviet assault, Lieutenant Parker, Captain Bannon, and Colonel Sawyer were a part of the American presence in France. They were deployed to southern France after the Soviets invaded it by sea. The trio worked there alongside a French battalion leader, Commandant Jean-Baptiste Sabatier, who is initially outraged at Sawyer's decision to replace a dead French lieutenant with Parker, but later on admits that the Colonel's plans work. Under Sawyer's command, NATO forces succeed in taking an important location consisting of a village and a Soviet fire base on a hill near Marseilles, halting the Soviet advance.

As the NATO counter-offensive to throw the Soviets out of France draws near, Sawyer leads the batallion through a breach in the Soviet lines with the objective of destroying the recently-discovered Soviet command post. Parker is tasked with the crucial assault, while Sabatier is sent on a scouting and flanking maneuver to the south, with Bannon's tanks as additional security in spite of his unwillingness to stay away from the main assault force. The command post is located at a church sitting on top of a hill, and the way there passes through a village that provides the Soviets with a great defensive advantage. In spite of that, the attack succeeds, and the command post is taken before the main counter-offensive is launched. However, as soon as that objective is accomplished, the Russians counter-attack in force towards the base of the hill, and Lt. Parker is hard-pressed to defend it. Bannon, ignoring Sawyer's orders, and eager to take part in the battle, leaves Sabatier and attempts to help thwart the attack. The Russians are defeated, but without Bannon's assistance, Sabatier is surrounded in an ambush and killed. The Soviets were eventually thrown back into the Mediterranean.

Severely reprimanded by Sawyer, Bannon's guilt over his actions came to a breaking point when NATO troops infiltrated the northern Soviet Union to retrieve a crashed prototype stealth plane (which strongly resembles an actual B-2 Spirit). During the mission, an overconfident Bannon kills surrendering Soviet civilians while assisting the operation. Colonel Sawyer is infuriated at Bannon's incompetence, but decides to take care of the matter later, as they were currently conducting a critical operation in hostile territory. The task force rescues the pilots and evacuates the area, with a Soviet response force close on their heels.

It is then revealed that the film retrieved from the crashed aircraft showed several nuclear submarines tied up at a dock near Murmansk, as if they were preparing to launch an important operation. The task force is ordered to move north to the docks in an attempt to elliminate the subs and retrieve any intelligence. They face heavier resistance than expected, and Captain Bannon is unable to reach the submarine he was tasked with securing, allowing it to leave. That makes Sawyer even less fond of him. Even being behind enemy lines and facing a determined Soviet attack, the U.S.-NATO force manages to destroy two of the three submarines present and retrieve documents and sea charts that denounced a Soviet plan to hit several US East Coast targets. The task force then evacuates the area; Sawyer tells his officers that the batallion is being recalled to the US to help defend against the imminent attack. Bannon is pleased that they are going home, but Sawyer sharply reminds him that he has much to answer for when they get there.

The Soviets hit Norfolk as the plans indicated, but major damage was avoided by the early warning received by the shipyard; the Soviet submarines which conducted the operation were successfully ambushed and destroyed. A limited invasion of New York City by Soviet Spetsnaz, centered around Liberty Island, Ellis Island and Governors Island, is repelled by Colonel Sawyer and his officers returning from Europe. Notably, the commando invaders attempted to blackmail the US into withdrawing their forces supporting NATO in Europe, by mounting chemical weapons inside the Statue of Liberty and threatening to release them over Manhattan. Sawyer, when knowing of that, orders a massive air strike on Liberty Island that would destroy everything in it, including the statue. In a desperate attempt at saving it, the Colonel orders Parker and his helicopter forces, which had been assisting the Army Rangers with liberating Governor's Island, to wipe out all Soviet forces on Liberty before the planes get there. Parker manages to do so, and the airstrike is called off. With the threat to US soil apparently over, Parker is sent to Seattle on leave to see his family and Sawyer is finally able to transfer Bannon to a supply depot in the city as well. US intelligence did not know that the city was the Soviets' next target.

One week later, the USSR attacks America using disguised cargo ships to sneak by the US Pacific Fleet, quickly taking Seattle by surprise. With much of the Army in Europe fighting alongside NATO allies, the Soviet Union advances through the city and into the Cascade Mountains. Colonel Sawyer and his officers rally together to provide protection for the fleeing civilians. US forces manage to regroup and reorganize themselves in the Cascade Mountains in a desperate bid to defend Fort Teller, the headquarters of the United States' Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). The project, however, was a bluff but the threat of its existence had kept the Soviet Union from launching a nuclear strike. To keep this a secret, the defense of the facility had to be staged as if it were true. The battle would eventually draw a large bulk of the invasion force to the town of Cascade Falls where a nuclear strike was eventually ordered to destroy them. Captain Bannon volunteers to stay behind with his company to maintain the attack, drawing in more Soviet forces. Bannon and his unit sacrifice their lives to ensure that Fort Teller's secret remains safe. The US forces then mop up the remaining Russians and secure the base.

China officially enters the war on the Soviet side by sending an invasion fleet to reinforce the Soviet beachhead in Seattle. The President orders a nuclear strike on Seattle if it cannot be retaken before the fleet arrives. Colonel Sawyer orders his forces along with Parker and Webb to break through the Soviet defenses and retake Seattle at any cost. Viewing the nuclear strike on Cascade Falls as a failure on his part despite the strategic victory in preserving the secret of SDI, Sawyer's decisions push his forces nearly to the breaking point. After one final, desperate attack, Sawyer's forces manage to push deep in Seattle. However, Webb is severely wounded by a sniper's bullet meant for Sawyer, leaving only Parker to hold the city against the massive Russian counterattack. Finally, additional reinforcements arrive and Seattle is safely back in American hands. The Chinese fleet turns around as they lack the equipment to perform a full scale amphibious assault.

It is implied that the narrator is Parker (voiced by Alec Baldwin), conclusively proven at the end ("Webb pulled me aside and said, 'Parker, I think [Sawyer] may have finally taken us too far. Be careful.'"), as he recounts the war from his perspective. The game concludes with a statement that Parker may be called upon to fight later on, hinting of an expansion to World in Conflict or a sequel, as fighting continues in Europe and elsewhere.

Development

Influences

The game's designers have cited the 1984 film Red Dawn as one of their key influences [1]. The film's main premise is the invasion of America by Soviet and Central American troops. Echoes of the film can be seen in the initial paratroop landings (though in the film they happen in Colorado) and in the use of civilian transports to disguise a Soviet invasion force; again, this differs slightly from the film.

Tom Clancy's novel Red Storm Rising is likely to have some elements drawn from it; as it depicts a conventional war between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in West Germany, though much of the action takes place at sea. An added factor was that the co-author of the book, Larry Bond, was the main consultant for the World in Conflict team.

Another influence for the game, according to issue 7 of the WiC Journal, are the first-person shooter game series Call of Duty and Medal of Honor, and how the games give the player a relatively small role in a big conflict and will command small numbers of units at a time rather than whole hordes. The developers, still according to the journal, have also looked to the games Battlefield 2 and Counter-Strike: Source for inspiration. The game play is reminiscent of Conflict Zone, as the camera angles and basic troops are similar. The plot is also highly reminiscent of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, featuring a Soviet invasion of the US.
Strategic Air Command DVD by The History Channel.
Strategic Air Command DVD by The History Channel.

Acknowledgement was made in the campaign mode of the indignation many Koreans had expressed over a scene in the James Bond film Die Another Day, which features an American officer giving orders to obedient South Korean troops. Upon arriving in France, the brash American colonel assumes command of the NATO troops, presuming a MacArthur-like role, but his French equivalent is insulted, calling the colonel's attitude unprecedented. The colonel's word wins out in the end, but the Frenchman gripes about how Americans think they rule the world.

Pre-ordering

Customers who had pre-ordered World in Conflict received a Modern Marvels: The Strategic Air Command DVD by The History Channel (North America, Australia, New Zealand), a Declassified: The Rise and Fall of The Wall DVD by The History Channel (Europe only), a World in Conflict FragMat Mousepad (United States only),[8] exclusive bonus multiplayer maps for beta and demo and exclusive Massgate account privileges (securing online account, creating/joining clan etc.).[9]

Collector's edition
English Packaging of collector's edition.
English Packaging of collector's edition.

The collector's edition of World in Conflict comes in a limited edition collector's box art cloth packaging (with a Soviet flag on one side and Russian wording of "World in Conflict", and the USA Flag on the other with English "World in Conflict") and includes an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall,[10] Modern Marvels: The Berlin Wall DVD by The History Channel, Behind the Scenes DVD and World in Conflict exclusive Creative HS-390 headset (Europe Only).[11]

The collector's edition in Poland is different compared to collector's editions in other countries. It includes an exclusive World in Conflict wooden container, limited edition collector's box art packaging (Soviet or USA Flag), a full-sized flag of the USA or Soviet Union, an exclusive World in Conflict poster, a t-shirt and cap with the World in Conflict logo and decorations and a World in Conflict exclusive Trust Hs-2200 headset.[12]
Taiwanese Metallic Packaging of collector's edition.
Taiwanese Metallic Packaging of collector's edition.

The collector's edition available in Taiwan, is also different. As there was no preorder scheme put into place. It includes an exclusive flag of the Soviet Union, a Modern Marvels: Strategic Air Command DVD by the History Channel, Special translated behind the scenes DVD, Metallic packaging featuring the Soviet Flag on the front, and the USA flag on the back.[2][3]
Pre-release

Trailers
A screenshot captured from the announcement trailer.
A screenshot captured from the announcement trailer.

