Siege of Charlemont and Far Cry 2: Difference between pages

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{{Future game}}
{{Infobox Military Conflict
{{rewrite}}
|conflict=Siege of Charlemont
{{update}}
|partof=the [[Irish Confederate Wars]]
{{Infobox VG
|date=July-August 1650
| title = Far Cry 2
|place= Armagh, Ulster, North Ireland
| image = [[Image:Far Cry 2 cover art.jpg|256px]]
|result= Parliamentarian force led by Coote takes citadel, but at heavy cost.
| developer = [[Ubisoft Montreal]]
|combatant1=Irish Catholic Confederate troops from [[Ulster]]
| publisher = [[Ubisoft]]
|combatant2=English Parliamentarian [[New Model Army]]
| distributor = [[Ubisoft]]
|commander1='''[[Felim O'Neill of Kinard|Felim O'Neill]]
| composer = Marc Canham<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=293|title=Far Cry 2 Soundtrack Preview by Nimrod Productions Director and Composer Marc Canham|date=August 13, 2008|publisher=Music 4 Games|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref>
|commander2='''[[Charles Coote]]
| designer = Clint Hocking
|strength1=
| series = ''[[Far Cry (series)|Far Cry]]''
|strength2=
| engine = Dunia
|casualties1=low, many wounded
| resolution = [[720p]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/10/06/far-cry-2-720p-but-no-60-frames-a-second/|title=Far Cry 2: 720p, but no 60 frames a second|date=October 6, 2008|publisher=VideoGaming247|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref>
|casualties2=c500-600
| version =
|}}
| release = {{vgrelease|NA=October 21, 2008<ref name="FC2Info-GameSpot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6197306.html|title=Far Cry 2 howling October 21 |last=Thorsen|first=Tor |date=September 5, 2008|publisher=GameSpot|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref>}} {{vgrelease|EU=October 24, 2008<ref name="FC2Info-GameSpot"/><ref name="FC2Info-Ubi">{{cite web|url=http://farcry.uk.ubi.com/index.php?page=blog&action=article&content_id=8281|title=Official Release Date & Map Editor Info|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=Ubisoft|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref>}}
{{Campaignbox Irish Confederate Wars}}
| genre = [[Action]], [[First-person shooter]], [[Sandbox (video games)|Sandbox]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[Multiplayer game|Multiplayer]]
| ratings = {{vgratings|ESRB=M (Mature 17+)|BBFC=18|PEGI=18+|BBFC=18|USK=18+ (uncut)|OFLCA=MA}}
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]]
| media = [[Blu-ray Disc]], [[DVD]]
| requirements = [[#Development|See Development section for requirements matrix]]
| input = [[Keyboard (computing)|Keyboard]] / [[Mouse (computing)|Mouse]], [[Gamepad]]
}}


'''''Far Cry 2''''' is an upcoming [[2008 in video gaming|2008]] [[first-person shooter]] developed by [[Ubisoft Montreal]] and published by [[Ubisoft]] and is the sequel to ''[[Far Cry]]''. [[Crytek]], developers of the original game, are not involved in the development of ''Far Cry 2''. It was announced on January 3, 2008, that in addition to [[Microsoft Windows]], ''Far Cry 2'' will also be available on the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://au.ps3.ign.com/articles/843/843407p1.html|title=Far Cry 2 Spreads its Wings to PS3 and 360|last=Robinson|first=Martin |date=January 3, 2008|publisher=IGN - AU|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> and will ship simultaneously with the [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] version on October 21, 2008 in North America<ref name="FC2Info-GameSpot"/> and October 24, 2008 in Europe<ref name="FC2Info-GameSpot"/>.
The '''Siege of Charlemont''' took place in July - August [[1650]] during the [[Cromwellian conquest of Ireland]] when the fortress of [[Charlemont]] in [[County Armagh]], [[Ireland]] was besieged by [[Charles Coote]]’s Parliamentarian army, which was largely composed of soldiers of the [[New Model Army]]. The force led by Coote eventually took the fort from its Irish defenders, but not before they suffered heavy losses, with some 5-600 Parliamentarian Soldiers being killed during assaults on the formidable stronghold. In terms of the number of soldiers killed in battle, The Siege of Charlemont was the second bloodiest engagement fought by the Parliamentarians in Ireland, only surpassed by the [[Siege of Clonmel]].


==Background==
==Gameplay==
Gameplay will revolve around the player character's manhunt through a fictional region of [[Africa]] and will be entirely [[Nonlinear gameplay|open-ended]], with the player being able to ally with anyone he/she chooses. The player's choices are completely unfettered, giving a sandbox style of gameplay and allowing the story to progress at the speed the player chooses<ref name="FC2ProgressRe-IGNAU">{{cite web|url=http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/846/846742p1.html|title=Far Cry 2 Progress Report|last=Onyett|first=Charles |date=January 22, 2008|publisher=IGN - AU|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref>. Instead of using individual maps, the game will take place in a sprawling African landscape, with terrain ranging from [[savannah]] to [[jungle]]<ref name="PCG2"/>. The gameplay area will be {{convert|50|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}. Some members of the Ubisoft Montreal team spent two weeks in several locations in Africa filming and photographing native wildlife. The team will use the animal footage and environment photos to create an extremely realistic environment.


The player's actions may also have a lasting effect on the environment: for example, one of the missions shown so far by the developers had the player sabotage a pipeline owned by one of the factions that's pumping fresh water from a lake to a neighboring country, exchanging it for arms and munition. After the player destroys it, part of the surrounding area becomes flooded, including a mine where another mission may take place<ref name="Far Cry 2 PlayStation 3 Show - E3 2008: Live Wire Demo">{{cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/14226062/far-cry-2-/videos/farcry2livewire_072308.html|title=Far Cry 2 PlayStation 3 Show - E3 2008: Live Wire Demo|publisher=IGN|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref>.
Charlemont was the first stronghold to be captured in the Irish uprisng of 1641, seized a force led by Felim O'Neill within 24 hours of the outbreak of the rebellion. It was one of the most modern fortrifications in Ireland and as such was one of the few strongholds in Northern Ireland to remain in Irish Confederate hands throughout the 1640's.


Various factions and vehicles will be featured; enemies will include human mercenaries, but sci-fi creatures such as the [[Trigens|mutants]] from ''Far Cry'' will not be featured.<ref name="FC2firslook-CVG">{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=169105|title=Far Cry 2 - first look!|last=Smith|first=Graham |date=July 31, 2007|publisher=Computer and Video Games|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref> Furthermore, the player's feral abilities introduced in ''[[Far Cry Instincts]]'' and its expansions will not be returning in ''Far Cry 2''. A dynamic weather system has been added that varies the weather based on the player's ability - if the player is doing exceptionally well the sky will be clear and sunny, but if problems arise the sky will become dark and stormy.
At the end of 1649, a force of New Model Army soldiers under [[Robert Venables]] moved into Ulster and linked up with Charles Cootes small army. The combined force conquered eastern Ulster easily, routing the Scottish Royalist Ulster army at Lisnagarvey. The only serious opposition to the Parliamentarian army came from Felim O'Neills Ulstermen, who launched a night attack on the Parliamentarian camp, though to little effect.


A [[Software_release_cycle#Pre-alpha|pre-alpha]] video of the game, showcasing visuals and 13 minutes of gameplay with developer commentary, was made available online in spring 2008. The video showcases many dynamic gameplay features which included procedural breakage of vegetation, allowing players to shoot down trees and shoot branches and leaves off of trees, which can eventually re-grow. The developers also showcased dynamic propagation of fire, and volumetric wind effects capable of breaking vegetation and spreading fire. Man-made structures were also shown to be highly destructible.
At the end of 1649, the Irish Ulster army had been momentarily paralysed as a result of the death of [[Owen Roe O'Neill]]. In 1650 Heber MacMahon was chosen to lead the Ulster army, and by mid 1650 the force was once again active, pushing into Ulster and threatening the forces under Coote. MacMahon however was a bishop rather than a military man, and at the [[battle of Scarrifholis]] he led the Ulster army to its destruction.


[[Image:Fc2 rl.jpg|thumb|Far Cry 2's African-themed setting and visuals.]]The game will be much more realistic with features such as the player having to use a map and navigation system to get around, and more life or death related features such as having to use tools to dig bullets out of the body and pat themselves down when on fire. Weapons will disintegrate over time, adding a grimier look to them, and causing them to jam and eventually just explode in your hand . Several species of African wildlife can be encountered in the game, and will be able to distract the enemy as well as make them aware of your presence<ref name="FC2Info-Ubibl">{{cite web|url=http://farcry.uk.ubi.com/index.php?page=blog&action=article&content_id=7292|title=QUESTIONS FROM LP’S VIDEO|last=Valen|first=René|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=FarCry 2 official blog|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>. All the large animals in the game will be grazing [[herbivores]] only, such as [[zebras]], [[wildebeest]], [[gazelle]], [[African_Buffalo|buffalo]], [[impala]], [[gemsbok]], and the like. The reasoning was thus stated by one of the developers: "The problem was, if we wanted to put predators into that ecosystem we would have to balance it to make sure the lions didn't eat all the gazelles and then all starve to death."<ref name="FC2Info-Ubibl"/>
The only senior Irish commander to escape Scarriffhollis was Sir Felim O'Neill. Along with a small number of survivors, he made his way to Charlemont Fort, the last remaining Irish stronghold in Ulster.
Realising that the fort would be near impossible to capture without heavy artillery, Venables and Coote brought Siege [[Cannon]] and [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortars]] with their army when they commenced their attack in late July.


The game's producer, Louis-Pierre Pharand, says that the single-player game will "potentially have close to 50 hours of game play."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=189752|title=Far Cry 2 single-player "close to 50 hours"|date=May 28. 2008|publisher=Computer and Video Games|language=English||last=Jackson|first=Mike|accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/far-cry-2/news/far-cry-2-single-player-close-to-50-hours/a-20080528113926866020/g-20070221105846871089|title=Far Cry 2 single-player "close to 50 hours"|date=May 28, 2008|publisher=GamesRadar|language=English||last=Jackson|first=Mike|accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref>
==The Commanders==


During a demo at the DreamHack Summer 2008 event, Ubisoft developers also showcased some new game play mechanics, such as weapon jamming, vehicle damage, propagating fire, destructible environments, adaptive enemy [[artificial intelligence]], as well as day and night cycles, and dynamic weather.
Charles Coote, who led the mostly English Ulster army, had a savage reputation- during the Parliamentarian offensive in Ulster in late 1649, he exhibited brutal behaviour, committing atrocities not only against Irish Catholics but also against any Scottish Protestants who resisted his advance. After his victory at Scarrifholis, he executed all the soldiers, regardless of rank, who had surrendered to the lower ranking Parliamentarian officers: Even Henry O'Neill, the son of Owen Roe, was put to death. This was considered to be a shocking atrocity, even by the standards of the time. <ref>Manning,An Apprenticeship in Arms, pg 225</ref>


The player will also be able to tag certain objects and locations such as cars, sniper towers, ammo pickups and buildings, so that they will be able to monitor them on their map.
As a Gaelic Irish Catholic, Felim O'Neill had good enough reason to fear Coote, but O'Neill had also featured prominently in English Propaganda pamphlets during the 1640s as the authour of a massacre of Protestants. He was thus hated by many Protestant soldiers in Ireland, and the army surrounding him would therefore be particularly vigilant.
O'Neill did however have a few small points to his advantage. Firstly, the fortress at Charlemont was one of the toughest fortresses in Ireland. Secondly, Coote's reputation was by now well known, and no Irish Catholic would be mad enough to willingly surrender to him. The defenders of Charlement were thus well aware that they would have little hope of survival if the Parliamentarians captured the fortress. The fighting would invariably prove to be fierce.


==The assault==
===Multiplayer===
Multiplayer in ''Far Cry 2'' attempts to include the dynamic elements of the singleplayer game (such as fire propagation) and to provide as accessible gameplay as possible so that it is available to all skill levels and so that players have specific gameplay aspects to keep in mind when designing their own maps in the map editor. <ref name="fc2multi-GameSpot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/farcry2/news.html?sid=6197984&mode=all&tag=other-user-related-content;4|title= Far Cry 2 Exclusive Multiplayer Hands-On -- Game Modes, Weapons, and Blood Diamonds |last=Miller|first=Jon |date=September 19, 2008 |publisher=GameSpot|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-12}}</ref><ref>[http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14226061/far-cry-2-/videos/FC2multiplayerInterview.html]</ref>


There can be up to twenty players per map, and the game will ship with fourteen developer-designed maps ranging from the slightly undersized to the modestly corpulent. <ref name="FC2Multi-GamePro">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/207242/far-cry-2-multiplayer/|title=Character classes, blood diamonds, and hang gliders. Far Cry 2 multiplayer revealed!|last=Moses|first=Travis |date=September 24, 2008|publisher=GamePro|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>
By early August, the Parliamentarians had managed to batter a breach in the fortifications.
Coote then ordered his troops to cut approach trenches up to the walls. On the 8th of August the English launched a major assault. Felim O'Neill rallied the entire garrison as well the civilian inhabitants to mount a vigorous defence at the breach- even the women had armed themselves as best they could. The defence was in many respects a repeat of the defence of Clonmel in 1650: Hundreds of English soldiers were killed by the desperate defenders, and the remainder were forced out of the breach and back to their lines. After this huge effort the garrison was however exhausted, bloodied, and had used up almost all of their gunpowder and ammunition. As a result, on August 14 O'Neill requested terms of surrender. Sir Felim O'Neill demanded hostages from Coote before he would negotiate the surrender. The terms that O'Neill obtained were that he and his men would march out with bag and baggage after their wounds had healed, and proceed to a port where Coote would have ship waiting to carry them overseas. <ref>Manning,An Apprenticeship in Arms, pg 225</ref>These were a remarkably generous set of terms from Coote: He probably had no other option, for by now few would be willing to surrender to Coote unless extraordinary conditions were offered.


==Aftermath==
====Modes====
Four modes have been confirmed to be shipping with the game:


*Deathmatch
*Team Deathmatch
*Capture the Diamond - a slight variation of the standard [[Capture_the_flag#Software_and_games|Capture the Flag]]
*Uprising - Each team has a captain who must capture points across the map, with the assistance of his teammates. Once all points have been captured, the opposing captain must be assassinated to win the round.


====Classes====
The fighting at Charlemont was one of the bloodiest conflicts to be fought in Ireland by the Parliamentarians. Although many more soldiers died at Limerick the next year, these deaths were mostly the result of disease. By contrast, almost all the 500 or more soldiers who died at Charlemont were killed in the attempted storm of the fort. Coote bore a great deal of responsibility for the massive casualties he suffered during the siege. Like other Irish Protestant commanders such as [[Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery|Roger Boyle]], he had proven himself to be a ruthless commander on a number of occasions, executing any enemy who fell into his hands. As such, the Ulster Irish defenders were willing to fight to the death.
Multiplayer gameplay is class based. Each class can choose an appropriate primary weapon and a side arm, as well as carry explosives such as frag grenades or Molotov cocktails. Players are able to unlock more powerful weapons within each class by spending up to three "blood diamonds" on a class; diamonds are earned through experience points gained by killing other players and completing objectives. Potential upgrades for individual weapons within a class include operation manuals, maintenance manuals, and [[bandoliers]].


There are six classes:
Felim O'Neills defence of Charlemont, as well as his overall defence of Ulster in 1649-50, was vigorous, a contrast to his often incompetent handling of the early years of the Irish uprising. Although the terms of surrender allowed O'Neill to leave, he tried to hide in Ulster, and was eventually found and executed.


