Fresh information on Rage has managed to slip past the tight security at QuakeCon 2008. I suppose that's rather easy to do when the information was freely given by the developers. First up, a quick bullet listing of the game's highlights.
In related news, Carmack is really striving to make the weapons in the game feel "fun." He wants every weapon to look good and feel good so that the player actually feels as though they're inflicting some damage on the "bad guys."
- Two player online co-op is confirmed for consoles and PC. Console players will also have the option of split-screen co-op.
- Co-op will be an entirely separate mode that will not include the story elements of the single player campaign.
- Hooper mentioned "armor" and "inventory" systems, and indicated that there will be some type of world economy that the player can participate in.
- The shooter gameplay will play out in the tradition of id FPS titles.
- Vehicles are being used as an "extension of the player," allowing users to drive to instances, or race on tracks that are found in each town.
- Racers will have two seats for co-op riding, with one player manning a gun.
- Vehicles can run over monsters, but the gore will be limited, as id is shooting for a Teen rating to broaden its audience.
- Training missions played at racetracks will teach players new vehicle skills.
- Though the world will be large, it is not a sandbox title or traditional "open world" game--players will need to complete the game's story quests in a linear fashion.
- Instances, encounters and items will be crafted, not procedurally generated as in a game like Diablo.
- The game is targeted for release sometime within the next two years--likely in the final half of 2009.
In related news, Carmack is really striving to make the weapons in the game feel "fun." He wants every weapon to look good and feel good so that the player actually feels as though they're inflicting some damage on the "bad guys."