When SWAT3: Close Quarters Battle came out earlier this year, it introduced the latest change to the direction of the popular crime-fighting series. The original Police Quest: SWAT featured FMV gameplay that felt more like a simulator rather than a full-fledged game, but it was well-liked enough that it spawned a fairly successful sequel with Police Quest: SWAT2, a game that took the action to a real-time tactical setting. The third title in the series ventured to the first-person action arena, albeit with gameplay that was much closer to Rainbow Six/Rogue Spear rather than Quake III. Like the Red Storm Entertainment anti-terrorist game, one bullet in SWAT3 could certainly be deadly and there were no power-ups, mutant zombies or other worldly locations. Also noticeably missing, especially by fans that had waited in great anticipation, was multiplayer gameplay.

Developer/Publisher Sierra Studios has now redeemed themselves with SWAT3: Close Quarters Battle Elite Edition, which adds that missing multiplayer element and has not only re-released the game for those who missed it, but also made the multiplayer missions available free via an online patch to download. This obviously is a plus to those SWAT3 owners, since they don't have to worry about buying the game again and then getting only a partial rebate – and this is a system more developers and publishers should adhere to when releasing “elite,” “gold,” or “deluxe” editions of popular titles. Of course in the case of SWAT3, the multiplayer aspect was supposed to be part of the final game but didn't make it when the title was released earlier this year. But for once, gamers who were early adopters don't have to feel that they were cheated for taking that early plunge and giving the game a chance. Furthermore this method could even encourage gamers to try new titles with some hope and possible anticipation of extended gaming down the road.