Multiplayer

United Offensive has 3 new game modes on 11 maps designed specifically for them. The first of the new multiplayer games is capture the flag, which works just like in Quake or Unreal Tournament. Grey Matter has included their own version of Domination. The first to control all five flag points wins, and this is nowhere as easy as it sounds. Finally, there is Base Assault. Base Assault has both teams trying to take down three bunkers by blowing them up. Of course, given that the bunkers are major spawn points, it's quite difficult to get at them.

Last but not least is the new rank system. Based on a player's accomplishments, he'll gain ranks and with that extra ammo, binoculars and other goodies like being able to call in artillery support. Fortunately the high rank requirement for artillery support will severely limit its tool as a grief weapon. The early ranks get very, very little ammo, a spare clip or two, so it's quite important to rank up as soon as possible.

Server admins have unprecedented power and control over the maps. They can not only disable tanks or 88mm gun emplacements, they can choose to disable whatever kind of tank or infantry weapon. Want to force one side to rely exclusively on tanks and the other on infantry? You can do that by disabling T-34s for the Russians but taking away all the infantry-held weapons for the Germans. Even the artillery support or pistols can be disabled in the server settings.

Oh, did I mention how huge the maps are? While there's nothing on the scale of Guadalcanal from Battlefield 1942, United Offensive's maps are massive relative to Call of Duty's. A conservative estimate would put them at least twice as long and twice as wide, increasing the surface area by four times.


Judging by the stability and performance of our preview build, we're pretty sure that Activision will be able to meet its release target of Fall this year.