MI6 previews the multi-player features in the new Bond game "Everything or Nothing" - due out February 2004...

"Everything Or Nothing" December Preview - Multi-Player Special
22nd December 2003

As MI6 touched on in the October preview, "Everything or Nothing" has some exciting new developments in multi-player action lined up. For the December preview, MI6 looks in more detail at what you can expect from Bond's latest outing - due out in February 2004...

Two Player Co-Op Mode
Four brand new MI6 recruits will join "Everything or Nothing" in a special two-player only "co-op" mode, where the action takes place split-screen (horizontally or vertically). The premise is simple: two players guide their characters through 3 missions (4 levels per mission) by helping each other out. Assisting each other spans not only combat situations, but also puzzle solving and exploration.

An Ally In Need, Is An Ally Indeed A new targeting system features in "co-op" mode that shows you which enemy your partner is targeting, so you can save yourself from wasting ammo and can pick on another goon instead. Providing covering fire for you partner is also an essential part to some of the missions, where one of the player's has to navigate part of the level while the other gives the goons the good news with a P99. But when the action becomes intense, standing back to back and firing in 360 degrees becomes an essential technique to traverse the later levels. Not only will you have the standard types of mission objectives, but EA have included a lot of scoring statistics into the frey. Assessments for "accuracy", "speed" and "health" will be used in different ways throughout the 3 missions, so you will have to adapt to various styles of play in order to make the most progress.

Arena
You can't attempt to create "the best Bond game ever" without including the popular Death Match mode, and EA have brought in a new style to their latest attempt to pip "GoldenEye" as the party game of choice. The "Arena" mode will see four players battling it out with all modes of play - on a single screen. Complementing the usual array of weapons and hand-to-hand combat from the single-player game, arenas will also be populated with puzzles and controllable items such as gun turrets and traps.

Back With A Bang
As EA's licence includes the rights to use any of the characters from the 20 films of the series so far, expect to see a lot of popular faces popping up in Arena mode. Some of the confirmed names so far include Odd job, Baron Samedi and Bambi & Thumper. But who will control the rules and scoring of the four-way madness? There is only one man for the job - the indestructible "Jaws" returns to oversee events.

Unfortunately the "Arena" four-player mode will not be available the moment you unwrap the game - you will have to battle through the missions in order to unlock it. So when you take your console over to a friend's house for some four-player mayhem, don't forget to take your memory card too.

Online For the first time in any Bond game, multiplayer action will not have to take place in the same room. Taking 007 online might be seen a brave move, but it's bolstered by EA's expertise with taking their next generation sports games on to the internet. The secret to cooperation is good communication, and this is where the PlayStation 2 USB headset comes in. Gamers will be able to chat to each other while taking on enemies, planning moves, and debating important issues - like whether Brosnan is better than Connery. I Prefer To Work Alone EA have also introduced a new player matching system, so even if you don't know anyone else with the game, or are bored with beating all your friends and need a fresh challenge, the online scoring system will hook you up with someone of the same ability ensuring good close matches. Providing you are not ashamed of your performances online, you will be able to check out your ranking on a website and compare you scores with other gamers.

007... Come In Please...
If you live outside the USA or Canada - prepare yourself to a big disappointment... Online play will only be available in North America. Despite the growing availability of broadband connections in the UK, and an increasing number of online-enabled games, EA will not be supporting the online mode in the UK or Europe.

Furthermore, the mode will only be available on the PlayStation 2 format. As with most of EA's 2004 titles, the online ability is a widely advertised feature - but only if you own a Sony. Due to a conflict of Microsoft's policies for online development of Xbox titles, and EA's own policies, the Xbox will not be taking 007 online. Hopefully the two companies will come to an agreement in time for 007's next outing.

Stay tuned to MI6 for an exclusive "Everything or Nothing" play test report - coming soon.

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