Devestation Multiplayer demo due out tonight. FAQS inside

[Buliwyf Profile]

First the screenshots:

http://www.devastationgame.com/media.htm

Now the FAQ


1. What is Devastation?
2. What is the setting and storyline?
3. What are the system requirements?
4. What are the multiplayer requirements?
5. Will there be a demo, and if so when will it be released?
6. Where can I download the demo?
7. When is the full game going to be released?
8. Is the game coming out on XBox or other home console system?
9. Will the game be available outside the United States?
10. Two types of game.... Arcade and Simulation. Can you explain?
11. Arcade and Simulation both available for SP and MP?
12. Can you adjust difficulty settings for both Arcade and Simulation?
13. Will I be able to save the game anywhere?
14. How large are the single-player campaigns?
15. How will the maps progress throughout the game?
16. How many people can you control in your squad?
17. Will it be complicated to issue orders to my squad?
18. Can both AI and I use objects in the game? What sort of objects?
19. AI enemies can use stuff against me? Are they really that smart?
20. Sounds cool! But what sort of enemies will I be up against?
21. What types of multiplayer modes will there be?
22. What exactly is this Territories thing all about?
23. How many people will be able to play online at one time?
24. Will there be a cooperative type of multiplayer mode?
25. How do you acquire more weapons and ammunition in the MP game?
26. What will NOT be in the multiplayer that is in the single-player game?
27. Will there be bot support in the multiplayer mode?
28. What kind of models or skins will there be with multiplayer?
29. What is this Rat-Drone thing I keep hearing about?
30. Will I be vulnerable when using the Rat-Drone?
31. What sort of weapons are in the game?
32. Can you tell me more about the sniper type weapons?
33. Can you tell me more about the different types of grenades?
34. What ESRB rating will the game have?
35. I heard there is dismemberments. How much gore is in this game?
36. I can chop someone's arm off, pick it up, & throw it?
37. Will this dismemberment also be included in multiplayer?
38. Wow! But what about holes? Can I shoot a hole into my enemy?
39. Unreal Warfare Engine II?. What are some cool effects in the game?
40. Sounds great so far, but how will it run? Like a slideshow or stable?
41. What role will sound play in the game?
42. How is the game editor? Is there pre-made stuff for us to use?
43. So, what kind of mods are possible to make?
44. What controls are used to play Devastation?
45. How many CD's come with the game?
46. Will you gain experience as you progress through the game?
47. How will I manage my inventory?
48. Can you tell me a little more about the Simulation Mode?
49. Can we use 3rd mouse button to scroll weapons and zoom?
50. How is aimdrift handled?
51. Are there any vehicles to use?
52. Is there an IRC channel for Devastation?
53. Why does the main character have such a resemblance to rapper Eminem?


1. What is Devastation?

Devastation is a unique First-Person Shooter (FPS) being developed by Digitalo Studios and Published by Arush. Part of what sets Devastation aside from all the other FPS’s in this crowded market is the advanced implementation of the Karma Physics engine and the usage of the amazing Unreal Warfare graphics engine. Almost every object can be kicked, used and fought with! You can even dismember your foes and play around with the body parts, all rendered with the latest technology. Part of the reason the title is called Devastation is because the amount of chaos and interactivity in the game is literally devastating. In a typical firefight, you will see boxes and barrels being knocked over, garbage being shot around, amazing wall decals and dozens of explosions. When this much is going on at once, you can’t help but watch in awe and notice how utterly devastating it is.


2. What is the setting and storyline?

Devastation takes place in 2075, a war-torn future where giant corporations are trying to enslave and control the rest of the world’s population. You take the role of a Resistance fighter who decides to take up arms and fight for what’s right. As the game progresses, you gain more and more team members and travel through abandoned cities, decaying suburbia, and other cool locales.
From the official website, "On a future devastated Earth, powerful, corrupt corporations control remaining technology and rule what's left of society. Pacification Squads, a brutal private police force, maintain order for the corporate syndicate. The only hope for freedom is a small group of Resistance fighters made up of gang leaders, mercenaries and ex-military operatives. As the Resistance leader you must assemble your army and travel the globe, restoring peace and sanity in a very dangerous world."


