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As the release date of Simon and Schuster's Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Fallen grows near, more and more details about this third-person shooter have begun to emerge. While this latest interview with Doug Hare of developer The Collective doesn't contain much new information, it does carry with it six new screen shots. While they have been marred with GameSpot UK's hideous logo, they are certainly a testament to the fact that the Unreal engine still has plenty of life left in it.

The interview itself contains several comments about the Unreal engine and how it was adapted to make a third-person adventure game out of a first-person shooter. Mac users in particular should be quite glad The Collective went to such lengths, as the fact that this engine is portable to the Mac OS most likely made a Mac version of The Fallen a possibility -- several other Trek titles from Simon and Schuster did not make it to the Mac OS.

Here are some details on what they added to the already-gorgeous Unreal engine:

We have written new particle systems which allow us to realize many more particles on screen than UT, this becomes apparent when you see certain scenes with amazing snow or rain effects. We added a complex cut-scene editor that allows level designers the ability to create very elaborate cinematics. We also wanted a more dynamic music experience so we integrated the Miles audio system which allows MP3 playback. Wait till you hear the music across the game as a whole, it really raises the bar for interactive audio. Other additions include things like projected shadows, advanced player navigation that assists you in climbing over objects or hanging from ledges and distance fogging in some levels.

DS9: The Fallen Interview and Screens

Official DS9: The Fallen Site

Simon & Schuster (add to watch list)

The Collective (add to watch list)

DS9: The Fallen (add to watch list)

Buy DS9: The Fallen

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