The Microsoft Steam Plow

That tiny corporation somewhere in Warshington, Microsoft, released a press release today from their Las Vegas showing, promoting their upcoming games. You know, before Flight Simulator, MS wasn’t too well known for making good games, and now look, pulling out A+ titles close to the rate that Blizzard does. Here are a few more notable games of the PR:

Bright Lights, Hot Games: Microsoft PC Games Unveils 2002–2003 Titles

“Rise of Nations.” “Rise of Nations,” unveiled today, combines the epic scope of “Civilization” with the fast-paced action of real-time strategy games. In “Rise of Nations,” players build a city and then improve its infrastructure, create new communities and expand national borders. Gamers have the option to win through military might, using everything from slingshots and cannons to stealth bombers, or they can corner the market on key commodities as they wheel and deal with a wide variety of civilizations. Unlike other historical real-time strategy games, “Rise of Nations” allows gamers to quickly play through history, from early civilization to the modern age. This latest title from Big Huge Games Inc. founder Brian Reynolds, designer of “Civilization 2” and “Alpha Centauri”*, is scheduled for release in spring 2003.

“Asheron’s Call 2.” “Asheron’s Call® 2,” the sequel to the popular “Asheron’s Call” announced today and scheduled for beta release this winter, features a dynamic, evolving world that reacts to player behavior and actions; the advanced massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Turbine Engine G2 graphics engine; a revamped combat system; and a new in-depth crafting system that gives players a chance to pursue noncombative skills.

Following world devastation, “Asheron’s Call 2” challenges players to determine where and how the world is restored. Players also must deal with ongoing events, including such world-shaking calamities as blizzards, volcanoes and hordes of invading forces. Players can align with one of three kingdoms and battle both monsters and opposing players to capture and control precious resources — and ultimately, survive.

“Dungeon Siege.” “Dungeon Siege,” expected to hit stores in April, plunges players into a continuous 3-D fantasy world on a quest to stop evil. This fast-action role-playing game starts players with a single character. As they travel through the world, players can gather a party of as many as eight characters who work together on the quest. “Dungeon Siege” drives players into one over-the-top battle after another as the storyline seamlessly unfolds.

“Freelancer.” Slated for fall release, “Freelancer™,” an epic adventure set in the outer reaches of the planetary system, plunges players into a vibrant 3-D universe filled with political intrigue, space combat and an unknown alien menace. With its dynamic reputation and random missions, “Freelancer” allows players to choose the life of a bounty hunter, trader, pirate or explorer — earning the spoils and enemies that come with each experience. The open-ended style of gameplay gives gamers a choice between following a linear storyline or determining how their story will unfold. The multiplayer component lets friends fly missions or explore together on their own persistent world servers.

The others were (also noteworthy) “Age of Mythology”, “Combat Flight Simulator 3″, “Impossible Creatures”, “Links 2003”, “Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs” expansion, “MechWarrior 4 Inner Sphere ‘Mech Pak’”, and updates to the Zone.com. Whew.