* Combat Briefing – Introduction by Founder & President of Massive Entertainment. Briefly shows the history background for the game. Explaining how the Berlin Wall fell, and shows some in-game features. Also talks about the design for the game.
* Announcement Trailer - Features cinematics of Soviet troops attack US troops in a shopping mall, US troops attacking Soviet forces in a suburban area, US troops holding a beach on the West Coast and Soviet troops paratrooping from a transport plane in flak filled sky into a now Seattle on the West Coast.
* CES 07 Trailer - Shows some historical footage of US-Soviet Relations, rewinds the fall of the Berlin Wall as it never happened, and shows various cinematics clips of the Soviet Invasion of Seattle and the West Coast.
* Seattle Invasion – Shows the Soviet invasion forces posing as civilian freighters invading Seattle, with a US counter-attack at Burger King.
* NATO trailer – Shows combat footage of NATO forces in the European Theater.
* Ruling the World – Shows combat footage between NATO forces and Warsaw Pact. Also combined with "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears as background music.
* Looking for Survivors – An army lieutenant and a nurse go on a search and rescue mission in the West Coast village of Pine Valley. The trailer shows flashback battle sequences and, through dialogue between the nurse and lieutenant confirms that cities and towns all over the West Coast have been destroyed.
* US Town - Dialogue between US troops confirming that Soviet troops have entered Parker's Creek, US troops then try to take back the town but are beaten back. US troops then call in various forms of air support and obliterate the town.
* US Airbase – Shows a Soviet tactical nuclear missile annihilating a US airbase in the desert.
* Counterattack - Shows Soviet forces reinforcing the now destroyed town of Parker's Creek, and US forces initiating an attack from a church opposite the town. Featuring lots of in-game footage with various units from both sides.
* Magnum P.I. – Shows the characters of the single player campaign.
* Destruction Blues – Shows the tactical aids of the game.
* Exclusive GC 2007 New York Counterattack trailer – Shows US forces counter-attack in New York City with "Shadow on the Sun" by Audioslave as background music. Shows the first wave of U.S. Marines trying to retake Governors Island
* The Preacher - Shows a performer making a partisan broadcast for the radio channel Radio Free Seattle. Colonel Sawyer then disconnects the radio nearby and slams it on a diner counter.
* Washington D.C. (Unreleased. Available only on the bonus Collector's Edition DVD) - Shows a fighter pilot tracking a truck along a major highway in the Washington area. The truck actually contains a nuclear device that explodes just as the pilot confirms it as his objective. A brief scene of the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument being destroyed in the resulting shock wave is shown from the perspective of the Marine Corps War Memorial.

Betas, demos and trials

Massive released a closed beta during May and June 2007 featuring multiplayer games.

During July, an open beta was released which featured a tutorial and the "Domination" & "Assault" modes of multiplayer. It started on July 11, 2007 ended on August 1.[13]

A PC demo was released on August 24, 2007, featuring a tutorial, a single player campaign mission and "Domination" mode of multiplayer on the map "Seaside" and one skirmish map (also seaside) playing with bots.[14]

A full multiplayer trial was released on Fileplanet during November, it was available to everyone and features the full multiplayer version of the game. The trial ended on the last day of November.

Early release

Despite some U.S. retailers having sold copies of the game a full week prior to its release, the September 18th release date remained unchanged. Those who acquired software packages prior to the official release date were confined to the single-player aspect, as any attempt to log into Massive's multiplayer servers results in a message stating that the online service, Massgate, would not be open until September 18th.

Reception

Critic reviews

* Eurogamer.net: 9/10[15]
* Game Informer: 9.25 out of 10[16]
* Gamespot: 9.5/10 "Editor's Choice"[17]
* IGN: Overall 9.3/10, IGN.com Editors' Choice Award[18]
* JustPressPlay.net: 9 out of 10[19]
* PC Gamer UK: 8.8 out of 10[20]
* PC Powerplay AU: 9/10 Editors Choice
* Gamerankings.com: Average critic score 89%[21]
* Metacritic: 89 out of 100 ("Generally favourable reviews")[22]
* PC Gamer US: 93% out of 100% Editors Choice
* PCZONE UK: 92/100, PCZONE Classic Award[23]
* Press Start Online: Silver Award[24]

Other

World in Conflict was also noted as:

* Gamespy's Game Of The Month (September) 1st Runner Up [4]
* Good Game Review: 9/10
* British Academy of Film and Television Arts Video Games Awards 2007 Multiplayer Game Nominee

E3 Awards

Prior to its initial release in September, World in Conflict has received several awards from its E3 presentation in 2007.

* IGN: Best PC Strategy Game, Best Strategy Game (All Platforms), Best Of E3 2007[25][26]
* Gamespot: Best Strategy Game Of E3, E3'07 Editors Choice Award[27]
* GameTrailers.com: Best Strategy Game Of E3[28]
* Game Critics: E3 2007 Best Strategy Game, The Best Of E3 07 Winner[29]

System Requirements

OS: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista.
CPU: 2.0GHz Or Higher, 2.2GHz For Vista, if dual-core: Any Intel or AMD
RAM: 512MB, 1GB for Vista.
Disc drive: DVD-drive
Hard drive: 8GB or more.
Video: 128MB video RAM Direct X 9.0c Compatible. Note: ATI Radeon 8500, 9200 & Nvidia GeForce 4 MX Not Supported.
Sound: Direct X 9.0c Compatible.
Multiplayer: Cable, DSL or Better.

Download now

BIOSHOCK

reckjavik — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:20:59 CST

Gameplay

BioShock is a first-person shooter with role-playing game customization elements, and is similar to System Shock 2. Early indication of the style of gameplay and some of the artificial intelligence (AI) was revealed by a 14-minute video released on September 20, 2006.[19]
The hacking minigame in BioShock, which requires the player to construct a complete pipe system between two points while avoiding obstacles.
The hacking minigame in BioShock, which requires the player to construct a complete pipe system between two points while avoiding obstacles.

The player takes the role of Jack, who aims to fight his way through Rapture, using weapons and plasmids that give him special powers such as telekinesis or the ability to electrify foes. Security cameras and foes can be evaded by stealth; alternatively, security cameras and turrets can be destroyed using weapons, or hacked to use them to the player's advantage.[20] Hacking, which is based on the Pipe Dream game concept, can also be used on health dispensers and vending machines to gain extra benefits, and on locks and safes to gain access to the secured contents.[21]

The main resources in the game are ADAM, EVE, and money. ADAM is a mutagen, which allows genetic changes. Quantities of ADAM can be used to purchase plasmids, EVE, and other genetic mutations at special "Gatherers Gardens" vending machines throughout the game. ADAM can be obtained in several ways, most prominently the harvesting of "Little Sisters" after defeating their bodyguards, the "Big Daddies," who are large, heavily armored, genetically enhanced humans wearing diving suits. EVE acts as fuel for "active plasmids" in a manner similar to magic points in other games, while money allows the purchase of items and ammunition, as well as paying to override security elements, such as bots or turrets.[22]

It is here that morality is implemented as an aspect of the gameplay; the player can chose to either rescue the Little Sisters, or harvest their ADAM. While both choices have their advantages, this element of conflicting morals has an impact on the storyline, and, among other things, on the difficulty of the game itself.[23]

To adapt and advance the character, the player can purchase plasmids, using ADAM. These are grouped under the Combat, Engineering, Active, and Physical technology trees. The "Active" plasmids are abilities that function as alternate weapons; they are powered by EVE, and require activation by the player. The other classes of plasmids, referred to as "Tonics," are passive abilities that work as long as they are selected as equipment ("equipped").[24]

Plasmids are versatile, and can be used by the player both in concert with each other and with the environment to create numerous effects. For example, "telekinesis" can be used on all loose objects: the player can catch and redirect grenades or rockets, hold large objects to form impromptu shields, or use those same objects as projectiles. Other types of plasmids have different practical uses; for instance, using an "electro-bolt" on a body of water electrifies not only the water, but also any beings and machines within it. An element of choice is present: since not all plasmids can be equipped at once, the player must decide which plasmids to use, and which to place in storage.[25]
A Big Daddy defends a Little Sister from two Splicers, while the player watches.
A Big Daddy defends a Little Sister from two Splicers, while the player watches.

Most plasmids alter the character's appearance, in keeping with the theme of "sacrificing one's humanity," referenced by Ryan in one of the game's trailers.[26] For instance, the incinerate plasmid causes the character's hand to glow red, take on a charred appearance, and radiate flames from the fingers. However, selecting a weapon will cause these changes to revert back to normal, suggesting that any physical changes conferred are temporary. Higher levels of the same plasmid will cause more extreme changes; for example, the highest level of incinerate causes a heavier glow, more severe charring, and more prominent flames. In all, there are over 70 unique plasmids and tonics varieties.

Via single-use weapon-upgrade kiosks called "Power to the People" machines, the player can customize weapons to hold larger magazines, consume ammunition at a slower rate, or cause more damage. Each weapon has a selection of three different types of ammunition: normal, anti-personnel, and armor-piercing bullets are available for the weapons found early in the game; later weapons such as the crossbow have more diverse types of ammunition.[27] There is also a "research camera" in the game that analyzes enemies. After taking enough pictures of any given enemy, the player is granted increased damage, plasmids, and other bonuses when facing that type of enemy in future battles. The quality of the photograph can speed the rate at which these advantages are rewarded.[28]

The player can also access several types of vending machines: the "U-Invent," which combines retrievable spare parts into ammunition, tools, etc.; "The Circus of Values" vending machine sells everything from cakes to first aid kits to EVE hypos; the "El Ammo Bandito!", a machine that vends both normal and specialty ammunition; and other more specialized machines, such as health stations. Most vending machine varieties can be hacked, allowing the player to buy "hack-only" items, and reducing the cost of the previously available merchandise.[29] Glass-walled "Vita-Chambers" can also be found throughout the game, which the player does not use directly. Instead, should the player die, their body is reconstituted at the nearest one, retaining all of their possessions, but only a portion of their full health.[30]

Plot summary

Setting
I am Andrew Ryan and I am here to ask you a question:
Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his own brow?

No, says the man in Washington. It belongs to the poor.
No, says the man in the Vatican. It belongs to God.
No, says the man in Moscow. It belongs to everyone.

I rejected those answers. Instead, I chose something
different. I chose the impossible. I chose...
Rapture.

