"Beasts" is an exciting new game from Creature Labs based on the mysterious wilderness monster the Abominable Snowman or Yeti, tracks of which have been discovered in the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and Tibet. According to locals, the Yeti is but one of several unidentified creatures that occupy the highlands of southern Asia. Accounts of another giant known as Sasquatch or Bigfoot have persisted among some American Indians whose tribes inhabited the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
Cambridge-based games developer Creature Labs, best known for their million selling artificial life "Creatures" games, have today announced the development of "Beasts" - the company's first real-time strategy game based on their exclusive Artificial-life technology.
"Beasts" boasts breathtaking 3D environments inhabited by Yeti - truly individual creatures who think and act for themselves thanks to the company's innovative technology. "Beasts" will be the company's first fully 3D title and is provisionally scheduled for release in Q2 2001.
Says Howard Newmark, Creature Labs' Publishing Director, "Beasts is going to be a major release both for artificial intelligence computer gaming and real time strategy games."
The game's objective is to guide and control the actions of a small group of Yeti who must overcome a serious crisis that threatens their existence. A large mining company has started up operations near the Yeti, and, as a result, poisons their environment. Players must drive the mining company out by any means necessary.
The Yeti tribes feature dominance hierarchies, realistic mating habits and complex social structures. To win, players will have to deal with a number of specific, time-pressured missions. Between missions, they will have a more general responsibility for their charges, ensuring that their Yeti prosper and multiply and are ready for the next challenge. Multi-player options range from 'death-match' conflicts between Yeti tribes, to open-ended play, in which players can observe their beasts interacting with no set goals.
Using a third person, God's eye view with zooming and camera-control, the game also provides realistic, living ecosystems with annual cycles and growth patterns. Individual Yeti are controlled by their impressive biochemical drive systems and neural net brain structures which allow them to learn and adapt to situations.
Says "Beasts" producer, Chris Bamford, "We've set out to create a groundbreaking and original game that draws from the traditions of strategy gaming, but adds something genuinely unique. Beasts is designed to be realistic, exciting, and dangerous, as well as sophisticated, intelligent and thought-provoking."
Cambridge-based games developer Creature Labs, best known for their million selling artificial life "Creatures" games, have today announced the development of "Beasts" - the company's first real-time strategy game based on their exclusive Artificial-life technology.
"Beasts" boasts breathtaking 3D environments inhabited by Yeti - truly individual creatures who think and act for themselves thanks to the company's innovative technology. "Beasts" will be the company's first fully 3D title and is provisionally scheduled for release in Q2 2001.
Says Howard Newmark, Creature Labs' Publishing Director, "Beasts is going to be a major release both for artificial intelligence computer gaming and real time strategy games."
The game's objective is to guide and control the actions of a small group of Yeti who must overcome a serious crisis that threatens their existence. A large mining company has started up operations near the Yeti, and, as a result, poisons their environment. Players must drive the mining company out by any means necessary.
The Yeti tribes feature dominance hierarchies, realistic mating habits and complex social structures. To win, players will have to deal with a number of specific, time-pressured missions. Between missions, they will have a more general responsibility for their charges, ensuring that their Yeti prosper and multiply and are ready for the next challenge. Multi-player options range from 'death-match' conflicts between Yeti tribes, to open-ended play, in which players can observe their beasts interacting with no set goals.
Using a third person, God's eye view with zooming and camera-control, the game also provides realistic, living ecosystems with annual cycles and growth patterns. Individual Yeti are controlled by their impressive biochemical drive systems and neural net brain structures which allow them to learn and adapt to situations.
Says "Beasts" producer, Chris Bamford, "We've set out to create a groundbreaking and original game that draws from the traditions of strategy gaming, but adds something genuinely unique. Beasts is designed to be realistic, exciting, and dangerous, as well as sophisticated, intelligent and thought-provoking."
Companies:
Creature Labs