World in Conflict

World in Conflict
File:WIC box.JPG
Developer(s)	Massive Entertainment
Publisher(s)	Sierra Entertainment
Designer(s)	Magnus Jansén
Engine	Masstech Game Engine
Platform(s)	Windows, Xbox 360
Release	September 18 2007 September 20 2007 September 21 2007 Q4 2007[1]
Genre(s)	Real-time strategy
Mode(s)	Single Player & Multiplayer

World in Conflict is a real-time strategy video game currently in development by Massive Entertainment and to be published by Sierra Entertainment for Windows and the Xbox 360. The game is to be released in North America on 18 September, while it will be released on 20 September in Australia and New Zealand, in Europe on the 21 September[2], and in the 4th Quarter of 2007 for Taiwan and China.[3] The lateness in Taiwan and China is mainly due to game translation issues.

The game is set in 1989 where economic troubles cripple the Soviet Union and threaten to dissolve it. However, the title pursues a "what if" scenario where, the Soviet Union does not collapse and instead pursues a course of war to remain in power.

The game will be played in the 2007 Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) World Tour.

Plot

With the Warsaw Pact on the brink of collapse, the Soviet Union decides on a bold strategy of blackmail; unless the United Nations agrees to support the faltering Communist economy, the Red Army will invade Western Europe. The UN ignores the ultimatum and the Soviets make good on their threat, assaulting NATO positions. However, in order to keep America from intervening with the REFORGER convoys, which in the event of war were to reinforce Europe, the Soviets open a second front by invading America, by hiding inside disguised freighters. The assault is preceded by an air-and-seaborne attack on the city of Seattle, as seen in the announcement trailer. Other trailers show a nuclear attack on a US airbase, somewhere in the desert, and counter attacks on small towns named Parker's Creek and Pine Valley. Fighting can also be seen in New York City in the Exclusive GC 2007 Trailer.

A trailer titled Looking for Survivors states that American cities are being destroyed 'all over the West Coast'. On the official website, the banner shows the Carnival Pier located in Los Angeles. Massive has revealed that, besides the continental United States, Europe and Russia will also be locations in the game; These locations will for the least be in the single player campaign and multiplayer as seen in the closed beta. New locations have also been included in the PC demo release, which was released in late August.

Gameplay

File:WIC screenshot.jpg

An in-game screenshot showing a tactical nuclear explosion.

In an interview, Massive Entertainment stated that there will be no base-building or resource gathering in the game.[4] Instead, players will be given a pre-determined amount of in-game reinforcement points to buy units with. When a unit is destroyed, the points used to purchase it are slowly filtered back to the player: thus reinforcements can be summoned to the fray. In terms of gameplay World in Conflict is touted as the spiritual successor to Ground Control, doing away with many of the features - for example resource gathering - that made Ground Control II more of a traditional RTS game.

The three factions to be in the game are the USA, the Soviet Union, and NATO, although the USSR will not be playable in the single-player campaign. [5]

Features

Interface

File:NATO Troops with game interface.jpg

Screenshot of NATO troops and World in Conflict game interface.

The game interface for World in Conflict is smaller compared with other RTS games. There is no framing in the game, so the interface is dramatically reduced especially at the bottom middle. The middle is replaced with a list of units, the top right hand corner is the expandable reinforcement procurement list. The bottom left hand corner is the mini map, while the bottom right hand corner is the special abilities buttons (including unit formation). Overall the smaller interface allows players to have a bigger view of the battlefield, allowing them to micro manage easier than other RTS games. Players can also chat with other people in the game, or outside the game as there is a messaging system which can be used to chat with your friends outside the game a player is currently in.

World in Conflict features a fully rotational 360 degree camera. The player uses the WASD keys to move the camera around the map, whilst clicking and holding the mouse wheel is used to look around from a fixed position, players can move the camera as far down as close to the units on the ground.

Roles

Another feature is a system where the player may choose a one of four roles in battle: infantry, air, support or armor. Each role has its own exclusive units, which aren't available for purchase from other roles. The basic units of the roles can be purchased by everyone but are more expensive for players with a different role.

• Infantry - players have access to specialized infantry squads and light transport vehicles.
• Armor - light, medium, heavy grades of tanks as well as APCs and amphibious troop carriers.
• Air - consists entirely of helicopters suited to different purposes including scout, transport, medium attack helicopters and heavy attack helicopters.
• Support - players have access to repair tank, light transport (doubles as light repair vehicle), medium and heavy anti-aircraft, and artillery units.

Units

Units in World in Conflict have various capabilities depending on what they are. Most of the units have special offensive abilities which require time recharge after use, examples can include infantry with grenade launcher assault, medium tanks with Fragmentation shell, heavy tanks with HEAT shell, medium attack helicopters with anti-aircraft missile, heavy attack helicopters with anti-tank missile, artillery with smoke screen shell. While there are offensive abilities, special defensive abilities have also been put into place to balance it out. Examples include infantry with sprint ability, tanks with smoke screen, helicopters with countermeasures, repair tank with self repair. Though some defensive abilities such as tanks' smoke screen can be a positive or negative thing in the game, as smoke screen can allow you to remain hidden for a while, it will also cloud your view. Infantry's sprint can also be used as an offensive, as infantry will run faster and pose a bigger threat to nearby enemy units.