—Andrew Ryan: ruler of the city of Rapture in the game

BioShock is set during 1960, in Rapture, a fictional underwater dystopian city.[25] The history of Rapture is learned by the player through audio recordings as they explore the city. Secretly built in 1946 on the mid-Atlantic seabed, Rapture was entirely self-sufficient and powered by submarine volcanoes. Constructed by business magnate Andrew Ryan (voice by Armin Shimerman), Rapture was envisioned as the solution to what he saw as increasingly oppressive political and religious authority. The city was populated by those whom Ryan believed exemplified the best in humanity. It was revealed in an audio log that Ryan wanted Rapture to become an "Eden," a concept furthered by the resources ADAM and EVE, which are named after the biblical inhabitants of Eden. During the early 1950s, Rapture's population peaked at several thousand, though an elite emerged, discomforting many of the inhabitants.[31]

The development of ADAM—stem cells created from a species of sea slug—by Dr. Bridgette Tennenbaum further upset the social balance. ADAM's prevalence greatly accelerated genetic engineering research, creating a plasmid industry that sold everything from a cure for male pattern baldness to skills like telekinesis, with non-passive types like the latter requiring a serum, EVE. In order to improve ADAM yields, Rapture scientists created the "Little Sisters," young girls, each with a slug embedded in their body. Although initially just ADAM "factories," during the war which later broke out, they were repurposed via mental conditioning to extract ADAM from the dead, and process it within themselves.[32] At the same time, the scientists created "Big Daddies," (voiced by voice actor Stephen Stanton) armed and highly enhanced humans in diving suits—to defend the Little Sisters as they worked.[25]

For several years, Rapture was what Ryan originally intended it to be: a paradise of freedom and wealth. But ultimately, the very reason it was created—Ryan's hatred of authority—caused the city's downfall, and the ideals Ryan had envisaged to be corrupted and lost. To keep his utopia a secret, Ryan passed a single law: contact with the surface was prohibited; this turned out to be one too many. The edict made smuggling profitable, resulting in the formation of a small black market. This market came to be dominated by a man with just as much determination as Ryan: former mobster Frank Fontaine. Unlike Ryan, however, Fontaine wanted control. His wealth, combined with his monopoly on Tennenbaum's research, soon gained Fontaine enough power and followers to challenge Ryan for control of the city.

In late 1958, Ryan lost patience with the conflict, and apparently had Fontaine killed—an action that proved useless, as another figure, Atlas, took Fontaine's place as the leader of the opposition. On New Year's Eve that year, Atlas and his ADAM-augmented followers fomented a riot involving the lower and upper classes.[33] This sparked a civil war between Ryan and Atlas that eventually spread to all of Rapture, crippling the city. As the war progressed, Ryan began to betray his ideals. The former advocate of reason and self-determination began using torture and mind control in his battle with Atlas. Eventually, he became so unreasonable that a number of his supporters attempted to assassinate him. By the time the player enters Rapture, only the "Splicers"—citizens with severe mental and physical problems caused by excessive ADAM use—are left, scavenging throughout the city. The remaining non-mutated humans have managed to barricade themselves in the few remaining undamaged areas.[34]

Story

The underwater city of Rapture
The underwater city of Rapture

At the start of the game, Jack (the character controlled by the player) is a passenger on a plane that crashes over the Atlantic Ocean in 1960,[35] after ordered society in Rapture has collapsed.[36] After surfacing, Jack swims to a nearby lighthouse, where he finds a bathysphere in which he descends into the ocean and enters the failed "paradise" of Rapture.[37] Atlas assists Jack via radio in making his way to safety, while Ryan, believing Jack to be a government agent, uses Rapture's automated systems and his pheromone-controlled Splicers against him. Atlas tells Jack that the only way he can survive is to use the abilities granted by plasmids, and that he must kill the Little Sisters to extract their ADAM. Overhearing Atlas' words, Dr. Tennenbaum intercepts Jack, and urges him to save the Little Sisters instead. She gives him the means to kill only the embedded slugs while leaving the girls alive and promises to repay him if he does as she asks.[32] As Jack works his way through the city, he learns about Rapture's fate and history through audio logs, genetically-induced ghostly playbacks of past events, and radio messages. Atlas says his wife and child have been hiding on a submarine, and just as Jack and Atlas reach the bay where it is located, Ryan has it detonated; an enraged Atlas tells Jack that Ryan must die.

Jack makes his way to Ryan, who offers no resistance to Jack's efforts, but instead reveals why Jack has come to Rapture: Jack was actually born in Rapture two years ago, genetically modified to mature rapidly; he is Ryan's illegitimate son as a result of an affair with Jasmine Jolene, an exotic dancer.[33] Ryan further informs Jack that he was designed to obey orders when given the specific phrase "Would you kindly" then followed by the order, then sent to the surface when the war started to put him beyond Ryan's reach. When the conflict between Atlas and Ryan reached a stalemate, Jack was sent instructions with the result that he boarded the flight with a package. At a pre-appointed time he opened the package to discover a gun and instructions to hijack and crash the plane next to the lighthouse, enabling him to return to Rapture - as the cat's-paw of Atlas. Ryan calmly demonstrates Jack's lack of free will by using the trigger phrase, "Would you kindly...", which Jack then realizes Atlas has been using since his arrival. Ryan then orders Jack to kill him, so as to die on his own terms. Atlas, in complete control of the city as a result of Ryan's death, reveals himself to be Fontaine. With Ryan dead, Fontaine no longer needs Jack, and leaves him at the mercy of the reactivated security systems. However, Dr. Tennenbaum and her Little Sisters help Jack escape through the vent system, where he falls and loses consciousness.

When Jack awakes, Dr. Tennenbaum has already deactivated some of his conditioned responses and assists him in breaking the remaining ones, among them one that would have eventually stopped his heart. During their subsequent pursuit of Fontaine, the doctor predicts that the only way to get through the last few obstacles would be to assemble a Big Daddy bodysuit, and follow the rescued Little Sisters through the passageways that only they can open. By the time Jack reaches him, Fontaine has injected himself with vast amounts of ADAM, becoming an inhuman monster. Jack and the Little Sisters are eventually able to subdue Fontaine, when the Little Sisters swarm over Fontaine and stab him to death with their ADAM needles. Here the game ends.

Two endings are possible depending on how the player interacted with the Little Sisters, both narrated by Dr. Tennenbaum. If the player only rescued the Little Sisters (therefore saving their lives), the ending shows the rescued Little Sisters returning to the surface and living full lives under Jack's care, including them graduating college and getting married; it ends on a heart-warming tone, with an elderly Jack surrounded on his deathbed by all of the adult Little Sisters. If the player harvested (and therefore killed) any of the Little Sisters, the game ends with Jack turning on the Sisters after defeating Fontaine, presumably killing them all and taking their ADAM. Tennenbaum's voice narrates what occurred, condemning Jack and his actions. Later in the second ending, a ballistic missile submarine comes across the wreckage of the plane and is surrounded by bathyspheres containing Splicers. The Splicers kill all hands aboard the submarine and take control of it.[38] If the player harvested all of the Little Sisters, the player is shown the same movie as the second ending, though the tone of Tennenbaum's voice is angrier.[39]

Development

Official System Requirements[40] Minimum Recommended
Windows
Operating System Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista
CPU Pentium 4 2.4 GHz (single core) Intel Core 2 Duo Or AMD Athlon 64 X2
Memory 1 GB 2 GB
Hard Drive Space 8 GB of free space
Graphics Hardware DirectX 9.0c compliant card with 128 MB RAM (NVIDIA 6600/ATI X1300 or better, excluding ATI X1550), Must support Pixel Shader 3.0 DirectX 9.0c compliant card with 512 MB RAM (NVIDIA 7900GT or better) or DirectX 10 compliant card (NVIDIA 8600 or better)
Sound Hardware 100% DirectX 9.0c compliant card Sound Blaster X-Fi (Optimized for EAX ADVANCED HD 4.0/5.0 compatible cards)
Network Internet connection required for activation

Original story

Originally, BioShock had a storyline which was significantly different to that of the released version: the main character was a "cult deprogrammer"—a person charged with rescuing someone from a cult, and mentally and psychologically readjusting that person to a normal life.[41] For example, Ken Levine cites an example of what a cult deprogrammer does where "[There are] people who hired people to [for example] deprogram their daughter who had been in a lesbian relationship. They kidnap her and reprogram her, and it was a really dark person, and that was the [kind of] character that you were."[33] This story would have been more political in nature, with the character hired by a Senator.[33] While the gameplay with this story was similar to what resulted in the released version of the game, the story underwent changes, consistent with what Levine says was then-Irrational Games's guiding principle of putting game design first.[41]

Levine also noted that "it was never my intention to do two endings for the game. It sort of came very late and it was something that was requested by somebody up the food chain from me."[42]

Influences

In response to an interview question from the gaming website IGN about what influenced the game's story and setting, Levine said, "I have my useless liberal arts degree, so I've read stuff from Ayn Rand and George Orwell, and all the sort of utopian and dystopian writings of the 20th century, which I've found really fascinating."[43] Levine has also mentioned an interest in "stem cell research and the moral issues that go around [it]."[43]

In regards to artistic influences, Levine told Electronic Gaming Monthly, "As a kid, I was obsessed with 1984 and Logan's Run. I love exploring what happens when good ideas fall apart."[citation needed]

Similarities to System Shock series

According to the developers, BioShock is a spiritual successor to the System Shock games, and was produced by former developers of that series. Levine claims his team had been thinking about making another game in the same vein since they produced System Shock 2.[44] In his narration of a video initially screened for the press at E3 2006, Levine pointed out many similarities between the games.[45] There are several comparable gameplay elements: plasmids in Bioshock serve the same function as "Psionic Abilities" in System Shock 2; the player needs to deal with security cameras, turrets, and drones, and has the ability to hack them; ammunition conservation is stressed as "a key gameplay feature"; and audio recordings fulfill the same storytelling role that e-mail logs did in the System Shock games.[45] The "ghosts" (phantom images that replay tragic incidents in the places they occurred) from System Shock 2 also exist in BioShock,[46] as do modifiable weapons with multiple ammunition types. Additionally, Atlas guides the player along by radio, in much the same way Janice Polito does in System Shock 2, with each having a similar twist mid-game. Both games also give the player more than one method of completing tasks, allowing for emergent gameplay.[47]

Game engine

BioShock was initially developed using an enhanced Tribes: Vengeance game engine, the highly modified version of the Unreal Engine 2.5 technology used by other previous Irrational titles including SWAT 4, and SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate. In an interview at E3 in May 2006, Levine announced a switch to a modified Unreal Engine 3.0. Levine emphasized the enhanced water effects, which he claimed would be very impressive: "We've hired a water programmer and water artist, just for this game, and they're kicking ass and you've never seen water like this."[48] This graphical enhancement has been lauded by critics, with GameSpot saying, "Whether it's standing water on the floor or sea water rushing in after an explosion, it will blow you away every time you see it."[49] The Windows version of BioShock can utilize Direct3D 10 (DirectX 10) features and content if the system meets the hardware and software requirements,[50] but it will also run on DirectX 9, if these requirements are not met, or if the video options are changed;[51] there is little differences between the modes in image quality from the player's perspective.[52]

While rumors based on the discovery of text referencing the PlayStation 3 (PS3) in the PC demo's configuration files suggested that there might be a PlayStation 3 version of BioShock, Ken Levine has denied that there is any PS3 version in development. The demo is reportedly from an older build of the game developed before an exclusive deal signed with Microsoft limited the title to Windows and the Xbox 360.[53]

Simultaneous threading

Chris Kline, lead programmer of Bioshock from Irrational Games, deemed Bioshock as "heavily multithreaded" as it has the following elements running separately:[54]

* Simulation Update (1 thread)
* UI update (1 thread)
* Rendering (1 thread)
* Physics (3 threads on Xenon, 1 to TBD on PC)
* Audio state update (1 thread)
* Audio processing (1 thread)
* Texture streaming (1 thread)
* File streaming (1 thread)

BioShock also uses Havok Physics,[50] an engine that allows for an enhancement of in-game physics, and the integration of ragdoll physics, and allows for more lifelike movement by elements of the environment.

Demo

A demo was released on Xbox Live Marketplace on August 12, 2007,[55] and the PC demo was officially released on August 20, 2007, and announced during Larry Hryb's (Major Nelson) interview with Ken Levine on his podcast.[56] The demo contains the first 45 minutes of the game and includes a cinematic opening sequence that established the setting and initial plot lines, and the tutorial phase of the game.[25] The demo also contained some differences from the release version such as an extra plasmid and weapons, alongside an earlier security system presence. These were introduced to give players access to several features of the full game. In nine days, the BioShock demo outperformed every other demo release on Xbox Live and became the fastest demo to reach one million downloads.[57]

Updates

On September 6, 2007, the Xbox 360 version of BioShock received an update that "Improves general game stability, especially when loading autosaves. It also tweaks the way enemies use health stations and fixes a slight audio glitch during menu loading."[58] Users were prompted to download the automatic update when they next started the game. The update, has however, been criticized for introducing several problems to the game, including occasional freezes, bad framerates, and even audio-related issues. The problem seems to be with the game's caching, and can be corrected by the user.[59][60]

On December 4, 2007, a patch for the Windows version, and a title update and free downloadable content for the Xbox 360 version were released. In addition to correcting bugs in the software, the patch/new content introduces a horizontal field-of-view option, new Plasmids, an option to disable Vita Chambers, and an additional achievement in the Xbox 360 version for completing the game without using any Vita Chambers on Hard mode ("Brass Balls," 100 points). Vita Chambers need not be disabled to earn the achievement, and quick saves can still be used.[61]

Reception
Reviews Publication Score
Xbox 360
1UP.com 10/10[62]
Electronic Gaming Monthly 10/10[63]
Eurogamer 10/10[64]
GameSpot 9/10[65]
Game Informer 10/10[66]
GameTrailers 9.5/10[67]
IGN 9.7/10[34]
Official Xbox Magazine 10/10[68]
Windows
PC Gamer UK 95/100[69]
PC Zone 96/100[70]
Compilation review site Aggregate score
Game Rankings Xbox 360: 95% (76 reviews)[13]
PC: 95% (35 reviews)[14]
Metacritic Xbox 360: 96/100 (70 reviews)[71]
PC: 96/100 (38 reviews)[72]

Awards

At E3 2006, BioShock was given several "Game of the Show" awards from various online gaming sites, including GameSpot,[73] IGN,[74] GameSpy[75] and GameTrailers's Trailer of the Year.[citation needed] BioShock received an award for Best Xbox 360 Game at the 2007 Leipzig Games Convention.[76]

2K Games stated that, as of September 10, 2007, over 1.5 million copies of BioShock have shipped since its release.[77] The Wall Street Journal reported that shares in Take-Two "soared nearly 20%" in the week following overwhelmingly favorable early reviews of the game.[78] In addition, BioShock won the 2007 BAFTA "Best Game" award.[79]

The 2007 Spike TV Awards selected BioShock as Best Game, Best Xbox 360 Game, and Best Original Score, and nominated it for four awards: Best Shooter, Best Graphics, Best PC Game, Best Soundtrack.[80][81] The GameStooge Awards gave it 12 nominations, including Best PC Game, Best Xbox 360 Game, Best Shooter, Best Graphics - Artistic, Best Graphics - Technical, Best Music Score - Adapted, Best Sound, Best Voice Acting - Cast, Best Voice Acting - Performer (Armin Shimmerman), Best Writing, Best Plot Twist, and Best Breakout Character (Big Daddy), with the winners to be announced on January 1, 2008.[82] X-Play also selected it as Game of the Year,Best Original Soundtrack,Best Writing/Story, and Best Art Direction.[83][84][85][86]

Also, at the IGN "Best of 2007" Awards, BioShock was nominated for Game of The Year 2007, and won the award for Best Graphics Technology, Best Artistic Design, and Best Use of Sound in the Xbox 360 category.

Reviews

BioShock has received wide critical acclaim:[71][72] mainstream press reviews have praised the immersive qualities of the game and its political dimension. The Boston Globe described it as "a beautiful, brutal, and disquieting computer game...one of the best in years,"[15] and compared the game to Whittaker Chambers's 1957 riposte to Atlas Shrugged, Big Sister Is Watching You. Wired also mentioned the Ayn Rand connection in a report on the game which featured a brief interview with Levine.[87] The Chicago Sun-Times review said "I never once thought anyone would be able to create an engaging and entertaining video game around the fiction and philosophy of Ayn Rand, but that is essentially what 2K Games has done...the rare, mature video game that succeeds in making you think while you play."

The Los Angeles Times review concluded, "Sure, it's fun to play, looks spectacular and is easy to control. But it also does something no other game has done to date: It really makes you feel."[citation needed] The New York Times reviewer described it as: "intelligent, gorgeous, occasionally frightening" and added, "Anchored by its provocative, morality-based story line, sumptuous art direction and superb voice acting, BioShock can also hold its head high among the best games ever made."[88]

At Game Rankings, BioShock holds an average review score of 95.5% for the Xbox 360, making it the second highest rated Xbox 360 game released to date, after The Orange Box.[89] In the PC ratings it achieved 95.3% , making it the third highest rated PC game released to date, behind Half-Life 2 and The Orange Box and the eleventh highest ranked PC game of all time.[90] GameSpy praised BioShock's "inescapable atmosphere,"[91] and Official Xbox Magazine lauded its "inconceivably great plot" and "stunning soundtrack and audio effects."[68] The gameplay and combat system have been praised for being smooth and open-ended,[66][34] and elements of the graphics, such as the water, were praised for their quality.[32] It has been noted that the combination of the game's elements "straddles so many entertainment art forms so expertly that it's the best demonstration yet how flexible this medium can be. It's no longer just another shooter wrapped up in a pretty game engine, but a story that exists and unfolds inside the most convincing and elaborate and artistic game world ever conceived."[64]

Reviewers did highlight a few negative issues in BioShock, however. The recovery system involving "Vita-Chambers," which revive a defeated player at half-life, but do not alter the enemies' health, makes it possible to wear down enemies through sheer perseverance, and was criticised as one of the biggest flaws in the gameplay.[92] IGN noted that both the controls and graphics of the Xbox 360 version are inferior to those of the PC version, in that switching between weapons or plasmids is easier using the PC's mouse than the 360's radial menu, as well as the graphics being slightly better with higher resolutions.[34] The game has been touted as a hybrid first person shooter role-playing game, butone or two reviewers found advances from comparable games lacking, both in the protagonist and in the challenges he faces.[93][94] Press Start Online stated that BioShock "really could have been so much more, and it’s almost nostalgic to look back on those opening hours and think of what could have been."[95]

Sequels

In response to the game's high sales, Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick revealed in a conference call to analysts that the company now considered the game as part of a franchise.[16] He also speculated on any follow-ups mimicking the development cycle of Grand Theft Auto, with a new release expected every two to three years.[96] No sequels have yet been announced, and none of the developers of BioShock have commented on the possibility of sequels.[97] However, industry rumors suggest that a prequel set during the fall of Rapture is in development for a 2009 release.[98] Additionally, similar industry rumors suggest a film adaptation of the game will also be made, utilizing similar green screen filming techniques as in the movie 300 to recreate the environments of Rapture.[99]

Criticism and technical issues
Overlay of two screenshots, one taken using widescreen settings, and one taken using standard 4:3 settings, demonstrating the differences in the field of view. The red tinted areas are those present in the standard image only.
Overlay of two screenshots, one taken using widescreen settings, and one taken using standard 4:3 settings, demonstrating the differences in the field of view. The red tinted areas are those present in the standard image only.

Since BioShock was released, several issues have been found, with most uncovered in the Windows version.[100] In both the BioShock demo and release version, it was observed that the field of view (FOV) used in widescreen was set such that it appeared that there was less visible in the display compared to the 4:3 format,[101] conflicting with original reports from a developer on how widescreen would have been handled.[102] This was a design decision made during development.[103][104] In patch 1.1, released on December 4, 2007, the "Horizontal FOV Lock" option was added to the Options menu.[105]

BioShock for Windows (both the retail version and that available through Steam) utilizes SecuROM copy protection[106] software, and requires internet activation to complete installation. This was reportedly responsible for the cancellation of a midnight release in Australia on August 23, 2007, due to 2K Games servers being unavailable, as the game would be unplayable until they were back online.[107] Through SecuROM, users were originally limited to two activations of the game. Users found that even if they uninstalled the game prior to reinstallation, they were still required to call SecuROM to re-activate the game. The issue was worsened by the fact that the incorrect telephone number had been included in the printed manual, as well as essentially forcing customers outside the United States to make expensive international calls to the US. In response, 2K Games and SecuROM increased the number of activations to five before requiring the user to call again. However, as no information had been provided by 2K on the existence of these measures prior to the game going on sale—or on the retail box of the game itself—many remain dissatisfied. Users also found that it was necessary to activate the game for each user on the same machine, which was criticized by some as an attempt to limit customers' fair use rights.[108][109] 2k Games has denied that this was the intent of the limitation.[110]

Two months after the initial release, 2K attempted to alleviate customer complaints by developing a special pre-uninstallation utility to refund activation slots to the user.[111] This tool however does not address situations where the game has been installed on a PC which uses more than one user account as it only works once per PC (unlike activations which are counted per user-account), nor is it able to revoke an activation if the installation has become unusable, for example by hard disk failure, effectively rendering such activations permanently lost. 2K Games has specifically mentioned each of these issues in the revoke tool FAQ,[111] and have stated that until software solutions are found for such situations they will handle any further requests for additional activations past the 5-activation limit on a case-by-case basis.[112]

Alerts from virus scanners and malware detectors, which can be triggered by SecuROM software, led to some debate about whether a rootkit was being installed; this was denied by 2K Games.[113][114][115] However, an uninstallation of BioShock does not remove the files installed by SecuROM or the registry keys used, and some of these files are impossible to delete in the standard way.[116][117]

BioShock was also criticized for not supporting Pixel shader 2.0b video cards (such as the Radeon X800/X850), which were considered high-end graphics cards in 2004–2005, and accounted for about 24% of surveyed hardware collected through Valve's Steam platform at the time of BioShock's release. User efforts to create a Pixel shader 2.0-compatible version of the software have met with some success,[118] but 2K Games has issued no statements regarding possible Pixel shader 2.0 support being added by an official patch.[119]

Versions and merchandise

Limited Collector’s edition

Following the creation of a fan petition for a special edition, Take-Two stated that they would publish a special edition of BioShock only if the petition received 5,000 signatures;[120] this number of signatures was reached after just five hours.[121] Subsequently, a poll was posted on the Cult of Rapture community website (operated by 2K Games) in which visitors could vote on what features they would most like to see in a special edition; the company stated that developers would take this poll into serious consideration.[122] To determine what artwork would be used for the Limited Edition cover, 2K games ran a contest, with the winning entry provided by Adam Meyer.[123]

On April 23, 2007, the Cult of Rapture website confirmed that the Limited Collector's Edition would be sold solely within the United States and Canada and exclusively from EB Games and GameStop stores,[124] and that would include a 6-inch Big Daddy figurine (many of which were damaged; a replacement initiative is in place), a "Making Of" DVD, and a soundtrack CD. Before the special edition was released, the proposed soundtrack CD was replaced with The Rapture EP.[125]

Art book

BioShock: Breaking the Mold, a book containing artwork from the game, was released by 2K Games on August 13, 2007. It is available in both low and high resolution, in PDF format from 2K Games's official website.[126][127] Until October 1, 2007, 2K Games was sending a printed version of the book to the owners of the collector's edition whose Big Daddy figurines had been broken, as compensation for the time it took to replace them.[128]

Soundtrack

2K Games released an orchestral score soundtrack on their official homepage on August 24, 2007. Available in MP3 format, the score—composed by Garry Schyman—contains 12 of the 22 tracks from the game.[129] The Limited Edition version of the game came with the The Rapture EP remixes by Moby and Oscar The Punk.[130] The three remixed tracks on the CD include "Beyond the Sea," "God Bless the Child" and "Wild Little Sisters"; the original recordings of these songs are in the game.

In BioShock, the player encounters phonographs that play music from the 1940s and 1950s as background music. The following is a list of all 30 licensed music tracks that can be heard during the game:[131]

Tracks

* 20th Century Blues - Noel Coward
* Academy Award - Stanley Black
* Avalon - Django Reinhardt
* Bei Mir Bist Du Shein - The Andrews Sisters
* The Best Things in Life Are Free - The Ink Spots
* Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin
* Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? - Bing Crosby
* Danny Boy - Mario Lanza
* God Bless The Child - Billie Holiday
* (How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window? - Patti Page
* If I Didn't Care - The Ink Spots
* It Had to Be You - Django Reinhardt
* It's Bad for Me - Rosemary Clooney
* Jitterbug Waltz - Fats Waller
* Just One Of Those Things - Lee Morgan

* Just Walking In The Rain - Johnnie Ray
* La Mer (Beyond the Sea Instrumental) - Django Reinhardt
* Let's Fly Away - Lee Wiley
* Liza - Django Reinhardt
* Night and Day - Billie Holiday
* Papa Loves Mambo - Perry Como
* Please Be Kind - Django Reinhardt
* The Party's Over Now - Noel Coward
* Waltz of the Flowers - Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky
* This is a Changing World - Noel Coward
* Wild Ride - Faux Frenchmen
* World Weary - Noel Coward
* Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams - Bing Crosby
* You're getting to be a Habit - Harry Edison/Bing Crosby
* You're the Top - Cole Porter[131]

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Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare

reckjavik — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:21:48 CST

Gameplay

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare introduces a variety of game play styles into the single player campaign completely new to the Call of Duty series. The game moves away from the standard three country-specific campaign style, and allows the plot to play through more like a film style plot with interlaced story lines from the perspective of the player as Paul Jackson, a member of the United States Marine Corps 1st Force Recon and "Soap" MacTavish, a member of the British 22nd SAS Regiment. There is also a variety of cameo-style missions where you play as various other soldiers such as an AC-130 Spectre Gunship gunner, or as one part of a two-man sniper team behind enemy lines in a flashback-style mission.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare focuses on the variation of modern warfare as an infantry soldier by allowing the player to control soldiers in a vast number of different scenarios, straying away from the constant straightforward action of previous Call of Duty titles and allowing for both heavy intensity fire fights and slower paced drama styled intensity. The series' move to modern warfare has also introduced a variety of new modern weapons and technology to be introduced to the Call of Duty franchise. Such showcased weapons and attachments include M203 grenade launchers, and the

AN/PEQ-2 Target Pointer for use in conjunction with night vision goggles, MP5SD submachine guns, the M4A1 Grenadier, and the FGM-148 Javelin portable anti-tank guided missile among many others.

Plot

"Soap" meeting Captain Price early in the game.
"Soap" meeting Captain Price early in the game.

The story is told from a perspective of a British 22nd Special Air Service Regiment operative in Russia and an American 1st Force Recon operative in the Middle East. The game also features a flashback mission set 15 years ago in Pripyat, Ukraine, an abandoned city within the Chernobyl Zone of Alienation, which features a younger incarnation of Captain Price from 22nd SAS Regiment, the only character to appear in both of the first two games of the Call of Duty series.

Act 1

A Russian ultranationalist by the name of Imran Zakhaev is set on returning his homeland to the times of the Soviet Union by revolting against the current government and seizing a nuclear weapons stockpile. Zakhaev has the support of several rogue divisions of the Russian army, but he knows the United States would never allow this to happen and so funds a coup in the Middle East, organized by his ally Khaled Al-Asad, to draw attention away from Russia. The British and U.S. governments discover the plot while monitoring Zakhaev's recent activities, and quickly initiate a police-action to quell the uprisings in both regions. During what appears to be the final stages of the conflict, a Russian nuclear weapon is unexpectedly detonated by Al-Asad's forces in the capital city of the Middle Eastern region, annihilating most of the invading U.S. Marine forces. Sgt. Paul Jackson, delayed from escaping the blast radius due to the last minute rescue of a downed Cobra pilot, is aboard one of the helicopters caught in the blast radius. Although Jackson initially survives the crash of his helicopter, he soon succumbs to radiation poisoning and wounds sustained in the crash.

Act 2

Al-Asad, the target of the invasion, had already escaped to one of his safe-houses in Azerbaijan, but is later executed by Captain Price when he and his SAS squad learn that Zakhaev supplied Al-Asad with the bomb. It is at this point, when Price speaks the name 'Zakhaev', that the game enters the flashback portion. The entire flashback mission takes place in the partially irradiated Ukrainian city of Pripyat, within the Chernobyl Zone of Alienation. The flashback, told from the perspective of Price, tells the story of a black-ops mission into the Zone in order to assassinate a Russian ultranationalist. Price, then a lieutenant with the SAS, is paired up with Captain MacMillan to carry out the assignment. Together, they sneak past several guard stations as well as tank and infantry patrols in order to reach their shooting spot. Once in position at the top of a hotel, the target, identified as Imran Zakhaev, is shot by Price. Zakhaev survives, however, and only loses his left arm. The ultranationalist forces track the shot and begin to pursue the snipers across the Zone of Alienation. During the chase, a pursuit helicopter is shot down and crashes, injuring MacMillan and forcing Price to carry MacMillan the rest of the way. The pair finally reach the extraction point and engage the ultranationalist forces in a stand-off until the pick-up helicopter finally arrives and they are able to escape. Back in the present, the ultranationalists launch a counter-attack to claim Al-Asad. Captain Price and his SAS squad hold out against the offensive, using antipersonnel mines to slow the assault, before retreating to the barn at the top of the hill. They are soon informed that the helicopter cannot land due to SAM sites in the mountains, and are advised to proceed to the bottom of the hill for extraction.

Act 3

After escaping from Azerbaijan, the British SAS, with assistance from a Force Recon squad led by Staff Sergeant Griggs and a Russian Loyalist squad led by Kamarov, attempt to capture Zakhaev's son to learn of his father's whereabouts but this mission ends in failure; Zakhaev's son commits suicide when cornered by the SAS and Russian loyalist Troops and about to be captured. The loss of his son incurs Zakhaev's wrath, and he launches two ICBMs in desperation at the American East Coast. A joint strike force of SAS and USMC breaches the missile launch center, and is able to deactivate the missiles over the Atlantic Ocean. Their mission complete, the strike force attempts to escape from approaching ultranationalist forces, but during their escape, an enemy helicopter destroys a bridge they are attempting to cross, cutting them off. Zakhaev's troops arrive soon after, and begin engaging the remaining members of the strike force. A gas tanker explodes, killing or incapacitating everyone except Griggs. Zakhaev himself then arrives, accompanied by two soldiers. Griggs is killed trying to pull Soap to safety, and Gaz is shot point-blank by Zakhaev. He is on the verge of killing Soap, but is distracted by the arrival of a Russian Loyalist helicopter. At this moment, a heavily wounded Captain Price slides his pistol to Soap. After Soap successfully uses the pistol to kill Zakhaev and his guards, the Russian loyalist reinforcements arrive, but Soap is the only known survivor of the escape. Price's status is never confirmed, as the last thing the player sees is a Russian soldier attempting to revive him; it is left unknown if he is alive or dead. After the final cutscene, a short news message plays, mentioning "nuclear missile tests" in Central Russia and "leadership struggles" arising in the Ultranationalist party, and then reports on the failed attempt to locate a Russian cargo ship lost at sea (that the SAS infiltrated in the Prologue), implying that the recent police-actions in Russia were conducted in secret, and were not public knowledge. After the credits roll the player is also given the chance to play through an airplane hostage-situation epilogue mission, Mile High Club.

