Alpha Prime

Где-то в глубоком космосе находится астероид с заброшенной хаббардиевой шахтой под названием Альфа Прайм. На орбите астероида вращается космический корабль со странным экипажем: красавица-хакер Ливия и сварливый старатель Арнольд. Но есть нечто, скрывающееся под поверхностью астероида, пристально наблюдающее за ними...

• 10 полных действия уровней, включая шахту, ангар, магнитную железную дорогу и поверхность астероида.
• Пять неигровых персонажей, помощников или предателей.
• 14 видов врагов, в том числе бойцы спецназа, роботы и сошедшие с ума шахтеры.
• Режим замедления времени, дающий превосходство над противником.
• Восемь видов футуристического оружия, среди которых дробовик, огнемет, гранаты и другие.
• Семь объектов для взлома, в том числе роботы, манипуляторы, камеры наблюдения, системы безопасности, двери и т.д.

Source:

games.1c.ru (Publisher's website)

Overview

Alpha Prime is a first person shooter set in deep space in an apparently abandoned deep-space asteroid mining base. You have a surplus of advanced weapons and devices, including a variety of robots and manipulators, surveillance cameras and security systems that can be hacked, controlled and used to complete your task.

Somewhere deep in space, on the lifeless asteroid Alpha Prime, something has gone terribly wrong…

The miners were warned that the hubbardium they were mining was too dangerous, but the lure of unimaginable wealth was too strong. Now, something has happened to them and it's up to you to save them and face an unknown threat.

Armed with an assortment of hi-tech weapons and the ability to hack into the station's own automated defenses, your mission is simple:

Get in, Get 'em and Get out!

Features

• 10 levels of fast-paced, unrelenting action including mining station, spaceship hangar, magnetic railway or asteroid surface
• Non-playable characters aid you in your mission to save the miners and get off the asteroid
• Countless enemies including Special Forces soldiers, robots and deranged miners
• 8 futuristic weapons including pistols, shotguns, machine guns, grenades…
• Vehicles can be used to move to different locations quickly
• Hack into devices including robots, surveillance cameras, security systems, doors, etc.
• Bullet time allows players to temporarily slow down the action and get the upper hand
• Compatible with Matrox TripleHead2Go™, enabling gamers to connect 3 screens

Source:

www.meridian4.com (Publisher's website)

STORY

Somewhere deep in space, hidden in the infinity of the Universe, there is a treasure trove just waiting to be opened by the eager hands of a daring explorer. A mere asteroid, a piece of rock, a speck of dust lost in the boundless void, yet priceless to humanity. For under its frozen crust there are rich veins of the most precious substance known to man – hubbardium. This “liquid metal” is a key ingredient in the fuel of interstellar ships, thus enabling mankind to spread across the Universe from its base on Earth. Its importance is the reason why it is monopolized by the State Business Federation, a huge multinational corporation which is given control over every single step in production of hubbardium, from exploration to distribution.

And so, when this asteroid, subsequently named Alpha Prime, and its fabulous riches were discovered, the Corporation quickly came, and a huge, sprawling base was promptly built on its surface as the giant mining machines begun its work.

But all was not well on Alpha Prime. While its hubbardium veins might be plentiful, some of them were also dangerous. They slowly intoxicated the minds of human workers, and damaged the positron brains of the artificial ones, including the central computer. Conditions on the base became highly unstable and the Corporation finally decided to seal off the entire facility and leave. Only the most basic maintenance and security, including weapons systems, were left turned on. To prevent the base falling into ruin....and to prevent illegal prospectors from entering and resuming the mining operation.

But they came anyway. The lure of the unimaginable wealth of Alpha Prime was too strong. Moreover, some of these illegal visitors were naturally quite resistant to the effects of “bad” hubbardium. So they arrived, they circumvented security protocols and partially resumed mining. Their use of hubbardium was rather different, though. They didn’t want to produce fuel; they came to make hubbardium into a powerful drug, worth its weight in gold on the black market. If the operation went successfully, they would become multimillionaires. But they miscalculated. Alpha Prime hubbardium was apparently too strong and started to exert influence even over the hardened minds of the miners. There was something very, very weird about this asteroid. It didn’t take long before they started to become desperate and called for help. One of those on the team, Warren, called his old friend, Arnold, a seasoned, hubbardium resistant explorer, and asked him to come and help them out of their dire condition.

And even though YOU, Arnold, already quit some time ago, you were finally persuaded, less by the obvious desperation on Warren’s face than by appeals to consider your tight financial situation by Livia, your girlfriend.

So now it’s time to board your ship and head towards the unknown...

GAME FEATURES

Strong story, fast paced shooting action. However, if you cannot shoot, then there is your RECON, hacking device enabling you to remotely control various devices you meet on your way through the dark halls and corridors of Alpha Prime. If that’s not enough, you can drug your mind and sharpen your senses by injecting a small dose of hubbardium. And all the time you will be surrounded by physical world in a very literal sense, because almost everything that moves, moves thanks to advanced real-time physics algorithms.

• Hacking – need to know who or what is hiding around the corner or behind the door? Use the camera and everything will be revealed at once!
• Remote control – make use of the environment and clear your way without having to actually fight!
• Machines – have you something heavy to move somewhere else, remove an obstacle from your path? Do you want to get to some otherwise unreachable location? No problem. Just use this Loader.
• Bullet time – time seems to fly too quickly to your liking? A small dose of hubbardium will fix it. For a time...
• Car – nothing like a little ride under the starlit sky! Jump in and enjoy the otherworldly vistas of Alpha Prime!
• Compatible with Matrox TripleHead2Go™, enabling gamers to connect 3 screens with a maximum resolution of up to 3840x1024*.

*...it would seem to have the potential for a greater level of depth than we typically find in first-person shooters...

[IGN]

...Visually, Alpha Prime is appealing. It's quite Doom 3-like, with sharp shadows against a steely industrial environment. Stumble outside the mining facility proper and you'll find 100mph winds and dusty horizons stretching off into the distance...

[GAMESRADAR]

...One of those features is the game's graphics engine which is pretty much on a par with Doom 3 and most recently Prey in terms of visuals...

[FIRINGSQUAD]

...The visuals compare very favorably with other recent titles from the same genre...

[WORTHPLAYING]*

Source:

www.alpha-prime.com (Official website)

Black Element Software to Support AGEIA PhysX Processor in Futuristic Space Shooter Alpha Prime

MOUNTAIN VIEW and SAN JOSE, Calif. - March 22, 2006 - AGEIA Technologies, Inc., the pioneer in hardware-accelerated physics for games, today announced at the Game Developers Conference that Czech Republic game developer Black Element Software is optimizing its upcoming Alpha Prime for the hardware-accelerated physics capabilities of the AGEIA PhysX processor. Black Element is using the AGEIA PhysX SDK for a variety of hardware-accelerated characters and effects in Alpha Prime.

The AGEIA PhysX processor is available in game PCs from Dell, Alienware and Falcon Northwest starting today, and on add-in boards from ASUS and BFG technologies starting in May 2006.

According to Black Element Project Leader Radek Volf, gamers playing Alpha Prime can expect massive explosions, stunning particle effects, realistic fluids and much more across all game levels.

“The addition of AGEIA PhysX capabilities in Alpha Prime will add a new layer of realism and enable a unique atmosphere never seen before in a futuristic space shooter," said Volf. “Once you have played the game with the AGEIA PhysX processor you'll never go back!"

“Developers such as Black Element Software are building games from the ground up that leverage the hardware acceleration of the AGEIA PhysX processor," said Kathy Schoback, vice president of content acquisition at AGEIA. “As a result, games like Alpha Prime promise to deliver unprecedented levels of action and interactivity for the PC platform as well as next-generation consoles."

Source:

AGEIA press release (March 22, 2006)

Alpha Prime targets UK for May 25th launch

EUROPE ( May 2007 ) - G2 Games have today announced that they will be publishing the single-player sci-fi FPS Alpha Prime for PC in the UK. Scheduled for release on May 25th, the game features a wide variety of innovative gameplay ideas in a superbly crafted environment, Alpha Prime promises to offer PC players a challenging new experience.

As a mining inspector the player is tasked with exploring an illegal asteroid mining base to investigate the disappearance of its inhabitants. However, more pressing is why the mining robots and other autonomous systems are trying to put an end to his inspection, permanently.

The story leads the player through several distinct environments - the inspector's spaceship, damaged by enemy fire from within the asteroid, technical facilities, laboratories, crew quarters, mining shafts and more. On his quest to discover the secret of the asteroid the player will fight not only the robots, but the station itself. Using the ship's radio he will talk to the navigator of a cargo vessel, one of the few people from the surrounding area to somehow remain alive. Walking down the empty halls and eerie corridors of the industrial complex the player will meet several survivors willing to help. Or so it would appear..

The futuristic technologies in the game are one of the key features. If a player runs out of ammunition or they can use their RECON, a hacking device that enables you to control from a distance various devices you find on your way through the dark halls and corridors of Alpha Prime. Also, by injecting yourself with hubbardium, a psychotropic semi-poisonous substance, players can initiate bullet-time maneuvering which decelerates time to a sluggish pace to give them the advantage against your opponents.

"Alpha Prime has been a highly successful title in Eastern Europe, and we are looking forward to similar success for the game in the UK," said Adam Cole, spokesperson for G2 Games. “The graphics alone are enough to warrant attention, and the gameplay is of an equivalent standard."

Key characteristics of the game include:

1st person shooter themed around a strong science fiction story.

Multiple robots with specific abilities and powerful weapons to utilize an arsenal of powerful weapons for the player to use, additional weaponry mounted on remotely controllable robots.

Fully interactive physical environment, breakable objects, rag doll effects

A 3D engine making use of the state-of-the-art graphics technology

Bullet-time - Slow motion control

Real time physics

10 levels full of action

5 non-playable characters to help you in your mission

Devices to hack - including a variety of robots and manipulators, surveillance cameras, security systems, doors, etc.

Compatible with Matrox TripleHead2Go, enabling gamers to connect 3 screens with a maximum resolution of up to 3840x1024.

Discover more Alpha Prime information at :
www.g2games.com/alphaprime

Release Date: May 25th 2007

For more information visit G2 games at: http://www.g2games.com/

Source:

G2 Games press release (May 2007)

Meridian4 Publishing Alpha Prime

Montreal, Quebec, Canada - September 13, 2007 - Meridian4, a rising Montreal-based video game publisher, today announced that it will market and distribute IDEA Games' upcoming first-person shooter, Alpha Prime, which will be available at a wide range of retail outlets and via numerous online-distribution networks like TotalGaming.net, Steam and Direct2Drive. Alpha Prime, a PC-exclusive title, is scheduled for release in October 2007 at a suggested price of $19.95.

Since signing the agreement, Meridian4 and IDEA Games have worked closely to improve gameplay and presentation in Alpha Prime, ensuring its appeal to North American audiences. Somewhere deep in space, on the lifeless asteroid Alpha Prime, something has gone terribly wrong - The miners were warned that the mysterious element known as hubbardium was too dangerous to excavate, but the lure of unimaginable wealth was too strong. Now, something has happened to them and it's up to the player to save them and face an unknown threat. Armed with an assortment of hi-tech weapons and the ability to hack into the station's own automated defenses, their mission is simple; get in, get the survivors and get out!

“It's been fantastic working with IDEA Games," said Jeff Giasson, Production Director at Meridian4. “They've been very receptive to our feedback, and through our close cooperation, we've helped to make Alpha Prime a great value-priced shooter. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with IDEA Games."

“IDEA Games is really excited to work with a dedicated publisher like Meridian4," said Slavomír Pavlíček, CEO at IDEA Games. “Their great retail-distribution network and willingness to embrace digital distribution will help Alpha Prime reach a worldwide audience in all its glory."

For more information about Meridian4 and its products, visit http://www.meridian4.com.

For more information about IDEA Games, visit http://www.idea-games.com.

Source:

Meridian4 press release (September 13, 2007)

Alpha Prime Ships

Montreal, Quebec, Canada November 8, 2007 Meridian4 today announced that the updated and improved North American version of IDEA Games' upcoming first-person shooter, Alpha Prime, is now available at retail stores across the continent, as well as at leading online distributors including Steam, Direct2Drive, GamersGate and TotalGaming.net. Alpha Prime is rated M for Mature and carries a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Somewhere deep in space, on the lifeless asteroid Alpha Prime, something has gone terribly wrong - The miners were warned that the mysterious element known as hubbardium was too dangerous to excavate, but the lure of unimaginable wealth was too strong. Now, something has happened to them and it's up to the player to save them and face an unknown threat. Armed with an assortment of hi-tech weapons and the ability to hack into the station's own automated defenses, their mission is simple; get in, get the survivors and get out!

“We have worked closely with the team at IDEA Games to address many of the issues present in the European release of Alpha Prime," said Jeff Giasson, Production Director at Meridian4. “We hope gamers will thoroughly enjoy Alpha Prime's fast-paced action, whether they buy the game in stores or through one of our great digital-distribution partners."

“We believe Alpha Prime will continue its success story overseas as well." said Petr Bulir, IDEA PR and Marketing Manager.

For more information about Alpha Prime, visit http://www.meridian4.com/games/AlphaPrime.

For more information about Meridian4 and its products, visit http://www.meridian4.com.

For more information about IDEA Games, visit http://www.idea-games.com.

Source:

Meridian4 press release (November 08, 2007)

Alpha Prime Demo Available Now

Montreal, Quebec, Canada - November 9, 2007 - Somewhere deep in space, on the lifeless asteroid Alpha Prime, something has gone terribly wrong - and now gamers can do something about it! Meridian4 and IDEA Games today released the official demo for the sci-fi shooter, Alpha Prime. The North American version of the game features better-balanced gameplay and updated visuals, giving players great value at just $19.99.

Miners on Alpha Prime were warned that the mysterious element known as hubbardium was too dangerous to excavate, but the lure of unimaginable wealth was too strong. Now, something has happened to them and it's up to you to save them and face an unknown threat. Armed with an assortment of hi-tech weapons and the ability to hack into the station's own automated defenses, your mission is simple; get in, get the survivors and get out!

The single-player demo features two action-packed missions: "Basement", in which you've crash-landed on Alpha Prime and you must find your way into and through the mining facility on the road to saving the miners; and "Storage" where you must battle robots, miners and soldiers as you continue your quest to find your friend. Both missions include the full weapon arsenal because you're going to need it!

For more information about Alpha Prime, visit http://www.meridian4.com/games/AlphaPrime

For more information about Meridian4 and its products, visit http://www.meridian4.com.

For more information about IDEA Games, visit http://www.idea-games.com.

Source:

Meridian4 press release (November 09, 2007)

DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD

AND YOU MIGHT GET OUT ALIVE.

This time, you'll need your brawn...and your brains.

Battle against Elite Special Forces, hack into the station's own defenses, and use the environment against your enemies. Play tough. Use your wits. Escape with your life intact.

Machines & Vehicles: Interact with the environment. Reach hidden locations. Need to get somewhere fast? Jump into an ATV and scour the vistas of Alpha Prime.

Bullet Time: Time flying by too quickly for your taste? A small dose of hubbardium will fix it and slow down the action allowing you to get the upper hand. But use hubbardium wisely – the effects are temporary.

Hacking & Remote Control: Use station cameras to spy on what's around the corner. Reserve your precious ammo and use the environment to clear the way. Think smart!

Source:

Inside Covers - Windows (United States)

SOMEWHERE, ON A LIFELESS ASTEROID DEEP IN SPACE...

”[Alpha Prime] looks great... very reminiscent of Doom 3.”

• CosmosGaming

YOUR MISSION IS SIMPLE...

GET IN, GET 'EM, AND GET OUT.

Something has gone terribly wrong... The miners on Alpha Prime were warned that the hubbardium they were mining was too dangerous, but the lure of unimaginable wealth was too strong. Now, something has happened to them and it's up to you to save them and face an unknown threat.

Armed with an assortment of hi-tech weapons and the ability to hack into the station's own automated defenses, this terrifying mission will test the limits of your psyche as well as your physical prowess. Are you prepared?

FEATURES

• Countless enemies including Special Forces soldiers, robots, and deranged miners.

• 8 futuristic weapons including pistols, shotguns, machine guns, grenades...

• Compatible with Matrox TripleHead2Go, enabling gamers to connect 3 screens - total immersion gameplay.

• 10 Levels of fast-paced, unrelenting action. Fight through a mining station and spaceship hangar. Ride the magnetic railway and discover the secrets of the asteroid surface.

• Non-playable characters aid you in your mission to save the miners and get off the asteroid alive.

Source:

Back of Box - Windows (United States/Canada)

Somewhere in deep space, there is an asteroid with an abandoned hubbardium mine, called Alpha Prime. Orbiting the asteroid, there is a spaceship with a strange crew - a sexy hacker Livia, on a search for her boyfriend, and grumpy prospector Arnold, providing the necessary firepower. But there is also something under the surface below, watching them closely... Features

• 15 to 20 estimated hours of gameplay

• 10 levels full of action including mine, spaceship hangar, magnetic railway or asteroid surface

• Five non-playable characters to help you, or betray you

• 14 different enemies including Special Forces soldiers, robots & deranged miners

• Bullet-time for gaining the upper hand over your enemies

• Eight futuristic weapons including shotgun, flamethrower, grenades and more

• Seven devices to hack including a variety of robots and manipulators, surveillance cameras, security systems, doors, etc.

• Meqon engine accelerated by AGEIA hardware creates a fully interactive environment

Source:

Back of Keep Case - Windows (United Kingdom)