CIS 487 Game EvaluationWar Craft III: Reign of Chaos1 Basic Information1.1 Minimum stated hardware requirements1.2 Recommended or actual hardware required2 Game Summary2.1 Quick Overview2.2 Story Line2.3 Player’s Role2.4 Installation2.5 User Interface2.6 Game Play2.7 Scoring2.8 Artwork2.9 Sound and Music2.10 Special Features2.11 Manual (if any)2.12 Bugs3 Game Review3.1 What is good (fun) about the game? Why?3.2 What is bad (not fun) about the game? Why?3.3 How does it compare to similar games in the same genre?3.4 Why is it better or worse than similar games?3.5 What is the appropriate audience for this game3.6 Are any design mistakes present?4 Summary4.1 Overall strengths and weaknesses4.2 Is the game worth purchasing?4.3 How could it be improved?CIS 487 GAME EVALUATIONWAR CRAFT III: REIGN OF CHAOSDate Submitted 9-29-2003Authors David ZuchowskiProfessor Maxim1 Basic InformationGame Title: War Craft III: Reign of ChaosCompany & Author:Blizzard EntertainmentType of Game: Real Time Strategy w/ network supportPrice: $39.991.1 Minimum stated hardware requirementsFor PC:- 400 MHz Pentium II or equivalent- 128 MB of RAM- 8 MB 3D Video Card- Direct X 8.1 Support- 700 MB Hard Drive space- 4X CD-ROMFor MAC:- 400 MHz G3 Processor- 128 MB of RAM- 16 MB ATI Technologies or nVidia chipset 3D view card- 700 MB Hard Drive space- 4X CD-ROM Drive1.2 Recommended or actual hardware required- 600 MHz processor- 256 MB of RAM- 32 MB 3D Video Card- DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card2 Game Summary2.1 Quick OverviewWar Craft III: Reign of Chaos is a real-time strategy game with multiplayer support. Players can choose to play through the campaign, a custom game against the computer or over a network (local or online) against other human opponents.War Craft III is set in a fantasy setting with four armies: Humans, Orcs, Night Elves and Undead.2.2 Story LineThe premise of the story is that a large undead army, called the Burning Legion is preparing to assault the mortal world. When playing the campaign, players go through each army (Humans, Undead, Orcs, Night Elves) while the story unfolds. 2.3 Player’s RoleIn War Craft III, the player controls one of the four armies (Humans, Orcs, Night Elves and Undead). The player can play in campaign mode, in which the player will get to play one campaign for each race. 2.4 InstallationInstallation for War Craft III requires a valid CD-Key and is rather straightforward. War Craft III’s setup ‘Autoruns’ from the CD-ROM.If the user does not have the recommended DirectX version, the installation program will ask the user if it should installation the required version.2.5 User InterfaceWar Craft III provides an overhead view of a portion of the map you are playing on. Thisis a standard interface in the real-time strategy genre. Players select individual units using their mouse and can choose a command to give to the unit.More advanced users can take advantage of keyboard short cuts and unit grouping to helpeliminate the tedium of clicking and micromanagement.2.6 Game PlayWar Craft III is a real-time strategy game. There are no turns and resource allocation decisions have to be made quickly. First time players who did not go through the campaign may have trouble in multi-player due to unfamiliarity with the units.2.7 ScoringScoring in War Craft III enables the player to see how well they performed and observe how much (or how little) their allies helped.There are three components to scoring in War Craft III, they are Units, Heroes and Resources.Units: This shows the number of units produced, units killed, buildings built, buildings destroyed, and the largest army.Heroes: This shows the level of each player’s Heroes, the number of Heroes killed, number of items found, and the total experience gained.Resources: This shows the amount of gold and lumber harvested, the amount of gold and lumber spent, the amount of gold and lumber traded, the percentage of technology researched, and the amount of gold lost to upkeep.2.8 ArtworkThe art work in War Craft III is unique and cartoon like. This separates the game from other games that try to emphasize realism.2.9 Sound and MusicAfter hours of play, the sound and music do not become annoying or bothersome. Just like the previous War Craft games, constantly clicking on a unit produces humorous sound clips.2.10 Special FeaturesWar Craft III comes with a ‘world editor’ that allows players to create new maps and scenarios. These new maps and scenarios can be used in multiplayer games.2.11 Manual (if any)War Craft III comes with a manual (approx. 157 pages). The manual provides installationinstructions, control overview, overview of the units and more story background (History of the Burning Legion, etc).2.12 BugsA review of Blizzard’s support section on their website (www.blizzard.com), shows that the most common issue seems to be ‘missing artwork’ and it has to do with the drivers forthe video card.3 Game Review3.1 What is good (fun) about the game? Why?The campaign keeps your interest and provides many challenges. Once you go through the campaign, you can continue playing multiplayer against other opponents or compete online.Rather than just the usual “destroy the enemies base”, the campaigns emphasize objectives and add a story element. The story is not superficial but has characters and depth.3.2 What is bad (not fun) about the game? Why?Most real-time strategy games require micro management and resource gathering. Some video game players do not enjoy this aspect of the game and find it boring and a waste of time.3.3 How does it compare to similar games in the same genre?War Craft III is similar to other real-time strategy games in that it follows the “gather resources – build army – attack” pattern. 3.4 Why is it better or worse than similar games?War Craft III introduces a “hero” character, which can gain experience and ability increases. Players can use their heroes as way to rally their armies when attacking and can micromanage them by gather different items and having them gain experience (to increase levels). War Craft III also tries to stop the “rich get richer” concept that is present in real-time strategy games. If one opponent expands quickly and acquires more resources, they will be able to continue to grow without being handicapped or checked. War Craft III provides has an ‘upkeep’ feature which works similar to a tax. As a players army getslarger, a