Undertow (video game)

Infobox VG| title = Undertow


caption =
developer = Chair Entertainment
publisher = Chair Entertainment
designer =
series =
engine =Unreal Engine 3
released = November 21, 2007 [cite web | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/832/832210p1.html | title = Undertow to Make XBLA Splash Soon | last = Goldstein | first = Hilary | date = 2007-11-01 | accessdate = 2007-11-01 | publisher = IGN Entertainment, Inc. ]
genre = Shooter game
modes = Single player, Multiplayer, Co-opererative Modes
ratings = ESRB: E 10+
platforms = Xbox 360 (XBLA)
media = Download
requirements =
input = Gamepad

"Undertow" is an original video game developed by Chair Entertainment for the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade service.

Announcement

On April 23, 2007, Chair Entertainment announced through an official company press release that Undertow was in development for Xbox LIVE Arcade. The news had been first reported in an exclusive "first look" preview on IGN.com and quickly became a popular news item across all other major gaming news sites. In addition to the news, the company also released a 30 second teaser trailer, which revealed the first footage of the game in action.

Creative Director, Donald Mustard was quoted, “We’ve really enjoyed designing Undertow for Xbox LIVE Arcade because it’s given us the freedom to create a pure gaming experience focused on fun, addictive game play. Whether a player is looking for hours of intense multiplayer or they have just 10 minutes for the ultimate gaming experience, we’re confident Undertow will be as exciting to play as it has been for us to create.”

Chair began production on "Undertow" in the fall of 2006 and the game was released on November 21, 2007.

Awards

Upon release, "Undertow" garnered significant praise and media attention for its high quality visuals, variety of game play, and flawless execution. The game received numerous Editors Choice Awards from leading gaming publications and websites, including Official Xbox Magazine, IGN, and Team Xbox. IGN also selected "Undertow" as its Game of the Month for November 2007. "Undertow" was nominated for Microsoft's 2007 XBLA Awards and 1UP's 2007 Editors Choice Awards and was selected by Official Xbox Magazine as its 2007 Game of the Year for Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Gameplay

Undertow features a 15 level campaign for single-player or co-op and two multiplayer modes for up to 16 players.

Players select their race (Iron Marine, Nemoidian, or Atlantian) and unit type and are then launched into battle. Each of the three races features four unique, upgradeable unit types ranging in ability from the fast and agile to the large and powerful. Players have the ability to unlock and purchase unit upgrades as they acquire points. Each unit type has three levels of permanent upgrades.

Through conquest-style battles very similar to the method found in Battlefield 1942, players obtain points by killing enemies, accomplishing team goals, and taking check points. Points and a variety of power-ups can be used to further upgrade unit abilities.

tory

An aquatic alien race secretly launches a devastating attack on Earth which melts the polar ice caps. Water covers the planet.

Humanity is all but wiped out by this onslaught, but some of the remaining humans band together to take the planet back from the brink of chaos. Using existing technology, the Iron Marines take to the seas as they struggle to survive in this wet new world.

For over one hundred years, Captain Nemo and his followers have been living peacefully and quietly at the bottom of the ocean, sharing an uneasy truce with the highest officials in the British and American governments. In their secret utopia the Nemoidians have isolated themselves from the world and lived in peace – until now. Nemo is enraged at the disturbance to his oceans.

As the ice caps melted, the ancient city of Atlantis began to thaw. Trapped by the last ice age, this mighty civilization disappeared at the height of its power. Now free, the Atlanteans will stop at nothing to reclaim the planet they once owned.

Having escaped from their cruel overlords, the fanatic Elect put their hope in the Ark – a massive city-sized space craft that could deliver their dying race to a new world. The fuel supply of the Ark had been nearly depleted when the aliens finally discovered Earth, a planet perfect for transformation into a new, oceanic home for the aliens.

Xbox Live consolation

On January 18, 2008, Microsoft selected "Undertow" for its free game offer from January 23 through January 27 as compensation for the holiday traffic/outage experienced on Xbox Live. [cite web | url = http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/01/18/UndertowFreeofCharge.aspx | title = Undertow Free of Charge Next Week on Xbox LIVE Arcade | date = 2008-01-18 | accessdate = 2008-01-18 ]

The tremendous influx of players resulting from Microsoft's promotion was applauded by Undertow's regular multiplayer audience who enjoyed the increase of competitive matches available on LIVE.

ee also

*"Xbox Live Arcade"
*"Chair Entertainment"

External links

* [http://www.chairentertainment.com Official Website]
* [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/u/undertowxboxlivearcade/ Game page on Xbox.com]
* [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1559068/20070508/index.jhtml Undertow Exclusive] , MTV News
* [http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/782/782282p1.html Undertow First Look Preview] , IGN
* [http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=4720 Undertow Teaser Trailer] , Gametrailers

References