Codemasters has today announced that Dragon Empires, a massively multiplayer online RPG scheduled for release later this year, is benefiting from some very specific enhancements that are being made to its already powerful graphics engine.

　　The new screenshots released today give some idea of the level of detail that players can expect when they enter the virtual world of Dragon Empires. Lakes and seas in the game boast impressive water effects that actually reflect the colors of the sky above, and, according to Codemasters, the actual surface of the water will be realistically affected by the weather in the game, whether it be a slight breeze or a raging storm.

　　This impressive level of detail will be carried through to every aspect of the game's locales. For example, according to today's press release, individual trees and bushes will sway in the wind as the game engine takes into account both the weather conditions and the size of the individual plant.

　　Dragon Empires is currently scheduled for release later this year, with a beta test due to start in May. To date, Codemasters has received more than 90,000 applications from online gamers wishing to participate in the beta, but as there are 100,000 places available, applications are still being accepted on the game's official site.

　　For more information on Dragon Empires, check out our previous coverage of the game.