By:
Interactive Magic Games
Is it us, or does the industry seem ablaze with real-time strategy games for this Xmas? This fact hasn't deterred Sinister Games (well they're not called 'Sinister' for nothing eh?) who has been developing Shadow Company- another no nonsense RTS game. Don't get your knickers in a twist though because Sinister Games has stressed to Sharky Extreme that Shadow Company will have 'more personality' than any other RTS. Instead of being in control of faceless units, you will be in command of 12 (male and female) central mercenaries, each harboring their own particular skills and characteristics. Each will not only be sturdy but also versatile in their actions being able to crouch, crawl, climb and even do jumping jacks (fit and flashy bastards aren't they?). Shadow Company 'characters' will also be well endowed with tools of destruction that range from knives, pistols, rifles, and shotguns to grenades, explosives and cannons. Your crew won't simply have weapons at their disposal, as other equipment/vehicles will also make a larger and more destructive alternative. Mercenaries will be able to operate helicopters, boats, snowmobiles, motorbikes, cars, scuba gear and tanks. Boys with toys eh?
And you guessed it; Shadow Company's setting is the 'near future'. The world has gone bananas and world-wide terrorism begins to prevail. This is where you come in- you work for a mercenary corporation that hires out commandos to facilitate the various dictators at war with one another. However the story takes a twist as your company betrays you and your hit squadron by knowingly sending you out on a suicide mission. Revenge. The story behind Shadow Company is all about revenge. I think you get the picture. With that in mind, you'll be taking your 'company' into battle across several non-linear campaigns that have multiple objectives. And with eight campaigns (with up to eight objectives in each) to wage war in you'll most likely have your hands full.
As is the trend for other genres, 3D engines are now expected in RTS games and Sinister Games' Shadow Company will be 3D accelerated (both the terrain and units will be 3D). Any D3D compliant 3D accelerator will be required do the 16-bit color job of rendering the 3D terrain maps. Each of the maps will not only be effected by weather but will also have its own dynamic topography allowing players to follow/leave tracks in the sand or snow. This will be particularly useful in the mutlipayer modes that Shadow Company will support (16 players via a LAN or the Internet). Interactive Magic has signed up to publish the game in the US and a Q4 1998 release seems on the cards. Till then we'll leave you with some eye candy.