Havoc

[from the Getting Started & Strategy Guide]

Here begins the new millenium. Obsolete national borders were eliminated long ago, giving way to strange New Worlds within the old. Toothless governments and their crippled armies made way for lean preditors: the Corporate Entities. Megalithic companies now compete for territory and the wealth of nations in an ongoing battle of their best trained warriors. Outfitted with state-of-the-art combat vehicles, corporate sponsored professionals, vile mercenaries, and foolhardy newcomers contend for the spoils of victory.

Scattered across the broken continents exist prized territories. Among these are three most coveted by the global overlords who fight for control of uncounted bounty-the Badlands, Fallout Wasteland, and the Tyrakian Territories. For years, these three regions have been dominated by a single conglomerate named Tyrakian Global. Tyrakian's strategic thrust has been investment in "gateways" capable of teleporting forces quickly between diverse challenges to their empire. However, the battle lines have evolved. The inevitable break up of the largest corporation in history has created a void of power leaving these lands accessible and available to anyone with the guts to try their skills and stake a claim. The keys to strategic gateways are rumored to be found abandoned like the terrain itself, as Tyrakian Global has struggled with its own collapse. The question of conquest remains simple: Do you have what it takes to fight in a world of HAVOC?

Source:

Unknown Source

Reality Bytes wreaking HAVOC at launch of Windows 95; Advances in multi-player connectivity, combined with jaw-dropping 3-D graphics, make HAVOC the most exciting action game for fall '95

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 1995--Reality Bytes Inc., innovators in action game technology, announced and demonstrated today their next virtual reality entertainment title, HAVOC, at the launch event for Windows 95 hosted by Microsoft Corp.

A futuristic battle with 360 degree outdoor action, HAVOC delivers the exciting performance gains which consumers are expecting from Windows 95 software. HAVOC fully exploits out-of-the-box multiplayer connectivity, faster screen graphics and smoother multimedia integration of sound-effects and music made possible under Windows 95.

HAVOC challenges players to command a BattleCycle, HyperTank or HoverCraft while firing, jumping and throttling across post-apocalyptic terrain. Players can choose to wreak HAVOC upon multiple opponents battling over a network or modem, as well as within single-player arcade action. An industry first, HAVOC also connects 3D-gamers running Windows 95 to opponents playing HAVOC for Mac OS.

"Through working with Microsoft we've overcome some formidable technological hurdles in the development of HAVOC, and it shows in the game play," explained Jon Chait, co-founder and CEO of Reality Bytes. HAVOC takes full advantage of the new Game SDK, programming interfaces called DirectDraw, DirectSound and DirectInput which were introduced by Microsoft earlier this year. Chait continued, "We literally started enhancing the code for our proprietary 3D graphics engine at Reality Bytes the day after Microsoft gave us the DirectDraw specs (SPECificationS) The details of the components built into a device. See specification. . We've been eager to demonstrate HAVOC's next-generation performance gains under Windows 95."

"Reality Bytes' HAVOC has taken innovative advantage of the Microsoft Game SDK, delivering exciting gameplay to consumers," said David Britton, group marketing manager of the personal systems division at Microsoft. "We expect Windows 95 to be the industry-leading personal computer game and multimedia platform; and games like HAVOC really showcase the strengths of our system."

HAVOC represents the next generation of high-performance 3-D games, delivering several exciting industry "firsts": * HAVOC allows players to combat anyone -- for the first time, gamers can choose to compete against friends regardless of whether their opponents have Windows 95 on MacOS. * HAVOC is the first entertainment software title already shown to exploit new 3-D acceleration hardware, peripherals based either on forthcoming Microsoft 3-D technology or Apple's QuickDraw 3D. * HAVOC plans to ship with two-player CD's in futuristic, textured 3-D packing like none other seen before.

