B-Movies and Video Games Collide
Ambitious German company reveals details on The Y-Project.
Westka Interactive has released details of upcoming title The Y-Project. The B-movie-esque game is in the very early stages of development at present, and is not due in the shops until early 2003. Meanwhile, here’s some tantalising info about what can be expected from The Y-Project.
The game takes place on a distant planet, 200 years into the future. For the preceding 70 years, man has been constructing a new home far away from Earth. Yet a savage insect alien threat has forced the population into a giant city protected by a vast dome. As the game begins, a swarm of mutated insects has breached the dome. Mankind must embark on a tense fight for survival.
The Y-Project uses the latest version of Epic’s staggering Unreal engine, which is being continually updated throughout development. The game’s levels have been constructed under the guidance of professional architects to ensure the cityscape creates an in-game world which is futuristic yet believable.
The power of the Unreal engine allows players to explore both indoor and outdoor environments spread across different locations. Advanced particle effects help bring every molecule of the world to life. MathEngine’s Karma physics model completes the realism, ensuring bodies, creatures and objects react as one would expect in reality.
The player takes the role of an involuntary hero, one of the last surviving humans. His role is to rid the world of the insect threat, through any means possible. Throughout the game, two factions – one military, the other scientific – vie to enlist the player into their ranks by offering weapons upgrades, additional items and extra power. It is the player’s choice as to whether to switch allegiances and take the bounty or continue being loyal to one, losing the reward forever.
Temptation plays an important part in the game as players decide which faction to side with. The leaders will continually try to convince players to switch, yet doing so too often will result in a lack of power on both sides. The key to success lies in a carefully-balanced path of alliances, and with some of the important items only appearing once in each game – if you don’t grab them then, they will never be seen again – the replay value is immense.
The Y-Project is peppered with show-stopping set-pieces which surprise at every turn. Players will be constantly kept on their toes as the insect threat is revealed. Each insect class has its own way of attacking – some climb walls, others fire lethal spikes. All are extremely deadly and not that easy to kill!
Epic Games’ Vice President, Mark Rein, was keen build on the hype surrounding the title. "We are very impressed with what Westka's development team has done so far with the latest Unreal Engine technology. When The Y-Project is released I expect that people will be blown away by its attention to detail and engrossed in its compelling story. This will definitely be a game to watch for."
So, can Westka fulfil its promises? Based on previous developments, we think so. The company has been involved in several renowned games, including Rayman, Settlers and Battle Isle.
We’ll bring you more on The Y-Project as we get it. Expect a full review in a year or so’s time.
Well, you can’t have everything.
The game takes place on a distant planet, 200 years into the future. For the preceding 70 years, man has been constructing a new home far away from Earth. Yet a savage insect alien threat has forced the population into a giant city protected by a vast dome. As the game begins, a swarm of mutated insects has breached the dome. Mankind must embark on a tense fight for survival.
The Y-Project uses the latest version of Epic’s staggering Unreal engine, which is being continually updated throughout development. The game’s levels have been constructed under the guidance of professional architects to ensure the cityscape creates an in-game world which is futuristic yet believable.
The power of the Unreal engine allows players to explore both indoor and outdoor environments spread across different locations. Advanced particle effects help bring every molecule of the world to life. MathEngine’s Karma physics model completes the realism, ensuring bodies, creatures and objects react as one would expect in reality.
The player takes the role of an involuntary hero, one of the last surviving humans. His role is to rid the world of the insect threat, through any means possible. Throughout the game, two factions – one military, the other scientific – vie to enlist the player into their ranks by offering weapons upgrades, additional items and extra power. It is the player’s choice as to whether to switch allegiances and take the bounty or continue being loyal to one, losing the reward forever.
Temptation plays an important part in the game as players decide which faction to side with. The leaders will continually try to convince players to switch, yet doing so too often will result in a lack of power on both sides. The key to success lies in a carefully-balanced path of alliances, and with some of the important items only appearing once in each game – if you don’t grab them then, they will never be seen again – the replay value is immense.
The Y-Project is peppered with show-stopping set-pieces which surprise at every turn. Players will be constantly kept on their toes as the insect threat is revealed. Each insect class has its own way of attacking – some climb walls, others fire lethal spikes. All are extremely deadly and not that easy to kill!
Epic Games’ Vice President, Mark Rein, was keen build on the hype surrounding the title. "We are very impressed with what Westka's development team has done so far with the latest Unreal Engine technology. When The Y-Project is released I expect that people will be blown away by its attention to detail and engrossed in its compelling story. This will definitely be a game to watch for."
So, can Westka fulfil its promises? Based on previous developments, we think so. The company has been involved in several renowned games, including Rayman, Settlers and Battle Isle.
We’ll bring you more on The Y-Project as we get it. Expect a full review in a year or so’s time.
Well, you can’t have everything.
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