Legend's Glen Dahlgren has posted this week's update to the official Wheel of Time page (thanks Shawn). This lengthy installment gives the latest status on several different areas of the game, from the cut scenes (which are now complete), to the AI and level design.

PC.IGN has posted a preview of Monolith's Lith Tech 2 engine title, No One Lives Forever - or at least the game that's going by that name currently anyway (it's a working title only). The game has changed since E3 apparently, as Craig Hubbard, lead level designer explained to them:

"Basically, we wanted to make a 60s spy game -- there are so many great 60s spy shows and movies. We didn’t want to make a 'Bond' style game, so when people were obviously drawing that comparison, we decided to rework things a bit. We wanted to get away from the Bond comparisons that people were making, so we’ve changed the main character and the back-story a fair amount."

In addition to news of the new messageboard mentioned in the following story, as promised, some Quake III Arena Tour Photos have been posted on the id Software Quake 3 Arena site. Thanks Ryan.

The id Software Quake 3 Arena site has been updated with the news Anna hinted about yesterday, the "official" messageboard for the Quake III Arena Bus Tour is online, hosted right here at the house of blueness. This provides a place to find out more about the tour as it hits stops before your town, or catch up with the festivities if you are not lucky enough to be along the scheduled route. It also provides us an opportunity to get a good test going of the first messageboard here, furn, our ace programmer, has been working overtime. The boards can be read by anyone, but will require a simple registration to set up a login to post (to provide control for abusive postings). Future planned nuances include a slick moderation system and reply-to-this-story posting, but this gives us a start to see what issues the CGI use raises, and more, so feel free to head over and check it out, or make a post.

I saw on Captured.Com that their hosted site, The Flagship Engineering Room, has posted their completed list of cvars (client variables) for Q3Test after receiving some feedback from Zoid. Their list is now current through Q3Test version 1.05, while they continue to Engineer away at a list of variables current through version 1.08.

At long last I've posted the results from our last Test Your Game Knowledge Contest. Swing by and see how you did, and look for our next contest to run later in the week (and judging by the number of right answers last time, I can pretty much guarantee it'll be much harder).

Rogue's Rich Fleider updated his .plan with word that Rogue is hiring still more people for their new game Alice:

Rogue Entertainment is lookin' for more scurvy dogs! We are currently accepting applications for a 2d texture/skins artist who has what it takes to immediately start full time on our new "Alice" project. All interested artists must be proficient with 2d paint programs like Photoshop and/or Paint Shop Pro. Every applicant's portfolio should really showcase the effects and details that can be achieved with a 24 bit palette. Storyboard and conceptual talents are also needed. Industry experience would weigh heavily in your favor but it is not a requirement. Talented and qualified artists should be prepared to submit a resume and a portfolio using a variety of media, including a demo reel of their animation.

For additional information, check out the "news" page of our new website at:

http://www.rogue-ent.com

As a reminder, we are still accepting resumes and demo reels for the 3d artist position. Come join the Rogue crew as we set sail!

AVault has posted the next installment of their Slave Zero Development Diary. This week's installment takes the form of a Q&A with Ken Capelli, lead artist on the game.

The announcement isn't up on the CPL site yet, but we just received the early word on the FRAG III, as in the past, planned for Halloween in Dallas:

The CPL has announced that FRAG III will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dallas, Texas on Friday, October 29 through Sunday, October 31, 1999. To make early hotel reservations contact the Hyatt Regency at (800) 233-1234 and mention "CPL FRAG III" to receive the discounted group rate.

The Adrenaline Vault Downloads now has the just released 1.1 patch for the FreeSpace2 demo (story) as a separate download. Here's word from Volition on what's new (thanks Voodoo Extreme):

• Desktop resolution vs. gameplay resolution. Previous versions of the FS2 demo had a problem when people would have a desktop resolution lower than the resolution they were playing with. When a region outside the valid desktop area was clicked while ingame, the game would minimize. This version should eliminate this problem.
• Dedicated server stops sending updates during netplay. There was a bug (most often seen during dogfight missions) where clients would see all ships in the game stop moving and float in whatever direction they were heading.
• Similar to the dedicated server problem, clients would often not realize when they had timed-out or been disconnected from the server. This should be properly detected now.
• Dedicated server ghost process. There was a problem where the dedicated server would not properly shut itself down when the "shutdown" button was pressed. It would stay wedged in the process table.

