netWar Goes Public

Headland Digital Media is preparing to send players into battle in netWar, its new multiplayer, online only game. The free public beta test, scheduled to begin on Monday, June 16, will enable up to 30 gamers per level to fight it out mano a mano.

Played from a top down, three quarter perspective, gamers will assume one of four identities including a former postal employee (disgruntled, of course) and a special forces dude. In addition to Mayhem, a seek-and-destroy type mission (if it moves, shoot it), gamers will have three other play modes to choose from including a sixteen-player Deathmatch option.

In each mode, the goal for players is not only to stay alive, but to increase rank and prestige. Headland plans to maintain a leaderboard along with stats for each player that will grant victorious cyber soldiers of fortune the appropriate bragging rights.

Weapon and ammo choices available to each player will be based on the character selected and, along with handheld artillery, a variety of vehicles including jet packs, tanks, jeeps and napalm-shooting helicopters will be accessible to fend off opponents.

As to pricing, while Headland intends to change gamers to play, it is not ready to announce its plans. The full version of netWars is slated for a late August release.