ECTS. The high point of the European gaming industry, a showcase for all the great games due in the future, and for many a great opportunity to get horrendously drunk. This year was more of a muted event than previous ones, as Eidos and Virgin had only a small presence rather than the huge stands of previous years, and there were also very few press parties to look forward to this time round (so less of the getting horrendously drunk then). None the less, there was still a good number of new and upcoming games and hardware showing on the floor. The big announcement this year, once again from Blizzard, was of course Warcraft III, although there were enough other quality games on show to ensure that it didn't quite steal everyone's thunder.
Rage Software, known for their games that have unfailingly been a visual treat, were displaying a number of new games this year, a few of which were driving games, a first for the company. Midnight GT is a high powered racing game based around the "Midnight League", a group of rich Japanese boy-racers who buy barely road-legal cars and turbo charge and retro fit them beyond sensibility. Expect fast action, concept and show cars from Pinifarina, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and others as well as settings based around various Japanese city surroundings and of course the obligatory gorgeous visuals from Rage.
Also on show was Offroad, another racing title. With this title Rage are just aiming for a fun, realistic 4 wheel buggy racing game based on rough and varied terrain, once again with the lovely graphics Rage are so well known for. Offroad is due this November.
