Asheron’s Call 2/Combat Flight Sim 3

AC 2

Estimated release: Winter 2002/2003

Sequel to Microsoft’s/Turbine’s popular MMORPG, Asheron’s Call 2 promises, among other things, a new graphics engine. The “Turbine Engine G2” promises realtime shadows and lighting, and reactive environments where foliage sways in the wind, and standing water shimmers with reflections. Characters will be more detailed than before, and gigantic monsters “a hundred times” larger than player-characters will roam the countryside.

Pretty reflection

A monouga

Hardcore players will be pleased to note the addition of three unique races – humans (specializing in ranged combat), Tumeroks (specializing in magic), and Lugians (brutish melee characters). Each race will have unique skill trees conforming to their racial specialties. A new combat system will make battles a little more thoughtful and less repetitive – the choice of moves you make can enhance your effectiveness in a fight.

Farmer Bob

Ahh! A dragon!

Turbine is also including an all-new economy system where real players will be the only merchants and craftsmen in the game. You’ll either make or capture your equipment or buy it off of someone else. A crafting system will make it possible for some players to specialize in creating weapons and armor – master craftsmen can actually create powerful magical items for use in the game. The ability to make such items will come through the discovery of various formulas and recipes that will require specific ingredients, which, of course can only be found through questing and trade.

Dead dragon now

Banderling

What won’t change is the central storyline behind the game, a feature that made the original AC stand out from the others. The world can be battered by cataclysmic events like blizzards, volcano eruptions, and mysterious invasions. The most powerful players will eventually be able to trigger such events on their own.

Many blades of grass

Dungeon hall

CFS 3

Estimated release: Fall 2002

This edition of Combat Flight Simulator puts wannabe pilots back into the European theater, from 1943 on to the end of the war. Unlike previous editions, CFS 3 will focus on the air war closer to the ground, with tactical bombing missions, close air support, and air superiority missions. Players will also get to take the role of bombardier and gunner in certain aircraft on multiplayer missions. Overall there will be 18 aircraft in the game, representing the US Army Air Corps, the Royal Air Force, and the Luftwaffe. The jet-powered Me262 even makes an appearance.

Gunner's seat

Rat a tat

Look ma, no propeller!

Cockpit view

Players will also have to deal with character health throughout the game. G-Force tolerance, vision, and physical health will all play roles in how well you can pilot your craft. Depending on how much damage you take, and what injuries “you” sustain in missions, these injuries can persist throughout the campaign until you heal up.

USA! USA!

Luftwaffe

Take the stick

Another allied plane