The return of The Modding Theater s Hell in the Pacific or, just inklings; to other possibilities ?

Back in 1999, PC-gaming began its true metamorphosis into what we deem the norms and standards of what currently makes great game titles. The 3-D adventures were now onto a serious plane of focus and most of the retro or reminiscent; was told to become obsolete by the year 2000 s appraisal. 2000 marked a benchmark for original, clone, and modification titles which literally began before the WW2 FPS craze with PC-mods such as Counter-Strike. Today, in 2006; we ve reached a halt in knowing exactly what the next step should truly be. A stopping point that although leaves many congested with anxiety, should be seen as one of those healthy, just in time, evolutional markings.

While many projects of all shapes and sizes came and went away, we were indeed fortunate to stumble across some that had not only the conviction of originality, but the premise which recited the true entrepreneurial spirit. It s the one non novelty beacon that those serious about entering the market must have and yet, many continue to suffer. Of those that cannot grasp or attenuate what needs to be in order, on the opposite side of that spectrum, gamers and gaming communities alike will always remember: The Modding Theater s Hell in the Pacific.

Four years ago, an idea was posed to the gaming communities of the Medal Of Honor Allied Assault (Electronic Arts, Inc.) franchise. The initiative was a breakthrough for mod-enthusiast wishing they could transform their MOHAA game to shift the fight deep into the pacific war-theater. This project, labeled; unique, began to accumulate literally thousands of fans and gamers from all wakes of WW2 interest and corners of the globe instantaneously. With all of them quickly becoming vested and interested in contributing, HitP grew onward. Today, it proudly continues adhering to its current status as the definitive MOHAA-TC (total-conversion) without a single sigh of haste or doubt.

So what s happened recently that brings HitP back into the chatter-box?

Since the last game release (version 2.1) and the slow but never confirmed media mentioning of a possible version 3, Hell in the Pacific has mostly had it s significant run with it s Original Soundtrack (OST) component; Composed & Performed by Sekrett Scilensce. We ve seen HitP OST in an array of outlets ranging from Apple i-Tunes all the way to Verizon Wireless V-Cast On-Demand music kiosks. While most of that material is from the initial 40-song 2-disc set release of the OST, a separate single-song release titled "Memories of a Calming Storm (Reprise)" has surfaced and pricked the ears of community members world-wide. Prior to this, there seemed to be some stirring about the development teams nest however, nothing that could be stated as solid evidence had entailed. The word 'Reprise , though itself not a direct correlation to there actually being any solidified pre/post production status, has created a sense of disquiet, hope, and happiness amongst everyone waiting on official word.

HitP: v3 or HitP: II?

"Most of the debate at hand points to a polished version 3 while many speculate based on the new media released that it might be a full blown sequel. While no one at TMT has had comment or embraced anything as factual, there are signs that there was maybe some continued private development." -- says Maurhik Sennheiser, original writer of the HitP V3 press-release for the IT world-wire.

"I can t think of anything other than maybe the team considering completing version 3. Ss (Composer of HitP OST) himself had already proclaimed on numerous occasions that he was more inclined not to join any spin-off or derivative works but rather, would return to complete any unfinished task or, create cues/scores for a core-team developed sequel. With this new media that has crept out of the woods, it may just be that notion at work."

So what about purported spin-off/direct-sequel projects like Shores of Glory?

Most in the community would say it depends who you ask. Why do they say that? They say this because apparently, there is shoresofglory.com and shoresofglory.org; equaling, Shores of Confusion for everyone anticipating/involved and, they don t seem to get along. TMT themselves are uncertain to what extent SOG (a Half-Life 2 mod) is reflective (if at all) of HitP. A source wishing to remain anonymous at Namcot (Chinese/Japanese candy-toy manufacturer) comments that "It s predominantly impossible for SOG to be a direct sequel in the regard that HitP is dark, psychological, and strictly driven by the survival aspects of the gaming as supposed to the fan-fare utilized in almost every other title. Absolutely, when playing Hell in the Pacific; it has a dim-lit, grainy, ambient-driven feel (a la Silent Hill, Tae Guk Gi) which encompasses a separate set of appeal while still maintaining the classic MOHAA replay values while on the other hand, Shores of Glory appears brighter and set on mostly wide open terrain battles as opposed to the complex and still unmatched tunnel, mountain, and swamp enclosures of Hell in the Pacific."

Despite the many unknowns, plus the items that are easy to misread and jump the gun over; The Modding Theater s Hell in the Pacific remains one of a kind, and highly sought after; regardless of when and where, it shall return.

About The Modding Theater:

The Modding Theater was formed in 2001 following the release of the EA Games: Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, the first title in the Medal of Honor series for the PC platform. By offering modding tutorials, downloads, and community discussion, The Modding Theater soon transformed into a first person shooter modification site focusing on titles such as Battlefield, Call of Duty, and Half Life 2. Although its main focus still lies with ‘Medal of Honor: Allied Assault'; the web site now consists of a discussion board in which gamers and modders can discuss game and modding related issues in general.

About The Modding Theater s Hell in the Pacific:

The Modding Theater's: "Hell -iN- the Pacific" is a Pacific-Theater (operations) Total Conversion WW2 modification for the "Medal of Honor: Allied Assault" (EA/2015) series that whisk players far into the eerie swamps and desolate landscapes over the hills, islands, and neighboring villages of Japan. In this Multiplayer TC/mod installment for MOHAA, players must work hard as a team and offer strategic wit in order to hold their own in the many new game-play modes and unique battle scenarios available only in HitP.

* Cited from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Modding_Theater

###

Mary Margaret Park MMP Publishing press@mmp-publishing.com (636) 724-6486

References:

Gamers Hell (2005 HitP V3 coverage) http://www.gamershell.com/news/21632.html

HitP OST "Memories of a Calming Storm (Reprise)" Version 3 Pre/Post Production ? http://www.ss-assoc.com/press/ss_tmt_hitp_ost_moacs_r.mp3

HitP OST at Verizon Wireless V-Cast: http://getitnow.vzwshop.com/index.aspx?id=search_music&ringToneType=3&ringToneSearchText=sekrett%20scilensce

SOG problems: Bad seeds or Bad marriage? http://www.modtheater.com/forum/showthread.php?p=258725#post258725

Author:  

Email:    

Topic:    

Content: