With "Project: I'm Going In," developer Innerloop vaults itself into the crowded shooter realm hot off their most recent flight simulation, Joint Strike Fighter. Since Joint Strike Fighter was all about shooting and offering up brilliant graphics, it isn't such a big step for them. More like a fall to Earth really, and luckily for us, for the most part, they land on their feet. Check out our full review of Project: I'm Going In today on Sharky Games.

"Where IGI does get it right is in terms of weapon modeling. And in this aspect alone it's plainly evident this game came from a flight sim manufacturer. Weapons ranging from the AK-47 to the Uzi all fire at a realistic rate with a visual and visceral kick. They burn through ammunition at the expected rate and, best of all; they punch through the scenery realistically and satisfactorily as well. Hide behind a crate and the bad guys will still try to kill you through the crate itself. The first time this happened in the game was almost as good as the first time a soldier tossed a grenade at me in Half Life."
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PopTop Software and publisher Gathering of Developers (both subsidiaries of Take-Two Interactive) have released information on the constructions featured in Tropico, the upcoming 3D building, strategy/simulation game for the PC and Mac. Tropico invites rulers of all ages to utilize more than 80 types of structures in the development of a remote Caribbean island. Tropico will be released in April for the PC, with a Mac version following in May. Tropico lets players erect all types of structures and environments - everything from hotels and spas to banana groves and sugar plantations, with some rum distilleries and cigar factories thrown in for good measure! More than 80 structure types are available, including:

• Residential -- Housing provides shelter for the population and ensures citizens' happiness.
• Industrial -- Factories employ workers, emit pollution and produce resources for local use and trade.
• Agricultural - Farms employ workers and produce food to keep the populace healthy and well fed.
• Mining - Mines employ workers and provide resources for local use and trade.
• Tourism -- Resort hotels and spas boost the economy with tourists? money.
• Governmental -- Government buildings express the authority of the dictator.
• Trade -- Ports, airports and roadways allow trade and communication with the outside world.

Virtual dictators need to carefully consider all aspects of construction and regional development. For example, farms must be placed in areas with fertile soil, good rainfall, appropriate elevation and close proximity to existing towns, so that food may be grown and the population fed. Likewise, residential areas and roads must be built close to employment areas like factories and mines so workers can travel quickly to and from their businesses. If the ruler doesn't construct wisely and maintain the properties responsibly, two undesired building types will begin to sprout up without player intervention: tin shanties and rebel camps!
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The Alliance team has released what they hope will be the final patch for Alliance 2. The 2.2 upgrade contains numerous bug fixes and tweaks, a brand new map, plus a comical voice pack which should really spice things up on the servers. Grab the files from the Alliance site.
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Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. announced that its critically acclaimed ONI title debuted as the number two Playstation 2 software title for the week ended February 3, 2001 according to NPD/TRST data. ONI, which is the first title to combine both elements of hand-to-hand combat and weapon-based combat, became the third Rockstar title to appear in the top-ten Playstation 2 games ranked in terms of units sold. Take-Two's other best-selling titles, Midnight Club: Street Racing was ranked in the number seven position, and Smuggler's Run was ranked in the number eight position for this period.
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In an effort to provide thousands of basketball fans and NBA players at the NBA All-Star Weekend the chance to experience the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the 989 Sports' development team's latest installation of the popular NBA ShootOut basketball franchise, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) Inc. announced participation at festivities in conjunction with the NBA All-Star Weekend. During the All-Star Weekend, February 9 through 11 in Washington, D.C., fans can play NBA ShootOut 2001 at the NBA Jam Session, as well as at the All-Star Comedy Celebration and Block Party at Planet Hollywood. In addition, as many NBA players are traditionally enthusiastic fans of the NBA ShootOut series, PlayStation 2 kiosks will be located in the player hospitality suite at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. NBA ShootOut 2001 captures the true feel of NBA basketball with amazingly realistic stadium and player models, strategic input from NBA players including Chris Webber as well as a TV-style presentation featuring multiple camera angles and commentary by New Jersey Nets broadcaster Ian Eagle.
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