The official Quake 3 Arena site has released the Linux Q3Test version 1.07 client in both RPM and GZIP formats. We're working on getting a local copy up, so we'll have that for you soon.

As promised earlier, here's a local copy of the full installer for version 1.07 of the Win32 Q3Test, about a 30 MB download. The Quake 3 Arena news page has been updated with just this small bit:

This addresses many cheat exploit issues as well as fixing an exploit in the q3tourney map.

Mr "Tabs are my life," AKA sCary has posted another GameSpy tab on The Shugashack to isolate those spiffy new Q3Test 1.07 servers.

The Action Quake2 site (which upped and moved somewhere along the way) has a new version of the server .dll for this action-packed Quake II mod. There's also word there that they are looking for a Mac programmer to fine-tune the Mac version of AQ2 since MacQuake II is now available. Finally, there are details there about their modeling contest, offering over US$400 in prizes.

Kabuto.net interviews Andy Astor in a short Q&A from an appearance in IRC talking about Giants: Citizen Kabuto in which the possibility of GameSpy support is discussed, as is the game's CD music, possible mature audience ratings, and more.

id Software's Graeme "Zaphod" Devine updated his .plan on the occasion of the version 1.07 release of the Win32 Q3Test, talking of expectations for Quake III Arena, and going so far as to drop a hint about id's next project, saying "Look to the next id product to give you the 'brand new' gameplay and world." Here's the update:

1.07 is out there. Please try and find cheat exploits and report them to us!

Also, keep in mind that this is a test, and not the final product. There's a lot in the test which is very temporary, so while we've taken great pride in putting out very solid test releases, we're still working hard on the final product and very much appreciate your feedback (q3feedback@idsoftware.com) in getting this product right for you - the players -

I get a bunch of feedback from people wanting this product to be more like Quake 1 or Quake 2, while others look for us to innovate and make something brand new. Quake 3 is arcade deathmatch, nothing more and nothing less. It's not Quake 1 nor Quake 2, but does nod it's head in the direction of the online DM version of both those products (and apparently pissing off both parties at the same time).

Look to the next id product to give you the "brand new" gameplay and world. Quake 3 Arena will keep basically with what you've seen and read about up until now and it's now time to put this one to bed.

The new release of the Win32 Q3Test is now available. Here's a local copy of the patch to update version 1.06, the 30-some MB full installer will be up shortly. In the meantime, there's a list of mirrors on the Quake 3 Arena site.

Xian made an update to the Quake 3 Arena page with word he's pulled the Win32 Q3Test 1.06 binaries from id's FTP server in anticipation of the fairly imminent release of version 1.07, expected at 8:00 PM Eastern time (7:00 Central), barring unforeseen problems. Thanks Cobalt_60. Here's the deal:

I've removed the Win32 v1.06 archive from our FTP server. We should have v1.07, as well as an upgrade path from 1.06 available on our FTP site around 7pm CST barring any horiffic problems.

Continuing what seems like quite a run of stories involving non-English language websites, Gamers.de (Spielenews für Deutschland) sends word that they've posted a pair of new screenshots from Piranha-Bytes' upcoming RPG Gothic, along with some commentary in German (here's that handy BabelFish link again, if your curiosity kicks in).

GamePower has posted a preview of Pandemic Studios' Battlezone 2 (thanks Nigel). While almost all of the screenshots are old, the preview does feature a Q&A with Pandemic president Josh Resnick towards the end.

The results are in from Romero's Age of Empires II challenge against Sandy Petersen (and Chris Taylor, creator of Total Annihilation, apparently), and The Romero has lost. Screenshots from the event, as well as a transcript of the chat that preceded it are available on Microsoft's Gaming Zone.

Entered in QuakeCon and worried you're gonna get whooped? Think a good strategy guide can help you get to the top of the rankings? Want to buy a bridge? Nevermind...anyway, Oxygen Tank's Q3Tourney guide is here to help you master the new map in Q3ATest giving what they feel are the key combat hot-spots and routes with tips to help you frag like a champion.

Exxtreme3D.Com interviews Nels Bruckner talking with the project manager on Dynamix' upcoming TRIBES Extreme (and TRIBES2) getting the lowdown on this upcoming version of Starsiege TRIBES that will feature enhanced single-player capabilities.