Additional features of HAVOC include: * 360 degree outdoor action including 3-D texture-mapped enemies * Challenging worlds and tournament scenarios * Multitude of weapons and special effects * Heart pumping music and explosive sounds * Newest VR headset and joystick support

Hitting retail shelves this October, HAVOC promises to create a storm around the holiday season. "One of the strongest selling features of HAVOC is that it comes with two CD-ROM disks in every package, so that players can involve their friends right away," noted Craig vanDernoot, director of sales and marketing. "Gamers can share their second CD with a friend so they can play against each other over a network, or via modem, regardless of whether their friends have Windows 95 or MacOS. Consumers will love the flexibility of our multi-platform approach."

"We're excited about the new VR directions a game like HAVOC opens up, and we're eager to explore them all," described Chait. "We've been encouraged by the great feedback we've received from the industry. Both Microsoft and Apple have been very supportive of HAVOC's development and we look forward to ongoing collaborations with them, forging a path along the leading edge."

Reality Bytes first burst onto the computer gaming scene in August of 1994, when the release of Sensory Overload generated critical acclaim and sales success. Sensory Overload was among the first games to take advantage of RISC-processing performance gains. Having grown rapidly this year, Reality Bytes is aggressively positioning itself to develop and publish innovative 3-D games for both Windows 95 and MacOS well into the futures. Chait proudly asserts, "We've pushed ourselves to the technological forefront and intend to stay there. We're committed to delivering tomorrow's entertainment today."

Reality Bytes Inc. is located at One Kendall Square, Building 400, Cambridge, Mass. For additional information, the company can be reached by telephone at 617/621-2500 and fax at 617/621-2581. Company officials can also be reached by e-mail on the Internet at [email protected], as well as on other popular on-line services. HAVOC is Reality Bytes' newest product and will begin shipping in October, 1995.

Reality Bytes, the Reality Bytes distinctive logo, HAVOC, the HAVOC distinctive logo, and Sensory Overload are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Reality Bytes Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks, and Mac and QuickDraw are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. All other trademarks are acknowledged as properties of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Reality Bytes Inc.

Jon Chait, 617/621-2500

Source:

Press Release (Aug. 24, 1995)

REALITY BYTES, INC. BEGINS SHIPPING HAVOCTHE FIRST GAME EVER TO SHIP WITH WINDOWS®95 NATIVE DIRECTX(tm) PERFORMANCE

REDMOND, Wash., October 30, 1995: Reality Bytes, Inc., innovators in action game technology, announced today that their next virtual reality entertainment title, HAVOC(tm), has begun shipping. HAVOC is the first game ever to ship with DirectX(tm) APIs, performance enhancements native to the Microsoft® Windows®95 operating system. Reality Bytes celebrated their announcement at the Judgement Day launch event hosted by Microsoft Corp.

In addition to shipping the full version of HAVOC, a demonstration version of HAVOC has also begun shipping on a CD sampler being distributed by Microsoft. The Windows 95 Game Sampler CD is a co-marketing project between Reality Bytes, Microsoft, and other ISV's to provide examples of DirectX next generation game performance. Currently, HAVOC is the first and only product on the CD which has completed development and is shipping. Reality Bytes is also negotiating with many hardware OEM's to bundle HAVOC with computer systems, video graphics cards and other peripherals like joysticks.

"Through working with Microsoft we've overcome some formidable technological hurdles in the development of HAVOC, and it shows in the game play," explained Jon Chait, co-founder and CEO of Reality Bytes(tm). Chait continued, ÒWe literally started enhancing the code for our proprietary 3D-graphics engine at Reality Bytes the day after Microsoft gave us the DirectDraw specs. We've been eager to demonstrate HAVOC's next-generation performance gains under Windows 95."

"Reality Bytes was one of the first companies to begin working with the Game SDK and DirectX technology and as a result is shipping the first game to take advantage of these APIs," said Alex St. John, game technology evangelist, Microsoft Corp. "HAVOC is a terrific example of the exciting game play that can be achieved by utilizing DirectX technology."

