Among these is the groundbreaking ability for players to use a high-tech 3D camera in conjunction with an optical camouflage suit to assume the identity of any character in the game. For the game's U.S. release, Sammy Studios has added significant enhancements in graphics, game design and artificial intelligence (A.I.), all-new gadgets and abilities, and new dialogue and voice-acting. Developed by Access Games, Inc., "Spy Fiction" is slated for release exclusively for the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system in September 2004 at an MSRP of $49.99. The game is rated M (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood, Language, Sexual Themes and Violence.
"We think 'Spy Fiction' will treat gamers to a truly original, action-packed stealth game and become one of the year's biggest surprises," said Tim Pivnicny, senior VP of sales & marketing, Sammy Studios, Inc. "The game takes the genre up a notch, giving gamers an experience that blends bone-chilling stealth with white-hot action. For U.S. gamers we want to enhance this experience even more, boosting the already impressive graphics to create dynamic lighting and shadows and bringing improvements to almost every aspect of game play."
"Spy Fiction" follows Billy Bishop and Sheila Crawford, phantom operatives in the S.E.A. intelligence agency on the trail of a terrorist organization harboring a doomsday biotech weapon. To neutralize the group they must locate their elusive commander by infiltrating his network of secret operations spanning the globe. The game's thrilling action and ever-twisting storyline keep players guessing, and two playable characters with distinct abilities and alternate objectives add great variety to the game play. In addition to identity theft, "Spy Fiction" introduces gadgets that open up the vertical plane to stealth, including a Spider-Grip wall climbing device and a rappelling harness. The game also offers action-oriented puzzles and mini-games, such as the high altitude, low opening (H.A.L.O.) parachute insertion that opens the game, to make interactive sequences out of cinematic moments.
Additions and improvements exclusive to "Spy Fiction" for North America run the gamut from aesthetic upgrades to palpable game design changes. Sammy Studios worked with Access Games to implement a lighting engine that creates dynamically lit environments, and added set props and new light sources throughout the game. The result is added realism, and in some areas a boost in set-induced drama, to the game's variety of indoor and outdoor environments. Additional graphical improvements include enhanced textures, new user interface for inventory and communication devices, and improved animations that bring more life to the superb character design of anime illustrator Renji Murata (Last Exile, Blue Submarine No. 6).
Sammy Studios and Access Games have also brought great improvements to the game play for the U.S. version. Most significant is an improved A.I. that gives enemies a bigger field of vision and larger detection area, compensating for the vertical stealth devices in Bishop and Sheila's arsenal. Fortunately, both characters have been given the new, handy ability to pistol whip their "smarter" enemies, and "convince" neutralized enemies to drop weapons and items. In the gadgets category, the 3D camera used for identity capture is also available as a sticky camera, enabling Bishop and Sheila to place the device on surfaces. This allows them to capture images for I.D. theft with greater stealth or find better vantage points that cannot be physically reached. Additional upgrades to game play include level redesign, with new objectives, and a fully controllable camera to give players the freedom to find the best perspective in tight situations.
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