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Information About

Perfect Dark Zero




  developer Rare
  publisher Microsoft
  designer Chris Tilston, Dale Murchie, Duncan Botwood, Ross Bullimore
  engine HydraCore
  released November 18 , 2005 <br /> December 2 , 2005 <br /> December 10 , 2005
  genre First-person Shooter
  modes Single Player , Multiplayer
  ratings : 15
  platforms Xbox 360
  media DVD
  input Game Controller


''Perfect Dark Zero'' is a First-person Shooter Video Game developed by Rare Ltd and a Prequel to their successful Nintendo 64 game '' Perfect Dark ''.


DEVELOPMENT

Rare's two N64 first-person shooters, '' GoldenEye 007 '' and '' Perfect Dark '', received strong acclaim from critics and players, and demand for another title in the '' Perfect Dark '' franchise was high. Development of ''Perfect Dark Zero'' began on the Nintendo GameCube . At the time, Nintendo had a 49% stake in Rare, making Rare a Nintendo Second-party Developer . The game made a small appearance at Spaceworld 2000 , an event exclusive to Nintendo . But apart from the confirmation that it was in development, few official announcements were made.

In September 2002, Rare Ltd was purchased by , the Protagonist of the ''Perfect Dark'' games. The "cartoony" style of these pictures incited speculation that the final game — then intended for the original Xbox — would employ a less realistic graphical style than the original game; possibly the controversial Cel-shading technique.

Development of the title was later transferred to the Xbox 360 . ''Perfect Dark Zero'''s senior designer Chris Tilston (also one of the project leads for the game) later revealed that the Xbox version was "about twelve months away" from completion when the switch occurred.

In 2005, one of the rewards in the on May 12 , 2005 , it was revealed that ''Perfect Dark Zero'' would be a launch title for the new system in the Fall of 2005. The game's development has therefore spanned three platforms: the Nintendo GameCube, the Microsoft Xbox and the Xbox 360.


LIMITED COLLECTOR'S EDITION


A "Limited Collector's Edition" of the game was released at the same time as the standard version, adding a second disc of content, a black metal game case, a comic booklet set in the ''PDZ'' universe, which sets the scene for the game, and one of nine holographic collectible cards.





WEAPONS


Twenty-five weapons are featured in ''Perfect Dark Zero'':


Gadgets



STORY


The story is set in 2020, three years prior to the events of the original game. Joanna Dark is a Bounty Hunter working with her father Jack and her friend Chandra. On Joanna's first mission, they rescue a scientist named Zeigler from the hands of a Triad crime lord: Killian. Zeigler uses a neurodrive to implant information into Jack's mind. Jack gets captured by dataDyne and Jo rescues him only for Jack to die at the hands of Mai-Hem whose father, Zhang Li, is the founder of the corporation. Jo is then sent on a mission to find Dr. Eustace Caroll, who then uses the same neurodrive technology to extract any memory of the words her father said concerning Ziegler's secrets. Dr. Caroll is then killed by Chandra, who is secretly working for Zhang Li. Jo joins the Carrington Institute and infiltrates a mining operation in an ancient Peruvian Temple where she discovers the conspiracy.

Zhang Li and Mai-Hem are searching for an ancient artifact known as The Graal, which embues its possessor with superhuman powers. Traveling to Africa, Jo rescues prisoners including Jonathan and several other Carrington boys, before running into Mai-Hem again. Jo avenges her father's death and kills Mai-Hem and the party is air-lifted out. The Carrington Institute plans an offensive on dataDyne forces with the battle taking place on a large bridge. Jo infiltrates an arena and faces off against Zhang Li after he dispatches Chandra. Defeating the seemingly invincible power-hungry genius, Jo is met by Jonathan and Daniel Carrington. When Jo asks, "How did I do, Boss?" Carrington replies: "Perfect."


MULTIPLAYER

In Perfect Dark Zero there are two versions of multiplayer, and within each version are four different game modes.

DeathMatch

This is a standard gametype where players spawn in rooms, collect weapons, and continue to the actual map. Weapons are also available own the map itself. Bots are included in all DeathMatch game modes.

  • Killcount: This is a Free-for-all where the winner is the player that achieves the most kills.

  • Team Killcount: A team based version of Killcount where the team with the most kills wins.

  • Capture the Flag: A team-only match. Each team tries to grab the enemies flag and return it to their base. The winning team is the one with the most flags captured.

  • Territorial Gains: A team-only match. The goal is to capture and hold several neutral hills until they generate points. The team with the most territories held is the winner.



DarkOps

This is a round-based, team-only gametype. It is generally slower-paced, and is more tactical than DeathMatch. Weapons must be purchased from a player's stock of credits. Credits are earned by killing enemies and obtaining objectives. Bots cannot be used in DarkOps mode.

  • Eradication: A team-only game. Teams take turns trying to eliminate each other. The team that stays alive the longest, or that kills the other team while still living wins.

  • Onslaught: A team-only game. Teams take turns defending and attacking a base. The defenders get one life (but can be revived), and can purchase weapons. The attackers have unlimited lives, but have basic weapons (choice of a Falcon, CMP 150 and a DEF-12 Shotgun). The team that holds the base the longest wins.

  • Infection: A free-for-all game. Players start as either infected or uninfected. When a player dies, they become infected. If the uninfected stay alive for the duration of the round, only they get points. If the infected eliminate them, then only they get points. The player with the most points overall is the winner. (This can seem like a team game as uninfected huddle in a room to survive, or as infected team up to eliminate them).

  • Sabotage: A team-only game. Teams take turns attacking and defending certain pieces of property on the map. The team that destroys the most property or eliminates the other team wins.



Maps

There are six main maps in ''Perfect Dark Zero'', but each can be divided one of three separate ways. Each level can be set to:
  • ''Small:'' The level is fairly small, and is more suited for small groups of players or bots.

  • ''Base 1+2''/''Base 1+3:'' The level is opened up, creating more space to accommodate more players or bots.

  • ''Base 3+4''/''Base 2+4:'' This is the same as "Base 1+2/Base 1+3," only a different section of the map is opened up.


The maps:

  • Desert: A vast desert setting containing a run-down temple, canyons and ridges.

  • Urban: An urban city landscape filled with many streets, buildings, and car garages.

  • Subway: An underground subway station housing two empty trains, a pump room, and a station check-in.

  • Old Town: An abandoned "old town" in a desert. It features sandstone buildings and sand covered stone floors.

  • Temple: A murky jungle level with thick leaved plants, water, amidst a ruined and overgrown temple.

  • Tower: Similar to ''desert'', but set in winter. It holds a large 3 story tower in the center, rolling hills of snow and rock, as well as two outposts.




UPDATES

Rare recently confirmed that an update is near completion to fix a number of bugs users have reported, including glitches which allow faster than intended fire for the Plasma Rifle and Rocket Launchers. It has also been confirmed that additional multiplayer maps are to be released soon. The new maps were revealed on 24 April 2006 on numerous websites. According to the IGN report of that date, the new maps will be free IGN report on update . Although IGN claim Microsoft as their source, Microsoft have not confirmed this.


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