Après avoir annulé SWAT: Urban Justice (le jeu aux screenshots photoshopés), Vivendi Universal Games annonce désormais SWAT 4, un nouveau FPS tactique. On y dirigera une escouade de cinq braves policiers impliqués dans la résolution de moult missions dangereuses (contre-terrorisme, arrestation de vilains, réception de saladiers de coke).
La bonne nouvelle, c’est que c’est Irrational Games, responsable de l’excellent System Shock 2 et actuellement au travail sur Tribes: Vengeance, qui a été recruté pour travailler sur ce SWAT 4. Ils réutiliseront le moteur de Tribes: Vengeance pour l’occasion (rappelons qu’il s’agit d’une version modifiée de l’Unreal Engine dernier modèle).
Irrational et VUG annoncent 3 modes multijoueurs (ainsi qu’un mode coopératif) et prévoient d’incorporer au jeu plein d’armes rigolotes. Mais pas de jetpack. Le jeu devrait sortir début 2005.
VIVENDI UNIVERAL GAMES AND IRRATIONAL GAMES TEAM-UP TO TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME IN THE UPCOMING SWAT™4
VUG Enlists Award Winning Irrational Games to Develop Latest SWAT Title
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 28, 2004) – Vivendi Universal Games sets its sites on the latest edition of the popular SWAT franchise with the announcement of SWAT 4. Developed by Irrational Games, SWAT 4 allows players to take control of a squad of up to five police officers tasked with performing dangerous operations such as high-risk arrests, hostage rescue and counter-terrorism. As the unit’s commander, players must follow authentic police tactics as they breach and clear a concrete jungle filled with armed felons and innocent bystanders alike. SWAT 4 is expected to ship in Q1 of 2005 and has not yet been rated by the ESRB.
« We are working collaboratively with Irrational Games on SWAT 4 to develop one of the best games in its genre, » says Michael Pole, EVP, Worldwide Studios, Vivendi Universal Games. « SWAT 4 delivers a tactical first-person squad-based shooter experience that is a worthy successor to this hit franchise.”
Featuring graphics courtesy of the Vengeance engine powered by Unreal, SWAT 4 delivers 16 authentic environments set in stunningly rendered locations representing a wide variety of operational environments. Realistic ballistics and Havoc defined object physics will further heighten the experience for the player by providing an added layer of atmospheric authenticity.
As S.W.A.T. officer, players will have access to authentic assault gear including tactical mainstays such as the Colt M-4 carbine, the Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun and Surefire tactical lights. However, as with their real-world counterparts officers in SWAT 4 have to hit hard-and-fast in order to take down the bad guys and keep the innocent out of harms way. SWAT 4 will also ship with three competitive multiplayer modes as well as a cooperative campaign mode.
