I do so love games that have the words "Tom" and "Clancy" in their titles. So when I heard that Ubisoft would be holding a panel for the upcoming RTS Endwar, I knew I had to be there. So in a few minutes, I will be there covering every tidbit and announcement as they happen.

Hit the refresh button for the latest news.

_________________________________________________________

7:00: The panel is over. I've got my token in hand so I can get into the private demo when it becomes available. Now I'm uploading some pictures.

6:53: One more thing: A video of two trained parrots using the voice command system. So funny... so cute... it actually works!

6:49: The question was asked about how the on-line system will work. Here's the deal: World War III is persistent. Every match that is played factors in the overall war. Eventually, one side will win, and the online game will be reset. So although you will be playing on XBLA or PSN against another player, the outcome of your battle will influence the entire war for the rest of the world. You'll be able to check the status of the war on the Endwar website so you can see what battles you'll need to fight when you get back to your console.

6:47: The units will not respond at all to "verbal abuse". As a general, you need to keep a cool head. So the general who is better able to keep his wits about him will be better equipped to win. Although cover can be used and is available, since all environements are destructible, there is no permanent place to hide.

6:43: No reason that it won't be on the PC, but there are no official announcements about a PC port yet. The handheld versions will not use the built in microphones.

6:42: The voice was such an important part of the game because they realized that since they were developing just for consoles, they wanted to try something new. "A general uses his voice". There are plans for DLC, including some at launch. "It's WWIII, so we want to keep it exciting."

6:40: All maps were started off from Google Earth maps, but then tweaked to allow the game to be more game-like. But there are a few fully created maps. There will be a max of 2v2, or co-op mode with shared units (one player controls 6, as does the other). 

6:39: No naval battles for this Endwar. "For the future?" "Mayyyyybeeeee...."

6:38: Speaking on the different modes: Seige, Assault, and Attack & Defend

6:37: Dated for November 4th for DS, PSP, 360, PS3

6:36: Speaking on the customization of the units. "Should we talk about DLC?" There will be 50 or so upgrades per unit.

6:35: Q&A Time

6:34: There will be a VIP private demo of the game for special pre-orders. But all of us that are here at the panel will be given tokens to get into the private demo without a pre-order. WOOT! We're going to get to see the WMDs. There will be three WMDs for each faction: The Rods of God for the Americans, a smaller tactical nuke for the Russians, and the Europeans get an Orbital Laser (called "Independence Day-ish). Special WMD video is being shown. HOLY SHIT ARE THESE BIG EXPLOSIONS!The idea for the WMDs came from Mario Kart- the losing team gets the WMDs for just one more chance to win it all (think red or green shell). "You can destroy every national monument in the game".

6:30: You can earn upgrades for your units as you play through. You'll be able to custom equip your units. Every unit and every upgrade is based on real world military tech. Every building is destructible. When you move your troops inside of a building, your line of sight increases. We've been teased about WMDs which we will see later.

6:28: You'll be given sentry robots to hold your uplinks for a bit longer. You'll be able to use the overhead map "SITREP" which shows you everything within visual range of your units. The entire game can be played from the SITREP map view. An airstrike was called in, and one of the jets clipped a helicopter, and downed it.

6:25: You can merge your existing groups into new, larger groups. The controls are absolutely seamless. So far, we've only seen units move from uplink to uplink, but you can also move them to targets. We're watching gunships fire on American ground units.The Endwar team has people from GRAW and Rainbow Six: Vegas to work on character animations.

6:21:Actions that would take 8-10 clicks in a standard RTS can be accomplished with just one vocal command in Endwar.Taking a new area will give your units upgrades (airstrikes, electronic warfare, etc). Vocal commands do not need to be said at the same cadence; the game can tell the difference in your voice speed. There is no need to memorize commands, the game will show you what you can/can't say. You don't need to speak your commands, you can use the D-pad.

6:18: You have to secure more than half of the uplinks, which are what have prevented WWIII from being nuclear. You have three core units: gunships (which can destroy tanks), tanks (which can destroy infantry) and infantry (which can shoot down gunships). We're being shown the voice controls as the units await orders. Unit 3 is securing Foxtrot. All units must be "dropped" into the war zone, rather than just miraculously spawning.

6:15: Conquest Match demo, in Washington DC. We get to pick who are the attackers and who are the defenders. The Europeans are the fastest, the Russians the strongest, and the US are well balanced. We will be playing as the Russian attackers defending against the US.

6:13: OJ Reitmo is going to provide us some transistion music as they prep the game demo itself. "I Just Called to Say I Love You".

6:12: Creator video. Inside the development studio. They used a lot of old-fashioned books, and other games (GTA IV?!) as inspiration. They use a lot of sources for their inspiration. Gameplay footage! Wow... this looks leaps and bounds better than the beta.

6:10: Most of the development team is not here because they're literally at work finishing the game. We're seeing a video of one of the Shanghai developers saying "Hi" from the Chinese Ubisoft studio.

6:08: Introductons of the panelists. 

6:06: We're getting the "quick marketing speech". It will be Tom Clancy's World War III. No more hostages, no more Mexican strife. The first console game to win best strategy of E3. You will be able to play the entire game with your voice.

6:05: Here we go. Tonight, they're going to do something a little different. They want us relaxed, chilled out, and cool. The projection is showing a crackling fireplace.

6:03: The trumpeter has been introduced to us as OJ Reitmo and the "Love Mu-Cheen" (actually Owen Grace from the band The Guitar Heroes). He asks, "Have you guys had enough of Lionel Ritchie yet?" The answer, "NEVER!"

5:58: WE'RE IN! We made it into the meeting room for (as the screen says) "Ubisoft Presents: An Evening with Tom Clancy's Endwar". Right now we're being treated to a Muzak version of Lionel Richie's "Hello" being performed by a live trumpet player (dressed like Austin Powers with a 'fro) over an 8-bit beat track. 

5:44: Our very friendly Enforcer just informed all of us waiting gamers that there will be no saving of seats, nor standing room in this panel. And she said it will be crowded. Good thing I got here early...

5:35: The line is forming, and I am in it! There are probably thirty people in front of me. Oh well... I'm still getting in to see it.

_________________________________________________________

Related Articles:

PAX 08: Hands-On Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm

PAX 08: Hands-On Tom Clancy's HAWX

PAX 08: Hands-On Defense Grid: The Awakening