Codemasters has a pretty good foreign policy. Most of their games are from overseas makers (outside the US for all you gaijin). Operation Flashpoint for the Xbox, Club Football, and Wartime Command are some great games not coming from the US, but luckily coming to the US.
Perimeter, a strategy game from Russian developer KD-LAB, is the most notable of the foreign games. This science fiction strategy game focuses on terra-forming and nanotechnology. The land must be reformed to build your bases and supply them with power. Your units, based on nanotechnology, can morph into each other, and the combinations you can achieve are huge. Almost any unit can be morphed with any other to create a totally new unit, giving the game great versatility.
On the MMORPG side, Dragon Empires takes center stage. This online RPG focuses on clan organization and city conquest, including both destruction and construction of them. This is sure to appeal to gamers who like to take part in huge conquests.
WWII is adequately represented with Soldiers: Heroes of WWII and Wartime Command. Both have strategy elements, but Soldiers focuses more on individual soldiers and squads, and Wartime Command tackles things on a much larger scale.
Racing fans were not neglected by Codemasters either. Colin McRae Rally 2005 and Indy Car Series 2005, two very popular racing sims, are back and looking good. Rally is going online this year and supporting up to 8 players via consoles? onine capabilities. Indy Car is also going online and will support up to 12 players. The game is also getting upgrades to make the experience more realistic. Improved graphics, support for steering wheel peripherals, and in-game rear-view mirrors will all increase the already high level of immersion.
The oddball of the group was MTV Music Generator 3. But it stuck out for other reasons as well. Players will now be able to sample, mix, or just listen to popular songs directly from any music CD they own, or from the songs included in the game. Players will also be able to create the most original music ever of any previous MTV Generator game.
Codemasters had a great lineup this E3, and you?ll be able to feel the full effect of it before the holiday season. Check back here in the future for these great games and we?ll keep you posted.