Battlezone 2 Center has posted their new weekly screenshot showing off Pandemic Studios' upcoming Battlezone sequel, as well as a post gleaned from the Pandemic Studios Discussion Board about the capabilities of the game's included map editor.

The QxAdmin page has a new version 1.10 of QxAdmin, which allows you to remotely control QuakeWorld, Quake II, and Quake III Arena servers from a Win32 machine. It can also be used as a simple server public status program. Thanks Barbat. The new version adds a remote log view, with this note from the author (Pierre-Andre Cote): "You can now see what people are whining about in real time! No need to telnet in!"

Unreal Universe has posted another new screenshot from Epic's upcoming Unreal Tournament, this one showing off a Last Man Standing game on Dave Ewing's Matrix-inspired level.

Beta 4 of MacUnreal 224 has been released by Westlake Interactive. Thanks 3DFiles.com (who mirror the patch here). Once again the new update is a patch, which will only work if you already have one of the previous version 224 betas installed. Word is the new release fixes slow down problems, and has a couple minor tweaks.

A day late, but worth it, it's time for the results of last week's contest! Whee! Thrill to the strange answers sent in, and swing by to see if you won! And of course, while you're at it, don't forget to enter this week's contest, where someone will win...er, something.

The Virtual Reality Notre Dame Project, a project that is building an architecturally accurate representation of the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris using the Unreal engine has posted five gorgeous screenshots from their upcoming beta demo release (thanks UnrealEngine.com). The demo page says, "please check back after 7/1/99 for the demo world," so mark your calendars.

AVault is reporting that Sierra and Valve Software are going to be publishing a "Game of the Year" edition of Half-Life, featuring the complete original game (with patches) and the Team Fortress Classic add-on included.

Activision's Heavy Gear II site has got the editing tools for this new game of giant robot combat on this page, which says you'll be able to create multiplayer maps, (Deathmatch, Capture-the-Flag, Strategic, Duelist, and Steal-the-Beacon), "Historical" (Single-player) maps, terrain environments, and zero-gravity space environments. Thanks Tim from 3Dfiles.com.

They also have Bonus Multiplayer Map #1 for Heavy Gear II in the Downloads section, along with this description:

Bitter rivalries have been going on for ages between Erech and Nineveh, two city-states on Terra Nova. Most concern the rich oil caches found under the local terrain. For the past several months Erech has had a price war with Nineveh. Now tensions are running high. It was inevitable that a fight would break out.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water:

• The ViewSonic Support Desk has a USB HostOnView Windows 98 software for ViewSonic P817, PT795, and PT775-3 monitors. Thanks |6iX|Dire Wolf. This software allows users of these recent ViewSonic models to make adjustments to most all of the monitor's settings (brightness, h/v.pos, tilt, etc.) using the mouse. Cool stuff.
• The Quantum3D Raven FAQ has new version 3.0 drivers for the Quantum3D Raven. The new drivers implement version 1.48 of the 3dfx OpenGL Mini-driver, Direct 3D version 4.11.01, Glide 2X version 2.60.01 & Glide 3X version 3.10.01, a new uninstall process, AMD K6 3DNOW compatibility, Cyrix without MMX compatibility, and more. Thanks Cut-Throat" Jake.
• Thresh's FiringSquad's Montego II Quadzilla review is online.
• Overclockers' Workbench reviews the SOYO SY-6BA+ motherboard.
• Phoenix to sell Windows' launch ads is a ZDNN article revealing BIOS maker Phoenix Technology's plans to sell Windows ads that would display on startup. Thanks Chern Ann.

• The Hercules Computer Technology Dynamite TNT Drivers page has the new drivers for Hercules' TNT/TNT2-based boards. Thanks Mike Brewer and Josh.
• Matrox sends the announcement of three future upgrades for the Matrox Millennium G400 Series of graphics accelerators: the Matrox G400 Flat Panel module, Matrox Rainbow Runner G-Series and Matrox DualHead and TV-Out module, offering "professional and home users increased functionality with digital flat panel support, video editing, TV on the PC and more." When ready all will be made available on the Matrox Online Store Home Page.
• In a separate announcement, Matrox also sends word of the software bundle to be included with newly announced Matrox Millennium G400 Series, which will include Micrografx Picture Publisher 8 and Simply 3D 3, Expendable, the Matrox Software DVD Player and PointCast Network.
• Investors pan Diamond-S3 merger reports the ZD Inter@ctive Investor with early reactions to today's merger announcement (story).
• Sharky Extreme's Weekly CPU Prices has been updated, along with a bit of commentary from the Sharky staff.

