Engine

Layer Based level Technology

With the incorporation of flight, and consequently an aerial view of the world, one of Surreal's biggest challenges was to find a way to keep the frame rate down while having armies of bad guys beneath you on screen. Surreal's answer? Layer technology. Instead of going with the standard single landscape surfaces and static BSP Tree environments, they've chosen instead to use layered morphed geometry. On top of that, they've implemented a system called Level of Detail, or LOD, where the game dynamically scales down the number of polygons the further away you are from the models.

Trouble

Nice lighting

Ambience

Skeletal Animation System

Surreal has also added the latest trend in engine technology, a skeletal animation system not unlike like that of Half-Life or Max Payne's, where modelers create wireframes or skeletons, animate the skeleton, then wrap textured skins around its body. Thus, the skin moves and transforms according to the movement of the body. The effect is punctuated with the fluid, life-like movements of the dragon's body.

There is a catch to all of these gorgeous graphics, picturesque landscapes, and jazzy engine features however; Drakan will require a 3D accelerator card that is Direct 3D compatible. It isn't surprising though, given that Drakan's projected release date is in the Spring of '99, at which time 3D accelerator cards should be standard fare in every gamer's computer. For those unlucky enough to be still using first generation 3D cards (Voodoo 1) by the time the game debuts, fear not, the engine will be scalable, meaning you can adjust the graphical level of detail according your computer's specs. Of course, they haven't forgotten the lot of you who'll have the state-of-the-art gear. The engine will also support the next-generation technologies from second generation cards, such as the Voodoo 3, by enhancing its features such as high-polygon counts, multi-pass texturing, colored lighting, high-res true-color textures, and bump mapping.

Drakan is due to release in April of '99. With its unique features, jazzed up engine technology, and gorgeously rendered worlds, it's definitely a game you'll want to keep an eye on. Barring some bizarre disaster, Drakan is poised to be a sure-fire hit. We'll keep you all posted on the happenings over at Surreal.