World War II: Frontline Command E3 2003 Preshow Report

Strategy First will be exhibiting World War II: Frontline Command at E3 2003. Developed by Bitmap Brothers, the team behind the cult hits Z and Steel Soldiers, Frontline Command is a real-time strategy game based on WWII. You can choose to play as either the Axis or the Allies, each of which has more than 23 battle units based on real vehicles and weapons from the war.

Frontline Command includes 25 single-player missions that can be played in one of two ways: a 12-mission beginner's campaign or a longer, nonlinear veteran campaign where your actions can affect how the rest of the campaign plays out. The scope of the single-player campaign is extremely focused, starting from the D-Day landings of 1944 on up to 1945 and the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgarden in the German Alps. If you're interested in multiplayer, 10 specially designed maps have been included for multiplayer action via LAN or internet. Up to four players are supported, and it's also possible to play any of the 25 single-player maps in multiplayer mode.

Frontline Command sets itself apart from other real-time strategy games with some advanced features that affect how units detect and react to one another. Aside from true line of sight, the game includes an advanced hearing system where your forces can detect the presence of enemy units that may be within earshot, but are hidden from sight by terrain features or other obstacles. There's also a morale system that affects the performance and responsiveness of your units in battle--units with high morale might pull off some heroic deeds. The game's AI promises to be quite good as well, with the ability to counterattack or retreat when appropriate, find and use terrain features as cover, and utilize captured equipment.

World War II: Frontline Command is slated for release this summer on the PC. We'll have more information on the game as it becomes available.