Gunmetal (PC)

Infobox VG| title = Gunmetal


developer = Mad Genius Software
publisher = Mad Genius Software
designer = Mike Jackson
engine = Custom
released = 1998
genre = Action adventure, First Person Shooter
modes = Single player, Multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: G
platforms = DOS, Windows
media = CD Rom
requirements = Pentium, Pentium II
input = Keyboard and mouse

Gunmetal is a first person shooter video game for the PC. It was developed and distributed by Mad Genius Software in 1998.

tory

The game takes place 300 years in the future. The world is completely controlled by corporations, and the concept of nation is unknown.

The player is a newly hired security guard for the Nataka Corporation, a multi-planet organization patterned loosely after mid-20th century Conglomerates such as Siemens A.G., Sara Lee or General Electric.

In the middle of the first level, the assignment being to patrol an automated outpost, the outpost is suddenly attacked by forces from Network 53, a branch of the Argus Industrial Corporation and a long-standing ally. Getting through this level takes the player from "newbie" to nearly expert quickly.

Production

Gunmetal has 26 published levels, three secret levels, four deathmatch-specific levels, and one easter egg. The easter egg is located in the pilot's lounge. It is a side scroller game called "Gandhi Kong." The player plays Gandhi, using the principles of passive resistance to save a village from a marauding ape.

Between each level the player is told a bit about the challenges in the upcoming level. They are then sent to an upgrade area where they can buy, sell and trade weapons, ammo and ship types to plan for the next level. A limited amount of credit is given at the start of the game, but by picking up destroyed enemies or earning "good employee" bonuses, the player can eventually afford a wide range of weaponry.

Game Engine

Gunmetal's game engine was developed by Mad Genius and was not, as many at the time suspected, a Doom clone. It includes realistic lighting, spotlights, direct sunlight, and partial reflectivity (for reflections in pools and other details). At the time, very few video games had all these features. It also featured original digital music.

Gunmetal supports the full range of multiplayer options available in 1998. As many as eight players over a LAN or the Internet can play at once. It also has a split-screen, two-player variation. The split-screen mode works in Net games as well.

The goal of Gunmetal is not fully revealed until the player completes the final level. Upon beating the ultimate enemy of both Nataka and human-kind, the player is awarded "Employee of the Month" and is given a video taped congratulation from the President of Nataka.

External links

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