The ION Storm Daily Informant has posted a post-E3 wrap-up talking to Deus Ex team leader Warren Spector about progress on the Unreal-engine action/RPG since its showing at the show, which consists mostly of analyzing what worked (describing that as "lots of stuff") and what didn't from the alpha playable missions from the show before continuing with further development. The update caps off by quoting Warren as saying, "Needless to say...the changes we've made are going to result in an even stronger game."

Joy! It's time for this week's Mail Bag. In this week's, er...loony installment: the Kool Mouse, more Linux, more lame endings, damn those Mac users, Outcast, Sea Monkeys, and the required reference to John Romero's hair. We can't make this stuff up. Well, we probably could, but it wouldn't be as entertaining. Swing by and check it out.

Gamers.de interviews Martin Sommerhoffer and Adrian Maleska the lead programmer and the PR person (respectively) for Soft Enterprises, who are working on the upcoming shooter Skout. Skout is being developed in Germany, and the interview was originally in German (as is the site), but the link above leads to the (non Alta Vista) English translation (the original German is at the top of the same page). The interview discusses progress on the game, as well as the particular focus on violence in games in Germany.

SGI and NVIDIA Form Strategic Alliance, Settle Patent Litigation is a press release from SGI announcing an agreement whereby they've dismissed their patent infringement suit against NVIDIA and NVIDIA has licensed SGI's enabling 3D graphics patent portfolio, and SGI has licensed NVIDIA's patent portfolio. Here's the meat of the release:

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- SGI (NYSE: SGI - news) and NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA - news) today announced the creation of a broad strategic alliance to collaborate on future graphics technologies. As part of the agreement, SGI has dismissed its patent infringement suit against NVIDIA and NVIDIA has licensed SGI's enabling 3D graphics patent portfolio. As part of the alliance, SGI has licensed NVIDIA's patent portfolio. Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

SGI is a recognized leader in 3D graphics, multimedia and computer systems technology since its founding in 1982 and has been awarded more than 400 patents related to these technologies.

"For the past 15 years, SGI has been the most important 3D graphics company in the world and has created many fundamental technologies for 3D computer graphics," said Jen-Hsun Huang, CEO and president of NVIDIA. "Our collaboration is bringing together the most talented 3D technologists in the world to develop products that will usher in a new era of breathtaking 3D experiences. This is a defining moment for the 3D graphics industry."

"NVIDIA has an impressive team of 3D technologists, an intense focus on delivering industry-leading technology, and the strongest product roadmap for the high-volume 3D graphics industry," said Rick Belluzzo, chairman and CEO of SGI. "This alliance with NVIDIA is a major step forward in our strategy to partner with industry leaders to develop groundbreaking visualization solutions and deliver them to our customers faster than ever before."

The Adrenaline Vault Downloads page has a version 1.1 patch for the European version of Hidden and Dangerous. Thanks Andre Dreves. The patch addresses the following problems:

• Falling / get stuck through floor or surface.
• Zooming in sniper or binocs mode - zoom reset after movement.
• Dropping weapons held in hands in FP mode when laying - aim object still shown.
• Tanks problems (2 turrets after destroying, driving if driver is enemy soldier).
• Improved internet gameplay with more players shows a big latency and sync problems.
• Random deaths at missions with trains/trams (Italy1, Danube2).
• Loading saved game - soldiers in vehicle standing, or laying soldiers floating in air.
• Improper item saving in game profile after mission finished.
• Great slow-down in campaign 1 missions 5,6 and few other missions within the game.
• Hanging after few minutes of playing.

GA-Source has posted new screenshots from the Virtual Reality Notre Dame project, that cool attempt to make an accurate 3D representation of the Notre Dame cathedral using the Unreal engine.

The currently-on-hiatus GamesPlayer has posted a ZIP file with drivers as well as step by step directions for getting Q3Test to run under Windows 2000. There's word that "Q3 does work, but it seems to have a habit of completely killing itself a lot of the time. Just ends and goes back to the desktop with no warning. Other times it works perfectly." So try at your own risk.

Ars Technica has posted their First Look at BeQuake 2, with benchmarks on a dual Celeron 480 setup, as well as a single 300 processor.

The NT Game Palace has a post up with their conclusions about problems folks are reporting with Q3ATest Symmetrical Multiprocessor (SMP) support under beta versions of Windows 2000. They say the problem with Voodoo cards is with the 3dfx OpenGL ICD, while going on to describe another problem that seems to affect TNT/TNT2 users, though they don't speculate on the cause at this time. Either way, until a solution comes down the pike, it seems apparent that if you are having problems with Q3ATest SMP support under Win2K, at least you know it's not just you.

