3DO's First PlayStation 2 Console Game Hits Retail Before Christmas

World Destruction League: Thunder Tanks ships today for PlayStation 2.

Posted by Staff
The 3DO Company (Nasdaq: THDO) today announced that the World Destruction League: Thunder Tanks game for PlayStation*2 computer entertainment system shipped on schedule today to retailers, just in time for Christmas.

The press worldwide is raving about the stunning graphics and multi-player mayhem of the World Destruction League: Thunder Tanks game. GameSpot, one of the largest online gaming sites said, "With excellent graphics, numerous control options, solid sound, and fun gameplay, the PS2 version of the game looks as if it could be the best tank game that 3DO has ever published."Imagine's PlayStation Magazine was equally glowing in their praise of the game, "...its environments and tanks are already looking super-sharp and move at a brisk framerate. Its numerous special effects, such as a real-time motion blur and weather changes, are also certain to put the system through its paces. More impressive yet, all of the structures in the game can be realistically decimated in real time - they actually crumble where you shoot them, and can even be 'cut in half' with artillery fire." Silicon Magazine chimed in with, "Picking up where Battle Tanx left off, World Destruction League: Thunder Tanks is a beast. The PS2 hardware allows WDL's developers to really flex some graphic muscle."

"This is the start of something big for 3DO," said Trip Hawkins, chairman and CEO of The 3DO Company. "Thunder Tanks is the first of numerous impressive PlayStation 2 titles that we will be releasing over the next six months. We're really excited to be in on the ground floor for this incredible gaming platform."

The Thunder Tanks game is the ultimate in spectacle entertainment. It's an "over the top" tournament where the contenders battle it out using tanks. This mega-event is broadcast on the fictional WDL television network throughout its post-apocalyptic society. The match-ups take place in battle-stages in famous locations all around the world. While the WDL has outrageous attitude, over-done action, and trash-talking commentators, the competitors take it very seriously...they'll stop at destroying nothing in order to win the championship title.

The Thunder Tanks game for the PlayStation 2 console is playable by up to four people (using the Multitap) and features an all-new, high-resolution engine that displays incredibly crisp graphics with better textures and more color depth. Texture usage includes tracks in the dirt and shell and scorch marks on buildings. The Thunder Tanks game also utilizes anti-aliasing, extensive light sourcing and dynamic lighting. It also pushes the limits of amazing special effects with a spectacular nuclear blast effect that will blow entire cityscapes into debris, swept up in the direction of the expanding blast. The game also features smoking wreckage, sparking metal and debris clouds from collapsing buildings.