A game that's all too real

PUBLISHERS of video games have been forced to re-assess their schedules in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on America. So far the response has been a measured one.

Some games have been put on hold, a few have been re-coded to remove potentially offensive imagery and a handful have been canned altogether.

For a short time it seemed as though World War III - Black Gold would be among the casualties.

Originally due for release just days after September 11, the game was wisely pulled to allow for a period of reflection. Two months on, JoWood Productions have decided to let gamers choose for themselves.

As you would expect, WWIII is a real-time strategy game played out in the conventional Command & Conquer tradition. The big difference between this title and virtually all those that have gone before is the realism.

Not for WWIII the soldiers of the Global Defence Initiative and the terrorists of Nod, this game's narrative is taken straight from today's headlines.

With world oil reserves running dangerously low, the United Nations decides on extreme measures. It backs a US-led move to seize the remaining stocks - by force if necessary - to buy the West some time to perfect alternative fuels.

Faced with the prospect of a Western swoop for their oil reserves, the Middle Eastern countries swear to wage a holy war against the West. Shortly after, the first US fleet heads for the Persian Gulf...

Players are pitched headlong into this frighteningly plausible scenario and must choose between the three main combatants: America, Russia and Iraq.

As you would expect, each country has its strengths and weaknesses. The Americans are fantastically well equipped but, forced to operate thousands of miles from a land base, their supply lines are dangerously open to attack or sabotage. The Russians are powerful but equipped with weaponry at least one generation behind the US. And the Iraqis are poorly provisioned but fanatically brave - even to the point of death.

Chillingly, the game starts with a short movie of the way a third world war actually ravages the earth. It's up to you to ensure the outcome is satisfactory.

WWIII has been developed by Reality Pump, the same team behind the critically-acclaimed Earth 2150 and The Moon Project. As such, it is one of the most eagerly awaited RTS games of the year.

As far as gameplay goes, it's just like any other C&C clone - build your base make some soldiers and defeat the enemy - only you need to locate the oil fields if your army is to succeed.

Unlike C&C, where your construction yard is a constant worry, WWIII allows your buildings to be manufactured off-screen then flown to their destination by chopper. Just make sure the enemy hasn't set up effective anti-aircraft emplacements by the time your guys fly in. Really heavy structures have to be brought in by plane so an airstrip is pretty much essential for success.

The interface is perfectly intuitive: anybody who has spent more than a few minutes with an RTS will be right at home and the camera doesn't get in the way too often.

Day and night play a part in the game. Attack at night and you'll have an element of surprise, but your troops won't be able to shoot so accurately.

No RTS would be complete without a map editor and the WWIII version is easy to use ensuring a strong following over the Net and plentiful downloads. It's an excellent example of the genre, if rather painfully realistic, and deserves to do well.

Title: Zoo Tycoon. Format: PC CD-ROM. Publisher: Microsoft. Price: £29.99.

THERE'S something wonderfully quaint about the notion behind Zoo Tycoon on the PC. After all, how many people have actually managed to make a shed-load of money out of a zoo?

This Microsoft management sim puts you in charge of your very own animal kingdom. Your brief? Make a mint by screwing every penny you can from the people who come to see your show.

It's similar to Theme Park in the way you have to take a hand in every aspect of running a zoo, from setting admission prices to hiring new acts.

You can start a zoo from scratch or take on a specific job (keep your animals happy, earn a set amount or acquire a particular attraction).

There's more to it than pitching up, erecting a few cages and setting out your stall, as I found out when one of my big cats climbed a tree I'd carelessly positioned and got out to eat a few of my patrons. Not good for business. Thus you have to research new attractions in meticulous detail and make certain your animals are well cared for. Otherwise the men from the ministry will arrive to shut you down and the animals will be carted off to an uncertain fate.

There's an interesting green element to the game in that it rewards you for eco-friendly policies and punishes any would-be entrepreneur prepared to ride roughshod over conservationist ideals in search of more cash.

Zoo Tycoon isn't a post pub game. It's a programme that rewards thoughtfulness and intelligence. Get hooked and you'll find yourself thinking about your zoo in spare moments at work or wondering how to improve cash flow when you should be doing the washing up.

It's addictive and fun. Just don't let the big cats out of their cage.

Title: Championship Manager: Season 01/02. Format: PC. Publisher: Eidos. Price: £29.99

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The old adage has worked well for the publishers of Championship Manager over the years and now people can't get enough of it.

The latest instalment of the series clocked up 103,000 sales in the opening weekend of its release, making it the fastest selling PC game released in the UK. And it's not surprising because, if you are a fan, you'll love the new version.

There's few differences to past instalments, this is simply an update on the previous master version. But once you are in the grip of Champ Man, it's difficult to get out of it, so this is gaming heaven for converts. You know what you are getting when it comes to Champ Man. Stats, details, profiles, more stats and realism. Yes, you can lead Darlington or Hartlepool to the Champions League with a forward line of Michael Owen and Gabriel Batistuta. But struggle and you can also drop into the Conference - if you don't get the sack, that is.

The engine follows the tried and trusted method. Menus and options follow those established in CM3, but it's for the last time as Champ Man 4, released next year, will be from a different dug out.

And there's an added bonus for Northern Echo readers - take control of a North-East club and you will be in regular contact with your favourite paper. The fans want to know what's happening under your stewardship and the only way for them to find out is through The Northern Echo.

The game is right up to date, with this season's real-life managerial changes already taken into account and the detail of the game is phenomenal, with profiles and histories of more than 100,000 players, managers and coaches from 26 leagues worldwide included in the database. Name your favourite player and he's in there, lock, stock and two smoking barrels' worth.

Paul Collyer, of Sports Interactive, said: "It also features an improved data editor that will allow users to modify player statistics. The new data editor will allow users to keep their teams' squads up to date, as well as allowing them to add themselves into the game.

"For the ultimate challenge and complete realism, statistics of new and unknown players will be 'hidden' (to mirror the statistics and data available to real-life managers). Scouting these players will reveal their full statistics.''

Other new features include:

A new scouting feature which will give the manager an in-depth analysis on the opposition, including key players and team tactics.

The ability for managers to make notes on players in the game.

GIZMO OF THE WEEK

GOT a DVD in the living room and a TV in the bedroom? The new One for All cordless audio/video sender will send pictures from one to the other. The handy little device transmits signals more than 400 feet and needs no line of sight. Beware, however, these devices sometimes send a signal to your next door neighbour so they might complain about your saucy videos.

The chance for managers to approach the governing bodies to appeal against bans imposed on their players.A facility to allow managers to send players away for surgery to repair recurring injuries.The manager will be able to issue the board ultimatums... and vice versa.Updated player and team photos.A full international simulation, featuring all the major tournaments (as well as 'B' and Under-21 teams).

There's plenty to keep you occupied, but on the downside, if you aren't a fan of Champ Man you'd be best advised to stay away. If past versions haven't grabbed you, this certainly won't.