Right now, the game will require a 3D accelerator card (Direct3D) but this may change down the road. Game Info Publisher Microsoft Developer Digital Anvil Genre Action Origin UNKNOWN Number of Players 8 Net Support YES Accelerated YES Release Fall 1999 Just like in real-life, you’ll have to hop on the freeway to get to another city. Unlike real-life, it’s possible to blow away traffic with grenade and rocket launchers if they’re bothersome. When on-foot, gamers will realize how life-like their character is – this was achieved with plenty of motion-capturing in the developer's Austin studios. Digital Anvil promises a highly-detailed environment in all the cities and countrysides. This includes landmark buildings, pedestrians, a working police force and traffic.

Even so, it was there and it’s called Loose Cannon, headed by Tony Zurovec of Origin Systems’ Crusader fame. Dubbed as an “action/adventure”, the story is set in the year 2016, following a devastating gas war in the Middle East. The planet experiences a worldwide economic collapse, giving way for organized crime to take over. Things get so bad in the United States, so what’s left of congress decides to legalize the use of bounty hunters to reward brave souls who can bring in these mob bosses, dead or alive. The player assumes the role of “Ashe”, a bad-ass mercenary who will take a job for the cash…and the rush. The overall goal in the game is to catch Bishop, the head of the most powerful crime syndicate in the country.

Roughly fifty per cent of the game takes place behind a wheel, with over fifteen vehicles to choose from, all of which are fully customizable with weapons and other goodies. Keep in mind it takes a fist-full of bills to get the repairs and firearms needed for the assignment(s). The other half of the game takes place on foot, from a third-person or “over-the-shoulder” perspective or from a first-person perspective in sniper mode. Depending on the goal of the mission, or what’s required for part of the mission, the gamer must jump out of his car (or may be forced out) to complete the objectives.

Let's give you a quick example of both types of play. You’ve been assigned to recover a stolen truck filled with valuable weapons. The problem is that it lies deep behind enemy lines and is well-guarded. Once you arrive at their base, you can either smash through the gates, pop out of the car, jump into the truck and take-off, assuming you can outrun the enemy’s angered entourage. If you're not into the idea of running from armed gangs, you may opt for a more stealthy approach. This solution would involve getting out of the car outside their base and sneaking behind the trees until you get a clear shot at their tires. Throw on the silencer (remember – you’ve got to purchase all of these things) and flatten all of their tires so they can’t chase you. Alternatively, you can instead drop the guards one by one using the sniper mode. Or perhaps it’s best to plant mines around the outside of their H.Q. just in case you missed someone and they follow you? You get the point…

In fact, this is exactly what Zurovec wanted when he conceived the idea for Loose Cannon – an immersive, open-ended game where the player can decide what to do in any given situation. “Somewhere around 1984 or 1985, I played a computer game called “Autoduel”…I really liked the basic concept, but the implementation was pretty weak” says Zurovec. “It stuck in my head ever since, and I've always wanted to take the basic concept and do a state-of-the-art implementation...gameplay, graphics, story, etc.”.

While there are over twenty mandatory missions, involving assassinations, reconnaissance, escorting, hostage rescues and the like, there are dozens of optional “semi-scripted” side missions that are somewhat related to the overall story, and even more “quick jobs” to raise some extra cash. These optional, spontaneous missions can be taken if you’re at the right place at the right time. The player hears what’s going on in the city on the car radio and can act accordingly, if so desired. In total, there are nine cities, from San Fran to New York, Washington to L.A. Each city contains roughly 25 x 25 city blocks and are separated by many countryside maps to fight over as well.

Loose Cannon will feature a strong multiplayer component, with four to six players supported over the Internet or eight over a local area network (LAN). Zurovec shares a possible Deathmatch scenario with IGNPC -- everyone begins with $50,000 to buy cars and weapons (how they choose to divide it up) and are left to go at it until the last man is standing…er, driving. Other favorites such as “Capture-the-Flag” and other team games are also planned.

Can Zurovec and his team at Digital Anvil pull off two games in one while remaining focused? Will gamers dig the mercenary aspect? How easy will the game be to control? Though the game is quite early in development, Loose Cannon looks to be a unique and entertaining offering that breaks away from the copy-cat syndrome the majority of the PC gaming industry seems to be suffering from these days.

-- Marc Saltzman