Okay, from where did this one come? Mac game publisher MacSoft has reached gold master with Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year edition, and expects to ship the collection to retailers the week of March 19th.

I guess if you're named PC "Game of the Year" (by...someone; the press release doesn't disclose the source), you may as well celebrate, right? MacSoft is celebrating with Ureal Tournament: Game of the Year edition which features the original game, three map pack add-ons (giving UT players an additional 20 maps) and two all-new mods. The two new mods--Rocket Arena and Chaos UT--are enhanced version of previously released mods.

Rocket Arena is based on the game mods developed by David Wright. Gamers fight to the death gladiator-style without any extra weapons, power-ups, or armor boosts--just them and their opponents locked in a battle to the very end.

Chaos UT offers a new, unique twist on UT deathmatch play. This mod is a free-for-all frag-fest with four new Chaos UT-specific maps and plenty of unique and extraordinary weapons such as crossbows or auto-turrets that hunt down enemy players.

The three new map packs included in the Game of the Year edition are the Epic Bonus Pack, the Innox Map Pack and the Digital Extremes Map Pack from the London, Ontario-based co-developer of Unreal and Unreal Tournament. These new map packs will give players more than 20 all new maps, new character skins, and relics which provide enhanced power-ups for use in UT game modes.

Additional game features include:

• Redesigned Deathmatch Levels - Fragging gets extreme with over 50 maps of mano-y-mano destruction
• Four game types - Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Domination and Assault
• Fast and Furious Multiplayer action - Up to 16 players can join in on the fragging action online
• Large arsenal of new weapons - 10 radical weapons including favorites like the pulse blaster and the rocket launcher, as well as new weapons in the two mods that can be used in all the game modes
• Advanced Bot Artificial Intelligence - The advanced bot AI results in improved level navigation, understanding of lifts, swimming, triggered doors and use of pick-up items such as toxin suits and asbestos boots. In addition, bots are more intelligent to help them determine which weapon is best for a specific situation, and have the ability to understand how to function on a team and take commands such as "defend," "attack," "hold position" and "cover." The bots will also be fully functional in the new mods
• Voice Messaging - Allows gamers to communicate with other players, including those controlled by the computer
• Spectator cams - Spectator cams can be placed throughout any level, and provide non-players with a front row seat to all of the action
• Enhanced User Interface - New graphically and functionally enhanced menus, and specific HUDS for each mode of play

So this is quite a surprise to us at Applelinks, and a welcome one as well. Although most of the enhancements in the Game of the Year edition are already available online, mod fans will attest that collecting them on one CD will save many hours of download time and Zip Disk space.

The original Unreal Tournament pits players against the toughest warriors in the galaxy in multiple contests and settings. The goal is to become the Unreal Grand Master, testing your skills against, or fighting alongside, teams of "bots."

Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year edition is expected to ship to retailers during the week of March 19th with a suggested retail price of only $19.99.

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