Mattel Interactive Introduces New PC Titles At E3
Strong SSI titles and popular licenses to keep PC gamers busy in 2000.
LOS ANGELES, CA – May 11, 2000 – The Entertainment Division of Mattel Interactive, a division of Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) today presented its product line up for 2000 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. Their offerings feature eight new PC titles in their display area, located in Petree Hall, just off the main show floor in South Hall.
“E3 is an excellent opportunity to affirm Mattel Interactive’s commitment to bringing exciting content to the PC gaming audience,” said Bernie Stolar, president, Mattel Interactive. “We recognise how much the SSI brand means to gamers, and will continue to use that brand as our linchpin to the core gaming market with great sims and strategy games. We’re also bringing some great licenses to other products that will be appealing to both the hard core and casual gamer alike.”
Mattel Interactive will show the following titles:
Pool of Radiance™: Ruins of Myth Drannor:
State-of-the-art 3D game technology revisits the most popular role-playing series ever in Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor. This title will be the first RPG to incorporate the new Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition Rules. The game will also feature 3D art animation new to the AD&D role-playing category, such as huge character and monster models as well as fully interactive environments. The gameplay provides for single player and multi-player adventures where you can create up to four players of a six player and journey through familiar Dungeons & Dragons world of the Forgotten Realms. Pool of Radiance is scheduled to ship in November.
Earth 2150:
The first all-terrain, three-dimensional RTS game is ready to duplicate its European success in America! Earth 2150 is a 3D real-time strategy game whose use of a land-based, true 3D engine not only enhances visual appeal, but also dramatically changes how land-based RTS games are played, both tactically and strategically.
Constant warring and the depletion of Earth’s natural resources have shifted the planet’s axis, placing it on a collision course with the sun. Players can choose one of three civilisations and take up a life or death race against time, your enemies and a rapidly deteriorating world in an effort to control key resource areas, build a spaceship and rescue your race from imminent Armageddon! Earth 2150 is scheduled to hit store shelves in May.
Warlords Battlecry:
Real-time strategy never had time for heroics… until now. Based on the award winning series of Warlords turn-based games, Warlords Battlecry is the next generation in real-time strategy gameplay, by being the first hero-based RTS game ever. Rather than creating legions of nameless, faceless units, Battlecry lets the player create and individualise their own hero that they can take from game to game, and develop him/her into a mighty commander. This hero gains added experience and abilities through battle, both throughout the campaign as well as side quests. Players are given the choice of taking a “Good” or “Evil” path in the quest for the Two Tears, twin artefacts of unimaginable, unspeakable power. Warlords Battlecry arrives in stores in June.
Larry Bond’s Harpoon4:
Available in October, the Harpoon legacy continues in this incredible modern Naval Combat Simulation! With all the depth and detail of its famous predecessors, plus gorgeous graphics that bring naval tactical combat to life, this 3D combat simulation has it all. Over 250 modern ships, submarines, aircraft and ground formations from 14 different countries, player controlled options to create "super ships" and a powerful and flexible Scenario Editor for unlimited gameplay are only a handful of the many features in Larry Bond's Harpoon4.
Close Combat:Utah Beach:
In June of 1944, the combined forces of the United States, Great Britain, Canada and France launched the greatest amphibious invasion in the history for war. The blow fell in Normandy, France battering Hitler’s Atlantic Wall with nine divisions of assault troops plus support from naval cannon and massive air strikes. The Atlantic Wall would crumble before the weight of this onslaught, and Europe would be free of the Third Reich less than a year later. Close Combat: Utah Beach retells the story of this historic assault from the eyes of the men who fought bravely to free Europe. As the American commander, you must fight your way off of the beaches and take the important seaport of Cherbourg before the end of June. The German commander must delay the Americans at the beach and await reinforcements to force the Allied effort back into the sea. Developed by Atomic Games, this product is scheduled to ship in November.
Destroyer Command:
Shipping in November, Destroyer Command is a naval combat simulation that gives the players command of a World War II-era destroyer or destroyer escort in either the British Royal Navy or United States Navy. As players advance in rank, they will be able to command a full division of destroyers and will participate in a variety of naval actions against German, Italian and Japanese forces. Both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres of WWII are meticulously recreated and players can engage in battles spanning the entire war.
Billabong Pro Surfer (Working Title):
Available in Q4, Billabong Pro Surfer is the first authentic surfing action-arcade game. Players can select one of several members of the 2000 Billabong Pro Surfing team (including the reigning men’s and women’s champion), learn to surf different locations (sand beaches, left and right hand break points, a tropical cove and a monumental offshore reef break), then compete in a full-circuit championship contest. This is the first surfing game to bring true wave behaviour and technology to a console environment and players can look forward to learning and executing a full range of surfing moves and stunts.
Reno Air Racing:
Licensed by the National Air Race Association, Reno Air Racing is a non-combat aviation racing simulation that is based on the world-famous air racing event held annually in Reno, NV. 8 planes are in the air in a single race and you can fly against 7 computer- controlled opponents or against other players via the Internet. Season and single racing is available and as the player wins more races, they get more sponsors and more aircraft to fly. Sharpen your flight skills in the Sports Biplane class, then move up to tougher competition in the Formula One and T-6 classes. When you think you’ve got the right stuff, go dancing with the big boys in the Unlimited class. You’ll need all of your flight jockey skills to compete against Bearcats, P-38’s, Super Corsairs and the radical twin-engined Pond Racer. And of course, the incomparable P-51D Mustang. Reno Air Racing ships in September.