GA-Source's Q&A With S3 on Diamond's Products is a short two-question interview with S3's Paul Crossley about the announcement from earlier today that S3 is acquiring Diamond Multimedia (story), touching on S3's intent to continue to supply AIC partners other than Diamond with product, and Diamond's arrangements to continue receiving NVIDIA chips for their product lines based on them.

Phoebus has put the newly redesigned Raven Software website online. The site is now a portal to all their current game-specific sites, HereticII.com, HexenWorld, and Soldier-of-Fortune as well as Raven-Games.com, home of their classic games. The newly redone site adds an updated Bios section to keep up with the cast of characters at Raven.

GameSpot UK previews Heavy Metal FAKK2, Ritual Entertainment's upcoming Quake III-engine game connected to the upcoming Heavy Metal movie. The piece gives the rundown on what to expect from this third-person action/adventure title, and is accompanied by a collection of Heavy Metal FAKK2 Screenshots which include a couple of in-game shots, some concept art and covers, and even a photo of the fabulous Julie Strain in her F.A.K.K.2 get-up.

Also on GameSpot UK is a Kiss, Psycho Circus The Nightmare Child Preview giving a look ahead at Third Law Interactive's upcoming LithTech-engine game based on the Todd McFarlane comic series, which is of course based on the superheroic exploits of 70s (the decade, not their ages) rock band, KISS.

Business Wire reports S3 Enters Internet Appliance and Home Networking Markets Through Acquisition of Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc. announcing S3's intent to acquire Diamond Multimedia. Here's a bit from the release:

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 1999---S3(R) Incorporated (Nasdaq:SIII) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:DIMD), a leading supplier of PC Multimedia and Internet connectivity solutions. In a strategic move to capitalize on high-growth areas, S3 expects to emerge as a key player in the Internet appliance and home networking markets. S3 also plans to maximize the two companies' multimedia strengths to become a total solutions provider (silicon, software and PC boards) for its graphics business.
    "Today's announcement represents a significant strategic shift for S3, which was focused solely on the PC graphics market," said Ken Potashner, president and CEO of S3 Incorporated. "By merging the strengths of both companies, we intend to create a major force in the industry for Internet appliances, broadband communications, home networking and complete graphics solutions."
    Added Potashner, "The acquisition is part of our ongoing strategic plan to return S3 to profitability and diversify into related high-growth areas. We are extremely pleased with the execution of our plan, which has included the successful launch of our Savage4 and Savage MX graphics products resulting in design wins with volume OEMs including Compaq, IBM, NEC/Packard Bell and Micron. We also are pleased with the company's financial improvements and expect these to accelerate based on our volume shipments."
    "We are excited about the opportunity that we see in combining S3's highly tuned graphics engine and substantial financial resources with our strong graphics brand and channels and our Internet appliance, Internet connectivity and home networking growth businesses," said William J. Schroeder, president and CEO of Diamond Multimedia.
    The company recently announced that it is scheduled to receive 252 million shares of United Microelectronic Corporation (UMC) stock, which is valued today at approximately $600 million based on current NT value and UMC trading price. This combined, with S3's current cash position of approximately $130 million, has the prospective combined company positioned to aggressively invest in new product opportunities.
    Target product market growth areas include Internet appliances, where Diamond Multimedia is an industry leader with its well-known Rio MP3 music player, and home networking, where Diamond is a leader with its wireless and phoneline HomeFree product line. In addition, S3 and Diamond Multimedia intend to continue to aggressively invest in Diamond's DSL and cable modem programs.

There are a pair of new Soldier of Fortune screenshots on 3D Palette following up on their Eric Turman interview posted Saturday (story). These are a couple for the parental advisory types, one captioned Head Shot and another the provocative take it like a man (more violence, it's not that kind of parental advisory stuff). Soldier of Fortune is Raven's upcoming Quake II-engine game based on the mercenary magazine.

There are a pair of new screenshots on Voodoo Extreme showing off the upcoming first and third-person action game Giants: Citizen Kabuto, currently in production at PlanetMoon Studios.

