Black9 E3 2003 Preshow Report

In the year 2080, world governments are in disarray and nine mysterious cartels known as the illuminati hold the real power behind the scenes and vie for dominance. In Black9, you'll assume the role of a mercenary in the hire of the illuminati. And as lucrative as this employment may be for a skilled operative, it will put you at the center of a wave of conspiratorial events. This adventure will take you between the futuristic cities of Shanghai, Seoul, and Macau and several off-world locations.

Black9 will blend action-packed combat and stealth elements with extension character customization. You can choose to play as one of four basic looks for your character and develop specific combat, nano-magic, and other nanotech skills. Through your dealings with the illuminati, you'll earn a variety of high-tech gadgetry, weaponry, and upgrades. Putting these skills and arsenal to use, you'll face off against the mechanical troops at Genesis' moon base, the Tea Drinking Society's skillful monks, and Zubrin's formidable marines. But while there'll be more than enough opponents to challenge battle-ready mercenaries, it'll be equally possible to take a more subtle approach. The missions will be designed to accommodate different character specializations and multiple play styles.

Based on the latest Unreal engine, Black9 promises detailed third-person visuals and a range of exotic scenery. The game is in development at Taldren, the studio that created the long-running Starfleet Command series. Black9 is planned to have several multiplayer options, including cooperative play and an online competitive mode. The game is scheduled for release at the end of the year for the PC and Xbox.