Characters

* Khaled Al-Asad is one of the antagonists of the game. He is the commander of the forces in the Middle East and an ally of Imran Zakhaev. Al-Asad is captured and interrogated by the SAS, and then shot by Captain Price after his detonation of a nuclear bomb in the Middle East.
* Yasir Al-Fulani is the president of the unnamed Middle Eastern country involved in the game. The player assumes the role of Al-Fulani in the game's opening credit sequence, in which he is driven through the capital and then executed by Al-Asad.
* Gaz is part of the 22 SAS Regiment. He accompanies the player on most SAS missions but is ultimately killed by Imran Zakhaev on the bridge at the end of the game.
* Staff Sergeant Griggs is a member of the USMC 1st Force Recon and is a support gunner in Jackson's squad. He later participates in the joint SAS/USMC operation in the latter stages of the game and is killed in action by Russian Ultranationalists.
* Sergeant Paul Jackson is part of the USMC 1st Force Recon deployed to the Middle East. The player assumes Jackson's character for the USMC portions of the game. Jackson initially survives a helicopter crash caused by the nuclear explosion in the Middle East, but dies from radiation poisoning.
* Sergeant Kamarov is the leader of a group of Russian loyalist forces. His troops support SAS operations (or are supported by SAS operators) in Russia at several points in the game.
* Captain MacMillan is an SAS operative in the flashback portion of the game. He commands the assassination mission with Lieutenant Price at Pripyat 15 years earlier.
* Sergeant John "Soap" MacTavish is a member of the 22 SAS Regiment. The player assumes the role of MacTavish for the SAS parts of the game.
* Nikolai is an informant in the Ultranationalist movement. His cover is compromised and he is evacuated from the Ultranationalists by the 22 SAS Regiment.
* Captain Price is the commanding officer of the 22 SAS Regiment. The player assumes the role of Price whilst a Lieutenant in a flashback portion of the game. Captain Price's fate is left ambiguous, but Infinity Ward clearly left Price's fate for them to decide at a later date.
* Lieutenant Vasquez is an officer of the USMC 1st Force Recon and is Jackson's platoon commander. Vasquez is killed by the nuclear explosion in the Middle East.
* Imran Zakhaev is the leader of the Russian Ultranationalist party and the main antagonist of the game. He is killed by MacTavish at the game's conclusion.
* Victor Zakhaev is the son of Imran Zakhaev. He escorts Yasir Al-Fulani to his execution in the opening credit sequence and later commits suicide to avoid capture by US and British forces.
* In addition, the player assumes the role of an anonymous American thermal imaging TV operator on an AC-130 gunship, providing support for the extraction mission of the informant Nikolai, as well as assuming the role of an anonymous British SAS counter-terrorist in the epilogue "Mile High Club" mission, boarding a hijacked airline to save a VIP.

Multiplayer

As a player advances in rank, more options such as new classes and weapons become available.
As a player advances in rank, more options such as new classes and weapons become available.

The multiplayer mode in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare includes a class system which has five preset classes with default weapon load outs and perks assigned to them, as well as allowing users to create five custom classes where the user can customize their weapon load out and three perks to assign to their soldier. The five default classes include Assault, Special Ops, Light Machine Gunner, Demolitions, and Sniper. Only three of the default classes are available to a first time player; the rest are unlocked as the player gains more experience online and gains higher rank. Create-a-class can be unlocked at level 4; players can name and save their own custom classes for quick access in multiplayer matches.

Experience Points (XP) are earned by either killing opponents or completing certain objectives, such as defusing the bomb in Sabotage or Search and Destroy. The amount of XP gained varies depending on the type of match the user is playing. When the user gains enough Experience Points their rank/level increases. The highest attainable level is 55, or Commander.

At Level 55, the player can then gain more XP from the game until they unlock Prestige Mode, which is a feature only available in the console versions of the game. In Prestige mode, the player can trade in their rank, all unlocked weapons and completed challenges and start over at level 1, in exchange for a special in-game insignia by their name. The player can then rank up and trade in their rank with Prestige mode again, up to ten times, with a different insignia awarded each time. This effectively gives the player 605 total ranks to achieve.[6] Leaderboard stats (kills, deaths, playing time, etc.) are not affected by Prestige mode.

Most of the new weapons and perks that players can use to outfit their custom class are unlocked as they gain higher ranks, but there are also a number of challenges associated with each weapon that subsequently open up new weapon attachments as players complete them. These items, such as camouflage patterns or attachments for the weapon, are unlocked after attaining a certain number of kills or headshots. Completing these challenges also gives the player XP.

Challenges are achievments that the player can accomplish by performing certain tasks such as blowing up cars in a level, jumping from a certain height, or killing enemies while crouching. Ranking up allows players to unlock different challenge types. Completing all challenges in a specific weapons category unlocks golden guns.

The player can also utilize UAVs, air strikes, and attack helicopters by achieving a 3, 5, or 7 enemy player kill streak, respectively.

Multiplayer Ranks

* Rank:1 Private First Class
* Rank:2 Private First Class I - Unlocks: Demolitions Class
* Rank:3 Private First Class II - Unlocks: Sniper Class
* Rank:4 Lance Corporal - Unlocks: Custom Classes
* Rank:5 Lance Corporal I - Unlocks: Weapon Challenges
* Rank:6 Lance Corporal II - Unlocks: (TBD)
* Rank:7 Corporal - Unlocks: M40A3 Sniper Rifle
* Rank:8 Corporal I - Unlocks: Last Stand, Category 3 perk
* Rank:9 Corporal II - Unlocks: Boot Camp Challenges
* Rank:10 Sergeant - Unlocks: M4 Carbine Assault Rifle
* Rank:11 Sergeant I - Unlocks: UAV Jammer, Category 2 perk
* Rank:12 Sergeant II - Unlocks: Clan Tag
* Rank:13 Staff Sergeant - Unlocks: Mini-Uzi Submachine Gun
* Rank:14 Staff Sergeant I - Unlocks: Bomb Squad, Category 1 perk
* Rank:15 Staff Sergeant II - Unlocks: Boot Camp Challenges
* Rank:16 Gunnery Sergeant - Unlocks: Colt .45 M1911 Pistol
* Rank:17 Gunnery Sergeant I - Unlocks: Matyrdom, Category 3 perk
* Rank:18 Gunnery Sergeant II - Unlocks: Boot Camp Challenges
* Rank:19 Master Sergeant - Unlocks: M60E4 Light Machine Gun
* Rank:20 Master Sergeant I - Unlocks: Sleight of Hand, Category 2 perk
* Rank:21 Master Sergeant II - Unlocks: Operations Challenges
* Rank:22 Master Gunnery Sergeant - Unlocks: Dragunov Sniper Rifle
* Rank:23 Master Gunnery Sergeant I - Unlocks: Claymore (x2), Category 1 perk
* Rank:24 Master Gunnery Sergeant II - Unlocks: Operations Challenges
* Rank:25 2nd Lieutenant - Unlocks: G3 Assault Rifle
* Rank:26 2nd Lieutenant I - Unlocks: Iron Lungs, Category 3 perk
* Rank:27 2nd Lieutenant II - Unlocks: Operations Challenges
* Rank:28 1st Lieutenant - Unlocks: AK74u Submachine Gun
* Rank:29 1st Lieutenant I - Unlocks: Double Tap, Category 2 perk
* Rank:30 1st Lieutenant II - Unlocks: Killer Challenges
* Rank:31 Captain - Unlocks: M1014 Shotgun
* Rank:32 Captain I - Unlocks: Bandolier, Category 1 perk
* Rank:33 Captain II - Unlocks: Killer Challenges
* Rank:34 Major - Unlocks: Remington 700 Sniper Rifle
* Rank:35 Major I - Unlocks: Eavesdrop, Category 3 perk
* Rank:36 Major II - Unlocks: Killer Challenges
* Rank:37 Lt. Colonel - Unlocks: G36C Assault Rifle
* Rank:38 Lt. Colonel I - Unlocks: Overkill, Category 2 perk
* Rank:39 Lt. Colonel II - Unlocks: Killer Challenges
* Rank:40 Colonel - Unlocks: P90 Submachine Gun
* Rank:41 Colonel I - Unlocks: Frag Grenades (x3), Category 1 perk
* Rank:42 Colonel II - Unlocks: Humiliation Challenges
* Rank:43 Brigadier General - Unlocks: Desert Eagle Pistol
* Rank:44 Brigadier General I - Unlocks: Dead Silence, Category 3 perk
* Rank:45 Brigadier General II - Unlocks: Humiliation Challenges
* Rank:46 Major General - Unlocks: M14 Assault Rifle
* Rank:47 Major General I - Unlocks: Humiliation Challenges
* Rank:48 Major General II - Unlocks: Humiliation Challenges
* Rank:49 Lieutenant General - Unlocks: Barrett M107 Sniper Rifle
* Rank:50 Lieutenant General I - Unlocks: Humiliation Challenges
* Rank:51 Lieutenant General II - Unlocks: Elite Challenges
* Rank:52 General - Unlocks: MP44 Assault Rifle
* Rank:53 General I - Unlocks: Elite Challenges
* Rank:54 General II - Unlocks: Elite Challenges
* Rank:55 Commander - Unlocks: Gold Desert Eagle; Prestige Mode

Multiplayer Perks

Another introduction in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare multiplayer includes Perks. Perks are special abilities which allow users to further customize their character to their personal play style. Players are limited to three multiplayer perks at a time which can be assigned via Create a Class.

