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Lucasarts Seeeks Fighter Pilot Recruits For New Network Game, X-Wing VS. Tie Fighter. (A Star Wars Multiplayer Space Combat Simulation)

Battle Head-To-Head In X-Wings and TIE Fighters For First Time

San Rafael, Calif. -- The ultimate battle between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance will be fought this winter with the release of the first Star Wars network game, X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, a Star Wars multiplayer space combat arena, from LucasArts Entertainment Company. The PC CD-ROM game can be configured in single player mode or multiplayer, which will allow up to eight players to team up as a squadron or compete against each other via modem or a local area network.

Whether in single or network-play mode, X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter will offer players a choice of more than 50 original mission scenarios set in a variety of familiar Star Wars environments. Players will have nine Rebel and Imperial starfighters at their disposal, from which they can engage each other in assorted deep space dogfights. Mission roles encompass everything from convoy escort and reconnaissance to heavy assault strikes and space superiority dogfighting.

"Technology has finally reached a point where we can offer networked games without compromising gameplay," said Mary Bihr, director of sales and marketing for LucasArts. "X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter will offer the same compelling gameplay experience that singleplayer games have always offered, with the additional thrill of real-time head-to-head combat against other Star Wars pilots," reassures Lawrence Holland, head of Totally Games, a development studio working in conjunction with LucasArts in the development of Star Wars space combat simulations.

Multiplayer/Network Mode

Prior to each new mission in multiplayer mode, players determine whether they want to fly for the Rebellion or the Empire. After choosing a flight group of starfighters, they are briefed and provided with goals, objectives and role descriptions and may communicate with squad mates to discuss battle tactics. 3D inflight maps will be available in real-time to assist players in determining mission strategy.

Once engaged in battle, players can assume the controls of a single starfighter or multiple craft. Squadrons are controlled by issuing tactical orders either through the 3D map or a series of keyboard commands.

Missions in X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter have been specially designed to promote cooperation between squad mates, allowing pilots to both send and receive messages to wingmates or enemy pilots. Players will quickly learn that collaboration between teammates is necessary to the success of each engagement. After a mission is completed, pilots are debriefed and scores awarded according to the successes of each pilot.

Single Player Mode

While gameplay is similar to that in multiplayer mode, X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter will have several missions specifically designed for single play. Players can choose between a series of conflicts fought by the Rebellion or the Empire, ultimately enabling them to perfect various battle tactics that can be applied in multiplayer mode.

Upgraded Game Engine

X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter features a fully upgraded version of the graphic engine used in previous X-Wing and TIE Fighter games. The engine will use new texture-mapped models, with ship details taken directly from the Star Wars archives at Lucasfilm, allowing for the most realistic in-flight graphics to date in a Star Wars space combat experience.

X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter is being developed in conjunction with Totally Games. A company recently formed by Lawrence Holland

Product Information

Developer: LucasArts
Distributor: Virgin Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: April 1997
Formats/Price: PC CD-ROM/TBA

When will XvT be in stores?

We're targeting April/May 1997. As we get closer to the release, more information will be available.

What are the system requirements for XvT?

100% Windows 95 DirectX certified computer required.
Pentium 90 or faster required.
16MB RAM required.
MPC2 compliant double speed IDE or SCSI required. Quad speed recommended.
1MB PCI Video Card required (Must be DirectDraw compatible).
100% Windows 95 compatible 16-bit sound card required (Must be DirectSound compatible).
51MB minimum, 95MB for Full Install.
100% Windows 95 compatible keyboard, mouse and joystick required. (Directinput devices supported).

Game-Over! magazine is produced and published by Game-Over Editor: Tony Burnett - Web Editor: Gary Kinson All material © Game-Over! 1997