“E3 is an excellent opportunity to affirm Mattel Interactive’s commitment to bringing exciting content to the PC gaming audience,” said Bernie Stolar, president, Mattel Interactive. “We recognise how much the SSI brand means to gamers, and will continue to use that brand as our linchpin to the core gaming market with great sims and strategy games. We’re also bringing some great licenses to other products that will be appealing to both the hard core and casual gamer alike.”
Mattel Interactive will show the following titles:
Pool of Radiance™: Ruins of Myth Drannor:
State-of-the-art 3D game technology revisits the most popular role-playing series ever in Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor. This title will be the first RPG to incorporate the new Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition Rules. The game will also feature 3D art animation new to the AD&D role-playing category, such as huge character and monster models as well as fully interactive environments. The gameplay provides for single player and multi-player adventures where you can create up to four players of a six player and journey through familiar Dungeons & Dragons world of the Forgotten Realms. Pool of Radiance is scheduled to ship in November.
Earth 2150:
The first all-terrain, three-dimensional RTS game is ready to duplicate its European success in America! Earth 2150 is a 3D real-time strategy game whose use of a land-based, true 3D engine not only enhances visual appeal, but also dramatically changes how land-based RTS games are played, both tactically and strategically.
Constant warring and the depletion of Earth’s natural resources have shifted the planet’s axis, placing it on a collision course with the sun. Players can choose one of three civilisations and take up a life or death race against time, your enemies and a rapidly deteriorating world in an effort to control key resource areas, build a spaceship and rescue your race from imminent Armageddon! Earth 2150 is scheduled to hit store shelves in May.
Warlords Battlecry:
Real-time strategy never had time for heroics… until now. Based on the award winning series of Warlords turn-based games, Warlords Battlecry is the next generation in real-time strategy gameplay, by being the first hero-based RTS game ever. Rather than creating legions of nameless, faceless units, Battlecry lets the player create and individualise their own hero that they can take from game to game, and develop him/her into a mighty commander. This hero gains added experience and abilities through battle, both throughout the campaign as well as side quests. Players are given the choice of taking a “Good” or “Evil” path in the quest for the Two Tears, twin artefacts of unimaginable, unspeakable power. Warlords Battlecry arrives in stores in June.
Larry Bond’s Harpoon4:
Available in October, the Harpoon legacy continues in this incredible modern Naval Combat Simulation! With all the depth and detail of its famous predecessors, plus gorgeous graphics that bring naval tactical combat to life, this 3D combat simulation has it all. Over 250 modern ships, submarines, aircraft and ground formations from 14 different countries, player controlled options to create "super ships" and a powerful and flexible Scenario Editor for unlimited gameplay are only a handful of the many features in Larry Bond's Harpoon4.
Close Combat:Utah Beach:
In June of 1944, the combined forces of the United States, Great Britain, Canada and France launched the greatest amphibious invasion in the history for war. The blow fell in Normandy, France battering Hitler’s Atlantic Wall with nine divisions of assault troops plus support from naval cannon and massive air strikes. The Atlantic Wall would crumble before the weight of this onslaught, and Europe would be free of the Third Reich less than a year later. Close Combat: Utah Beach retells the story of this historic assault from the eyes of the men who fought bravely to free Europe. As the American commander, you must fight your way off of the beaches and take the important seaport of Cherbourg before the end of June. The German commander must delay the Americans at the beach and await reinforcements to force the Allied effort back into the sea. Developed by Atomic Games, this product is scheduled to ship in November.
Destroyer Command:
Shipping in November, Destroyer Command is a naval combat simulation that gives the players command of a World War II-era destroyer or destroyer escort in either the British Royal Navy or United States Navy. As players advance in rank, they will be able to command a full division of destroyers and will participate in a variety of naval actions against German, Italian and Japanese forces. Both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres of WWII are meticulously recreated and players can engage in battles spanning the entire war.
Billabong Pro Surfer (Working Title):
Available in Q4, Billabong Pro Surfer is the first authentic surfing action-arcade game. Players can select one of several members of the 2000 Billabong Pro Surfing team (including the reigning men’s and women’s champion), learn to surf different locations (sand beaches, left and right hand break points, a tropical cove and a monumental offshore reef break), then compete in a full-circuit championship contest. This is the first surfing game to bring true wave behaviour and technology to a console environment and players can look forward to learning and executing a full range of surfing moves and stunts.
Reno Air Racing:
Licensed by the National Air Race Association, Reno Air Racing is a non-combat aviation racing simulation that is based on the world-famous air racing event held annually in Reno, NV. 8 planes are in the air in a single race and you can fly against 7 computer- controlled opponents or against other players via the Internet. Season and single racing is available and as the player wins more races, they get more sponsors and more aircraft to fly. Sharpen your flight skills in the Sports Biplane class, then move up to tougher competition in the Formula One and T-6 classes. When you think you’ve got the right stuff, go dancing with the big boys in the Unlimited class. You’ll need all of your flight jockey skills to compete against Bearcats, P-38’s, Super Corsairs and the radical twin-engined Pond Racer. And of course, the incomparable P-51D Mustang. Reno Air Racing ships in September.
Companies:
Mattel