Game modes

* Free-for-All - You are against every player on the map even if you and another player play on the S.A.S. team or the Marines etc.
* Team Deathmatch - Use teamwork to kill opposing players and reach score limit or time limit.
* Ground War - Big team games-TDM and Domination.
* Team Objective - Domination and Search & Destroy. Capture flags in Domination, with respawning. Destroy and defend objectives in Search & Destroy, no respawning.
* Team Tactical - Small team Deathmatch and Search & Destroy.
* Search and Destroy - There are two teams: attackers and defenders. Attackers try to plant a bomb at one of two bomb sites, and defenders try to defend the bomb sites. If explosives are planted, defenders must defuse them. Players only have one respawn per round. A round is over when all players on one team are killed, or when the bomb explodes or is defused.
* Headquarters - A laptop spawns somewhere on the map. Your goal is to capture the laptop for your team. If Team A captures the laptop, they must defend it from being destroyed by Team B. Team A only has one respawn until the laptop is destroyed or the max time limit for the laptop is reached. Team B respawns at set intervals. Team A earns points for every second the laptop is held. To capture/destroy a laptop, you must stand in the area of the laptop. The more players, the faster you destroy it. A new laptop spawns when time limit is reached or the laptop is destroyed.
* Domination - There are flags at certain points around the map. All flags start neutral. Teams battle to hold the most flags. Game ends when the time limit is reached, or the score limit is reached.
* Sabotage - Similar to Search and Destroy, only the bomb is neutral and there are objectives located in both teams' bases. Each team's goal is to take the bomb and blow up the objective in the enemy's base. The bomb carrier can fire his weapons, but his position will be announced periodically throughout the game. Also, unlike Search and Destroy, players have unlimited respawns as opposed to just one per round, although it is not instantaneous like Team Deathmatch or Free-for-All.
* Team Hardcore - Hardcore Team Deathmatch and Search and Destroy. HUD is limited, bullet damage is higher and friendly fire is on.
* Old School - Old School TDM and FFA. There are no classes. Weapons are pickups, health is under a gauge form and can be increased with medipacks and jumps are higher, as of Unreal Tournament gameplay.
* Oldcore - Old School pick-ups and jumping. Hardcore limited HUD and extra bullet damage.
* Cage Match - 1v1, Weapons are all pick ups.

Patches

On December 6, 2007, Infinity Ward released a patch for the PC version of the game to upgrade to version 1.3. The patch forces multiplayer to cache files that would normally bypass the pure client test. Anti-lag is also forced when loading maps. The patch also addresses an issue where text chat at the end of a round would cut off.[7]

Patches have also been announced for console versions of the game, the release date of these patches is not yet known.

Game engine

An example of the lighting, shadows, and weather effects in the game's single-player mode.
An example of the lighting, shadows, and weather effects in the game's single-player mode.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare runs on a proprietary engine, and has features such as true world-dynamic lighting, HDR lighting effects, dynamic shadows and depth-of-field. "Bullet Penetration" is calculated by the engine, taking into account things such as surface type and entity thickness. Certain objects, such as cars, and some buildings are destructible. This makes distinguishing cover from concealment important, as meager protection such as wooden fences, thin walls and such no longer provide sufficient protection. The bullet's speed and stopping power are decreased after penetrating an object, and this decrease is calculated realistically depending on the thickness and surface of the object penetrated. The game also makes use of a physics engine, which was not implemented in previous Call of Duty titles for the PC. Death Animations are a combination of pre-set animations and ragdoll physics. Some mistook the game's graphics to be DirectX 10 based, but it is stated that the graphics use DirectX 9. The console versions of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare run at 60 fps and at 600p.[8] [9]
Pre-release marketing

Charlie Oscar Delta

On April 27, 2007,[10] the day before the release of the official trailer, Infinity Ward released the website charlieoscardelta.com to give users information on the game. Charlie Oscar Delta features a ranking system where users can do Missions to build up their rank to possibly win prizes. Charlie Oscar Delta is derived from the NATO phonetic alphabet and the initials of Call Of Duty (COD).

Trailer

The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare trailer showed some game footage was released on April 28, 2007. In the background you can hear a speech given in Russian: Сегодня, одной нацией мы воспрянем перед лицом предательства и оккупации, which translates as "Today, one nation we shall rise in face of treachery and occupation." Additionally, a final voice at the end speaks the Russian translation of a quote by Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War: "Every war is a lie" (Всякая война враньё). Also, in Arabic, one hears the statements "Enemy Forces Sighted" and "American Forces Nearby."

Public beta

On August 30, 2007 an Xbox 360 exclusive Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare public beta test was announced. The beta test was designed to test the servers, find glitches, and help balance out the weapons. It was originally only for residents of the United States of America but later was available to numerous other countries. The beta concluded on September 30, 2007.

Demo

A single-player demo for the PC was released on October 11, 2007 as a Yahoo! exclusive download. It was released on various major sites the same day. The demo includes one level: "The Bog" which showcases the advanced night vision used in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.[11] No multiplayer was included in the demo.

Download

http://torrents.to/search/247/Call+of+Duty+4.html

BitComment

http://www.download-free.programas-gratis.net/php/software.php?id_programa=2115&download-BitComet-0.97

E-mail

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Crysis

reckjavik — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:12:13 CST

Story

Two Delta Force operators wearing nanosuits, pictured inside the ice sphere.
Two Delta Force operators wearing nanosuits, pictured inside the ice sphere.

Set in 2020, Crysis' plot follows Lieutenant Jake Dunn—codenamed "Nomad"—a United States Army Delta Force operator.[8] As Crysis begins, an American team of archaeologists are taken captive by the North Korean Army, just as they were making an important discovery in the South China Sea. The United States responds by deploying a team of Delta Force Soldiers,—supported by the USS Constitution—who take part in the fighting between the United States and North Korea. Soon, though, it becomes apparent that the North Koreans have large military installations. During this phase of the game, the setting is atropical environment, similar to that in Far Cry, Crytek's previous game.
The machine that disrupts the jump at the start of the game.
The machine that disrupts the jump at the start of the game.

At the end of the first section, the mountain at the center of the island begins to crumble revealing a two-kilometer high alien structure beneath the surface, out of which aliens begin attacking both the US Military and North Koreans. Nomad enters the alien ship in this section and begins to explore the weightless environment, retrieving valuable information about the alien invaders, who periodically attack him. On exiting, the ship xenoforms the area around the island by creating an ice sphere, killing every living thing within it. The final section of the game takes place on the USS Constitution.

Groups

Military of the United States

Raptor Team

The US Army Delta Force team that the protagonist, Nomad, is a part of. At full strength, it consisted of Aztec, Jester, Psycho, Nomad and, the team leader, Prophet. The true names of the characters are revealed in the CryEngine2 Sandbox 2 Editor that comes with the game. Aztec and Jester die quickly during the course of the game, leaving just three alive. Joint Special Operations Command is their ultimate overseer, though later in the game they are more directly in touch with USS Constitution personnel.

* Nomad (1st Lieutenant Jake Dunn): the protagonist. His face is unseen(except in concept artwork), and he pursues mission goals with single-minded fervor.

* Aztec (Harry Cortez): An American male, who at the start of the game, was rapidly mutilated to death along with a four-man KPA patrol. Was fluent in Spanish.

* Jester (Martin Hawker): An American speaking in New York dialect. While at the site of a strange discovery, a boat far inland and frozen, he is captured by an alien machine. It takes him a short distance away before discarding him, at which point he's found as a bloody corpse.

* Psycho' (Michael Sykes): A former British SAS operative; later joined Delta Force. He tends to use a lot of British profanity, and has the SAS insignia tattooed on the back of his head.

* Prophet (Major Laurence Barnes): An American and the team leader of the squad, who after some time into the game is kidnapped by an alien machine and presumed missing, at which point Strickland remotely takes over mission command. He miraculously reappears at the point of the story where Nomad exits the alien ship, but exhibiting strange behavior. He has somehow managed to build a complex alien weapon adapter out in the field, and seems to have a much deeper understanding of the aliens than anyone else.

United States Marine Corps

Locally led by Major Strickland, the USMC contributes most of the ground military hardware in the game along with the Marines themselves. They operate off the USS Constitution carrier strike group, deploying via a sizable number of fictional jet engine VTOLs. Strickland takes over mission command when Prophet goes missing, but he himself falls in battle later on: to distract a massive alien machine from evacuating aircraft, he deliberately stays behind to draw its attention.

United States Navy

Locally represented by the USS Constitution carrier strike group, and led by Admiral Morrison. The American aircraft deployed throughout the game are theirs, and also seem to be carrying considerable ordnance, as seen when they deploy an aircraft armed with a nuclear weapon. The strike group meets its ultimate demise at the hands of relentless waves of alien machines and also an alien "War Ship". At the conclusion of the game Helena informs Nomad that there is another fleet of ships incoming from Japan and will arrive within the hour.

Korean People's Army

Led in the game by Colonel General Kyong, known for being a brutal person. Their intent to hang onto the islands is clear, shown by the significant allocation of forces ranging from infantry to tanks and military aircraft. The most puzzling element in-game is that they have nanosuit technology, which Nomad however remarks "look like cheap knockoffs". Their Nanosuits are limited solely to Kyong himself and his elite personal guard.

Research Team

Led by Dr. Rosenthal and his daughter Helena under the auspices of the Koreans, the team doesn't consist of much by the time the plot starts, though of note there were implanted CIA agents, of which one was extracted during the course of the game. Based on dialog in-game, Rosenthal has found fragments of the alien machines in other parts of the world, but this is the first time they've located an intact one. The team is reduced to mainly just Helena after the intact specimen suddenly flash freezes the research tent with Rosenthal in it. After Helena is brought aboard the USS Constitution she finds a way to overload the alien machines using Nomad's suit. She also urges Admiral Morrison to not launch a nuclear strike against the aliens; fearing that it will only make the aliens stronger.

Aliens

Operating out of their massive ship embedded in the rock, the aliens themselves have streamlined bodies with which they "swim" through the weightless internal environment. Their war machines comprise the bulk of their forces, ranging from small ones able to maneuver indoors to flying ships that can sink destroyers by ramming them head on. The massive number of machines that deploy at the end of the game, along with filler text for multiplayer maps, indicate their interest in Earth is on a global scale.

