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.

• PCFan reviews the Stealth III S540.
• Descent 3.org reviews the 3Com TP800 Hub.
• Frag.com reviews the Voodoo 3 3000.
• 3DHardware.net has posted their TNT 2 roundup, comparing TNT 2 boards from AOpen, Creative Labs, and Leadtek.
• The Sanctum reviews the MaxiGamer Xentor 32.

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).