A futuristic battle in 3-D graphics with 360-degree outdoor action, HAVOC delivers the exciting performance gains which consumers are expecting from Windows 95 software. HAVOC fully exploits out-of-the-box multiplayer connectivity, faster screen graphics, and smoother multimedia integration of sound-effects and music made possible under Windows 95. HAVOC takes full advantage of the new DirectX programming interfaces for Windows 95 called DirectDraw(tm), DirectSound(tm) and DirectInput(tm) which were introduced by Microsoft earlier this year.

HAVOC features players going head-to-head against the most vicious enemies of all: their friends. An industry first, HAVOC connects gamers running Windows 95 to opponents playing HAVOC for Mac(tm)OS. The HAVOC package contains an extra-player CD-ROM disc with both Windows 95 and Mac versions, so every player can challenge opponents right away. Command a BattleCycle, HyperTank or HoverCraft while firing, jumping and throttling across post-apocalyptic terrain. Players can choose to embark on a solo mission or compete together in high-octane 3-D arcade action.

HAVOC represents the next generation of high-performance 3-D gaming, delivering several exciting industry "firsts": * HAVOC is the first game shipping to exploit the native performance gains of DirectX APIs under Windows 95. * HAVOC allows players to combat anyone--for the first time, gamers can choose to compete against friends, whether their opponents have Windows 95 or MacOS. * HAVOC is the first entertainment software title already shown to exploit new 3-D acceleration hardware, peripherals based either on Apple(r)'s QuickDraw(tm)3D, or forthcoming Microsoft 3-D technology. * HAVOC is shipping with two-player CD's in futuristic, textured 3-D packaging like none other seen before.

Additional features of HAVOC include:* 360-degree outdoor action including 3-D texture-mapped enemies * Challenging worlds and tournament scenarios * Multitude of weapons and special effects * Heart pumping music and explosive sounds * Newest VR headset and joystick support

Shipping October '95, with general availability in November, HAVOC promises to create a storm around the holiday season. "One of the strongest selling features of HAVOC is that it comes with two CD-ROM disks in every package, so players can involve friends right away," noted Craig vanDernoot, Director of Sales and Marketing, Reality Bytes. "Gamers can share their second CD with a friend so they can play against each other over LAN, or via modem,whether their friends have Win 95 or MacOS." HAVOC requires Windows 95 on 486/66 or faster cpu, 8MB RAM, CD-ROM, and VGA display. SRP is $69.99.

Reality Bytes first burst onto the computer gaming scene in August of 1994, when the release of Sensory Overload(tm) generated critical acclaim and sales success. Sensory Overload was among the first games to take advantage of RISC processing performance gains. Having grown rapidly this year, Reality Bytes is aggressively positioning itself to develop and publish innovative 3-D games for both Windows 95 and MacOS. Chait proudly asserts, "We've pushed ourselves to the technological forefront and intend to stay there. We're committed to delivering tomorrow's entertainment today."

Reality Bytes, Inc. is located at One Kendall Square, Building 400, Cambridge, MA 02139. For additional information, the company can be reached by telephone at 617/621-2500 and fax at 617/621-2581. Company officials can also be reached by e-mail on the Internet at [email protected], as well as on other popular on-line services. HAVOC is Reality Bytes' newest product, having begun shipping on October 30, 1995.

Source:

Press Release

HAVOC(tm): The Next Generation in 3D Arcade Action. Multiplayer architecture is first ever supporting 16 players running Windows 95 versus MacOS. Also, first game to ship with Windows 95 native DirectX(tm) performance, as well as 3D acceleration on Apple QuickDraw(tm)3D-compatible hardware. Next Generation says HAVOC is "one of the best titles available for pure multiplayer action," rating '****'. Bob Levitus/MacUser says "HAVOC is an excellent cross-platform battle arcade game for one or more players," rating '****'. Previews by PC Entertainment, Computer Game Review, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Source:

Reality Bytes website (realbytes.com)