VU Games is entrusting the development of the fourth title in the SWAT series to the gang at Irrational Games (developers of Freedom Force). SWAT 4 allows players to take control of a squad of up to five police officers tasked with performing dangerous operations involving hostage rescue and counter-terrorism. Players must follow authentic police tactics as they breach and clear urban locations crawling with armed felons and innocent bystanders. SWAT 4 is expected to ship in the first quarter of 2005. The tactical first-person shooter uses the Unreal engine to render 16 locales representing a variety of operational environments. Realistic ballistics and Havoc-defined object physics round out the tech specs. Players have access to authentic assault gear such as the Colt M-4 carbine and the Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun as well as Surefire tactical lights. SWAT 4 will also ship with three competitive multiplayer modes as well as a cooperative campaign mode.