Lee admits that Novalogic has BIG plans for Novaworld this fall, and will be introducing the second aircraft in their Lockheed Fighter Series for Novaworld. Better still, this release will be nearly simultaneous with the introduction of a Russian aircraft for the online world! Wow, this is really going to amp up the interest in team play!

Lee didn't want to give away any secrets, but he pointed out that the polygon engine used in F22 Raptor limits these new introductions to Raptors world. That means that an entirely new online world is in the works for voxel simulations this fall. Will Comanche be included in that world? Novalogic isn't decided, but the new world will involved an entirely new voxel engine that will increase resolution at least as much as the last jump. The new online world will likely pit Allied and Soviet helicopters against each other along with armor!

I asked Lee if we would see a HIND or WEREWOLF in the multiplayer C GOLD arena, and he says that these are good candidates. Will we also see players in M1A2 Abrams and Russian MBTs in the same world? Again, Lee wont' give a direct answer, but lets face it, its gonna happen!

Now if you follow the progress of history in these things, you know that this direction is being pursued industry wide. Microprose is releasing a MiG29 add on for Falcon 4.0 this fall, and possibly an F15 after that. No doubt something similar will take shape with M1TP2. SSI will release an Allied aircraft for their Su 27 world early next year. Digital Image Design is moving toward an integrated battlefield and we will likely see a marriage of TANK with Total Air War sometime in the future. The naval battlefield is going to expand this fall with an add-on for Janes 688I, and there is also a WWII version of the naval battlefield in the works.

In the meantime, Raptor has just had a whole suite of enhancements. NovaLogic focused on improving tactical elements within F-22 Raptor's multiplayer gameplay, adding new features and enhancing specific NovaWorld options. In this process they have implemented players' requested changes where possible. The update is FREE to F-22 Raptor owners.

Key feature enhancements and new options include: Tactical Enhancements

• DeathMatch Update - In NovaWorld's DeathMatch games, players now have a greater chance of safely clearing the runway and proceeding to waypoint 2 to meet up with other gamers. Players are now invulnerable for 45 seconds after take-off.
• New look-down map - This new tactical map allows players to see where they are positioned during a game. Map objects include base locations, runways and other items.
• AWAC color indication - With this new feature, players can easily identify AWACs. The gamer's will show on the radar as yellow and the opponent's will appear as purple.
• Clear target indicators - Player's shootlist now shows on the radar as white circles around the current target. Other players have blue circles.
• New base markers - Base markers now appear on players' radar as boxes with "X" inside of them. This feature is an aid for bombers to identify targets as well as bases that the player must protect.

NovaWorld Enhancements

• Players can now access NovaWorld directly from F-22 Raptor without exiting the game. This function is also supported through standard browsers.
• Players can now choose sides and join up with specific teams in Raptor Air Wars (RAW) mode where players, as part of squadrons, must defend their own base while simultaneously attacking enemy targets. Prior to the update, players were assigned to the team with the fewest members making it difficult to plan fights against specific groups.
• Server options now allow for GPS guidance for bombers in RAW. Players can select the ground targets and receive a cue to drop bombs instead of attempting to hit the target via sight only.
• A new host option in RAW allows bombers to carry the standard two side-bay sidewinders for more extensive firepower.

Player Requested Changes/Additions

• Gamers have longer chat messages.
• Planes now repair themselves upon landing. If a gamer lands the aircraft and stops, the vehicle's systems that were damaged will automatically be repaired.
• By pressing the "P" key, players can see all other gamers in the current battle. Players can also scroll through the gamer names list by using the arrow keys.

The F-22 Raptor update and the NovaWorld Ready Room are available immediately to owners of the title and can be accessed free on Novaworld.