Wednesday 10 May 2006
Microsoft has revealed Shadowrun, a new FPS shooter for Xbox 360 and Windows Vista on PC, due for release in January 2007.
The game is set in the near future world of the Shadowrun role-playing franchise (the type that uses real-life dice), where magic has returned to the world after a 5,000-year absence, sparking a conflict between two different factions interested in harnessing the power. Hoping to use the magic for profit are the global corporation RNA, while elfish hippies the Lineage want to keep the magic wild and free.
Set in a world where new technology and magic both exist, Shadowrun offers a unique style of first-person battling, and an ability to see through walls, out-flank opponents with teleportation and create distractions with monstrous holograms.
Shadowrun will be released for both Xbox 360 and Windows Vista (Microsoft's upcoming operating system) on PC; gamers using the two platforms will be able to play with or against each other with an online option that will support up to 16 players.
This simultaneous PC and 360 release is part of Microsoft's newLive Anywhere strategy, with which it hopes to unite gaming communities on its Live service, no matter which platform they choose to use.
Shadowrun will also offer epic battles offline with customisable AI teams to take into battle, and split-screen multiplayer as well.
