KOCH Media goes to war with The Bitmap Brothers

UK software publisher, KOCH Media announced last week the exciting news that they have signed the rights to publish renowned UK developer, The Bitmap Brothers latest PC-CDROM title - World War II: Frontline Command. Set during the climax of the Second World War, Frontline Command lets aspiring Generals make the strategic commands necessary to turn the tide of Axis aggression and liberate occupied Europe.

The year is 1944 and as Allied forces prepare for the D-Day invasion, your squads of elite paratroopers land in occupied France to disrupt the entrenched Axis forces. Utilising a fully realised 3D engine, this action strategy title offers gamers incredibly realistic visuals, coupled with a highly advanced AI system, which allows for intelligent and adaptive game play. Such is the level of depth and detail, the game features a 'Hearing' system, where by units not in 'Line of Sight' can be detected if they are within hearing range. It also features an advanced 'Morale' system, where units confidence in battle is varied by the situations and decision of the commanding officer - YOU!

With over 23 historically accurate units per side and 25 single player missions, the war effort does not end there, as all 25 missions, plus 10 unique missions are available for multiplayer via LAN and the Internet using GameSpy. Using real World War II archive footage and a professionally orchestrated audio score and effects, players are immersed into the heart of the action, as machine gun bullets ricochet off stone walls and the thunderous explosions of mortar fire echo's across the battlefield.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with The Bitmap Brothers on this exciting title," said Craig McNicol, Managing Director of KOCH Media. "Their history of game development is exemplary and Frontline promises to be their finest yet."

"KOCH Media are regarded highly in Europe both by retail and the specialist press," said Ed Bartlett, Business Development Director for The Bitmap Brothers. "Frontline is shaping up to be a fantastic and broad-reaching title, and we have absolute confidence in the abilities of the KOCH Media team to do the product justice."

Developed by The Bitmap Brothers and published by and distributed across Europe by KOCH Media, World War II: Frontline Command will release May 2003.

KEY FEATURES

• Fully realised 3D engine allowing for advanced game play techniques incorporating true 3D Line Of Sight systems, full particle system, seasonal lighting and environmental effects, landscape scarring and multiple stage deformation for all units and buildings.



• The game camera can tilt, zoom and pan around the action so that the player can always realise a perfect view of the titles awesome graphics.



• Intuitive context-sensitive interface allows for simple or complex strategies to be employed, rewarding the player with a rich and absorbing pick up and play experience.



• A varied and interesting script for background detail and mission briefings. Debriefings are also awarded to the player upon the successful completion of a mission.



• Six cut scenes using real WWII archive footage, including rare colour footage, which provide an informative and historical update between sub campaigns.



• Professionally orchestrated audio scores: authentic, positional sound effects and professional voice actor recordings.



• Intelligent and adaptive AI system that reacts to your strategy as you play, counterattacking, finding and firing from cover, utilising captured artillery guns and deploying infantry within buildings wherever possible. The AI will retreat when necessary to rearm or heal their forces as you play.



• Features a "Hearing" system whereby enemy units that are within range but not in Line Of Sight can be detected if they are heard by the players units.



• An advanced "Morale" system that is comprehensive but insightful in nature; battlefield troops report back differently depending on their morale level. The morale system also influences the style and actions of the units in play; "Heroic" actions can be performed when morale is high, for example.



• 25 Single Player missions that can be played either as a 12-mission "Recruit" campaign or a 20-mission, non-linear "Veteran" campaign whereby your actions influence what occurs in forthcoming missions. You will travel from the west coast of Europe in 1944 right through to Hitler's Eagles Nest at Berchtesgarden high within the Bavarian Alps in 1945.



• Multiplayer support is included for up to 4 players via LAN and the Internet using GameSpy, and offering a variety of game styles. There are 10 specific multiplayer maps and the 25 single player maps can be played upon making 35 in total. Players can create custom armies from either Allied or Axis sides in multiplayer mode.



• 23 real-life, command able WWII units per side, featuring historically accurate hardware, with a maximum 200 units per map.