Buckle Up For Pod II, The First On-Line Racer For Dreamcast

Sequel to the award-winning cutting-edge PC race game hits console.

Posted by Staff
ECTS- 3 September 2000- Prepare yourself for the ultimate on-line racing experience as Ubi Soft® Entertainment brings you the sequel to the three and a half million selling Pod.

Global video-games developer & publisher Ubi Soft Entertainment is proud to present POD II - the sequel to 1997's acclaimed and highly successful futuristic racer. Developed in-house by Ubi Studios- , POD II contains virus-busting heroes racing against time and machine as heart pumping excitement lets loose on the console. POD II is the sequel to the popular PC racing game POD - one of the first PC games chosen by Intel's to showcase their ground breaking MMX technology. It was also one of the first 3DFX compatible games, giving it breakneck frame rates even on 1997's PCs. Ubi Soft gave it massive Internet support providing endless downloads and hope to support POD II in similar way with Sega's internet technology.

Now the big brother to this blisteringly hot futuristic racer is destined to arrive on a Dreamcast near you.

Set on the mining colony of Damethra, the mutant alien virus known as Pod has begun to take control of all human life and is creating anarchic havoc. There's only one thing you can do: Race for your life. Again. As anarchy is unleashed, mutant vehicles start roaming the human settlements spreading the infectious, mutating virus. Cruising the ravaged planet, you begin to notice even your car undergoing the mutation.

This time the Pod virus has the ability to mutate other racers - even during the course of the race itself. This lands you with two distinct types of opponents: Normal rivals who are simply out to win the race for themselves, and mutants who's only goal is to ensure your failure by any means necessary! To help with the task at hand, racers on Damethra have access to power ups and weapons ranging from mines and rockets to the Pod virus itself!

Pod II features 10 entirely new tracks spread across Damethra (from the streets of downtown to the alien hive) - and 8 cars, some of which have to be unlocked within the plot-led story mode before they are available elsewhere in the game.

Sophisticated online play adds an entirely new dimension to the Dreamcast racing genre. The original Pod was a benchmark online title and gathered a thriving community which still remains active several years on from the games release. The multi-player features included in Pod II look set to ensure that it reaches the same heady heights. Hop online and you'll discover organized multi-player leagues and trophy events, as well as a horde of multi-player game types ranging from simple races to team and pursuit events. These aren't light-weight added-in multi-player features - they're what Pod II is all about.

Wrapped up in the sort of innovative, silky-smooth, high-speed visuals you've come to expect from Ubi Soft on Dreamcast, Pod II is set to take the mutant chequered flag this September.

· Capitalising further on the orignal's finest hour on the racing circuit, POD II will now include engaging interactive events and animations whilst the player speeds by.

· Ubi Soft's expertise in 3D modelling comes into its own in the 8 fully original vehicles to progress through.

· Speed-rush arcade gameplay for maximum fun.

· Race against ruthless mutant opponents, using acclaimed racing AI.

· Infested environments dynamically mutate the cars.

· POD II will take advantage of Dreamcast's online gaming capabilities with on-line focused special game modes.

Availability:
POD II will be available for Sega Dreamcast from November 2000.
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