Clearly, the buzz around the LA convention center was about the next-gen systems, with showgoers posturing which system will offer the best gameplay and debating if the preview reels represent in-game play, or are just cinematic teasers. (Most were the latter.) We were delighted to find one next-gen car game on the floor, Sega's Full Auto. Running at one-quarter speed on a dev-kit PC emulating Xbox 360, Full Auto gave the first taste of what the experiences will be like. Even though this was a handicapped early build, the graphics were crisp and detailed. Of course, the cars show all manner of damage, with the real processing power revealed in the smoke and fire rendering, and notably the intricate window spidering And we were assured this was only the beginning. The game itself is a combination race and assault title, with players competing through gritty, urban settings, gunning down one another while speeding to the finish line. There's a whole back story to support the vehicular carnage, but that seems like just window dressing, as the action speaks for itself. Players compete with a stable of 20 cars, each able to be outfitted with different weapons unlocked through game progression. These weapons balance light-arm (machine guns) with heavy artillery (missiles), allowing players to fire at one another while sliding around corners and dodging persistent debris. Should the player make a grievious judgment error an "unwreck" feature lets you replay the last 15 seconds for a quick do over, without restarting the entire race. There are more than 60 events in career mode, spread across entertainment, industrial, and garment districts, giving depth to a game that progresses with track and car unlocks. Short cuts, side streets, tunnels, ramps, and penetrable buildings all add to the depth of the races. Up to eight players can join the melee, playing against one another or on teams. Full Auto is expected to be onsale in time for the 2005 holidays.