*Commando - "Mid-range assault class. Effective at fire-and-movement tactics."
The fall of the stronghold was another blow for [[James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde|Ormonde]]'s reputation. In September the Irish bishops excommunicated any Catholic serving Ormonde, and he left Ireland in December. <ref>Wheeler, Cromwell in Ireland, pg 176</ref>.
*Sharpshooter - "Long-range specialist. Armed with highly accurate weapons."
*Guerrilla - "Short-range class. Specializes in close combat and ambush tactics."
*Rebel - "Specialist in explosives and fire. Strong on offense or defense."
*Gunner - "Heavy firepower specialist. Highly effective from static firing positions."
*Saboteur - "Equipped with silenced weapons. Specializes in stealth tactics."


==Setting and plot==
From a Parliamentarian perspective, the fall of Charlemont completed the English conquest of Ulster and left Sir Charles Coote free to advance on [[Athlone]], the passage to the province of Connacht.
[[Image:Far Cry 2.jpg|thumb|right|One of the possible player characters.]]
''Far Cry 2'' abandons the science fiction aspects of its predecessor in favor of a more realistic setting. The game will take place in a small, fictional, central-African nation that is in a state of civil war. The name of the country is Mwanzo.
The protagonist of previous ''Far Cry'' games, [[Jack Carver]], will not be featured in this game. When Ubisoft interviewed players about the original ''Far Cry'' in their research for this game, the interviewees didn't find the character very memorable or likeable. However in the "no heroes" trailer for Farcry 2 you see a man stab and kick the player to the ground who's face looks much like Jack's face from the computer version.<ref name="PCG2">{{cite journal |last=Osborn |first=Chuck |year=2007 |month=October |title=Far Cry 2: Survival Guide to Africa |journal=PC Gamer |volume=14 |issue=10 |pages=24 |issn=1080-4471}}</ref> As a result, in the sequel the player will be able to choose from nine different characters to play, each with a unique look and back story. All of the playable characters will be different types of [[mercenaries]]. The playable characters the player does not choose to play will become [[non-player characters]] who are friends of the player's character and who can be found around the in-game nation.<ref name="PCG2"/>


According to the game's plot, the nation's government has recently collapsed, leaving two major factions vying for control. At war are the United Front for Liberation and Labor (UFLL, led by Addi Mbantuwe, a former opposition leader) and the Alliance for Popular Resistance (APR, led by Oliver Tambossa, Chief of Staff for the former government). Both factions have claimed that they have the people's interests at heart, but both have shown signs of ruthlessness, warmongering, greed, and a general disregard for the well-being of the people. Both sides have hired many foreign [[mercenaries]] to bolster their strength over the course of the conflict.
==See also==
*[[Irish Confederate Wars]]
*[[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]]
*[[Irish battles]]


Within the game world, it has recently been revealed that the nation's diamond mines have been exhausted, throwing the nation, its people, and the conflict into further turmoil, and possibly leaving the many foreign mercenaries without pay and without a way out, in a country in whose fate they have no real interest.
==Footnotes==
*{{fnb|1}}Manning,An Apprenticeship in Arms, pg 225
*{{fnb|2}}Manning,An Apprenticeship in Arms, pg 225
*{{fnb|3}}Scott-Wheeler, Cromwell in Ireland, pg 176


The goal of the player's character will be to find and take "The Jackal" out of the picture. "The Jackal" is an [[arms dealer]] that has been selling weapons to both sides of the conflict. The player must accomplish this goal by whatever means necessary, perhaps even through actions which are dangerously close to the level of immorality employed by the warring factions and the Jackal himself.
==References==


==Development==
* {{cite book|last=Scot-Wheeler|first=James|coauthors=|title=Cromwell in Ireland|edition=|publisher=Gill & Macmillan|location=Dublin|year=1999|isbn=0-7171-2884-9}}
{{VG Requirements
|useminandrec=yes
|caption=System Requirements<ref>{{cite web|url=http://farcry.uk.ubi.com/index.php?page=blog&action=article&content_id=8150|title=FC2 PC Specs Revealed!|date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Ubisoft|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref>
|platform1=Microsoft Windows
|os1=Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista
|cpu1=Pentium 4 3.2&nbsp;GHz, Pentium D 2.66&nbsp;Ghz, AMD Athlon 64 3500+ or better
|cpu1rec=Intel Core 2 Duo Family, AMD 64 X2 5200+, AMD Phenom or better
|memory1=1&nbsp;GB
|memory1rec=2&nbsp;GB
|gpu1=NVidia 6800 or ATI X1650 or better; must support Pixel Shader 3.0
|gpu1rec=NVidia 8600 GTS or better, ATI X1900 or better
|sound1=
|sound1rec=5.1 sound card
|network1=
|hdspace1=12&nbsp;GB of free space
}}

===History===
The unveiling of ''Far Cry 2'' took place on July 19, 2007 in Paris, France<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ubisoftgroup.com/index.php?p=59&art_id=60&vars=c2VuZGVyPUFMTCZzZW5kZXJfdXJsPWluZGV4LnBocCUzRnAlM0Q1OSUyNmFydF9pZCUzRCZjb21faWQ9NDg4JmZpbHRlcl90eXBlPSZmaWx0ZXJfbW9udGg9JmZpbHRlcl95ZWFyPQ%3D%3D&PHPSESSID=bd11dd6bff39d49c53e7b9077b872b5a|title=Ubisoft announces FarCry 2|date=July 19, 2007|publisher=Ubisoft|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref>, by head company Ubisoft. Ubisoft stated that the game had been in development by the [[Ubisoft Montreal]] team, and would be released on [[October 21]], [[2008]].

===Research===
In July 2007, Ubisoft sent a team of the game's developers to Africa to carry-out research for the game. They reportedly spent two weeks traveling around [[Kenya]] and camping out on the savannah. The game's producer, Louis-Pierre Pharand said that following the trip they realized they had gotten the design of the game "so wrong" and made several changes to "make the game feel like you were really there".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://threespeech.com/blog/?p=975|title=FarCry 2 Interview|last=Stuart|first=Keith |date=April 25, 2008|publisher=Three Speech|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>

===Map editor===
''Far Cry 2'''s map editor has been designed specifically for ease of use. It will include features present in almost all other map editors, such as easily raising/lowering terrain and applying textures, but is supposedly much easier to use than most similar programs. A video was shown showcasing the editor, including an Eiffel Tower made completely from in-game pieces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5039214/far-cry-2-map-editor-looks-absolutely-amazing|title=Far Cry 2 Map Editor Looks Absolutely Amazing|last=Plunkett|first=Luke |date=August 20, 2008|publisher=Kotaku|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>

The map editor will feature thousands of objects found in the single player game including vehicles, buildings, bridges and more. However, weapons cannot be placed on maps to support the game's class-based gameplay. The objects in the player made maps, such as buildings and structures are prefabricated from the game, making the map files smaller. This means that uploading and downloading maps will be quick and easy. It was announced at the GC 2008 that there will be a memory space limit for each map.

However, it only supports multiplayer maps.

===Engine===
Ubisoft has developed a new engine specifically for ''Far Cry 2'', called ''Dunia'', meaning "world" or "earth" in many languages including Persian, Turkish, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Marathi, Bengali, Swahili, Assyrian, Indonesian and Malay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://farcry.uk.ubi.com/index.php?page=blog&action=article&content_id=6350|title=Introduction to the Dunia engine|last=Amancio|first=Alex |date=August 14, 2008|publisher=FarCry 2 official site|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>

The engine will take advantage of multi-core processors as well as multiple processors and support DirectX 9 as well as DirectX 10.<ref>[http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23556.html Gametrailers.com - Far Cry 2 - Developer Diary - Engine Introduction<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Only 2 or 3 percent of the original CryEngine code is being re-used, according to Michiel Verheijdt, Senior Product Manager for Ubisoft Netherlands. Additionally, this engine will be less hardware-demanding than ''[[Crysis]]''' engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=http://tweakers.net/nieuws/50850/ubisoft-licht-tipje-van-de-sluier-over-far-cry-2-op.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://tweakers.net/nieuws/50850%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3DxUy|title=Ubisoft light tip of the veil on Far Cry 2|last=de Vries|first=Wilbert |date= December 14, 2007|publisher=Tweakers.net|accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>

''Far Cry 2'' will also support the [[amBX]] technology from [[Philips]]. With the proper hardware, this adds effects like vibrations, ambient colored lights, and fans that generate wind effects. The agreement will also see an amBX patch being released for the original ''Far Cry''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamershell.com/companies/philips/390176.html|title=Philips Arms Ubisoft with amBX |date=January 07, 2008|publisher=Gamers Hell|language=English|accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>

==Marketing and release==
===Ubidays 2008===
During Ubisoft's [[Ubidays]], held in Paris, [[France]] on May 28 - 29, 2008, Ubisoft revealed brand new video footage for ''Far Cry 2''. <ref>G4TV.com - The Feed http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/ May, 2008</ref> Along with the new footage, Ubisoft displayed in-game screenshots showing off the photo-realistic visuals rendered by Ubisoft's Dunia Engine (see engine). A video of Ubisoft Montreal's developers talking about the upcoming game's features can be seen on [[G4TV]]'s website.<ref>G4TV - The Feed http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/685862/Far_Cry_2_Videos__Screenshots.html</ref>

===Collectors' Edition===
To celebrate the release of ''Far Cry 2'', Ubisoft also unveiled the ''Far Cry 2 Collectors’ Edition'', available in certain territories outside the US, that will include:<ref name="FC2Info-IGN">{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/908/908090p1.html|title=Ubisoft Confirms Release Date for Far Cry 2 and Announces Collectors Edition Content|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=IGN|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref><ref name="FC2Info-GameSpot"/>
* Exclusive wooden box
* Original ''Far Cry 2'' Game
* Limited edition ''Far Cry 2'' t-shirt
* “The Art of ''Far Cry 2''” Art book
* Collector 50km² map
* Making-of DVD, including video from the development team's trip to Africa

The United States receives a separate Limited Edition package, available exclusively for those who pre-order it at [[GameStop]]. Dubbed the GameStop Exclusive Pre-Order Edition, the package sells at the same price point as the regular [[Stock-keeping unit|SKU]], and includes the following:<ref name="FC2_US_LE_IGN">{{cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/908/908739p1.html|title=Ubisoft Confirms Far Cry 2 Ship Date and Announces Exclusive Edition|date=September 9, 2008|publisher=IGN|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-11}}</ref>
* 6 Bonus Missions with about 3 extra hours of gameplay
* A fold out map of the open world of ''Far Cry 2''
* Exclusive game packaging

==Reception==
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|GSpot =
|GSpy =
|GT =
|PCGUK = 94% <ref name="farcry2pc-pcguk"> {{Citation| last = Edwards| first = Tim| title = Far Cry 2| newspaper = PC Gamer UK|date=November 2008}}</ref>
<!-- |OXM = 9/10 (90%)
|Official playstation Magazine: 9/10 Need source. -->
|IGN =
|PCGUS =
|PCZone =
<!-- |MC = XX% PC <ref name="fc2pcrev-MC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/farcry2|title=Far Cry 2 (PC) Review - MetaCritic|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=2008-10-06}}</ref> -->
|GR =
}}

{{clr}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
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* [http://www.farcry2.com/ Official website]


{{Far Cry series}}
* Manning, Roger, Oxford (2006), ''An Apprenticeship in Arms: The Origins of the British Army 1585-1702''


[[Category:2008 video games]]
[[Category:Far Cry]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Portrayal of Africa in fiction]]
[[Category:Ubisoft Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Canada]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 games]]


[[http://inchiquin.blogspot.com/2008/10/siege-of-charlemont-july-august-1650.html]]-Swordland


[[fr:Far Cry 2]]
[[Category:Battles of the Irish Confederate Wars|Charlemont]]
[[Category:1650 in Ireland]]
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[[it:Far Cry 2]]
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Revision as of 18:15, 12 October 2008

Template:Future game

Far Cry 2
Developer(s)Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher(s)Ubisoft
Designer(s)Clint Hocking
Composer(s)Marc Canham[3]
SeriesFar Cry
EngineDunia
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre(s)Action, First-person shooter, Sandbox
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Far Cry 2 is an upcoming 2008 first-person shooter developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft and is the sequel to Far Cry. Crytek, developers of the original game, are not involved in the development of Far Cry 2. It was announced on January 3, 2008, that in addition to Microsoft Windows, Far Cry 2 will also be available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360,[5] and will ship simultaneously with the Windows version on October 21, 2008 in North America[1] and October 24, 2008 in Europe[1].

Gameplay

Gameplay will revolve around the player character's manhunt through a fictional region of Africa and will be entirely open-ended, with the player being able to ally with anyone he/she chooses. The player's choices are completely unfettered, giving a sandbox style of gameplay and allowing the story to progress at the speed the player chooses[6]. Instead of using individual maps, the game will take place in a sprawling African landscape, with terrain ranging from savannah to jungle[7]. The gameplay area will be 50 km2 (19.3 sq mi). Some members of the Ubisoft Montreal team spent two weeks in several locations in Africa filming and photographing native wildlife. The team will use the animal footage and environment photos to create an extremely realistic environment.

The player's actions may also have a lasting effect on the environment: for example, one of the missions shown so far by the developers had the player sabotage a pipeline owned by one of the factions that's pumping fresh water from a lake to a neighboring country, exchanging it for arms and munition. After the player destroys it, part of the surrounding area becomes flooded, including a mine where another mission may take place[8].

Various factions and vehicles will be featured; enemies will include human mercenaries, but sci-fi creatures such as the mutants from Far Cry will not be featured.[9] Furthermore, the player's feral abilities introduced in Far Cry Instincts and its expansions will not be returning in Far Cry 2. A dynamic weather system has been added that varies the weather based on the player's ability - if the player is doing exceptionally well the sky will be clear and sunny, but if problems arise the sky will become dark and stormy.

A pre-alpha video of the game, showcasing visuals and 13 minutes of gameplay with developer commentary, was made available online in spring 2008. The video showcases many dynamic gameplay features which included procedural breakage of vegetation, allowing players to shoot down trees and shoot branches and leaves off of trees, which can eventually re-grow. The developers also showcased dynamic propagation of fire, and volumetric wind effects capable of breaking vegetation and spreading fire. Man-made structures were also shown to be highly destructible.

File:Fc2 rl.jpg
Far Cry 2's African-themed setting and visuals.

The game will be much more realistic with features such as the player having to use a map and navigation system to get around, and more life or death related features such as having to use tools to dig bullets out of the body and pat themselves down when on fire. Weapons will disintegrate over time, adding a grimier look to them, and causing them to jam and eventually just explode in your hand . Several species of African wildlife can be encountered in the game, and will be able to distract the enemy as well as make them aware of your presence[10]. All the large animals in the game will be grazing herbivores only, such as zebras, wildebeest, gazelle, buffalo, impala, gemsbok, and the like. The reasoning was thus stated by one of the developers: "The problem was, if we wanted to put predators into that ecosystem we would have to balance it to make sure the lions didn't eat all the gazelles and then all starve to death."[10]

The game's producer, Louis-Pierre Pharand, says that the single-player game will "potentially have close to 50 hours of game play."[11][12]

During a demo at the DreamHack Summer 2008 event, Ubisoft developers also showcased some new game play mechanics, such as weapon jamming, vehicle damage, propagating fire, destructible environments, adaptive enemy artificial intelligence, as well as day and night cycles, and dynamic weather.

