UNDERWORLD SCORES NEW GAME SYSTEM
Copyright 2007 www.tombraiderchronicles.com

[ December 16th 2007 ]

Eric Lindstrom has expanded on a new dynamic collision system which will play a huge part in the crafting of Tomb Raider Underworld. According to an interview with PLAY magazine, Lindstrom says players can expect far superior interactivity within environments, including the manipulation of objects to solve puzzles.

"Lara will have the ability to grab moving objects and architectural elements more than ever, and with our animation blending system, she will do so in a way that is more fluid than you've ever seen. We are also taking the new step of leaving large-scale debris in the world. No more vanishing rubble in Tomb Raider."

This courtesy of permanent debris also extends to enemies, once expired by gun-toting heroine Lara Croft. The expunging of combatants has also scored a major upgrade, with Lara Croft now able to target two enemies using her trademark pistols. But it doesn't stop there, says Lindstrom.

"Up on the surface, Lara will face real predatory animals that exist in the parts of the world she is exploring, but down in the Underworlds she discovers, she will find plenty of creatures you won't find in any zoo."

On an immersive and highly visual weather system, Eric Lindstrom says, "we developed a hybrid lighting model that combines dynamic lights with carefully created light maps to make our world look stunning in ways that none of the available methods could achieve alone."

The net result of this technology will allow finely tuned and realistic weather models "top side" which will hinder or help Lara as she progresses through her adventure.

Tomb Raider Underworld is yet to be officially announced by publisher Eidos plc, although we expect that minor point to be addressed next week. The game will court Sony Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC. Hop on over to our Tomb Raider Underworld microsite for the story so far.