Planet Half-Life has posted word of FilePlanet's mirrors of the newly released version of the Half-Life dedicated server which corresponds to the new client they plan on releasing at 10:00 AM PDT tomorrow. The file is available as a full Windows or Linux installer, ort a patch to update prior Windows or Linux installations. Server operators should remember not upgrade before the client is released, or no one will be able to play on your server.

Talkspot sends word of a live chat of their own, on tomorrow's edition of their the Game Dive. The session will offer a conversation with TRIBES/TRIBES2 Lead Programmer Mark Frohnmayer as well as recently departed Designer Scott Youngblood, both talking live about TRIBES, TRIBES2, TribesCon'99 and, Scott's departure from Dynamix. The show requires RealPlayer (or equivalent), and kicks off tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM PDT.

The Adrenaline Vault sends word that they're hosting an online chat session with Epic Games to discuss the state of development of their upcoming shooter, Unreal Tournament. They list the chat for Thursday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 PM EDT, and promise more details soon.

The Quake III Nation Player Character Guide has managed to round up a the known info on all the players in the game. While that doesn't consist of much for most of them, which simply say things like: "No Information available. Uses the 'xxxx' model," however the placeholders for the missing info offer the name, and in many cases the names of the model and skin used for each character, listing over 60(!) planned characters to be included with the game.

The Descent Chronicles has word that the version 1.10 multiplayer patch for the FreeSpace 2 demo promised earlier (story) is now available. Currently the only way of getting the patch is to click the "Update" button on the Freespace launcher until Volition puts up mirrors.

The Adrenaline Vault News has posted an update on the state of Diablo II, saying the game is still "expected to ship before the end of the year and that the developers are currently focusing on game balance." The update also reports that Blizzard has finalized details for the first series of three action figures (Diablo, the Barbarian and the Greater Mummy), to be released in the US concurrently with the game for about $10.

There's also an Experience Development Report on Voodoo Extreme talking about progress on this upcoming shooter from WXP that is still some time off from being on store shelves.

gBi0Tch's Home Page has a new versions 0.6 beta of the gBi0Tch (lovely name) log analyzer for Half-Life counter-strike servers. The new release fixes a small error in HTML reporting in version 0.5, and is available as a full installer as well as an update patch.

Thresh's FiringSquad has posted a preview of Terminal Reality's third person scare-fest Nocturne, featuring several new screenshots (including one that shows off a previously unseen location, and one that shows off a previously unseen monster).

Bigkid.com.au's Q3Test2 Guide gives Q3Test strategies concentrating on the second map, AKA Q3Test2, AKA The Longest Yard, AKA the one with all the jump pads. The piece goes into weapons, routes, and other strategies, and is heavily illustrated with helpful screenshots. Just try not to be too upset if Sergeant Action is a bit hard on you... it could save your life some day.

There is a BeOS port of the Eraser Bot based on the final version 1.10 code for Ridah's Quake II artificial intelligence playmate. The Beraser, as it were, requires BeOS R4.5 and is x86 only. The author is also currently working on an IRIX port of version 1.10 (a port of version 1.01 is available), more info on that can be found here. Thanks Bot Epidemic.

Thanks Voodoo Extreme for word that Planet Drakan has posted another new screenshot from Drakan: Order of the Flame, due in stores this Friday.

Saw on Drakan.Net that this Drakan Order of the Flame guide offers hints directly from Prima's official strategy guide on how to succeed at Psygnosis and Surreal's upcoming third-person adventure game (I guess they hold off some choice tidbits to inspire you to buy the book), though you might want to give the game a try before delving into spoilers. More rooted in the present, Billy posted word on VE about this DarkStone FAQ, updated to version 2.1 to help with this new Diablo-esque game.

GameLinks' Rogue Spear Preview is up with a look ahead at this tactical shooter that's a follow-up to Red Storm Entertainment's Rainbow Six. The preview gives a rundown on what's expected from the game, and is illustrated with 16 screenshots.

Beta Performance Level Graphics Card Driver page (I'm guessing that's a literal translation of something that made more sense originally) has a new V3100 Beta Enhanced Driver for Win9x for this Savage3D-based accelerator. Thanks Voodoo Extreme.

Inside Mac Games' Beta Test Rainbow Six page is looking to sign up beta testers for the imminent tests of the Macintosh version of Red Storm Entertainment's Tom Clancy game. There's a form to fill out (once) by August 23 at 5:00 PM Central Time to be entered in a drawing for a spot on the test team. Word is Rainbow Six for the Mac will be published by MacSoft in the Fall.

