Multitude Hopes to Draws Fire

Multitude, which is developing the multiplayer game FireTeam, announced a number of promotions designed to draw attention to that game's June launch.

Multitude's campaign kicks off in next month, when the company plans to begin beta-testing its title, a combat game that will emphasize team play and spotlight Andrea Electronics' NC-65 GameWare headset, which will allow "real-time seamless voice communication among FireTeam players over the Internet."

One of the game's first promotions is what Multitude is calling "FireTeam's 48-Hour Beta Sign-Up": 1000 gamers who sign up for the beta test on April 3 and 4 at the FireTeam Web site will be selected at random to participate in the test.

In early May, Multitude will release FireTeam: Limited Edition a preview version of the game that Multitude will "make available to a select group of early adopters."

Multitude says, "These early purchasers will receive one month of free game play, as well as discounts on the final purchase price, and an upgrade offering two additional months of unlimited play."

When FireTeam launches, it will sport a suggested retail price of US$49.95 and will initially be sold directly through the Multitude site. That fee will include one month of free, unlimited game play. After that, unlimited play will cost gamers $9.95 a month or $24.95 for three months.