3. What are the system requirements?

The minimum system specs will be:
Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP, Pentium® III 700 MHz processor (1.0 GHz Recommended), 256 MB RAM, 1 GB Hard Disk Space, 3D Accelerated video card with T&L and 32 MB VRAM (NVIDIA GeForce/ATI Radeon minimum examples, 64 MB VRAM Recommended), DirectX® version 8.1 (Included)


4. What are the multiplayer requirements?

Internet (TCP/IP) and LAN (TCP/IP) supported Multiplayer. *Internet play requires a 33.6 Kbps or faster modem (Broadband Recommended)


5. Will there be a demo and if so, when will it be released?

There will be multiple demos released. The first one is going to be a multiplayer demo containing a map or two from different multiplayer modes. The scheduled release date is March 20th. Then a single-player demo is also scheduled for release sometime in April.


6. Where can I download the demo?

The demo will be available on http://www.fileshack.com and will surely pop up on many other popular download sites.


7. When is the full game going to be released?

Right now the release date is scheduled to be March 25th, 2003!


8. Is the game be coming out on XBox or other home console system?

While at the current moment it isn't known for sure, it is an option being aggressively pursued.


9. Will the game be available outside the United States?

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10. I heard there are two types of play; Arcade and Simulation. Can you explain?

There is the Arcade mode which is similar to the frenetic pace of Quake and Unreal Tournament and then there is Simulation mode which isn't quite as akin to the Rainbow Six series but is a bit more realistic. For example, in Arcade mode one may carry any amount of weapons whereas in the Simulation mode there is a limit to the amount of weapons. This difference in game style is a great inclusion as it is sure to create much different paths through the game which will ensure replayability. And along with that in the single player there is much diversity in the gameplay including hacking, sniping, stealth, surveillance and more.


11. Will Arcade and Simulation be available for both single player and multiplayer?

Yes. In single-player the player chooses the mode. In multiplayer and it is up to the server host as to which mode the matches will use.


12. Can you adjust the difficulty settings for both Arcade and Simulation play?

Yes. The ability to change difficulty on both the "run and gun" style of Arcade and the more realistic Simulation play will greatly enhance re-playability.


13. Will I be able to save the game from anywhere, or will there be checkpoints, etc.?

You will be able to save the game at anytime, anywhere.


14. How large will the single player campaign be?

In the final version of the game there will be 21 single player maps.


15. How will the maps progress throughout the game?

Well, at first the game starts off with just you and as it progresses you gain more and more people in your gang. The first part of the game is also different then the second half. While the first part is more objective-focused, the second part is more like all-out war that includes having to destroy spawning machines, etc. There is a lot of diversity in the campaign.


16. How many people can you control in your gang/squad?

You start off by yourself, You are joined/recruit teammates in specific areas and by the end of the game you will have up to eight teammates under your command, and fighting alongside an entire battalion of soldiers. The teammates you acquire throughout the story are made up of specialists whom are very good with certain weapons.


17. Will it be complicated to issue orders to my squad?

There are four individual and four group commands that you can use to control your squadmates. There are also two equipment trading commands and a general interaction command that will allow you to obtain clues or information or whatnot from them. As in past games, it has been a problem with teammates getting in your way, the AI has been programmed so that they're usually behind you and if not, off to the side. The commands are a follow command, an attack command, a defend command, and a hold command.
Teammates play an important role if you want to progress through the single-player missions, especially on the harder difficulty settings. A couple of them will always prefer to cover you, some will hang back and make sure to defend your base camp, while others have aggressive personalities and tend to head out on their own. Of course, you always have the option of explicitly giving them orders if you feel the need - and if you really wanted to, it's quite possible for your team mates to move out and complete some objectives with very little help from you.


18. Can both the AI enemies and I use different objects in the game? What sort of objects?

You can kick, push, pick up, carry, throw, roll things downhill etc. You can make noise by running into things like trash, or you can set traps and barricades. It has really gone a long way to make the game world a living, breathing place where almost everything is useable. There’s really so much that hasn’t been said about this. Almost everything you come across in the game can be kicked, knocked over, pushed, picked up, carried, used as a shield, and THROWN! Chairs, boxes, buckets, gas cans, oil drums, barrels, TV’s, all kinds of crap, even trash you find in the street. Here’s some advice about making your own shield out of barrels- water barrel=good, kerosene barrel=bad
And yes, your enemies can use the same stuff against you! You can even dismember your foes and play around with the body parts, all rendered with the latest technology.
Using items is a whole other aspect of the game, you can turn everyday things on like sinks, showers, gas pipes, fire hydrants, flush toilets, all kinds of stuff like that. You can mess with gadgets, telephones, computers, lab equipment, and microscopes to name a few. You can shoot through cardboard and soft things, but not walls. You can blow up certain fences and walls, and cut through chained barriers and fences with the proper tools. You can hack into and sabotage computer systems too.

