Last on the topic is UT's new interface, also known as a GUI (graphical user interface). Incase you have no idea what the hell that is, you are using one right now! Well, ok, maybe UT's new interface isn't going to be of Windows quality, but this inventive new interface has the ability to do what's needed… find an online game and FAST! Similar to Gamespy, it has the ability to ping servers and find out certain information about them, such as number of players, map being played, and other options which can be turned on or off with considerable ease and speed.

So then, when is Unreal Tournament going to be released? Current predictions are at a March '99 standing, but anything can happen, and Epic isn't rushing this out the door either. Expect to have it on shelves sometime during Q1 of '99.

So are you drooling yet? Many people, no matter how into deathmatch they are, will still refuse to try UT. Why? Because Quake 3: Arena is also just around the corner. It would be unfair to pit the two against each other, but comparisons are inevitable. In terms of graphics, I think it would have to be a tie. id Software decided to take out many features in its engine for speed increases. With UT's new OpenGL drivers, performance should not be a problem on any 3D card. In terms of online performance, there is very little to say. Q3A has been seen by few and played by even fewer. Unreal, however, is a known quantity, and its performance is getting better by every patch. In terms of fun however, I think that UT might have an edge over Q3A, with more elaborate levels and more interesting game design. However, we will have to wait for the Q3A demo to really judge the two. But one thing is for sure… id, you have some competition now…