Unreal Universe's James Schmalz Interview talking with the game designer and artist from Epic Games about Unreal, Unreal Tournament, and what's to be expected in the Unreal Tournament demo (subject to change). The conversation also puts the possibility of an Unreal demo in doubt, saying "most of the people who wanted to play Unreal have already played Unreal."

• HardOCP has posted an amusing account of a Viking funeral they gave to a fried motherboard, photos included.
• CoolComputing's Future CPU Brief gives an outline of expected release dates for Intel CPUs.

Gamesmania takes a Sneak Peek at Omikron looking at this upcoming action/adventure game from French developer Quantic Dream, that will feature the music of David Bowie (as well as a Bowie-inspired character in the game). Thanks Frans at 3D Action Gamers.

The June 1999 "issue" of the online Quake Map Magazine is now up, devoted to Quake map editing. This month's edition features an interview with Quake II mappers Rick Troppman and Yuri Davidov, a Quake II trivia contest with a Quake Collection Neil Manke Limited Edition CD-ROM as a prize.

Kokak's Hexen Page has a new version 0.1 of his OpenGL port of the Hexen source code, representing the first beta of the program (previous releases were listed as Alphas). Thanks Billy "Heretic" Wilson.

The Download ICQ page has a new release of the ICQ 99a Beta, this one actually marked version 2.22 build 1800 (a previous release in their confusing number scheme claimed to be 2.22, but wasn't). Thanks Ant.

• AMD Zone's K7 FAQ has had another update, bringing it up to version 1.2, adding some new info just learned, like what the K7 will be called at launch, which is "Athlon."
• I.Am-TFC is looking to give the game of the winner's chooice to the artist that can fill their need for a link button dealie.

• BarrysWorld reviews MechWarrior 3.
• Tech-review.com reviews the Linksys Phoneline Network in a Box.

• AudioReQuest is a home stereo component that can play .mp3s! Thanks Phil Hall and Tom's Hardware Guide...
• The Tribe Diamond Hammer page has a listing of average pings to Starsiege TRIBES servers from Australia...
• Why Windows 2000 Is Already a Failure (And Why Microsoft Secretly Agrees With Me) is Jesse Berst's latest opinion piece...

I mentioned that Metaspy EXPOSED dealie as yesterday's link of the day, but a couple of industrious readers write to point out that it is indeed a gag, as the search patterns repeat if you reload often enough, I'm told there's a keyword list that's updated on about a weekly basis. natX was surfing the links MetaSpy provides, and noticed Zoid's Bikini Links, which I'm pretty damn certain isn't id's Zoid.

Responses from readers who have done a bit of reading on the subject(s) seem to indicate that the TV movie portrayals of Steve Wozsniak and Dean Martin (from yesterday's OotB ramblings) as well-adjusted folk were both pretty accurate. It certainly doesn't qualify as a research project, but I'm happy to be a believer, it makes me feel better about the world.

Link of the Day: Microworkz iToaster, as Phil "Cain" Hall points out, "Now that's a cheap computer!"

Tetrad's Tweaking Tips offers a guide to tweaking Descent 3 for visual quality, improved framerate, and multiplayer performance.

The Wheel of Time site has been updated with the latest game development developments on this upcoming Unreal-engine action RPG, as well as a new screenshot of the New and improved evil villainess as well as some .wav files to demonstrate the in-game taunts some of the characters will use. Thanks Apache.

There's another new screenshot showing off the intro movie from Epic's upcoming Unreal Tournament on Unreal Universe.

Kali's Brian Hayes sends along word on how to use Kali to find Descent 3 servers on the Internet, and how to run a dedicated non-PXO server:

I've been seeing some people asking when we(Kali) we're going to support D3. So I figured I'd put together this message to help some of the people out there. The latest version of Kali 1.68 (ftp://ftp.kali.net/pub/kali/k95_168.exe) works fine for Descent 3 full. If you having trouble seeing all the games from PXO or Gamespy, try Kali. As of right now I see about 20-25 servers running with barely anyone on them.

Setting up the Kali TCP GameBrowser for D3.

