3DO's PC, PlayStation, and M2 Games Showcased

We haven't heard much from 3DO over the last year, but from what we saw at today's "Backstage at 3D0" press event, it seems they've definitely been busy. Showcased at 3DO's Redwood City, CA, offices were:

Meridian 59: Revelations, a new version of this real-time Net adventure game, due fall '97. Essentially, it's a new island added onto the existing older world, increasing it by about 50 percent. This upgrade features new non-player characters, a new quest engine, more monsters, missile weapons (and a targeting system), team AI for monsters, improved graphics (including dynamic lighting effects), more options for the player avatars, and new schools.

Heroes of Might and Magic 2: The Succesion Wars, an online version of the popular stategy series, due for the PC this fall.

Army Men, an action/strategy game due for the PC this Christmas and PlayStation next year. Like the title says, the game revolves around a war utilizing animated plastic army men and vehicles. At first glance, the title appears like an upgraded version of the old console game Return Fire, with a few Command & Conquer elements to boot. The PC version is set to support multiplayer Net play.

Uprising, a real-time war game along the lines of Command & Conquer, but the player is actually on the battle field, fighting right alongside the troops in a "behind-the-tank" 3-D view. A PC release is planned for October (with online multiplayer option for up to four players), with a PlayStation version slated for next year.

Third Domain, another 3-D strategy combat game, but with a 3-D perspective similar to viewing a 3-D topographical map. Game designers promise the gameplay will be much different from titles like WarCraft and Command & Conquer. This PC-only title should see a summer '98 release.

Requiem: Wrath of the Fallen, a polygonal first-person game set in the midst of a war between angels that should come off like a mix between Quake and Meridian 59. Due for spring '98, this PC title will support the 3Dfx card and likely several others. A console version is very likely.

Might & Magic 6 - The Mandate of Heaven, The latest M&M RPG has a polygonally based engine (albeit a few sprite-based characters can be found) that allows for up-and-down movement. Not a standard chapter-by-chapter RPG, M&M 6 is a time-based title that exists with a constantly evolving world. For example, towns grow in size or are demolished, businesses pick up and move, et cetera. Combat can be either real-time, turn-based, or switched back between. This PC title should hit stands this November.

World Championship Racing, set on the "mysterious" M2 Matsushita system, this slick racing game seemingly has every cool feature found in all of the popular racers. Features include realistic physics and handling, pre-race track tutorials, replay functions, real-time damage, four different camera angles (full screen, cockpit, far behind the car, and close behind the car), brake lights, and a high frame rate. Most impressive was the complete lack of pop-up, nonexistent because of the fact that the entire track was already built. In some cases, miles of background could be seen.

Come back Monday for screenshots of these titles.