Introduction

Peace, Love, and Big Guns

We just arrived back from Gamestock 2000 in Seattle, a yearly press event where Microsoft Games shows off their upcoming slate of PC titles. Every year it seems that Microsoft turns up the heat on its competitors in the gaming market and this year is no different. It's a bit surprising given that it wasn't too long ago when MS's best gaming titles were the old console compilations - "Return of Arcade" and "Best of Arcade." They've matured very quickly as a publisher, attracting talented developers who can crank out real hits like Motocross Madness and Age of Empires.

Microsoft's Y2K lineup, as a whole, is stronger than any other set they've released before. Just about all the games demonstrated there were impressive, particularly Crimson Skies, Motocross Madness 2, and Mechcommander 2. Their array of new hardware was equally strong, including the second generation force feedback joystick, a special RTS controller (yes, a controller made just for real time strategy), and a voice over net package. As far as disappointments go, there was no announced X-Box (MS's next generation console/set-top box) information and only a brief clip of Chris Roberts' Freelancer was shown. We'll have tons more information for you in Monday's full Gamestock writeup. In the meantime, drool over these screenshots.

Conquest screenshots

Terran base being built

laser turret being destroyed

Starlancer shots

Check out those rings!

My, that's a big ion cannon

Crimson Skies renders

Vampire

Warhawk

Baseball 2001 shots

Nomar turns the DP

Chipper is gunned down at the plate

Combat Flight Simulator 2 shots

The fabled Mitsubishi Zero

Baa baa blacksheep

Motocross Madness 2 shots

Nice low angle shot

Guess he doesn't want kids