1) Make sure you've run the Descent 3 from the "Start Menu" icon at least once to configure all your settings.
2) Make sure you've connected to PXO from inside Descent 3 at least once.
3) Run the "Kali TCP Game Browser" Icon, or run Kali and click the "TCP Games" Button.
4) Select the Descent 3 Folder on the left.
5) Press the Right mouse button and select "Configure Descent 3".
6) Under the "EXE File" field, select the "Browse" button and find your Descent 3 directory.
7) Select the file "main.exe" from that directory.
8) If your Kali Nickname is not EXACTLY the same as your D3 pilot name then Uncheck the "Use Kali NickName" option.
9) Hit OK.
10) Find the the server you want to join in the "Descent3/Parallax Online" folder and double click it. It should automatically launch D3, login to PXO, and connect you to the server.

Running a dedicated NON-PXO Server.

For people that want to run a Direct TCP/IP server that doesn't use PXO do this.

1) modify your server's "dedicated.cfg" so it uses Direct TCP/IP instead of PXO(Change the "ConnectionName" variable to "Direct TCP~IP")
2) modify the "gspy.cfg" file in your D3 directory and change the line that has "master0.gamespy.com" to read "205.244.188.34:22999".
3) when you run the server make sure you added the "-gspyfile gspy.cfg" commandline option.

This will launch a server that runs outside of PXO. So when users connect to this server they won't have to connect to PXO first. Also this means that player stats are NOT tracked when playing on this server. Under the Kali TCP Browser the server will show up in the "Descent3/Miscellaneous" folder NOT the "Descent3/Parallax Online" folder.

id Software's Graeme Devine updated his .plan with a report from an id/ION Storm deathmatch session, and news that they're planning on releasing a tournament map along with the next version of Q3Test to give people time to practice before QuakeCon. Here's the scoop:

We had the Ion Storm guys over last week to play a little deathmatch, and while I won’t say who won between Romero and Killcreek, I can tell you it wasn’t the male of the species. But boy, can those Ion guys talk smack.

The reason we asked them over was to have them check in on the status of our tournament map, which we hope to get out there soon with the next version of the test (to give you all time to practice on it before QuakeCon, you are going to QuakeCon right?). We’re also looking at a /lot/ of bug fixes, changes, and tweaks so we’re gearing up for your feedback. I’ll let Chris Hecker speak for glsetup, but we’re looking to get that updated and support for 3Dfx in there.

Soon can be defined as soon. And that’s probably not this week.

After hearing the various rumors that have been flying around about the untimely demise of Xatrix, I contacted Interplay's PR department, and lo and behold, the reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated. I was assured that not only are they not dead, but they are doing just fine, thanks. It turns out that the rumors were started due to a miscommunication, and are entirely false. Xatrix' Kingpin has gone gold (story) and will be on store shelves soon.

The newly opened Quake3Source has posted a Q&A with id Software level designer Paul Jaquays, talking about all that stuff he does on Quake III Arena.

Intel modifies launch schedule for Pentium IIIs is a Yahoo! news report announcing a "rejiggered" fall PIII launch schedule. Thanks GA-Source. Here's a bit from the report:

The Santa Clara, Calif., chip maker this week told PC makers it will push back the introduction of a Pentium III for desktop PCs, based on the 0.18 micron process, until November while it tweaks the design to gain greater performance.

The chip was expected to debut at 600MHz in September. The move is not expected to delay desktop product introductions. Intel ( INTC ) will make amends by introducing a 600MHz Pentium III based on its .25 micron manufacturing process later this summer, which is earlier than expected. The current 450MHz, 500MHz and 550MHz Pentium IIIs and Celeron chips all use this manufacturing process.

Scott Youngblood interview on The Hive talking to CornBoy!, the project leader on Starsiege TRIBES and TRIBES 2 about the success of TRIBES and the progress on its sequel.

krakbaby sends word by way of LinuxGames that a new version of the X based server browser XQF has been released. This version features better Q3Test support in addition to other changes.

The D3sdk Support Site (temporary URL until the DNS on the actual site resolves) has the SDK (Software Development Kit) for Descent 3 available for download. The SDK contains files and information required to make alterations to the game and its Descent 3 Fusion Engine, and word on the page is "Hopefully we can help you unlock and create the most mind blowing mods to ever hit the multiplayer scene. The Sky is the Limit and we're here to help you get there." Thanks fathom from Descent.Org.

Planet RIVA has posted a pair of new screenshots showing off Irrational Games' upcoming first-person RPG, System Shock 2. The shots are in 1024x768 resolution, taken using a TNT2.

