Originally Posted by Auditor (Post 512075)

And didn't EPIC plan to let console players play against pc users? I know they canned this idea for the ps3, but what's the plan for the 360 version?. If it does happen, wouldn't the pc users have a better advantage..because of the higher/precise aiming from the mouse(people with the 5000 DPI mouse..)..if this happens..I think this would be another reason for me, not to try console version online.

Originally Posted by Kolba (Post 512077)

Oh so they're bringing back the feel of the original UT.

I've been trying to imagine the 'feel' of UT99 transplanted onto those ultra detailed screenshots, but it's just not working for me. An integral part of that 'feel' which makes me nostalgic for the original game is that irreplacable aesthetic sense of rather rudimentary and bland metallic environments. It was comforting. Those screenshots on the other hand leave me cold. The mass amounts of realistic detail just look like distractions. I wonder how something like Facing Worlds would be treated in this new engine. There was a simplistic beauty about the classic.

I understand the need for progress and all that. But...well I guess this is just me saying that UT99 can never be supplanted. But the music had already made sure of that anyway. We'll never get that simple Tracker goodness now. Those days are gone. What have they done with the old tracks? Just stuffed them with extra BOMBAST.

"It's like Classic UT, on ACID!"

Originally Posted by ApOkwARG (Post 514297)

Though the environments and excessive visual detail may not reflect UT99 anymore, I think what they really meant was that they are trying to recreate the classic gameplay feeling. UT2003/2004 always felt more like Quake 3 to me, only slightly different. And in terms of music, I hope it comforts you that Alexander Brandon is back on the team to create awesome music like he did for UT99 and Deus Ex, so that means no more super-bass-uninspired-filler-crap-music-tracks for sure though I wonder if he'll be able to beat his own old-school tracker goodness.

Originally Posted by BeyondUnreal

The party is over at Epic HQ and everyone is now headed home via plane or car. I do have a few bits of information to pass along and Brizz and I will be writing out more details from the event very soon.

First of all, the demo will not feature a Warfare map. Having played a few of them, I can say that there's a very good reason why: while they all share similar core gameplay, all the maps we played and discussed seem to have a different twist to them. Just sampling one wouldn't give you a very good perspective of what they are like. Torlan_Necris, for instance, is somewhat similar to standard Onslaught, with the addition of the orb. Another we played had one side with a heavily defended base, while the other team had a number of hard-hitting vehicles with which to attack. Still others feature triggerable events to aid in comebacks such as landslides and floods. It's a very versatile gametype and it seems to be much deeper than Onslaught.

DM-HeatRay is planned to be in the demo. It is the destroyed urban environment that features a lone DarkWalker which is dropped in at specified times during the match. The level strongly conveys a UT-like city setting (complete with the occasional train running on an overhead track) is pretty stunning.

VCTF-Suspense is the second demo map. Set on an immense suspension bridge, this level is set up with Axon vs Axon vehicles and the action takes place in three planes: on platforms high above the bridge, as well as on and under the bridge. It has a nice mix of open sniping areas and tight corridors. There's a little water there too if you care to take a dip.

The final demo map may be DM-ShangriLa. This one has been seen in some of the videos before. It features buildings with Asian-themed architecture and the action takes place around a courtyard.

There's lots more to talk about so stay tuned while we all make the return trip.