Xatrix Programmer Ryan "Ridah" Feltrin updated his .plan with word on what will be included in the Kingpin version 1.1 patch. The update is quite lengthy, going on to discuss the "dm_realmode" that makes Kingpin behave more like Action Quake2, and Kung Fu's plans for a bagman map pak. Here's the part about the patch:

The patch is almost done, just chasing down the "S_Update: overflow" client disconnects, then we're done. Here's an updated list of fixes/changes for the curious:

Kingpin v1.1 Fixes/Changes:
---------------------------

+ Fixed long level loads
+ Fixed pauses during multiplay
+ Fixed erratic mouse during multiplay
+ Optimized Vertex Array support
+ Allow access to consol while in multiplayer game
+ Only play intro once
+ Optimized scoreboard, fits more players
+ Fixed invalid model causing a thug model with sewer rat skin during teamplay
+ Fixed gibbing characters in single player mode causes character to dissapear
+ Completely disallowed alt-tab, causes several video drivers to hang the system
+ Added "maxrate" setting for servers
+ Pain skins on buddies in single player
+ Player ID display
+ Disappearing View Weapons on linux servers
+ Reduced network traffic on startup, causing overflowed client drops
+ Holster weapon, select weapon without ammo, can't raise weapon
+ Added "dm_realmode", allows only pistol, shotgun & tommygun, with 4x damage
+ Fixed dial-up connection dialing unnecessarily after selecting Begin Game in Gangbang menu
+ Allow for multiple CD drives
+ disable sound quality option for 64mb systems
= Crouching shotgun, won't reload automatically
+ play animation properly after respawn
+ Color coded Player ID (green = friend, red = enemy)
+ Added use of (audible) talk keys during multiplay, accompanied by a random jesture
+ Automatically scale maxfps with rate setting, if cl_maxfps is higher than current setting can handle
+ Prevent safe blockers
+ New seperate text/chat display
+ Easier to hit switch in Bagman

Voodoo Extreme's interview with Stuart Denman is a spicy Q&A with Surreal's meat popsicle talking about their totally dialed looking cash-cow Drakan: Order of the Flame.

GameSpot's Blood Feud describes itself as "a no-holds-barred deathmatch with three bloodthirsty contenders trapped in the ring. We played the hottest upcoming multiplayer shooters to see who's got the will to survive the carnage." The piece looks ahead at Quake III Arena, Team Fortress 2, and Unreal Tournament. Thanks Frans at 3D Action Gamers.

GEM's Earth 2150 Preview has 29 new screenshots from this upcoming 3D RTS. Before It's Done has posted 30 new DarkStone screenshots showing off this 3D RPG, and there's also a 20 MB DarkStone AVI on Voodoo Extreme.

ZDTV Interviews Chris Metzen talking with Blizzard Entertainment's senior designer about progress on Diablo II in a text interview, and an accompanying video interview in RealPlayer format. Thanks VE.

FPSGamers interviews Garth Chouteau talking with the PGL press secretary & director of corporate communications for the Total Entertainment Network (TEN) in a Q&A that discusses the state of the Pro Gamer's League, the outlook for its future, and PGL's rivalry with the CPL.

• Diamond's German Driver Updates page has Viper V770 drivers dated yesterday as separate downloads for English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish versions. Thanks Thomas.
• PC Gamer Online's five hot new gaming technologies looks at 3DScalability, VoiceInteraction, NeuralNetAI, FacialAnimation, and WeightedVertex.
• DemoNews has posted word of a program called Hz Tool "a freeware tool for Windows 95/98 that lets you set the refreshrate for all resolutions, including the ones that Windows normally don't let you use."
• Tech-Review.com's computer Buyer's Guide give info and even a crack at the best prices for upgrade components.
• USB Workshop's Ultimate Universal Serial Bus handbook is online (I can't figure out if this is a content site or a commerce site, or both).

• The post yesterday about the Mac V2 reference drivers was not accurate in saying they marked the first availability of the Voodoo2 for Mac users, as the V2 was available for a while through the now-defunct Micro Conversions, who used proprietary drivers (that would not work on reference boards). Thanks Frank Caratozzolo.
• Tweak3D points out a (glowing) review of the VideoLogic NEON 250 linked to from here recently was something I normally wouldn't link to, because it was based on a demo of the board, but no hands-on experiences. A hands-off review is of questionable value, and I'm sorry for any misunderstandings posting a link to the review may have caused.

