Comme promis lors de l'annulation de SWAT : Urban Justice, Vivendi annonce le développement d'un nouveau jeu basé sur les célèbres SWAT. Judicieusement appelé SWAT 4 (rappelons que le dernier épisode était SWAT 3).

C'est le studio Irrational Games, que l'on connait pour avoir travaillé sur le récent Freedom Force et pour être au boulot en ce moment même sur Tribes Vengeance. Côté technique, on aura droit à l'Unreal Engine pour les graphismes et au Havoc pour la physique.

La sortie est prévue pour le premier trimestre 2005 si tout se passe bien.

Communiqué de presse et screenshots après le lien.

VIVENDI UNIVERAL GAMES AND IRRATIONAL GAMES TEAM-UP TO TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME IN THE UPCOMING SWAT™4

VUG Enlists Award Winning Irrational Games to Develop Latest SWAT Title

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 28, 2004) – Vivendi Universal Games sets its sites on the latest edition of the popular SWAT franchise with the announcement of SWAT 4. Developed by Irrational Games, SWAT 4 allows players to take control of a squad of up to five police officers tasked with performing dangerous operations such as high-risk arrests, hostage rescue and counter-terrorism. As the unit's commander, players must follow authentic police tactics as they breach and clear a concrete jungle filled with armed felons and innocent bystanders alike. SWAT 4 is expected to ship in Q1 of 2005 and has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

"We are working collaboratively with Irrational Games on SWAT 4 to develop one of the best games in its genre," says Michael Pole, EVP, Worldwide Studios, Vivendi Universal Games. "SWAT 4 delivers a tactical first-person squad-based shooter experience that is a worthy successor to this hit franchise.”

Featuring graphics courtesy of the Vengeance engine powered by Unreal, SWAT 4 delivers 16 authentic environments set in stunningly rendered locations representing a wide variety of operational environments. Realistic ballistics and Havoc defined object physics will further heighten the experience for the player by providing an added layer of atmospheric authenticity.

As S.W.A.T. officer, players will have access to authentic assault gear including tactical mainstays such as the Colt M-4 carbine, the Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun and Surefire tactical lights. However, as with their real-world counterparts officers in SWAT 4 have to hit hard-and-fast in order to take down the bad guys and keep the innocent out of harms way. SWAT 4 will also ship with three competitive multiplayer modes as well as a cooperative campaign mode.