Priest coming to America

JC Entertainment has announced that its online RPG Priest is now scheduled to launch in the US in the second half of 2003. Priest departs from the typical sci-fi and fantasy RPG settings and takes place in what JC calls a "twisted Lovecraftian vision of the American Wild West." The fallen angel Temozarela is planning to take control of 12 secret sites, which will allow him to perform a ritual giving him the power to storm the gates of Heaven. Opposing this demonic power is Ivan Isaacs, a disgraced priest who is secretly raising an army of warrior-mystics to battle the dark forces.

Players will choose to side either with the demonic Heretics or the righteous Templars and will explore a world with more than 12 major towns filled with traditional Western characters such as sheriffs, gunmen, and cowboys and supernatural elements like zombies, secret religious cults, and sorcery. Priest's combat places a greater emphasis on players' reflexes than most online RPGs, with a direct targeting system that bears more resemblance to the skillful aiming required in third-person action games. Priest will feature a unique player vs. player combat system, as well as large-scale battles between warring factions competing for control of strategic towns and resource areas.

The game's first public showing in the US is expected at the upcoming E3, which will be held in Los Angeles on May 14-16. For more details, check out our previous coverage or visit the game's Web site.