As for destroying, there’s lots of it but not anything like geo-mod in Red Faction. There is plenty to crush, collapse, knock over, kick, and blow up in the game. Everything that you could normally do in real life you can do in the Devastation world short of digging holes in the ground and walls. It's great fun blowing up hydrogen powered cars, they make nice traps for unsuspecting baddies who get too close to them. Fire hydrants are also fun, seeing all that water shoot up fifty feet into the sky is a nice touch.


19. AI Enemies can use stuff against me? Are they really that smart?

Yes, indeed they are. Enemies can take advantage of the environment just as easily as you can. The advanced AI system allows for them to be able to determine courses of action in individual scenarios and use the environment towards their advantage. One of the sources that previewed the press-build even recalled how one of the AI rolled an oil drum down a sloped hill and shot it aflame. This type of stuff which would be normally scripted in other games is completely spontaneous in our game. They will use team tactics, stealth, environmental advantages and other stuff to try to dispose of you all that much easier, making for a much more challenging and fun experience. Basically, they're far from stupid
The enemy AI is can be fierce. On the hardest setting they’re incredibly intelligent and nearly impossible to outsmart and outgun. They will flank you, and corner you. Some will disappear and later ambush you, jumping out from hiding spots they have found on their own. Many will hear you coming down an alley and be hunkered down waiting for you. They have some very cool human reactions too. Some will run away from you, while others will fearlessly pin you into a corner and give you a hell of a hard time.


20. Sounds cool! But what sort of enemies will I be up against?

Almost all of your enemies in the game are going to be human with the exception of some mechanical foes. This does not mean however, that you'll be fighting waves of identical clones. Each person looks unique; some equipped with facial hair, some with jewelry, others with tattoos etc. The models all look great as well and in addition to that, all of them take advantage of the rag doll effects when they die, making for distinctive deaths for each character you kill.


21. What types of multiplayer modes will there be?

So far there are four modes ranging from the classic Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag to the original Territories multiplayer mode where each teams objective is to destroy the other teams spawning machines. Multiplay is a big part of the experience.


22. What exactly is this Territories thing all about?

Territories is a great new gametype. It's based on a two base scenario like you may remember from Team Fortress, but with destructible spawn points. The gametype allows you and your teammates to run coordinated attacks between bases and their specific defences, take out the defence perimeters, and infiltrate the base and destroy their spawn points. Once the spawn points are gone, when your guy dies he’s gone for the rest of the game.
The Dev Team are particularly proud of a Territories MP because it incorporates aspects of Capture The Flag, Domination, and Last Man Standing, all rolled into one! In this new mode, players are spawned at nanoreplicators. When a player is killed they are spawned back to the nanoreplicator, but if the opposing team is able to destroy that replicator then the game suddenly turns into a game of Last Man Standing. That's right -- destroyable spawn points! It can get really intense!


23. How many people will be able to play online at one time?

At the moment, the game can support at least 16 players, but no word yet as to what the final number will be on shipping - most likely it will depend on the capabilities of server running the game.


24. Will there be a cooperative type of multiplayer mode?

At the current moment, no, but that doesn't mean someone can't make it with the editor that is included. There is a lot of room for mods the game designers welcome and support the modding community.


25. How do you acquire more weapons and ammunition in the multiplayer game?

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26. What will NOT be in the multiplayer that is in the single-player game?

To create the best multiplayer mode possible, almost everything from the single-play is being left in the multi-play. This includes the katana, rat-drone, dismemberment, physics, etc. All of that stuff adds up to some cool multi-play experiences and it would be a shame to keep it out. However, the server host will be able to toggle some of the stuff on and off at his wish.


27. Will there be bot support in the multiplayer mode?

No bots will be included with the game. To achieve the most authentic experience, bots would sort of lessen the effect of human vs. human battles.


28. What kind of models or skins will there be with multiplayer?

Right now there are over 50 skins from different characters in the game including the Resistance, Corporations and some more unique ones


29. What is this Rat-Drone thing I keep hearing about?

One of the craziest weapons the game is rightly, very proud of is the Rat Drone. This is a very cool little device that lets you control a real rat from inside the game remotely, to serve as a miniature camera on legs, or as a mobile grenade explosive. This rat drone is a concept weapon that was drawn in the first doc, and it's been improving ever since. It’s like a whole new type of weapon because it lets you go where you normally couldn’t, in small places, in between fallen debris etc. There are a lot of cool game play mechanics that come into play. First of all, if someone shoots the rat that you are controlling you will take damage from it, so there is a price to pay if you’re not careful enough to pretend you are a real rat and not a drone.


30. Will I be vulnerable when using the Rat-Drone?

While you are controlling the rat you are completely immersed in the rat’s viewpoint and can’t see or hear what’s going on around your body. You’re going to have to hide someplace good before using it or someone will surely come across you fumbling with your rat controller and take you out without even knowing it. Can you say "knife kill"?


31. What sort of weapons are in the game?

Right now there are over 40 weapons including multiple sniper rifles, machine guns, grenades, swords (yes, swords), Uzi's, lasers, akimbo weapons (double-handed) and of course the famed Rat-Drone! The arsenal of weapons is truly stunning and even further; there are gas cans, fire extinguishers, and a whole bunch of other cool stuff that can be blown up and used for either yours or your enemies' advantage.
To be exact there are42 total, counting all weapons and variations, plus explosives, large mounted weapons, improvised weapons, and hacking and surveillance devices. Many of these weapons are real-world, classical types, and the rest are either makeshift weapons or futuristic weapons based on existing prototypes. There has been a great amount of weapon balancing to make sure they are all working well together, but there is definitely a lot of over-the-top “big-bang” stuff, and lots of cool visual effects.


32. Can you tell me more about the sniper type weapons?

There are 2 high-zoomable rifles and one semi rifle that zooms in, but not very much. P*Laser Rifle is a badass weapon that is reminiscentof the Railgun in Quake3. The P*Laser Rifle is based off a real military prototype of a pulsed laser weapon. Military specialists said it’s something we’ll all be seeing the military using in the next twenty years as part of their Land Warrior system. The mechanism is modeled after current, larger scaled pulse weapons that are rumored to be mounted in the bays of B2 Bombers. Anyway, the laser pulse beam is so powerful that upon contact with a human body it instantly raises the temperature to super-spectral temperatures, instantly reducing your victim into a liquefied mass through a burst of gore and limbs. The beam itself is simple but beautiful, and leaves an amazing trail of lingering moisture, swirling and evaporating in its wake. Yummy! LOL


33. Can you tell me more about the different types of grenades?
There are 3 known grenade types, Smoke, Fragmentation and Gas. Rumor of a 4th type of grenade cannot be confirmed nor denied at this time.


34. What ESRB rating will the game have?

Rating will be M for Mature due to Blood and Violence.


35. I heard there is dismemberments and rag doll deaths. How far will the gore go in this game?

Indeed it is a rather violent and gory game and certainly not for the weak-hearted. It's possible to blow off arms, legs, heads, etc and even run around with a severed head as the trophy for your latest kill! The possibilities are endless. Violence in the game will split the line between Soldier Of Fortune and Counter-Strike. The game's producer said that the game won't allow you to shoot and damage dead corpses -- so for you repeat corpse desecration offenders out there, you're out of luck -- but you can expect some gnarly wounds, convincing death animations, limb dismemberment, and a gush of blood with skillful head shots.



36. You mean I can chop someone's arm off, pick it up, and throw it at someone?

Yep! Each character model will have at least 8 damage points to allow you to partake in the joyous dismemberment, and each limb will be incorporated into the complex physics system (flying legs!).

(Editor's note: I friggin can't wait to do this one!)


37. Will this dismemberment also be included in multiplayer?

Yes, dismemberment will be in multiplayer as well.


38. Wow! But what about holes? Can I shoot a hole into my enemy?

Unfortunately, model deformation will not be included, meaning no gaping holes inside your enemies' corpse.


39. You're using the Unreal Warfare Engine. What are some cool effects in the game?

Well, it's been a priority to keep the game looking beautiful. The effects that are in the game are really some of the first ever. There are flowing water and blood streams, cool decals, awesome explosions, and even some amazing death effects. For instance, there is a weapon that kills your enemy by disintegrating them in front of you. Their bodies collapse into ash. These types of effects we believe really add a lot to the game. When you're running around and shooting a lot, these small things really add up.


40. Sounds great so far, but how will it run? Will it run like a slideshow or be more stable?

It's really amazing because one of the websites that previewed Devastation noted how it looks the best and runs the smoothest. We have worked hard to make sure that Devastation won't be a power-monger and will run even on many low-end machines. Of course it is best to have a more high-end machine because then you can turn up all the effects and really see the game in full action.


41. What role will sound play in the game?

Sound is a very important aspect of the game and it has been coupled with the physics engine. For example, if you are walking down a street and step on a piece of garbage, it will make a sound and alert nearby enemies. You can use sound as part of your strategy too. You can line up cans that if the enemy kicks which will give you some warning. You could also throw something to make a sound to distract your enemies.


42. How difficult will it be to use the game editor? Is there pre-made stuff for us to use?

The game editor has been simplified. Unlike many difficult to use game editors, this one has been fine-tuned to be a nearly drag-and-drop format. There will be more than 4,000 prefabs, and about 200 physics-enabled objects.


43. So, what kind of mods are possible to make?

The possibilities are really endless. Because of the physics, it's possible to create a basketball mod. Some have requested gang-war mods, some WW2 mods. There will no doubt, be many cool things to come from the modding community


44. What controls are used to play Devastation?

Standard keyboard and mouse is supported as well as joystick.


45. How many CD's come with the game?

1 CD


46. Will you gain experience as you progress through the game?

No, Devastation is pure FPS with a hint of strategy involved via communication with your AI teammates. Strategy is much enhanced when playing multiplayer with human teammates of course.


47. How will I manage my inventory?

In arcade mode, there is no limit to how many weapons you can carry. In simulation mode there is. You can also toss weapons to your teammates, or take the weapon they are holding.


48. Can you tell me a little more about the Simulation Mode?

How the game plays is dependent on the combination of the 6 different game settings you choose to play: difficulty setting (Easy, Normal, Hard) and the game mode (Arcade or Simulation). For instance, you can play through Devastation in Arcade mode and in the Easy setting with your guns blazing the whole time, and still do well. If you play on Normal or Hard/Arcade it may be a lot harder to complete some missions unless you do a little strategizing and work with your bot team mates. Now, in Simulation mode, even under the Easy setting, you will need to use all your resources to survive, much less complete and win. The higher you adjust these settings, the more realistic and difficult each encounter becomes. You’ll have to account for weapon drift, ammo reloading, friendly fire, and even movement speed and encumbrance of gear and weapons. You will learn to rely more on teamwork, playing with the assistance of your team bots and sidekicks, giving them orders, and trading weapons with them, as well as using alternate strategies like stealth and surveillance which are not obligatory mechanisms in arcade mode.


49. Can we use scroll wheel to scroll weapons and use for sniper rifle to zoom in/out?

Yes!


50. How is aimdrift handled?

In simulation mode, the more you move around the more dim the reticle becomes making it more and more difficult to be accurate with your weapon.



51. Are there any vehicles to use?

No, vehicles won't be included. It was decided that we want to make the best shooter possible and adding vehicles into the game wouldn't be as solid as the FPS elements so instead of having it appear to be a slipshod implementation, we just left them out. However, in the editor there is support for vehicles, drivable and if implemented well in a mod, could be comparable to the Warthog in Halo.



52.Is there and IRC channel for Devastation?

Yes. #devastation on gamesNET




53. Why does the main character have such a resemblance to rapper Eminem?

Any resemblance is purely coincidental. There may be certain *similarities* betwixt the angry rapper and the angry resistance leader. But remember, in his video Eminem had hundreds and hundreds of people who looked just like him. Some people see a resemblance to Eminem, some people see a resemblance to the lead singer of Linkin Park. In reality, Flynn is meant to be an "Everyman" with a little bit of hip thrown in. There are tons of people with dyed blonde hair...Flynn is one of them.

[SilverSurfer Profile Website]

very interresting but the game info was a little bit to large
plz keep it shorter i do have a life

[Wairudo Enjin Profile]

SilverSurfer,

Short and simple....to enlighten yourself about any topic takes time. If you do not take the time you will never learn anything. If you don't have time to read the whole thing then do one of two things. Learn to read faster; it didn't take me very long to read this and I read slow. Or, learn to skim. I know this is just a game, but there are many details about it. The rest of us really appreciated the in depth posting that Bulliwyf made.

Happy gaming!

[SilverSurfer Profile Website]

nice

you son of freud???

you try to read with 2 eyes in the opposite direction
you don't have to rub it in so mutch

i allready know im not that smart

[Wairudo Enjin Profile]

I'm the one not so smart. That's why I read so slow.

I like your Avatar; I wish they would make more Silver Surfer cartoons!

[SilverSurfer Profile Website]

actually i have never read a silversurfer cartoon i found this super hero on google

he looked nice to me

[RCinator]

Oh man was this game terrible. I mean - they had some good ideas, but the programming is terrible. Netcode is mindblowingly poor, the sound effects sound like they came from the ORIGINAL Castle Wolfenstein, and the graphics engine is pretty subpar compared to a lot of the other offerings out there right now.

I give it two thumbs down.