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F.A.Q. - General |
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- What is Massive Assault?
Massive Assault is a global domination strategy, set in the futuristic world.
Players command land, naval and air forces struggling for control over
distant space colonies (planets). It’s a turn-based game. The game is
based upon original "Secret Allies" concept, making the gameplay dynamic and
thrilling - the players are immersed in the world of political intrigues.
The game also has well-balanced tactical level. As the press already
commented, Massive Assault is a strategy game which is easy to learn
and hard to master.
- Who developed Massive Assault?
Massive Assault is being developed by Wargaming.net and being published
by Matrix Games and Tri Synergy in North America, GMX Media in Western Europe, Intense Education and Media2000 in Russia and CIS, PLAY in Poland. The publishers for other territories will be announced additionally.
- What is "Global Domination Strategy"?
"Global Domination Strategy" denotes the game’s scale. In "World War" mode the players are fighting for control over the whole planet - i.e. there is a big map representing the whole world, divided into countries. (In scenarios and campaigns the theater of war is usually less - a continent, an island or just a couple of countries). Thus Massive Assault may be compared to the classic board games of "grand strategy" like Risk.
- Is Massive Assault RTS or turn-based strategy?
Massive Assault is a turn-based one. However, it uses the cutting edge 3D technology, which makes it look like RTS. Plus, the engine allows moving a couple of units in a close sequence so that visually they move and shoot simultaneously producing RTS-style visual effects.
- What are playable sides?
There are two sides in Massive Assault: "Free Nations Union" (F.N.U.) - representing "good guys", democracy-oriented, western-style, and "Phantom League" - naturally "bad guys" - practicing conspiracy, bribery, despotism, etc. etc. There are scenarios and campaigns for both sides. You can select either side for the World War (deathmatch).
- What is "World War"?
World War is the most exciting Massive Assault’s mode - it is a deathmatch played on one planet (similar to typical "random map" RTS’s deathmatches). Both players receive random sets of Secret Allies. During the game the players can disclose other Secret Allies, invade and conquer Neutral countries and enemy Allies. Due to "Secret Allies" random distribution concept each game has it unique strategic pattern and the players face new strategic challenges in each game.
- What are the unique features of Massive Assault, making it different from other strategy games?
The Concept of "Secret Allies" is unique. It’s simple to learn, but it gives wide range of strategic freedom, making each game unique. There is one more unique thing about Massive Assault, which has been acknowledged by the reviewers: this is a turn-based game, but it is so dynamic that it can rival some action games.
- Where and when can I purchase the game?
Massive Assault is published in different territories by various publishers. The game should be in all major game stores across N. America, UK and France November 2003. For the info on other territories and for mail orders visit:
http://www.massiveassault.com/purchase.php
- Are there campaigns in Massive Assault?
Yes. The game has 4 campaigns: 3 for the Free Nations Union and 1 for the Phantom League.
- Will Massive Assault be available in other national languages (other than English)?
Yes. The game has been already fully translated into German, French, Russian and Polish languages. Other language versions will be additionally announced.
- What is the game’s objective?
In a scenario you should accomplish certain mission - either destroy all enemy forces or liberate one or several countries, or any other similar task.
In campaigns you are supposed to liberate the whole planet going through the bunch of successive missions.
In World War mode you and your enemy start with equal sets of Secret Allies and the aim of the game is to achieve overwhelming territorial superiority.
- What is "Balance"?
Balance is calculated as a ratio of your Total Control to your opponent’s one. Total Control is the sum of ’Secret Army’ resources of the following countries:
- in which you have Control
- your undisclosed Secret Allies
- in which Control is in dispute - i.e. there are units of both sides (counts as 50%)
However, you do not need to make the above calculations - current Balance is always displayed in the upper right corner of the game’s screen.
- How much playing time does Massive Assault provide?
Training scenarios can be completed in 2 - 10 minutes each.
Scenarios can take from 15 to 20 hours of total playing time. Some "Difficult level" scenarios can take more than an hour of bitter fighting.
4 Campaigns can take from 20 to 40 hours in total.
Each World War on smaller planets (Antarcticus, Bizzarria) can take up to one hour. World Wars on bigger planets can take an hour or a couple of hours each. Also remember, that you can play numerous World Wars even on one planet - each time the distribution of Secret Allies is different, which creates unique strategic pattern in each game.
The speed of the Online games depend on your opponent’s playing rate. You may complete one game during half an hour, but if your opponent makes one turn per day, then that game may last for a week or longer. But remember, that you can play dozens of online games simultaneously.
- How many maps are available?
The game includes 6 maps (planets). You can play about a dozen (or even more) of World Wars on each of these planets due to Secret Allies concept.
- How many units are there in the game, and what unit types are available?
Currently there are 26 units in the game (13 for each side). In scenarios there are usually a couple of dozens of participating units. In World War mode there can be a couple of hundreds of units.
Massive Assault has ground units (including guard towers), naval units including carriers, aviation and transports (land and naval).
- What graphic engine is used in Massive Assault?
Massive Assault utilizes Wargaming.net’s proprietary full 3D engine. Landscapes, units and effects - they all are 3D. One map on average has 700,000 polygons. Units are 1,000-2,000 polygons. Each frame on average has 120.000 polygons. FPS rate is about 50 on GeForce 3 Ti200. The game uses vertex and pixel shaders, skeletal unit animation.
- What are system requirements?
Minimal requirements:
Pentium III - 600, 256Mb RAM, 32Mb 3D Card
Recommended:
P 4/Athlon - 1.0 and better, 512Mb RAM, 64Mb 3D Card with PixelShaders 1.3 technology support
- Is 800x600 screen mode the only one available?
When the game runs for the first time, it ALWAYS sets 800x600 screen mode. It is done on purpose, so that the game runs on every computer. After you run the game for the first time, you can set higher resolution:
Click Menu, then Options then Graphic Settings and there you can select higher screen resolution as well as adjust other visual options.
The game supports the following resolutions: 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200
- How do I change (increase) the monitor refresh rate?
Click Menu, then Options then Graphic Settings and then Change Refresh Rate there you can change screen resolution as well as adjust other visual options.
- Is there a discussion Forum for Massive Assault?
Yes. There is a Forum dedicated to Massive Assault, where the players can discuss the game-related topics, find appropriate opponents, participate in the tournaments, post their after action reports and mission walk-throughs, boast and whine, etc.. Go to:
http://massiveassault.com/forum/
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