Interplay Announces FreeSpace 2 is the press release announcing the sequel to Descent FreeSpace: the Great War. If you missed it, we posted a new screenshot from FreeSpace 2 yesterday (story). Here's some of the lowdown from the press release on the game, due in Winter 1999:

IRVINE, Calif., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Interplay Entertainment Corp. (Nasdaq: IPLY - news) announced today the plan to release the sequel to the highly acclaimed Descent FreeSpace: The Great War(TM) entitled FreeSpace 2(TM). Developed by Volition, Inc., FreeSpace 2 will offer players significant new gameplay advances, including the most engaging dogfighting ever seen in a space combat simulation, all new single and multiplayer missions, and immersive nebula effects that will add an all new dimension to the space combat genre.

"Our goal for FreeSpace 2 is to set a new standard in both multiplayer and single-player space combat-sims, encompassing heart-pounding dogfights and spectacular visual effects," stated Mike Kulas, President of Volition and one of the creators of the award winning Descent I and II.

Adding to the excitement, FreeSpace 2 will feature a variety of multiplayer options appealing to both deathmatch and teamplay crowds. Fans of the original will again relish the real-time, in-game voice messaging that allows players to taunt their opponents or strategize with their allies via a simple microphone and multi-play connection. FreeSpace gamers may also design their own custom missions using the FreeSpace Mission Editor 2 (FRED 2) shipped with the full retail version of the game.