Archived News:
GA-Source's
Star Trek Voyager Elite Force Q&A with Josh Weier talks with this programmer from
Raven Software about the scripting system they've added to the Quake III engine that
they've codenamed ICARUS, as well as some other twists they've added for this upcoming
Star Trek shooter.
Valve's Jenni Gant sent around this word that Half-Life owners who want to
try the Uplink demo can now access it from the mod browser: If you've
got Half-Life installed and haven't downloaded the Uplink demo yet, this message
is for you...
The Half-Life Uplink demo (which includes a mini-mission that's not in the original
game) can now be downloaded using the mod browser that we integrated with our
HL v.1.0.0.9 update. This version of Uplink is only 10.4 MB (versus the 50 MB
download for the original "non-mod" version) because it uses files
you already have installed with the full game.
To download Uplink:
1) Launch Half-Life.
2) Click on 'Custom Game'.
3) Click on 'Refresh list'.
4) Select the Half-Life Uplink demo from the list.
5) Click on 'Install'.
Have fun...
Jenni Gant
3D Palette interviews Eric
Turman talking to Raven Software's senior animator about the art in Raven's upcoming
Soldier of Fortune in a piece illustrated with a few images showing off how a motion
capture sequence becomes an in-game animation.
The Extreme Audio Reality site now has a WinDOOM in IAS (Interactive Surround
Sound) patch that provides simulated 3D audio placement even on "2D" soundcards
for the publicly available Windows version of id Software's Doom and Doom2. One warning is
that due to checksum problems, this patch will only work for a short time in multiplayer
play.
The Half-Life Beginners Guide is up,
offering help for those who are still new to Valve's already-classic first-person shooter,
ranging from an introduction to installing the game, all the way through multiplayer play
and TeamFortress Classic.
A new weekly screenshot has been posted on BZ2.COM with
another look at this upcoming action/strategy hybrid from Pandemic Studios. The new shot
shows off one of those "alien creatures from Mire."
GameFan Online previews N64
Quake II looking at the upcoming Nintendo 64 Quake II port. Thanks Apache.
GA-Source interviews Dave
Taylor talking to the ex-id Software and Crack dot Com programmer in an in-depth
conversation about his long-time support of Linux as a gaming platform.
A follow-up on Drew's announcement yesterday that Xatrix' Quake II-engine gangsta epic, Kingpin:
Life of Crime has gone gold ( story) comes in an update to Ryan "Ridah" Feltrin's .plan that gives word on a
fun-sounding CTF variant called Bag Man, which of course, contains the requisite criminal
twist:
Kingpin is done. Phew. It was a long 13 months, but I'm proud of the result.
Server Ops:
A linux port is currently in the works, and if things go according to plan, will be
available by the time the game hits the stores.
Gamers:
If you've been looking for something new to play on-line lately, let me introduce you to
"Bag Man". It might sound odd, but it's actually very addictive, and intense.
Take CTF, mix it with Mobsters. Stir.
The result, is a game revolving around cash. Both teams have a safe. Somewhere in the
center of the map exists a Cash spawning location (counterfitting machine outlet, if you
must..). The object being, to collect as much cash as possible, then return to your base
and lock it in the safe.
But, as the game progresses, it becomes highly rewarding to steal from the enemy safe,
hence the term "Bag Man". Anyone that has stolen from the enemy safe, has a big
sack over their shoulder, and can be carrying up to $200 in the sack, plus whatever cash
they've put in their pockets (picked up along the way). This makes them prime targets for
the enemy, and highly valuable friends.
At the end of the game, the team with the most Cash wins. Simple as that.
Kingpin ships with THREE BagMan maps, and FIVE deathmatch levels.
Enjoy.
A story on The
Adrenaline Vault News with the headline "Trouble in Mortyrville?" quotes
"an informed source close to the project that the title has had a history of
development problems it has not wholly overcome." The report, which as the
"informed source" bit indicates is not a confirmed fact, goes on to say that the
game "was in no condition to ship yet served to increase the paper value of the
CD-ROM side of IMagic’s business," and, "Now the future of the developer
(Mirage) is in question as the gaming community waits to hear who will publish the nomadic
title."
GameCenter
has posted a preview of Gearbox' upcoming official Half-Life mission pack Opposing
Force. The piece has no screenshots, but is still worth a read (again, thanks
Frans).
Anvil Studio has released DMRockNRoll and an accompanying texture pack with
a whopping 76 new textures. Both are available for download on their
site.
Next-Generation
Online has published an interview with HumanSoft's lead programmer Zoltan
Regos and CEO Gabor Kadas about their upcoming 3D title SEED. The game is described
as an oddball mix between a platform game and a first person shooter - all in
full 3D using their proprietary engine.
Beta 1 of CounterStrike, a realistic teamplay mod for Half-Life has been released.
This mod aims to provide "an experience that a trained counter-terrorist
unit or terrorist unit experiences." If that's your bag, swing
by and check it out.
Yep...it's a music video showing off Relic Entertainment's upcoming space sim.
The music is by Yes, and fortunately it's not Owner of a Lonely
Heart. You can snag it over at GameCenter
(thanks Frans).
The first beta of HexenWorld CTF
has been released, and can be downloaded over at HexenWorld.com.
Thanks to everyone that e-mailed me about my SlotKET problem ( story).
It turns out that there probably is a place in Manhattan where I could have
picked up one, and most likely in Queens. Oh well. Several people e-mailed saying
that there have been some problems with SlotKET adapters and overclocking, which
I've heard as well. I'm fairly positive that it won't be an issue, since I bought
mine from Alienware, and they recommended
the one I picked up. In the meantime, I've got a fully built PC sitting in the
corner of the loonyBin here with no processor, allowing for plenty of Frankenstein
references (I've got a monster with no brain...get it?).
Brilliant Advice of the Day: There's this warning label on KrazyGlue
that says "WARNING: AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN." You better believe that's
there for a reason. Trust me here.
Link of the Day: PlanetQuack.com.
I don't know what it is, but it's brilliant. Heck, it's practically dada (thanks
squire).
As promised, GameSpot has posted the
Soldier of Fortune AVI that was banned from the E3 show floor. The movie
is 6.2 megs zipped, and is definitely worth downloading.
Drew Markham of Xatrix sends word that Kingpin has been completed, and is off
to manufacturing: Kingpin is finished and off to manufacturing! You should
see it in stores by the end of the month. I'd like to personally thank the entire
team for pulling off the incredible feat of getting this title completed in
just over 13 months. I think that you'll find a lot of attention to detail has
gone into the single player game; we listened closely to the comments regarding
the demo and have managed to implement quite a few of the features that people
really wanted to see.
The multi-player aspects of Kingpin weren't overlooked either; we worked hard
on getting a well-balanced feel in straight death-match. Also, "Bag Man"
has turned out to be much cooler than we ever imagined. We've been playing it
quite a bit and its very addictive.
Thanks again to everyone for you patience in waiting for Kingpin. We were (and
still are) very passionate about this title. Enjoy!
Drew Markham
Xatrix Entertainment
Bungie's Oni site has been updated
with some new screenshots, some anime style art, and even some new desktop
images. Thanks to ydnar, who says, "the best one is the
supercomputer + child android shot with a huge glowing white wall."
Yep, another interview. Whee! The
Hive has posted an interview with Cavedog's Greg MacMartin, talking about
their upcoming FPS title, Amen: The Awakening.
There's an interview with Paul
Jaquays in Quake3HQ talking with the level designer in a short Q&A about his work
at id Software, asking a couple of questions that compare id's upcoming Q3A with classic
Quake (1).
Another bit of conversation comes in an interview with
3dfx' Brian Burke on PC Velocity discussing the strengths and weaknesses of 3dfx's
Voodoo3 line.
According to a report on
Next-Generation Online, a playable demo for Interplay & Planet Moon Studios'
upcoming Giants: Citizen Kabuto is "on the way," the excitement quelling just a
bit as the other shoe drops as they say it will be released "sometime in the next few
months," but it is still good to know where are plans for a demo of this action game
that was so well received at E3.
Next-Generation
Online has posted a preview of the upcoming N64 port of Quake 2, complete
with screenshots, and a downloadable trailer.
Billy "peaches" Wilson has posted a
3 question interview with none other than John Carmack. The interview deals
with post-Quake 3 topics, including the state of "Trinity," and upcoming
graphics technologies. I found this quote particularly interesting: Graeme
is laying groundwork for our next game now, but nothing is solid yet. He is
currently thinking about things with a stronger single player focus, but if
Q3:A flies off store shelves, we will probably continue with similar products.
There is definitely some appeal to doing a game that can let the Q3 engine show
off its graphics power better. In our current focus for fast action, we aren't
exploiting all the lush graphics possibilities.
Computer
Games Online has posted their preview of Soldier of Fortune, talking about
Raven's ultra-violent shooter, which the piece calls 'the sleeper hit of E3'
(thanks Billy " bit of the ol'" Wilson).
GameSpot has posted the first part of their Nocturne
Developer's Diary, with production lead Jeff Mills talking about what it's
like to use flight sim technology to make an action title.
A beta version of Thunder NE,
a Q3Test name editor has been released, allowing you to add all kinds of wacky
characters to your nickname.
GameGuides.com has posted
their guide to Aliens vs. Predator, with a complete walkthrough and multiplayer
strategies to boot. Also, WON.net
has posted a strategy guide for 3DO's angelic shooter, Requiem: Avenging Angel.
I started building my second PC yesterday, but quickly realized that I wasn't
going to get too far: I have a BH6 motherboard, and I bought a PPGA Celeron.
That's not a bad thing, except for the fact that I forgot to get a slocket adapter
to go along with that...so as of right now, I've got a fully built PC with no
processor in it while I await my slocket adapter to be shipped to me. I must
have called every single computer store in the NY area, and not a single one
had it. And most mail-order places I called basically told me that the shipping
was going to cost more than the part itself. It amazes me...you can find pretty
much anything you want in New York City - except a real computer store. Yeesh.
Link of the Day: A classic - the Quake
Addiction Purity Test (thanks to the fabulous Mynx). And no, I won't tell
you how I scored. :)
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