We received a press release from the PR folks for the new game developer Echelon Software as they officially announce Black Power Red Earth, a new sci-fi multiplayer oriented FPS that uses Epic's Unreal Engine. The game has some unusual features besides the usual FPS modes. Here is a snip:

"Rather than build an elaborate 3D world space, BPRE uses the same framework commonly found on the Web for social networking. Players are already used to creating and managing online identities on sites like Myspace and Orkut. They are also buying and selling real and virtual products on sites like Ebay, iTunes and Amazon. By using these familiar tools, BPRE keeps the learning curve as flat as possible," says Jon Chang, president of Echelon. "Best of all, unbinding these activities from the game executable gives players access to the world of BPRE either from inside the game or from the outside via any Web-enabled device. Persistence is the real world, anytime the players want it."

Set on Mars in 2043, Players act as mercenary soldiers executing contracts for warring corporations in a variety of urban/industrial sprawls, using bleeding edge weapons in hi-tech team based battles for virtual currency that can be used to purchase new weapons, upgrade existing weapons, buy armor and tactical enhancements to fine tune their in-game experience. As players rank up, they will also be able to open their own mercenary franchises. These franchises provide a base for recruiting other players into a clan, offer in- game advantages for members and allow the owners to open their own storefronts that compete against the game MSRPs and can generate "cash" from new players of the game.

Multiplayer-only, allowing up to 16 players to battle online together

Next-generation graphics powered by Unreal Engine 3

8 contract campaign plays out in a detailed near-future 3D environments

Earn "virt cash" to collect more than 100 parts and accessories

Customize weapons, browse for new items, and build a career in a familiar Web interface in- game or from any Web browser at any time!

Build a franchise private military company (PMC) with other players or create a competing store front to sell arms and gear to other players

Association with former PMC operatives ensures realistic game play

The game does not have an announced publisher or release date. The game's official web site has some back story on its fictional universe

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