The Adrenaline Vault Featured Article is an interview with Human Head Studios' lead animator Mike "Chaos" Werckle talking about their start-up company, and their first project, an Unreal-engine game steeped in Viking culture and mythology called Rune.

The dust has hardly settled on the delivery of MechWarrior3 to stores, and there's already an announcement in The Adrenaline Vault News giving word to expect a package called Mech Commander Compilation in November, "followed by the official MechWarrior 3 expansion, timed for a December release."

This week's 10 Questions With SamHell is not a new interview with any individual, but rather is a compilation of some of Mr. Hell's (any relation to Richard?) favorite moments from all his previous interviews. Highlights include responses from Wedge and Choryoth, Mynx, Paul Steed and loonyboi "just to name a few."

• A new version 1.1 of the AMD Zone K7 FAQ is online, giving the latest intelligence on AMD's soon-to-be-available CPU.
• The Extreme Hardware DVD-ROM Guide compares all the currently shipping units.

Level editing types may want to check out RAWscape, a program that generates terrain from RAW files, which can be generated with most graphics programs (like Paintshop Pro) in an attempt to make a program that allows you to design a map simply by drawing it. The result is described as "not that simple," however, and therefore is only recommended for experienced map authors, but in that case it is said to "make it quite a bit easier and faster (and possible) to make complex terrains."

The date on the Tempolagy LAN Party in the Toronto area is now set as July 1 in Oakville, Ontario. Get the latest skinny on LAN action spanning the globe in our LAN Parties section.

Version 4.5 of the BeOS is available on the Be site (I take this on the reliable word of Phil "Cain" Hall, since the site is down for me right now). Also, The GlobalSCAPE, Inc. Homepage has version 3.0 of CuteFTP, now out of beta. Thanks Redwood.

• Sign-ups are now being accepted for the GibFest Q3a Tournament, a 960 player free-for-all beginning July 5 (prizes include $400 cash and six EverGlide mouse pads).
• The NEWS4NERDs Contest offers a Hercules TNT2-Ultra for one random person that signs up for one of their free email accounts.

• PCGamePro reviews Requiem: Avenging Angel. Thanks Frans at 3D Action Gamers.
• Gamearena.net reviews Star Wars: Episode One.
• Gamezilla reviews Recoil. Thanks again Frans at 3D Action Gamers.
• 3DGaming.net reviews the Logitech WingMan Gaming Mouse.
• Wicked PC reviews the Diamond Viper v770 Ultra (TNT2).
• Review Zone reviews the Intel Pentium III 550MHz.
• Hardware One! reviews the Abit BX6-2.0 Motherboard.
• Wicked PC reviews 3DCOOL.COM's Triple Fan Hard Drive Cooler.

• Games don't kill people -- do they? is the latest in a string of articles on Salon.com discussing the hot topic of violence in computer gaming looking at both sides of the issue. I thought a salient point was made by this sentence: "...games are not about violence. Games are about struggle. Because violence is the easiest way to create struggle, many games are violent -- but far from all." Thanks rL...
• 3D Gamers - a short history of success is an English-language reprint of an interview originally published in a Polish-language magazine talking with Piotr Kapiszewski about the history behind 3D Gamers and DoomGate...
• The Coven forums are online to ask questions, "post feedback, ideas and suggestions, chat with other Coven fans, organize games, swap tips and strategies, or whatever else you can think of. "..

Watched that Pirates of Silicon Valley show last night on TNT about Apple & Microsoft and the early days of PC development (long-time reader Randy Perry called it "Silicon Valley 95126"). I have no idea why I thought the movie would portray one or the other of Bill Gates or Steve Jobs in a positive light, but it sure didn't, I can't imagine either of them is that pleased about what this will do for their public images. Interestingly, like HBO's recent Rat Pack movie, one character gets to play the pure one who keeps his perspective, humanity, and stays real. I wonder if Steve Wozsniak (or Dean Martin for that matter) really fits that role, or if it just helps tell the story? I sure do like to think there are some folks out there who can keep it together when the money and power start flowing. "Acting on your best behavior, turn your back on mother nature, everybody wants to rule the world..." (Tears for Fears -- from the show's soundtrack).

Link of the Day: Metaspy EXPOSED claims to show the last ten search queries submitted to MetaCrawler. As WPIX editorials always concluded in my youth "we think it's important to know what your neighbors are thinking (in this case, simply substitute "scary" for "important"). Thanks pb.