PoliSh sends several updates about the upcoming Ground ZERO LAN event in New York City, September 9-12, 1999. Here's the lowdown:

Several updates have been made to the Ground ZERO website. The SCHEDULE section has been updated with a detailed event schedule, including times of all tournament matches. Also, tournament rules have been added, under our RULES section. Our LOCATION section is updated as well, with a printable map and a list of nearby hotels and restaurants. In addition, we now have a Public Message Board (FORUM), dedicated to publicly answering any Ground ZERO related questions.

Ubi Soft sent around a press release yesterday announcing that Shadow Company, the upcoming squad-based 3D tactical action game, was on schedule for its November 1 ship date. Since, in spite of the announcement, the game is not yet done, the intrepid lads at The Adrenaline Vault News contacted Sinister Games "to determine what the team has done with extra development time." They have taken the opportunity to provide a rundown on the game's features, and show off seven new screenshots they scored along the way.

Tim Sweeney made an update to the Unreal Technology page clarifying that any pirate punk claiming to have a "final" version of UT is, well... a lying pirate punk.

Part one of Computer Games Online's Dungeon Keeper 2 Guide is up, in case you are no good at being bad.

The Descent Chronicles has posted word there's a post on the Volition Bulletin Board describing "plans to release a patch sometime soon to address several multiplayer problems, in addition to some general things (such as a desktop v. game resolution problem)." The patch is expected soon, "since yesterday was mentioned as a 'possible' date for the patch." They also mention a server on PXO called Volition Test, and word is "If you've been experiencing problems with the FS2 demo, please try playing on this server and report any useful input..."

3D-Unlimited's BattleZone 2 shots give some more looks ahead at the action from the upcoming sequel to this first-person action/RTS hybrid, and this page of concept art gives some looks at some sketches from pre-production with shots that show how those scenes turned out in the game.

BC3020AD screenshots page has a whole bunch of new screenshots showing off floorplans from ships in the game, as well as 10 in-game shots showing off more internal architecture at 1280x1024 resolution.

• Guillemot's New Sound Card is a GameSpot looks ahead at the Maxi Sound Fortissimo, a new soundcard to be announced later this week.
• Ace's Hardware's Video and the Athlon In Search of a Match is their second K7 review detailing the Athlon's performance with several of the latest 3D video accelerators.
• FPS3D.COM has a post up about UDMA66 compatibility in Abit BP6 motherboards.
• Microsoft Windows Update page has a critical "Windows 98 Year 2000 Update 2" so you don't have to party like it's 1899 when that nasty millenium rolls around.

• Future Gamer reviews Unreal Tournament, in a legit review (GreenMarine sends word that some European sites have "review copies" of the yet-unfinished game).
• Next-Generation Online reviews System Shock 2.
• RIVA 3D reviews the Voodoo 3 3500TV.
• GameSpot reviews the Intel 600MHz Pentium III.
• Gamecenter reviews the Turtle Beach Montego II Quadzilla soundcard.

• Datumplane::Starsiege has a mention of an email exchange with ex-Dynamix designer Scott "CornBoy!" Youngblood saying he "won't completely leave the Tribes community (As he said in his .plan) and might even release some of the maps he was working on for Tribes Extreme."...
• More QuakeCon reminiscences are in BostonChick's QuakeCon diary...
• Wewp! Entertainment interviews Todd "Warden" Coleman talking about their upcoming RPG, Shadowbane...
• The Adrenaline Vault News reports "NovaWorld Online Cheats Discovered?" The story report s on possible malfeasance in this online service based on posts to this forum (posted 8/14/99 - thanks Mike Granito)...
• This page on FilePlanet has a new version of TRIBES Tabs, a collection of no less than 100,000 tabs for TRIBES and GameSpy (give or take)...
• Business News from Wired News reports "Game companies have filed federal racketeering suit against a nationwide ring of software pirates who methodically distributed top games, sometimes even before they were commercially available." Thanks devilbunny...

I was tooling around in the news archive today, and realize that the HTML lists between the two days of news that I removed yesterday were removed exactly one year after they were added. Weird, huh? Don't blow out those candles quite yet, I've got more anniversaries to note: I also noticed in the same foray that today is the first anniversary of the founding of Sharky Extreme, so happy birthday to Sharky and our pals over there. This is also more-or-less the third anniversary of the first QuakeCon, or as it was at the time #quakecon, as it was a 'leet IRC event to begin with.

Link of the Day: AccuWeather X-Forecast. Thanks Zdim. What, ALFs don't plan around the weather too?