Tactical aids

Carpet bombing, one of the more expensive tactical aids.

World in Conflict utilises a tactical aid system similar to that of Command & Conquer: Generals. Tactical aids allow the player to perform special actions such as calling in airstrikes, deploying paratroopers, carpet bombing, or ordering the launch of a nuclear bomb. Tactical aids are available once the player has gained enough tactical aid points, these points are accumulated via action on the battlefield, such as destroying enemy units, capturing command posts, or building small defenses at command posts. There are three types of tactical aids – non-destructive, destructive and indiscriminate. Each type contains five aids, which vary in effectiveness. The more effective the aid, the more points it costs to deploy. In order to balance the game, however, Massive Entertainment have stated that nuclear weapons are only of tactical size and will be very hard to acquire more than once in a single game. Other tactical aids include artillery barrages, additional units, and various forms of air support. In multiplayer games, teammates are able to pool their tactical aid points to a specific player in order to purchase expensive aids.

Modes

Single player campaign

The single player campaign, owing to inspiration from Call of Duty and Medal of Honor (see 'Influences' section below), will give the player the role of an officer of some importance, in charge of some units, while the AI handles the majority of action on the battlefield. This contrasts the approach of most RTS titles, in which the player is in charge of whole armies and thus responsible for most of the action on the battlefield. The player will experience many different locations from various parts of the United States then to Soviet-occupied Europe then Russia and then back to the United States for the grand finale.

The storyline ultimately forces the player to not have the same reinforcements as the skirmish mode or the multiplayer mode. The campaigns limit what the player can order and where they can deploy. AI in the campaigns can be said to be not as intelligent as the skirmish mode as their locations and moves are quite predictable. The Friendly AI often gives out lots of hints and tips, this can sometimes make the game too easy while it can also help the struggling player. The campaign can be played on Easy, Normal and Hard. At the conclusion of a mission in the campaign, a small screen will show if you were awarded any combat medals, ribbons, badges due to the performance in the mission.

Skirmish mode

In the skirmish mode, players can add up to 15 bots to play against. The player can choose the time limit from as short as a 5 minute round to a 40 minute round. The bots can be in various modes including:

• No Bots - Player vs Player (LAN)
• Player(s) VS Bot mode -player (s) vs Bots
• Auto even teams mode - teams of players and bots are even
• Advanced mode - where the player picks how intelligent a bot is and what roles the bots pick.

If a player plays with a total of 4 or less players, they can select the few player mode which gives players around 18000 reinforcement points. The few player mode doesn't allow the player to select one out of the four roles (armor, air, support, infantry) but rather all of them are available and units from each role will be at the same cheap reinforcement price the player would incur if they selected that specific role in a multiplayer game. AI in the skirmish mode is quite intelligent, using different techniques for different game types and uses combined forces meaning that they use a variety of forces together, so there are little or no weaknesses. The bots are good at adaptations, and react well to changing situations on the battlefield. They are also quite good at using tactical aids and place the tactical aids well, which can aid struggling players. Bots will try to obey commands given by the player by replying on screen. There are various modes of skirmish mode including Advanced mode, player vs bot mode and even balanced.

Multiplayer

A large skirmish battle.

The multiplayer for World in Conflict will feature differently from the common RTS games, the player can enter the game any time they wish at the beginning, middle or the near the end of the game. It will feature up to sixteen-player games. The game will feature clans which players can create or can be invited to. World in Conflict uses the Massgate system, which is derived from Ground Control. The game developers have further customised the system to make things easier for players. Clans feature ranks of Grunts, Officers and the Clan Leader. Players can customise their online account such as changing display pictures, allowing people to view their account. Online accounts are based on the Battlefield 2 accounts which feature ranks, medals and badges. Clans can also have tournaments against each other. There are various achievement records that a player can obtain by playing well. Awards show how well the player did in a match, how well you did in that multiplayer mode etc. Rankings show how a player ranks compared to other players, while medals show the player's achievements, they are similar to awards but easier to obtain. Badges also show the player's achievements but are easier to obtain than awards and medals. They are all separated by bronze, silver and gold and honor stars counting as extra rewards. Friend lists and acquaintances will also be included to make finding other players easier. There is also a search tool which allows players to search for clans and players. Leaderboards are also available listing the rankings of clans, players.

Development

Influences

The game's designers have cited the 1984 film Red Dawn as one of their key influences. The film's main premise is the invasion of America by Soviet and Central American troops. Echoes of the film can be seen in the initial paratroop landings (though in the film they happen in Colorado) and in the use of civilian transports to disguise a Soviet invasion force; again, this differs slightly from the film.

Tom Clancy's novel Red Storm Rising is likely to have elements drawn from it; it depicts a conventional war between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in West Germany, though much of the action takes place at sea. An added factor is that the co-author of the book, Larry Bond, is the main consultant for the World in Conflict team.

Another influence for the game, according to issue 7 of the WiC Journal, are the first-person shooter game series Call of Duty and Medal of Honor, and how the games give the player a relatively small role in a big conflict and will command small numbers of units at a time rather than whole hordes. The developers, still according to the journal, have also looked to the games Battlefield 2 and Counter-Strike: Source for inspiration. The game play is reminiscent of Conflict Zone, as the camera angles and basic troops are similar.

Pre-ordering

Sierra Entertainment has stated that anyone who pre-orders World in Conflict prior to its release will receive the following:

• Modern Marvels: The Strategic Air Command DVD by The History Channel (United States, Australia and New Zealand only)
• Declassified: The Rise and Fall of The Wall DVD by The History Channel (Europe only)
• Exclusive bonus multiplayer maps for demo
• Exclusive Massgate account privileges (securing online account, creating/joining clan etc.)[6]

Collector's Edition

File:WIC Collectors Edition Box Art.jpg

Packaging of collector's edition.

Sierra has also given information about the Collector's Edition which is to include:

• Limited edition collector's packaging (featuring either Soviet or American Flags)
• An "Authentic" piece of the Berlin Wall [7]
• Modern Marvels: The Berlin Wall DVD by The History Channel
• Behind the Scenes DVD [8]

Collectors edition in Poland will be different compared to other countries [9]. It will contain:

• Exclusive World in Conflict wooden container
• Exclusive World in Conflict poster
• Creative Headphones
• Flag of the USA or Soviet Union
• Cap with the World in Conflict logo
• T-Shirt with the World in Conflict logo

Pre-release

Trailers

File:WIC CES Trailer Screenshot.jpg

A screenshot captured from the announcement trailer.

• Combat Briefing – Introduction by Founder & President of Massive Entertainment. Briefly shows the history background for the game. Explaining how the Berlin Wall fell, and shows some in-game features. Also talks about the design for the game.
• Announcement Trailer - Features cinematics of Soviet troops attack US troops in a shopping mall, US troops attacking Soviet forces in a suburban area, US troops holding a beach on the West Coast and Soviet troops paratrooping from a transport plane in flak filled sky into a now half leveled city on the West Coast.
• CES 07 Trailer - Shows some historical footage of US-Soviet Relations, rewinds the fall of the Berlin Wall as it never happened, and shows various cinematics clips of the Soviet Invasion of Seattle and the West Coast.
• Seattle Invasion – Shows the Soviet invasion forces posing as civilian freighters invading Seattle, with a US counter-attack at Burger King.
• NATO trailer – Shows combat footage of NATO forces in the European Theater.
• Ruling the World – Shows combat footage between NATO forces and Warsaw Pact. Also combined with "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears as background music.
• Looking for Survivors – An army lieutenant and a nurse go on a search and rescue mission in the West Coast village of Pine Valley. The trailer shows flashback battle sequences and, through dialogue between the nurse and lieutenant confirms that cities and towns all over the West Coast have been destroyed.
• US Town - Dialogue between US troops confirming that Soviet troops have entered Parker's Creek, US troops then try to take back the town but is beaten back. US troops then call in various forms of air support and obliterate the town.
• US Airbase – Shows a Soviet tactical nuclear missile annihilating a US airbase in the desert.
• Counterattack - Shows Soviet forces reinforcing the now destroyed town of Parker's Creek, and US forces initiating an attack from a church opposite the town. Featuring lots of in-game footage with various units from both sides.
• Magnum P.I – Shows the characters of the single player campaign.
• Destruction Blues – Shows the tactical aids of the game.
• Exclusive GC 2007 New York Counterattack trailer – Shows the US forces counter-attack in New York City with "Shadow of the Sun" by Audioslave as background music.
• The Preacher - Shows a performer making a partisan broadcast for the radio channel Radio Free Seattle. Colonel Sawyer then disconnects the radio nearby and slams it on a bench.

Betas and demos

Massive released a closed beta during May and June 2007 and a beta which started on July 11, 2007 ended on August 1.

A PC demo was released on August 24, 2007, featuring a tutorial, a single player campaign mission and various multiplayer modes.

Reception

Critical reviews

Since the game has already gone gold, many of the game industries most important game reviewers have already been given the green light to start to review the finished game. Below is a list of the reviews by the listed game reviewers. Note* They've only just started to review. This list will be constantly updated accordingly.

• IGN: Overall 9.3/10 Outstanding, IGN.com Editors' Choice Award[10]

Awards

Prior to its initial release in September, World in Conflict has received several awards from its E3 presentation in 2007.[11]

• IGN: Best PC Strategy Game, Best Strategy Game (All Platforms), Best Of E3 2007
• Gamespot: Best Strategy Game Of E3, E3'07 Editors Choice Award
• GameTrailers.com: Best Strategy Game Of E3
• Game Critics: E3 2007 Best Strategy Game, The Best Of E3 07 Winner
• Esports: Real Time Strategy Game Of The Year

See also

• List of Games for Windows titles

External links

• World in Conflict official website
• World in Conflict official forum
• Trailers and Gameplay Videos for World in Conflict