Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy E3 2003 Preshow Report

Midway recently announced that development of its stealth action game, ESPionage, is well under way and that the game will be shown at the 2003 Electronic Entertainment Expo. ESPionage will put you in the role of a top-secret American counterterrorist operative with a unique gift--psionic powers, which will give him the edge against his numerous enemies. By combining stealth gameplay and psionics, Midway hopes that it will provide a unique gameplay experience.

The game will reportedly feature nonlinear level design, allowing you to use a variety of different tactics to complete your objectives. Midway is also saying that the game will feature advanced artificial intelligence for enemy characters, who will react realistically to your actions.

The main character will have at least six different psychic talents at his disposal: telekinesis, which will allow him to manipulate objects without touching them; pyrokinesis, the power of flame; mind control; remote viewing, a clairvoyant ability to see through solid objects; mind drain, which lethally absorbs psi energy from the target; and aura view, an ability to see things invisible to the naked eye. These combine to make him extremely powerful, but he'll be up against an army of terrorist supersoldiers, so the going shouldn't be easy. ESPionage has sci-fi elements, but it doesn't take place in a far-fetched setting--there will be conventional weapons and scenery to go with all the psychic stuff.

The game will be spread across four different compounds of the terrorist faction known only as The Movement, and it will be split up into eight levels. ESPionage is being developed for the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube and is expected to ship this fall. Stay tuned for more information.