Vicarious Visions Previews Terminus; First Game Developed on Linux
Feb 22nd, 02:55 UTC
Terminus: Space Combat Sim with a Persistent Universe and Real-Time Economy
Contact Doug Mealy, Vicarious Visions, doug@vvisions.com.
Troy, NY - February 22, 2000 - www.vvisions.com - Vicarious Visions, developer of games for Nintendo Game Boy Color, N64, PSX, DreamCast, PC, and Mac, recently previewed at the Linux World Expo a new single- and multiple-player game called Terminus, believed to be the first commercial game developed on Linux. Terminus is a persistent-world space combat simulation game which - for the first time in any game on any platform - combines the persistent world with a real-time economy and a dynamically evolving storyline. Vicarious Visions plans to ship Terminus in April, 2000.
Terminus was simultaneously built for Linux, PC, and Macintosh platforms and is interoperable among operating systems. Terminus is in one box with a single SKU - a first in the games industry. The game supports GameSpy to locate Terminus servers on the net so there are no subscription fees as with other persistent online world games previously released.
"We believe this game has more depth, scope, and action that any game currently available on Linux," says Karthik Bala, president of Vicarious Visions, who headed the three-year development project. "Retailers carrying Linux games will be pleased that the three-platform, three-disc box has a single SKU which eases the demand for shelf space, and which allows online retailers to reduce inventory and accelerate order fulfillment."
Terminus: Space Combat Sim with a Persistent Universe and Real-Time Economy
Three years after critics said it couldn't be done, Vicarious Visions has created the technology which brings space simulation games to the next level: 24-hour, dynamically evolving adventure within a persistent universe and real-time economy. The persistent universe, which spans the entire Solar System, is a world which never stops moving and interacting, independent of players' actions. The actions of human and non-human characters as well as the workings of 18 fully-equipped space stations proceed whether or not players participate, making gameplay more challenging and rewarding than with any previous space sim game.
Real-time economy has never before been an integral part of space sim games until now. If the owner of a commercial space station, for example, has a load of torpedoes hijacked, the supply is diminished, and the prices go up in real time. Or, players can plan to buy weaponry from a far-distant merchant, and hope the prices don't change while en route. As battles rage throughout the persistent universe, players must constantly reassess their actions and asset management strategies because in Terminus, like the real world, prices and availability can change instantly through no action of their own.
Non-player Characters Have Emotions
Another exciting feature in Terminus is the ability of computer-controlled characters to express human emotions as they interact with other characters and react to events using advanced AI technology. Characters can become angry and impatient; they can even fall in love. These emotions affect their judgments, actions, and reactions to an ever-changing world.
Players Choose Professions: Easy to Difficult
Unlike most other space combat simulation games in which players are assigned a single, unvarying role with pre-programmed responses and movements, Terminus players can choose among different characters (fighter pilot, mercenary, pirate, miner), each with a different set of behavior rules. Some professions are easy for the novice player, while others can provide a major challenge to the die-hard gamer.
Terminus Previews: Raves from Major Game Sites
Game reviewers have been wildly enthusiastic in their preliminary reviews of Terminus in development (Adrenaline Vault at www.avault.com, Gamers' Alliance at
www.ga-source.com, Computer Games Magazine (formerly Computer Games Strategy Plus) at www.cd-mag.com, and Gamestats at www.gamestats.com. A more recent look at Terminus at the Linux World Expo appears in a show review at www.linuxgames.com.
Consumers can get more information about Terminus at the Vicarious Visions' web page at www.vvisions.com, and can click on the soon-to-be-opened Online Store to pre-order Terminus.
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Vicarious Visions develops games for all major consoles including Nintendo Game Boy Color, Nintendo 64, Sony Playstation and Sega DreamCast, as well as Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating systems. The Troy, NY-based company plans to launch 18 new games in 2000.
(Submitted by Doug Mealy of Vicarious Visions)
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