Unreal Tournament 2007

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Unreal Tournament 2007

Developer(s)	Epic Games
Publisher(s)	Midway Games
Designer(s)	Steve Polge
Engine	Unreal Engine 3.0
Release date(s)	First Half of 2007
Genre(s)	First-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: Rating Pending (RP)
Platform(s)	Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 Linux Mac
Media	DVD, Blu-ray (PS3 only)
Input	Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick, Controller

Unreal Tournament 2007, UT2K7, or UT2007, codenamed Envy, is part of the Unreal series of games and is the sequel to 2004's Unreal Tournament 2004. Using Unreal Engine 3, it is a first-person shooter video game designed mainly for multiplayer gaming, although the game has a built in single-player mode that mimics multiplayer gaming by featuring AI-bots. Unreal Tournament 2007 (abbreviated "UT2007", less commonly "UT2k7") was initially announced for Windows and PlayStation 3 in 2005.

In an Interview at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Midway CEO David Zucker announced that Unreal Tournament 2007 would also be released for the Xbox 360.^[1] But a recent announcement in the official forums for Unreal Tournament 2007 states that the game will be released Windows and the PS3 only.^[2]

Macintosh and Linux versions are considered likely since Epic's lead Mac and Linux programmer has stated that the Unreal Engine 3 editing tools are designed to run on Mac and Linux.^[3] The game is developed by Epic Games and will be published by Midway Games. UT2007 will utilize the Unreal Engine 3, and will feature many of the modes from the previous games in the series. Not returning, however, will be the Bombing Run, Double Domination, and Assault gametypes. The previously known Assault mode will be replaced by a new gametype called "Unreal Warfare", which will feature vehicles and accommodate a large number of players. According to sources within Epic, Onslaught Warfare will feature a style of gameplay similar to UT2004's Onslaught, while also having objective-based side missions (like Assault), where the outcomes of those side missions could sway match progress to a specific side with the addition of new weapons, vehicles and more.^[4]

The first version of the game will be the Windows version, with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions following later. Additionally, a demo will be released for Windows before the full game's release.^[5]^[6]^[7]

1 Release date
2 Development
- 2.1 UnrealEd
- 2.2 User content on consoles
3 Gameplay
4 Weapons
5 Vehicles
6 Teams
7 Engine
8 Gallery
9 References
10 External links

[edit] Release date

Currently, the game's official release date is unknown though it is believed to be sometime the first half of 2007.^[8] It was initially rumored that the game would have been released the second quarter of 2006,^[4] with that date later pushed back to a broader "Winter 2006". In an interview at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (more commonly known as E3) designer Steve Polge mentioned it is likely to be released early 2007^[9], which was recently updated to the first half of 2007, meaning the game could be released as late as June 2007.

There is no known timeframe for console versions of the game, aside from the fact that they will be released after the Windows version is released.

[edit] Development

Like Half-Life 2, the levels of UT2007 are being developed with simple building blocks, with artwork to be added afterwards, so as to focus on improving gameplay. Lead designer Steve Polge claims "We're not trying to make a prettier UT2k4. We're really trying to make a very new game." A larger emphasis is also being placed on AI. The bots in UT2007 will be able to understand simple voice commands; while they will not understand speech as well as a human, Polge states the player will be able to "have some sort of conversational vibe with it". All employed developers for this next installment are under a non-disclosure agreement, which restricts them from releasing details about Unreal Tournament 2007 or its game engine.

[edit] UnrealEd

The Unreal Editor (also known asUnrealEd and UEd) is included with all Unreal Tournament games, and allows the user to edit and create custom content for the game. The editor for Unreal Tournament 2007 will be greatly different from the editor for UT2004,^{[citation needed]} as the older editor was for Unreal Engine 2.5 while UT2007 uses Unreal Engine 3. One notable addition will be a "play" button allowing mappers to test their content from within the editor itself. There will also be a visual scripting interface, known as Kismet, allowing those with little or no programming knowledge to create their own mods easily.^[10]

Unreal Engine 3 allows for advanced lighting and real-time self shadowing on complex, intricate models.

[edit] User content on consoles

In an interview with Gamasutra Tim Sweeney revealed that the Playstation 3 version of Unreal Tournament 2007 will support user mods, created on PCs and downloadable to the console.^[11]

[edit] Gameplay

The following game modes have been confirmed:^[4]

Deathmatch
Team Deathmatch
Capture the flag
Onslaught - Essentially a team deathmatch type of gameplay played on a huge map where the object is to destroy, capture and hold key power nodes. The gameplay is very similar to the conquest gametype of Battlefield 1942, however, after capturing key nodes the player must destroy the enemy's power core. Vehicles are extremely critical in onslaught mode. This mode was introduced in UT2004.
Unreal Warfare (formerly known as Conquest) - New to UT, maps will be potentially as large as three Onslaught maps, and will have objectives similar to Assault maps. A limited form of resource management will exist in the form of tarydium mines or fields that must be captured; the more a team captures, the faster it can build vehicles and turrets, and the more bunkers it has the more tarydium it will need. Bunkers will possibly serve a similar purpose to power nodes in Onslaught. This type of gameplay mode was also in the game Command & Conquer: Renegade. A significant amount of details regarding Unreal Warfare has changed since "Conquest" was first announced, so it is possible that this form of resource management no longer exists.
Vehicle Capture the Flag - Originally it was stated that there would be a separate gametype for Capture the Flag with vehicles, but it now appears as if that idea has been scrapped and vehicles will be included in Capture the Flag by default.^[4]

[edit] Weapons

The following weapons have been confirmed:^[4]

Impact Hammer - returning after its absence in UT2003 and UT2004, most likely replacing the Shield Gun.
Dual Enforcers - returning directly from the original Unreal Tournament, replacing the assault rifles featured in UT2003/UT2004.
Canister Gun - has three firing modes: Grenade Launcher, Mine Layer, and Bio Rifle. Different types of ammunition will be needed for each firing mode. This weapon effectively combines three different UT2004 guns into a single, multi-purpose device.

Shock Rifle Concept Art

Shock Rifle - observation of E3 demo videos shows that the fire rate will probably be higher than in UT2004, although this is unconfirmed.
Link Gun - this weapon features a primary fire mode much like the Plasma Rifle from Unreal Tournament, comprised mainly of repeated bolts of green energy. The Link Gun is much more similar to the UT99 version, having a much faster primary rate of fire (media showing the Link Gun confirmed this). The secondary fire mode fires a beam that, when linked to other team mates wielding the Link Gun, doubles in power. Additionally, the Link Gun, as it was in UT2004, can be used to repair vehicles and heal or charge power nodes in Onslaught and Unreal Warfare.
Tarydium Stinger - this weapon, previously seen in Unreal and Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict, will replace the Minigun.
Flak Cannon - much like its previous forms, the Flak Cannon sprays shards of metal when using the primary fire mode and, when using the secondary fire mode, launches an explosive flak shell into the air.
Rocket Launcher - primary fire will function similarly to the UT2004 rocket launcher with the ability to fire up to three rockets. It will also have an alternate function to fire up to three grenades as well, as seen in Unreal and Unreal Tournament's "8-Ball" launcher, and dropped in UT2003/2004.^[12]. The rocket launcher main fire retains its features from past games, being able to fire in either spread or tight spiral patterns.
AVRiL - Anti-Vehicle Rocket Launcher (the "I" being for pronunciation purposes)
Sniper Rifle - Much like its Unreal Tournament and UT2004 predecessor, the Sniper Rifle fires when primary fire is pressed, and zooms in or out when secondary fire is pressed. There is the possibility that a trail for the projectile launched by the Sniper Rifle might exist, but it has not been confirmed yet. Very little information has been released on the Sniper Rifle, and it has not been shown in any media at the time of this writing.
Translocator - A personal teleportation device. Primary fire launches a translocator beacon, while secondary fire teleports to that beacon. Immediately after teleporting, if you press primary fire while still holding secondary fire, you will automatically switch to your last held weapon.
Redeemer - A portable nuclear missile capable of extreme damage. This weapon has been confirmed, as it is a staple to the series, but no information or media has been released about it.
Target Painter - The Target Painter activates a level specific hazard (such as a rock slide).

[edit] Vehicles

The following vehicles have been confirmed:^[13]^[14]^[15]

[edit] Axon vehicles

The vehicles in Unreal Tournament 2004, including those in the Editor's Choice Edition, will return in UT2007, referred to as "Axon Vehicles" as they are manufactured by the Axon Corporation. These are the more traditional of the two sets.

Manta (Hovercraft)

The Manta is an extremely fast and agile hovercraft.

Raptor (Fighter)

The Raptor is a fast fighter equipped with plasma cannons and air-to-air homing missiles.

Scorpion (Light Assault Buggy)

The Scorpion buggy has an enclosed cockpit and now fires rockets instead of bolas(plasma ribbons). It has a speed-boost function that allows long jumps off ramps and also works as a kamikaze self-destruct if the player ejects from the cockpit. Side-blades now extend from under the nose of the vehicle, rather than the rear as in the UT2004 version.

The Goliath

Hellbender (Armored Jeep)

The Hellbender is a two-man armored jeep with shock weaponry and a heavy build. The driver is able to use the skymine turret eliminating the need for an extra gunner manning the turret, as was the case with UT2004. The vehicle's rear mounted beams have done away with the charge and release style attack; they now feature a much faster rate of fire similar to the Shock Rifle.

Cicada (Gunship/Interdictor)

The Cicada is a heavy, yet maneuverable flying gunship with an arsenal of powerful missiles. It also is equipped with a targeting mechanism allowing the pilot to target areas and release swarms of missiles. Unlike UT2004's Cicada, UT2007's version will have its missiles home in on specific land units when they are targeted.

SPMA (Mobile Artillery)

The SPMA (or SPAM as many like to call it), is a long-range and mobile artillery unit that shoots powerful shells. The SPMA in UT2007 will allow players to carefully calculate the trajectory and range of the shot, making the weapon more accurate to use. Whether or not the vehicle will have a skymine turret like the Hellbender (as it did in UT2004) is still unknown.

Paladin (Prototype Defensive Tank)

The Paladin is a prototype tank equipped with a powerful plasma shot and a shield that protects it and nearby players from a particular direction. It also features a powerful shockwave explosion that surrounds the tank, activated by firing when the shield is deployed.

Goliath (Battle Tank)

The new Goliath Mk.2 will feature improved handling and upgraded weaponry.

Leviathan Concept Art

Leviathan ("Mobile Assault Station")

The Leviathan is a powerful five-man vehicle with a main turret controlled by the driver. The driver can deploy a super weapon at the cost of immobilizing the vehicle. There are also four secondary turrets controlled by other players. The secondary turrets feature shields similar to those on the Skaarj mothership's turrets in UT2004. Each turret has a different type of weapon.

[edit] Necris vehicles

The Necris, an alien species in the Unreal universe, will have a rival set of vehicles. There will be 9 new Necris vehicles with very different styling and unusual behaviors. Although they will not parallel Axon's vehicles, they are intended to make a good balance against them.

The following vehicles have been confirmed:^[16]

A concept art image of the Viper

Viper (Hoverbike)

Designed to be highly manuverable. It will feature a kamikaze function which will allow the pilot to bail out and turn it into a sort of flaming projectile that will inflict much more damage than the turret weapon it has.

Nemesis (Hovertank)

Will have snake-like treads which adapt to the ground below it as it moves. Its main gun is very similar to mounted energy turrets.

Darkwalker (Heavy Walker)

The main weapon will be a laser beam which can fire in short bursts. It will also have the ability to bend down or pop up in order to surprise the enemy. Judging by screenshots, the Darkwalkers somewhat resemble the "Striders" in Half-Life 2, and more strongly resemble the tripods from Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds.

Fury (Energy Stall Fighter)

A Necris aircraft that uses tentacles for a jellyfish-like method of propulsion through the air. Has the ability to boost and barrel roll to escape enemy fire.^[17]

[edit] Other

Hoverboard (Personal transportation)

All players have the hoverboard, a skateboard-like fast way to get around the larger maps of UT2007, especially when the player attaches himself to another vehicle to be towed. While on the Hoverboard players are unable to use their weapons, and are extremely vulnerable to attacks. Players are also able to perform tricks while on the hoverboard, although this is purely cosmetic and has no effect on gameplay.

[edit] Teams

Necris

White-skinned, gothic-looking aliens with advanced technology. They also appeared in UT'99, and in UT2004 when the UT2004 Mega Pack is installed. In Unreal Championship 2, they are described as humans ressurected via the "Necris Process".

Nakhti

Egyptians, who have been living on another planet and have advanced technology.

Juggernauts

Humans, who have been gene-boosted, giving them added qualities such as increased strength and aggressiveness. They mostly consist of disgruntled prisoners and criminals.

The Corrupt

A team of cybernetic robots with very advanced programming. Their leader is the first champion of the Tournament, Xan Kriegor. The robots have been created and are financed by the Liandri Corporation itself.In each tournament they appear in, they look different. This is probably because they get upgraded after each of the tournaments.

Iron Guard

A group of hardened mercenaries, led by Brock and his girlfriend Lauren (who will stay a part of this team).

Krall

A veteran clan of alien warriors, slaves to the Skaarj during the time period of Unreal.

"Jakob's Team"

The name of this team is not confirmed, but will most probably be ThunderCrash, a team of human veterans with advanced warfighting skills. They are tasked by the NEG to carry out high-risk operations. Their traditional ruler is Malcolm, who will be present in the UT2007 roster, but it is unknown whether he is still the leader.

Twin Souls

Not much is known about this team at this point. One of the characters of this team can be seen in a publicity screenshot - he is an African man wearing red armour.

Custom Team

In the single player game the player can create a team of his own, name it, and play against the other teams.

[edit] Engine

Displays the detail of a 2,000,000 polygon character model.

Unreal Tournament 2007 will use the Unreal Engine 3. The engine can take advantage of third party technologies such as PhysX physics card to provide an advanced game experience.^[18]^[19] The engine will require DX9 graphics cards.