Gameplay

As with Far Cry, Crysis is an open-ended game with many ways to meet objectives.[9] An addition to the previous Far Cry formula is that most weapons may be modified with devices such as suppressors, telescopic sights, and targeting lasers.

The protagonist, Nomad, is also capable of selecting various modes in his military prototype "Nano Muscle Suit." The suit is capable of four modes: armor, strength, speed, and cloak. These modes allow him to absorb and heal damage, lift and throw heavy items and enemies, reload and run faster, become invisible and reduce noise output, respectively.[10] Due to the ability of constantly regenerating health, the game is completely devoid of first aid kits. All of these actions, however, use rechargeable energy reserves that power the suit; energy is recharged most quickly while in armor mode. The suit can be modified in-game to meet the playing style of the player.

The suit's integral mask has its own HUD, displaying typical data like a tactical map and current energy levels. The view is electronic in nature, shown in-game through things such as a booting readout and visual distortion during abnormal operation. Onboard utilities include a two-way radio, PDA and audio-visual logging capability, with features like image zoom and night vision provided by optional equipment (given by default in single-player).

The artificial intelligence (AI) in Crysis also aims to be realistic and believable. Enemy soldiers constantly employ tactical maneuvers, work as squads, hide and ambush amongst the scenery, and adapt to changing environments and conditions. AI soldiers will also respond to sound and subtle movements triggered by the player's movement.[11] While not engaged in combat, the AI soldiers will also exhibit typical and lifelike behavior, such as smoking, yawning, talking, urinating, waxing cars, patrolling, saluting superior officers, etc.[12]

Weapons

The game features the standard gamut of first-person shooter weapons such as assault rifles, along with sci-fi additions such as the Gauss rifle, or Alien weapons, such as the Alien Molecular Accelerator. As mentioned earlier, most weapons can be modified with attachments; these attachments may be given to the player by default, acquired from picked-up weapons, or purchased in multiplayer. Once acquired, they can only be removed through death or scripted loss of inventory if in story mode, e.g. If during normal play, a player attaches a flashlight to a rifle which is later discarded, it is not considered gone and will still be available in the future.

Attachment options are given a fair amount of leeway even if the end result may seem strange. For instance, a 4x/10x sniper scope can be attached to the buckshot-firing shotgun. Additionally, most weapons can adjust their firing modes. Crysis also incorporates some features that have appeared in other recent shooters, such as being able to lob hand grenades without needing to formally equip them first, or accounting for already-chambered rounds when a reload occurs.

Vehicles

A large selection of vehicles are present, with most being available to players for personal use. Available ground vehicles range from pickup trucks to tanks, while naval vessels range from motorboats to light military hovercraft. It is also worth noting that all vehicles (hummers, pickup trucks, and even tanks) inexplicably have turbo (possibly nitrous) that can be activated via the sprint key. The aircraft selection is limited to one North Korean attack helicopter and a fictional American VTOL, both of which can transport a half-dozen troops.

Damage is limitedly modeled in wheeled vehicles, most noticeably the ability to burst their tires. Exposed gas cans can also be shot at to explode them, and flaming wrecks will cause proximity heat damage. Of note is that a vehicle can still run even if all the tires are gone, slowly rolling along on its rims. Unavailable vehicles shown in-game include jet aircraft, excavator, and for reasons of scale, ships like destroyers. None of the large alien machines can be commandeered by players.

Multiplayer
An overhead view of a multiplayer map in Crysis.
An overhead view of a multiplayer map in Crysis.

Up to 32 players are supported in each multiplayer match in Crysis. There are two different modes, each with six available maps: Instant Action, a deathmatch type mode; and Power Struggle, which are played by two opposing teams, each trying to destroy the other's headquarters.[13][14]

Power Struggle features the American Delta Force soldiers fighting the North Korean Army; both sides, however, have nanosuits.[14] All players begin armed with only a pistol and a basic nanosuit, called the "prototype" suit.[15][14] In order to purchase weapons and vehicles, the player must complete objectives, or frag enemies. The aim of Power Struggle is to destroy the enemy headquarters, a task which is best done using either alien technology—gained by capturing alien crash sites—or nuclear weapons. Without these technologies, it would be difficult to win, due to multiple automated turrets guarding headquarters; they can be destroyed only by powerful human weapons, or alien technologies.[14][16] All vehicles in the game are available in Power Struggle, though they must be unlocked by capturing a zone that specializes in manufacturing a certain vehicle—for example, capturing a zone with a port would allow the building of water-based vehicles for the team in possession of the zone. However, vehicles may be stolen, by picking their locks, even if their team has not captured the zone producing that type of vehicle.[15] Depending on the settings determined by the host, a game of Power Struggle could potentially take up to ten hours, which would cover multiple day/night cycles, if playing on a DirectX 10 server. Again, the duration of day/night cycles depends on the host's settings.[14]

Capture The Flag, originally planned to be included in the game, is no longer part of the game mode line up, due to its similarity to Power Struggle.[14] Even so, Jack Mamais, a Crytek employee, stated that Crytek hopes that this mode will be developed by the modding community.[17] Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli also said that Team Action would not be included as a multiplayer mode, because players would gravitate towards either Instant Action, or Power Struggle.[18]

Windows

Windows XP/Vista
2.8 GHz or faster (XP) or 3.2 GHz or faster (Vista) Processor
1.0 GB RAM (XP) or 1.5 GB RAM (Vista)
256MB Video Card
12GB Free Hard Drive space
DirectX 9.0c compatible Sound Card

Game engine

Main article: CryENGINE2

The Crysis Sandbox Editor.
The Crysis Sandbox Editor.

Crysis uses a new engine—the CryENGINE2—that is the successor to Far Cry's CryENGINE. CryENGINE2 is among the first engines to use the Direct3D 10 (DirectX 10) framework of Windows Vista, but can also run using DirectX 9, both on Vista and Windows XP.[20]

Roy Taylor, Vice President of Content Relations at NVIDIA, has spoken on the subject of the engine's complexity, stating that Crysis has over a million lines of code, 1GB of texture data, and 85,000 shaders.[4]

Sandbox editor

Main article: Sandbox (video game editor)

Crysis contains a Sandbox Editor, much like Far Cry's, in which new levels can be created and edited. Such levels will have full support in all multiplayer modes. This will allow the player to easily build their own levels, seeing everything in real time within the editor. The player can also jump into the map they are working on at any time to test it. The editor will be the same one that was used by Crytek to create the game.[21]

As stated in the readme file accompanying Sandbox, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or Windows Vista x64 are the only officially supported OS's for running the editor. According to Crytek, using a 32-bit OS can lead to instabilities with production size levels due to the low amount of virtual memory available and is therefore not supported.

Demo

On August 27, 2007, Crytek announced a single-player demo would be released on September 25, however, the date was pushed back to October 26.[22] The demo featured the entire first level, Contact, as well as the sand box editor.[23][24] On October 26, Crytek announced that the demo would be postponed for at least one more day and was released to the public on October 27.[25] Although, on many sites it was provided a day early, and an oversight allowed people to grab the file directly off an EA server earlier than intended.

Shortly after the demo's release some enthusiasts found that, by manipulating the configuration files, most of the “very high” graphics settings (normally reserved for DX10) could be activated under DX9. The "very high" DX9 graphics mode looks more or less identical to the DX10 mode, with the benefit of providing better performance.[26] This has caused many to question if DX10 brings any real advantage to the game, in contrast to official developer statements.[27]

After the demo release an image was posted by on a forum which suggested there were big difference between pre-release alpha screenshots distributed by developers and real in-game graphics, especially in lighting quality.[28] However, another picture was later posted which suggested that the quality may be equal or better than pre-release screenshots, and that the earlier screenshot may have been a fake. [29]

Special Edition
Overview of box art and content in the Crysis Special Edition retail box.
Overview of box art and content in the Crysis Special Edition retail box.

The three disc special edition of Crysis contains the following:[30]

* Crysis game DVD
* "Steelbook box" casing (Not available with the North American version)
* "Making of Crysis" featurette
* An exclusive multiplayer amphibious APC vehicle (unlockable only for preorders)
* "Meet the Developers" vignettes with Crytek's lead designers
* Initial Crysis concept video
* Additional "key trailers"
* Show reel of concept and production artwork
* 16 page concept art book
* Official soundtrack by composer Inon Zur

Note that the Amphibious APC is currently unavailable to most pre-orders and special edition owners. EA is still working out a solution[31].

Reception

Reviews

Crysis was awarded a 98% in the PC Gamer U.S. Holiday 2007 issue, making it one of the highest rated games ever in PC Gamer, tying Half-Life 2 and Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri.[32] The U.K edition of the magazine awarded the game 92%, describing the game as "A spectacular and beautiful sci-fi epic".

Gamespot awarded Crysis a score of 9.5 out of 10, describing it as "easily one of the greatest shooters ever made".[33]

PCZone awarded Crysis a score of 92%, describing it as "Far Cry reborn" but criticizing its "poor final act".[34]

Australian PC magazine PC PowerPlay gave the game a "masterpiece" 10/10 score, praising the benchmarks it set in technology and the effects they had on gameplay. The only other games to receive such a score from the magazine were Psychonauts, Civilization 4, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Medieval 2: Total War, and Bioshock.

GamePro gave the game a 4.75 rating (out of 5), but criticized it for its heavy system requirements. "Still, despite its power hungry ways, Crysis is an enticing adventure all the way through to the end. It's a worthy follow-up to the excellent Far Cry and a great step forward for PC gaming as a whole."

Bit-tech.net gave the game 9 out of 10 in their full review and graphical analysis. The good points of the game were listed as open game design and the ability for players to form their own tactics, but the game was thought to be somewhat spoiled by not being especially innovative in game design despite technical achievement[35].

GameSpy gave it a 4.5 out of 5 citing that the superhero powers are fun but also criticise the game for not having a team deathmatch.

Sequels

Crysis was announced to be the first game in a trilogy by Crytek.[4] It is expected that the sequel will continue where the first game ended. In addition to seeking a United States trademark on the name Crysis,[36] Crytek is seeking to trademark the names Crysis Wars[37] and World in Crysis.[38]

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