The player will also be able to tag certain objects and locations such as cars, sniper towers, ammo pickups and buildings, so that they will be able to monitor them on their map.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer in Far Cry 2 attempts to include the dynamic elements of the singleplayer game (such as fire propagation) and to provide as accessible gameplay as possible so that it is available to all skill levels and so that players have specific gameplay aspects to keep in mind when designing their own maps in the map editor. [13][14]

There can be up to twenty players per map, and the game will ship with fourteen developer-designed maps ranging from the slightly undersized to the modestly corpulent. [15]

Modes

Four modes have been confirmed to be shipping with the game:

  • Deathmatch
  • Team Deathmatch
  • Capture the Diamond - a slight variation of the standard Capture the Flag
  • Uprising - Each team has a captain who must capture points across the map, with the assistance of his teammates. Once all points have been captured, the opposing captain must be assassinated to win the round.

Classes

Multiplayer gameplay is class based. Each class can choose an appropriate primary weapon and a side arm, as well as carry explosives such as frag grenades or Molotov cocktails. Players are able to unlock more powerful weapons within each class by spending up to three "blood diamonds" on a class; diamonds are earned through experience points gained by killing other players and completing objectives. Potential upgrades for individual weapons within a class include operation manuals, maintenance manuals, and bandoliers.

There are six classes:

  • Commando - "Mid-range assault class. Effective at fire-and-movement tactics."
  • Sharpshooter - "Long-range specialist. Armed with highly accurate weapons."
  • Guerrilla - "Short-range class. Specializes in close combat and ambush tactics."
  • Rebel - "Specialist in explosives and fire. Strong on offense or defense."
  • Gunner - "Heavy firepower specialist. Highly effective from static firing positions."
  • Saboteur - "Equipped with silenced weapons. Specializes in stealth tactics."

Setting and plot

File:Far Cry 2.jpg
One of the possible player characters.

Far Cry 2 abandons the science fiction aspects of its predecessor in favor of a more realistic setting. The game will take place in a small, fictional, central-African nation that is in a state of civil war. The name of the country is Mwanzo. The protagonist of previous Far Cry games, Jack Carver, will not be featured in this game. When Ubisoft interviewed players about the original Far Cry in their research for this game, the interviewees didn't find the character very memorable or likeable. However in the "no heroes" trailer for Farcry 2 you see a man stab and kick the player to the ground who's face looks much like Jack's face from the computer version.[7] As a result, in the sequel the player will be able to choose from nine different characters to play, each with a unique look and back story. All of the playable characters will be different types of mercenaries. The playable characters the player does not choose to play will become non-player characters who are friends of the player's character and who can be found around the in-game nation.[7]

According to the game's plot, the nation's government has recently collapsed, leaving two major factions vying for control. At war are the United Front for Liberation and Labor (UFLL, led by Addi Mbantuwe, a former opposition leader) and the Alliance for Popular Resistance (APR, led by Oliver Tambossa, Chief of Staff for the former government). Both factions have claimed that they have the people's interests at heart, but both have shown signs of ruthlessness, warmongering, greed, and a general disregard for the well-being of the people. Both sides have hired many foreign mercenaries to bolster their strength over the course of the conflict.

Within the game world, it has recently been revealed that the nation's diamond mines have been exhausted, throwing the nation, its people, and the conflict into further turmoil, and possibly leaving the many foreign mercenaries without pay and without a way out, in a country in whose fate they have no real interest.

The goal of the player's character will be to find and take "The Jackal" out of the picture. "The Jackal" is an arms dealer that has been selling weapons to both sides of the conflict. The player must accomplish this goal by whatever means necessary, perhaps even through actions which are dangerously close to the level of immorality employed by the warring factions and the Jackal himself.

Development

System Requirements[16]
Minimum Recommended
Microsoft Windows
Operating system Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista
CPU Pentium 4 3.2 GHz, Pentium D 2.66 Ghz, AMD Athlon 64 3500+ or betterIntel Core 2 Duo Family, AMD 64 X2 5200+, AMD Phenom or better
Memory 1 GB2 GB
Free space 12 GB of free space
Graphics hardware NVidia 6800 or ATI X1650 or better; must support Pixel Shader 3.0NVidia 8600 GTS or better, ATI X1900 or better

History

The unveiling of Far Cry 2 took place on July 19, 2007 in Paris, France[17], by head company Ubisoft. Ubisoft stated that the game had been in development by the Ubisoft Montreal team, and would be released on October 21, 2008.

Research

In July 2007, Ubisoft sent a team of the game's developers to Africa to carry-out research for the game. They reportedly spent two weeks traveling around Kenya and camping out on the savannah. The game's producer, Louis-Pierre Pharand said that following the trip they realized they had gotten the design of the game "so wrong" and made several changes to "make the game feel like you were really there".[18]

Map editor

Far Cry 2's map editor has been designed specifically for ease of use. It will include features present in almost all other map editors, such as easily raising/lowering terrain and applying textures, but is supposedly much easier to use than most similar programs. A video was shown showcasing the editor, including an Eiffel Tower made completely from in-game pieces.[19]

The map editor will feature thousands of objects found in the single player game including vehicles, buildings, bridges and more. However, weapons cannot be placed on maps to support the game's class-based gameplay. The objects in the player made maps, such as buildings and structures are prefabricated from the game, making the map files smaller. This means that uploading and downloading maps will be quick and easy. It was announced at the GC 2008 that there will be a memory space limit for each map.

