Mac game developer and publisher Freeverse Software announced today that it will publish Wipeout 2097 in the United States. The game was originally developed and published by Virtual Programming Ltd. of the UK.
Wipeout 2097 — known to some folks as Wipeout XL — is the Macintosh conversion of an enormously popular game originally developed several years by Psygnosis for the Sony PlayStation video game console. The game was originally released a bit earlier this year but up until now has only available from Softline UK. US Mac users interested in buying the game had no alternative but to pay hefty international shipping fees.
Wipeout 2097 is a futuristic 3D racing game. You take control of one of several different hovering race vehicles, and you must make your way around several different circuits around the world. You can race against other computer-controlled opponents, and in a switch from the original PlayStation release, the Mac conversion of Wipeout 2097 also lets you compete against other online players too.
You don’t just use your racing skills to make it around the course, either. You’ll also be able to grab power-ups that will unlock an arsenal of weapons. And if you place first in each race, you can unlock a new vehicle and new courses.
Freeverse said the game would be available next month. It’s priced at US$29.95 and will be available directly from Freeverse and select retailers. If you’re interested in reserving a copy, e-mail Freeverse with the subject, “Wipeout.”
Wipeout 2097 requires Mac OS 9.1 or higher. The 1.1 release runs natively in Mac OS X. The game requires an iMac Rev. B or later with 64MB of RAM.