Epic Games and Human Head Studios Reveal Rune's Ragnar

Ragnar is ready for revenge! At ECTS in London, UK (September 5 - 7) Epic Games and Human Head Studios will unveil Ragnar, the main character from the upcoming 3D action adventure game Rune based on the Unreal engine. Gathering of Developers, the developer-driven computer and video game publishing company, will publish Rune in the summer of 2000. ECTS attendees can check out Ragnar and the latest build of Rune at the Take Two Interactive booth (GL-100) at London Olympia. Visit http://www.humanhead.com/rune.htm for screens.

Ragnar: The Young Warrior

Players take on the role of Ragnar, a young Viking warrior on the brink of a sacred ritual into manhood. With his physical prowess, intelligence and cunning skills, Ragnar shows great promise at becoming a prominent warrior. He desires to prove his worth to his village and take his rightful place beside his father, a great elder warrior who trained Ragnar in the way of war and to respect the power of the Aesir, the gods of Norse legend. Ragnar is a follower of Odin, the father of Asgard (the Viking heaven) and Thor, the god of thunder.

Ragnar strives to use his warrior skills to protect his village, and champion all that is right and just. Just before the ceremony begins, Ragnar and his village learn that another Viking group, the Dark Vikings, led by the brutal chief Conrack are pillaging and plundering their way through the lands, destroying all creatures in their path. Hoping to prove his skills and powers, Ragnar follows his father and other village warriors to defeat the enemy. However, as they sail off to fight their enemies, a raging storm breaks onto the scene, causing swelling waves and gushing winds. The ship is suddenly sucked into a whirlpool and into the Norse underworld.

Ragnar's Quest

As Ragnar, players must uncover the secret of the Dark Vikings by explore vast regions from the cavernous underworld to the highest mountains. Fighting a variety of creatures based on Norse legends and the creative minds at Human Head Studios, Rune will focus on intense melee combat action in a world brought vividly to life with an enhanced version of the Unreal Engine.

Ragnar: A Lethal Weapon

Ragnar is of immense physical stature and possesses great speed and agility in combat. He has excellent leaping and climbing abilities for exploring. As the game progresses, so will the player's combat abilities. As the player discovers new combat techniques and ever more powerful weapons, the combat animations will grow more and more intense to match the action. Ragnar will also use his own senses in the game, turning his head to alert the player of hidden creatures, traps and treasures that the player will have to react quickly to and work in concert with the on-screen Viking hero.