However, it only supports multiplayer maps.

Engine

Ubisoft has developed a new engine specifically for Far Cry 2, called Dunia, meaning "world" or "earth" in many languages including Persian, Turkish, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Marathi, Bengali, Swahili, Assyrian, Indonesian and Malay.[20]

The engine will take advantage of multi-core processors as well as multiple processors and support DirectX 9 as well as DirectX 10.[21] Only 2 or 3 percent of the original CryEngine code is being re-used, according to Michiel Verheijdt, Senior Product Manager for Ubisoft Netherlands. Additionally, this engine will be less hardware-demanding than Crysis' engine.[22]

Far Cry 2 will also support the amBX technology from Philips. With the proper hardware, this adds effects like vibrations, ambient colored lights, and fans that generate wind effects. The agreement will also see an amBX patch being released for the original Far Cry.[23]

Marketing and release

Ubidays 2008

During Ubisoft's Ubidays, held in Paris, France on May 28 - 29, 2008, Ubisoft revealed brand new video footage for Far Cry 2. [24] Along with the new footage, Ubisoft displayed in-game screenshots showing off the photo-realistic visuals rendered by Ubisoft's Dunia Engine (see engine). A video of Ubisoft Montreal's developers talking about the upcoming game's features can be seen on G4TV's website.[25]

Collectors' Edition

To celebrate the release of Far Cry 2, Ubisoft also unveiled the Far Cry 2 Collectors’ Edition, available in certain territories outside the US, that will include:[26][1]

  • Exclusive wooden box
  • Original Far Cry 2 Game
  • Limited edition Far Cry 2 t-shirt
  • “The Art of Far Cry 2” Art book
  • Collector 50km² map
  • Making-of DVD, including video from the development team's trip to Africa

The United States receives a separate Limited Edition package, available exclusively for those who pre-order it at GameStop. Dubbed the GameStop Exclusive Pre-Order Edition, the package sells at the same price point as the regular SKU, and includes the following:[27]

  • 6 Bonus Missions with about 3 extra hours of gameplay
  • A fold out map of the open world of Far Cry 2
  • Exclusive game packaging

Reception

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Thorsen, Tor (September 5, 2008). "Far Cry 2 howling October 21". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  2. ^ "Official Release Date & Map Editor Info". Ubisoft. September 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  3. ^ "Far Cry 2 Soundtrack Preview by Nimrod Productions Director and Composer Marc Canham". Music 4 Games. August 13, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  4. ^ "Far Cry 2: 720p, but no 60 frames a second". VideoGaming247. October 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  5. ^ Robinson, Martin (January 3, 2008). "Far Cry 2 Spreads its Wings to PS3 and 360". IGN - AU. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  6. ^ Onyett, Charles (January 22, 2008). "Far Cry 2 Progress Report". IGN - AU. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  7. ^ a b c Osborn, Chuck (2007). "Far Cry 2: Survival Guide to Africa". PC Gamer. 14 (10): 24. ISSN 1080-4471. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. ^ "Far Cry 2 PlayStation 3 Show - E3 2008: Live Wire Demo". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  9. ^ Smith, Graham (July 31, 2007). "Far Cry 2 - first look!". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  10. ^ a b Valen, René (February 8, 2008). "QUESTIONS FROM LP'S VIDEO". FarCry 2 official blog. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  11. ^ Jackson, Mike (May 28. 2008). "Far Cry 2 single-player "close to 50 hours"". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved 2008-09-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  12. ^ Jackson, Mike (May 28, 2008). "Far Cry 2 single-player "close to 50 hours"". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2008-09-06. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  13. ^ Miller, Jon (September 19, 2008). "Far Cry 2 Exclusive Multiplayer Hands-On -- Game Modes, Weapons, and Blood Diamonds". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  14. ^ [1]
  15. ^ Moses, Travis (September 24, 2008). "Character classes, blood diamonds, and hang gliders. Far Cry 2 multiplayer revealed!". GamePro. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  16. ^ "FC2 PC Specs Revealed!". Ubisoft. August 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  17. ^ "Ubisoft announces FarCry 2". Ubisoft. July 19, 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  18. ^ Stuart, Keith (April 25, 2008). "FarCry 2 Interview". Three Speech. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  19. ^ Plunkett, Luke (August 20, 2008). "Far Cry 2 Map Editor Looks Absolutely Amazing". Kotaku. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  20. ^ Amancio, Alex (August 14, 2008). "Introduction to the Dunia engine". FarCry 2 official site. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  21. ^ Gametrailers.com - Far Cry 2 - Developer Diary - Engine Introduction
  22. ^ de Vries, Wilbert (December 14, 2007). "Ubisoft light tip of the veil on Far Cry 2". Tweakers.net. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  23. ^ "Philips Arms Ubisoft with amBX". Gamers Hell. January 07, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ G4TV.com - The Feed http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/ May, 2008
  25. ^ G4TV - The Feed http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/685862/Far_Cry_2_Videos__Screenshots.html
  26. ^ "Ubisoft Confirms Release Date for Far Cry 2 and Announces Collectors Edition Content". IGN. September 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  27. ^ "Ubisoft Confirms Far Cry 2 Ship Date and Announces Exclusive Edition". IGN. September 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  28. ^ Edwards, Tim (November 2008), "Far Cry 2", PC Gamer UK

External links

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