Video game enthusiasts in general, and the Internet gaming community specifically, can generate a lot of rumors. A mere glance at your favorite game's message board, before (and sometimes even after) release, can demonstrate how quickly rumors can start and be quashed or ignite a firestorm of controversy, questions, and half-truths. Brute Force, like many games, has been touched by this phenomenon, but now it is time to quash some of these rumors and set the record straight.
First things first: Brute Force will find its way to game stores near you on May 28, 2003. Feel free to disregard anything you hear to the contrary.
For multiplayer purposes, Brute Force utilizes the Xbox System Link feature, and it will also support downloadable content via Xbox Live. Downloadable content will further extend the life and playability of Brute Force; you'll see downloadable multiplayer maps shortly after launch as well as at least one single-player mission.
You can also utilize the System Link feature to play a cooperative Campaign game with up to four friends on four Xbox video game systems, or any variation thereof, such as two friends on one Xbox, one on another, and one on yet another. This allows each player to have a full-screen view of the game, if they so choose.
Brute Force utilizes a dynamic split-screen, co-op function as well. This allows up to four players to jump into and out of the Campaign mode on one Xbox. Say you're playing a game, and your friend wants to join in late. No problem. You're just a button press away—there's no need to quit out of the game and select a new setup from the main menu.
Brute Force is viewed from the third-person perspective, not the first. Unlike games from the first-person viewpoint, where you see everything through your character's eyes, Brute Force allows you to view your entire character model as you play. You'll be able to see them running, jumping, strafing, and lobbing grenades in all their animated fluidity.
Like all good multiplayer action games, Brute Force also provides Deathmatch mode for all your tactical combat enjoyment. You'll even be able to pick up DNA canisters while playing the single-player and cooperative Campaign mode. These canisters will unlock new playable characters for multiplayer mode. You can also use the System Link function to allow for up to eight players on four different Xbox video game systems. You can set up any combination of those eight players on the four consoles. Have a big-screen TV? Why not put four players on that Xbox and split the other four onto the remaining three consoles? Whichever way you want to do it, it's up to you. The same goes for Squad Deathmatch (where each player controls a four-person squad—you'll hear more about this in a future Xbox.com article).
That's the skinny on some of what Brute Force has to offer. You can take this as the official word and use it to refute all intelligence to the contrary. Let the rumors die and the truth be free!