A new version of the Q3Tweak front-end for Q3ATest is now available (thanks Voodoo Extreme), promising to improve visual quality, as well as performance. Also, the Q3ATest tweak guide posted at both Reverend's site and Mad Dog's site has likewise been updated, and similarly, Q3Test Deluxe Taser Edition Tweak Guide on 3DGaming.Net has got performance tips and benchmarks.

Computer Games Online's Aliens Versus Predator walkthrough has been updated again, this time adding the third walkthrough, for the Predator missions, calling it "In the halls of the monster kings."

GameSpot UK's Adrian Smith Interview talks with the operations director at Core Design, for "the inside story" on Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation "and what it's like Living With Lara." Along the way Adrian mentions that: "For the first time we are producing a dedicated PC version which is not constrained by what can or can't be done on the PSX."

Version 0.96 of the Gladiator Bot is now available, described as what may indeed be the final release of this AI playmate for Quake II. Thanks [utF] Stakker. Interestingly, The Shugashack points out that there's an "elusive.cfg" in the Q3ATest .pak file, leading to speculation that the author of the Gladiator (and Quake 1's Omicron bot), Mr Elusive, may be involved in the Q3A process in some way.

A new format?

Software Reviews:

• GamePower reviews Heavy Gear II. Thanks Frans at 3D Action Gamers.
• StereoVision.Net's Quake3Arena stereo-view has been updated upon the new release looking at Q3Test's stereo vision support.
• Similarly (sort of) 3DsoundSurge's Aliens versus Predator review examines Fox' shooter from an audio perspective, critiquing the game's sound.
• PC.IGN.com reviews bleem!, the PlayStation emulator.

Hardware Reviews:

• Digital-Clips' Celeron 450 VS PIII-450/600 create a civil war to decide between Intel-based systems.
• CPU Review reviews the Guillemot MaxiGamer Xentor32 (TNT2).
• UGN3D reviews the Guillemot MaxiGamer Xentor16 (TNT2).
• AnandTech reviews the ABIT BP6 i440BX Dual Socket-370 ATX. Thanks Ice.
• Thresh's FiringSquad reviews The Alpha P125C Heatsink.

Teamplay.Net is offering complete coverage all week long of Playground '99 being conducted across nine PC entertainment centers located across North America offering a showcase for daily tournament news, analysis, scores, match photography, and other match footage in addition to providing live Internet coverage and web-based tournament management services for the Tribes component of the tourney.

I think I'm going to separate the contests from the gameplay competitions, leaving this space to provide news of other types of contests, which leads to this week's game trivia contest. Test your game knowledge with our questions, your patience with our logic, and of course, your eyesight with our TinyText™.

• It's not online yet, but Pat Lewis sends word that the August print edition of Texas Monthly features a look at id Software and progress on Quake III Arena, including quotes from Todd Hollenshead and Graeme Devine...
• A new beta 3 of version 4.0 of GetRight, the resumable download utility, is now available. Thanks BetaNews...
• The Adrenaline Vault Previews Revenant looking at this upcoming action/RPG game.

Today is the 30th anniversary of the landing of Apollo XI on the moon. It was today in 1969 that over a half-billion people watched live as Neil Armstrong said "This is one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Though Mr. Armstrong claimed he said it the way it was obviously intended ("one small step for a man") and it was radio dropout that lost the key word that gives the sentence real meaning. An email from opiate says he saw word that yesterday's planned Space Shuttle would be aborted at almost the exact same time as word came from id that the new Q3ATest release would not go down last night (if this were a movie, that would be pretty clumsy symbolism).

I didn't take the NT plunge yet because I didn't get out to the software store, and was shocked to see I couldn't find the NT client on Outpost after I decided to get it using their nifty overnight delivery. D'oh! Happy birthday to my good buddy and sidekick MrCoffee, who is celebrating in true W.C. Fields fashion by spending today and this evening in Philadelphia.

Link of the Day: Procedure to Follow in the Event That Building 245 is Attacked by Vikings. This is an actual page on the NASA website. Thanks Chad Armstrong.

HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH
FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON
JULY 1969 A.D.
WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND