Archived News:
Next-Generation Online Microsoft's Secret Console
Revealed is a "world exclusive" scoop on Microsoft's entry in the
console gaming race taken from an upcoming edition of their print magazine.
Here's a bit on the decidedly PC-oriented hardware in the story, as well as
Microsoft's dismissal of the rumor, which Next-Gen still seems certain is a reality:
While a Microsoft spokesperson quoted in the article called the story
"wishful thinking," several independent sources have confirmed that
X-Box has been in development for several months. Contacted today, a Microsoft
spokesperson repeatedly stated, "This is a rumor. It is Microsoft's policy
not to comment on rumors."
According to the story, X-Box will feature a 500 MHz processor by Intel (note:
according to a follow up story in the forthcoming November issue of Next
Generation Magazine, an AMD Athlon powered version is also planned), nVidia's
NV-10 graphics technology (recently renamed GeForce), and a modified version of
the WinCE operating system. According to the story, this will make X-Box capable
of PlayStation 2-level performance.
id Software's John Carmack updated his .plan with his thoughts on the newly announced NVIDIA
GeForce 256 (formerly the NV10, or as he calls it, "Nvidia's new geometry accelerated card
with the funny name," which could stick), and Apple's new G4 systems. Here's the lowdown: I
have been getting a lot of requests for commentary on two subjects lately:
Nvidia's new geometry accelerated card with the funny name.
It is fast. Very, very fast. It has the highest fill rate of any card we have
ever tested, has improved image quality over TNT2, and it gives timedemo scores
40% faster than the next closest score with extremely raw beta drivers.
The throughput will definately improve even more as their drivers mature.
For max framerates in OpenGL games, this card is going to be very hard to beat.
Q3's target of about 10,000 triangles a frame doesn't stress this card at all.
If you want more polygons out of Q3, you can do:
r_lodBias -2 // don't use lower detail models
r_subdivisions 1 // lots more triangles in curves
r_lodCurveError 10000 // don't drop curve rows for a long time
I haven't looked at the stencil shadow stuff in a long time, but it gives the
largest increase in triangle use (and a lot of fill rate as well):
cg_shadows 2 // turn on stencil shadows
// (if you have a stencil buffer)
Apple's new G4 systems.
The initial systems are just G4 processors in basically the same systems as the
current G3. There will be some speedup in the normal C code from the faster
floating point unit, and the Apple OpenGL has AltiVec optimizations, so
framerates will improve somewhat. The limiting factor is going to be the fill
rate on the rage128 and the bandwidth of the 66mhz pci bus and processor to main
memory writes.
The later G4 systems with the new memory controller and AGP will have better
performance, but probably still limited by the new 3D card.
After Apple gets all their driver tuning done, it will be interesting to try
running timedemos at low resolution to factor the fill rate out. Apple has a
shot at having the best non-geometry accelerated throughput, but it will still
be tough to overcome a K7 with an extra hundred or so mhz.
On a purely technical note, AltiVec is more flexible for computation than intel
or AMD's extensions (trinary ops), but intel style write combining is better for
filling command buffers than the G4's memory streaming operations.
Apache sends word that he's posted twelve
new high res Wheel of Time screenshots on GameFan Online, taken with TNT2
in Direct 3D mode, showing off this Unreal engine title.
GameSpot
has posted a brief preview of Tomb Raider 4: The Last Revelation, with nine
screenshots from the sequel to Tomb Raider 3 (which of course was the sequel
to the sequel of Tomb Raider).
The Unrealty - VSMM'99 Demo
has been released (thanks Preacher at the unrelated Unreality).
This is a demo of the program that will use the Unreal engine to give virtual
reality walkthroughs of buildings for architects and realtors to be able to show
off ideas and properties more easily.
Planet Daikatana has posted three
new screenshots of the N64 version of Daikatana.
Speaking of games going gold, as we have a few times today, the gold-diggers at Gone Gold
send word that Legacy of Kain- Soul Reaver
has gone gold, set to bring its horror action to stores soon.
EA sends along this
new concept sketch from American McGee's Alice, a hybrid third person/first
person action game currently in development. Tomorrow a new gallery section
is due to be unveiled at the official Alice site,
complete with lots more concept art. Look for it around 5:00 PM PDT. In the meantime,
enjoy this truly demented piece of concept art (the thumbnail is a close-up):
Dynamix' Rick Overman updated
his .plan talking about ports to the "new engine" talking about
his early success with a Mac port, and his hopes to duplicate his Mac successes
on a Linux port. Since it wasn't 100% clear what the "new engine" part
referred to, we contacted Rick and got a clarification that he is talking about
TRIBES2. Here's the update: I'm finally full time on the new engine, ahhh...
and just to liven things up I decided to port the platform
dependant layer of the engine over to the Macintosh and see how things looked
before we made too much more progress. We were all pleasantly surprised when I
had the engine testbed app up and running after just 2 weeks time. (did I
mention this is the first time I've ever worked on a Mac?) I spent a few minutes
today testing OpenGL compatibility with Mesa OpenGL for the Mac and experienced
no problems (MacG3 with Voodoo3-2000 and Mesa OpenGL). I'm hoping the ease at
which the platform dependant layer ported to the Mac is an indication of how
simple the Linux port will be.
A new GameSpot's Designer Diary for Nocturne
has just been posted, talking quite a bit about the flexibility the
editor provides in creating the worlds in this upcoming spooky adventure game,
as well the game's "richer, more lavish universe" talking about
elements of dialog and back-story falling into place. Thanks Frans at 3D
Action Gamers.
Word on Planet Half-Life is that
the Ministry Of Development has posted
a new Opposing Force Screenshot. And yes, the screenshots posted yesterday to
make up for the set that preceded them weren't new either, they were from Thresh's FiringSquad's
Opposing Force interview, in case you are keeping score at home.
Planet RIVA sends word
they've posted still more shots of the Dagoth Moor Zoological Gardens demo being
developed for the GeForce 256 by WXP
site.
Eidos' FTP site
has posted a 17.8 MB movie on the making of Omikron (here's a
local copy). The movie is almost six minutes long with high production values
(read: closing credits), a lot of game footage, some pre-rendered stuff, and
the obligatory quotes from the developers about how cool their game is going
to be (thanks Frans).
The Shugashack
has posted word that ION Storm Designer Stevie "KillCreek" Case,
currently working on Daikatana, will be appearing nude in a future issue of
Playboy in a piece "based around her being a female gamer and
developer." What can you do in a situation like this, but post the story,
and watch our news
messageboard (as well as sCary's)
with fascination.
The official Freespace 2 page has
been updated with two new ships in their ship
gallery, as well as another MP3 from the soundtrack (thanks Descent
Chronicles).
RedStorm has posted a
roster page for Rogue Spear, with details on the six new playable characters
that are in the game (in addition to the twenty in Rainbow Six). There's also
a little teaser up on the
RS downloads page, that says the demo is coming soon (thanks Frans at 3DGamers
for the scoop).
On the heels of the update sent along by Dynamix ( story),
comes another TRIBES Extreme update in Designer Scott
"Captain America" Rudi's .plan. The update covers a lot of bases,
so I'll excerpt the part about progress on the game: Tribes Extreme is
going well. We've got a ton of new missions in the works for new gameplay
online, and the campaign is really starting to shape up. Jesse R. is kicking
some ass getting the scoring and mission to mission issues working. Mitch is
also doing great with the training missions. They should be really informative
and pretty fun - the best thing about them is they'll cut down the number of
"How do I repair myself?" questions newbies ask in online games. Blah.
It seems our correction ( story)
to our report ( story)
that Sinistar: Unleashed is gold was incorrect. Yes, I guess I'm trying to be
difficult there, in other words, Sinistar Unleashed really is gold, and our
source can be officially declared reliable again. Here's the lowdown from S:U
project manager Rachel Silverstein: I am the product manager on Sinistar
Unleashed and I can promise you that it is, indeed, gold. In fact, I messengered
off the gold to manufacture myself. (<deleted> is definitely a very
reliable source).
Apparently, there was some confusion at the developer's and they wound up
sending you an old form e-mail. I really apologize for the conflicting
information, but we really, truly are Gold. Barring a huge natural disaster,
Sinistar Unleashed is on schedule to ship Sept. 15.
Move over Lara Croft...Duke Nukem's getting endorsement deals too. MonsterCable
and 3DRealms will be announcing that Duke
will be endorsing the Monster line of high end cabling. Here's the press release that will be going out to wire services tomorrow: Monster
Cable Products, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of high-end, audio, video,
computer, gaming cables, and accessories, proudly announces that world-renowned
alien ass-kicker Duke Nukem is lending his name to their prestigious line-up
of Famous Monsters. In the past, Monster Cable has relied on a very select group
of top musicians and entertainment industry professionals who use and endorse
Monster Cable to complete the Famous Monsters roster. Today, Monster Cable adds
a man so elite, that he is in a field of one. As a many time world-saver, highly
successful entrepreneur, best-selling author (Why I'm So Great, ISBN: 0-7821-1869-0)
and famed babe-magnet, Nukem is clearly one of the most famous men on the planet-and
is pleased to team with Monster Cable.
"Hey--they asked. I'm the best. They're the best. Good fit," noted
Nukem. When pressed for more, Nukem rearranged the cigar in his teeth, adding,
"I got a call from Noel Lee, the boss over there, he actually goes by the
name 'The Head Monster,' clearly this guy knows what he likes-in addition to
making the best cables on the planet." Nukem grinned, "I can respect
that."
Not only is Monster Cable supplying their superlative cabling for Duke's computer
systems and home theaters, including full wiring for his new Las Vegas casino,
The LadyKiller, they're also wiring his award winning game studio, 3D Realms
Entertainment. 3D Realms is currently developing Nukem's much awaited PC game,
Duke Nukem Forever.
When asked for final words, Nukem snarled, "Monster Cable. Come Get Some."
Dynamix sent along this TRIBES
Extreme Update, with the latest word on the special edition of Starsiege:
TRIBES currently in development. The update has quotes from Dynamix folk, including
Scott Rudi, the lead designer, Lincoln Hutton, lead programmer,
and Jesse Russell, a mission scripter on the title. It's cool stuff, so
check it out.
Designer Graeme Devine at id Software updated
his .plan addressing the rumor of the day, saying that id is not
doing a Matrix game (which, if movie adaptation history serves as an indicator,
will be some crappy side-scrolling console game and port produced in 72 hours that will sell a
million units anyway). Here's the update:
I see a lot of people are playing with nude reptiles!
We are not doing a Matrix game. When we finish Q3A we'll start on the next
project. We will try and fit the words "welcome to my underground
lair" into the next game, mostly because we think Steed would be good at
making fembots.
Okay, that's more of a suggestion than a truth. We'll probably do something
completely different based on stories of the Quake 3 Bus and the Nevada desert.
The first release of Pinger
is now available on The Mod Shop.
Described as a simplified console game server browser for Linux, Pinger asks you
which game and mod you want to play, and goes out and finds the servers you are
looking for, and can (of course) join the server you select. Pinger currently
only supports Quake II, but more games will be added in the future.
GameStrategy.Com's Star Trek Voyager
Elite Force preview offers some hands-on impressions about the progress on
Star Trek Voyager - Elite Force after a recent visit to Raven's offices to check
it out. In addition to a paragraph-per-page preview of the upcoming Quake III-
engine Star Trek shooter, the piece also offers a bunch of screenshots that look
like they're new to me. Saw that on AGN3D.
Tomb Raider The Last Revelation interview on GA-Source talks with Adrian Smith and Mike Schmitt of CORE Design about their work on the upcoming fourth installment of the third-person,
two-breasted, single-player only Tomb Raider adventures: Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation.
The seemingly inevitable follow-up on an early gold report has occurred, as my
"formerly"-reliable ( ![=]](/miscimages/smiley4.gif) ) source has been proven somewhat off the mark
on the report that Sinistar: Unleashed is gold ( story).
I received the following note from the development team, apparently unrelated to our previous report, that makes it
obvious that the game isn't actually gold: I'm pleased to be able to
inform you that Sinistar: Unleashed has gone beta. Over the next few weeks,
we'll be rushing around putting the last few bugs to rest, and generally
undergoing "Crunch Week."
The Nocturne Home has been updated
with new screenshots and information about this upcoming horror adventure
from TRI and Gathering of Developers. Nocturne is also being shown off at ECTS,
just getting set to unfold in London, and will also be on display at Ground ZERO
in New York City the following weekend ( story),
though as Mike
Wilson's .plan update mentions, the report about what's being shown at G.Z. is not
completely accurate: Just to clarify the info being posted on The
Gathering's presence at the upcoming Ground Zero event in NYC... we'll have a
couple of guys there giving demos and letting visitors play Nocturne and
Darkstone. The other games we'll be showing will be shown only on video... new,
cool ECTS videos for the most part. That includes Age of Wonders, KISS Psycho
Circus:The Nightmare Child, Heavy Metal:FAKK2, RUNE, and Max Payne.
Playable demos off all these games will be given by the developers at ECTS...
except Max Payne. The 3DRealms/Remedy boys continue to sit out trade shows to
try to make uninterrupted progress on getting Duke Forever and Max Payne to the
level that they want them for 2000. I don't think you'll see live demos of
either of those games until E3 2000, but on 3DRealms knows for sure.
MapZone's Q3Tourney guide
offers another strategy guide to the third Q3Test map. Q3Tourney, discussing
proper one-on-one tactics for the map in tongue-in-cheek style.
The Adrenaline Vault
Patch Downloads now has a new patch to update Spec Ops: Ranger Team Bravo.
The patch increases the spawning distance in multiplayer games, reworks how
satchels operate, and more.
Frans at 3D Action Gamers sends
word that Sierra has quietly posted a new version 1004 patch for Starsiege on
their FTP site (direct link), that looks to update the OEM version of the
game from 1002 to 1004, which is the latest version of the retail game. Frans
has also mirrored the file on 3D Action Gamers' Starsiege
page.
New
Game Consoles Blow Away PCs is the name of a new article on ZDNet that talks
about the next-generation of consoles, including the Dreamcast and Playstation
2. The article fails to mention the coming generation of PC graphics cards,
but does point out the production costs of Final Fantasy VIII, which at $30
million were more than six times that of an expensive PC title. But, they do
quote John Carmack, who brings the piece back down to earth: "The
impression that the PlayStation 2 will be light years ahead of the PC is really
incorrect," says John Carmack, the top programmer at "Quake"
developer Id Software Inc. in Mesquite, Texas. "We're going to continue
with the PC because it will move ahead of the consoles and it gives us complete
freedom to make the kind of games we want."
Stomped has posted an e-mail they received
from id's Paul Steed regarding the possibility of skeletal animation being added
to Quake III: Arena this late in the engine's development (as Carmack mentioned
it recently in his .plan), so you can head on over an see what id's animator
thinks of the prospect.
The official Messiah page has been updated
with some new character images, showing off a number of different (and strange
looking) creatures from this third person action title that's a mere 10 weeks
from shipping (if you believe their release date of November 15th). Thanks VE.
Also on VE, is the latest installment in their Experience
Development report, with The Whole Experience's Patrick Moynihan giving
you the latest on their two projects: the Dagoth Moor Zoological Gardens demo
for the GeForce 256 and their 3D game Experience.
Saw on Stomped that the GameSpy
folks have come up with a workaround for the missing Q3Test servers ( story),
and Redwood says GameSpy now shows well over 400 servers available again. Okay,
just this once I suppose it's appropriate to say it: ROCK! Graeme
Devine's .plan says this is fixed in the next release of Q3Test.
The busy night owls at The Adrenaline Vault
have posted a few bits of computer role-playing games: EON
Designer Diary is the "first designer diary about the upcoming epic
fantasy CRPG, EON." Also, I see there that The Official Wizardry 8 Website
has been revamped with "all-new screenshots, a completely revised FAQ, new
sections on classes, combat and monsters, and a new design." Finally, Computer Games Online
Might and Magic VII tips are online (saw that last one on VE).
The Adrenaline Vault Previews Earth 2150 Escape from the Blue Planet
looking at this futuristic upcoming 3D accelerated RTS. In other strategy game news,
the AVault is also reporting: Warlords
4 Announced saying the sequel is "scheduled to ship Quarter 3
2000."
Some bits, including the possibility that Athlon 700's are on the way soon. Did
you know AM Tech Bits are part of a balanced breakfast?
The Adrenaline Vault News
has posted five new screenshots from Spellbinder, an upcoming first-person
shooter/ RPG from Mythic Entertainment that has just entered closed beta
testing. Spellbinder is an online game based on the pen and paper game
Rolemaster (Iron Crown Enterprises) that will feature four character classes and
will allow "thousands of participants to compete alongside and against each
other in an arena-based system."
GamePen's new "interviewer-at-large" RadPipe (who knew?) kicks off his
interviewing stint over there with a
Q&A with Jake Simpson of Raven Software talking about "life, death
and everything Star Trek: Voyager." Star Trek Voyager, is Raven's upcoming
Trekkie first-person shooter that uses the Quake III engine.
Word comes from a reliable source that Sinistar: Unleashed, the 3D Space Action
title from THQ went gold yesterday, and will be in stores later this month.
Some may consider New York City godless, but they won't be able to say that
during the Ground ZERO event, as the
Gathering of Developers has been added to the exhibitor page on the Ground ZERO
site, with word that they will be showing off a full slate of their titles,
including those currently available, as well as those in development. Here's the
list: Darkstone, F.A.K.K.2, Fly!, Nocturne, KISS Psycho Circus, Max Payne, Rune,
and Age of Wonders.
PC.IGN.COM previews Spec Ops II
giving a look ahead at the upcoming sequel to Zombie's tactical shooter, saying
they can't wait for its release.
Thanks again Frans at 3D Action Gamers:
- Nintendo Announces Game Boy
2 on Next-Generation Online:
"In addition to sporting a powerful 32-bit CPU, and 20 hours of battery
life, Game Boy Advance will be able to connect to a cellular phone to access
the Internet... (and) is slated for an August 2000 release in Japan and is
tentatively set to release before the end of 2000 in the US."...
- The BattleComm news page
has word of a price reduction on this real-time voice communication software,
as well as an apology for spotty responsiveness during their transition to Microsoft
ownership...
- The Adrenaline Vault News
is reporting that "Verant Interactive has announced that its online
combat game Tanarus will be opened to non-subscribers at no charge
during the Labor Day celebration"...
- The Habitat has an interview with
TheFatal, author of the Half-Life Jumbot (linked on their sidebar)...
- News of the death of legendary Thrustmaster programmer and founder of the
Thrustmaster User's group, William (Cowboy) Wilson can be found on SimHQ
(thanks Aslan the Furry), along with a message board where sympathies can be
expressed...
Huzzah and kudos to crezzy Tom Hall for surviving long enough to celebrate his
35th birthday! Happy birthday Tom, welcome to the realm of the ancients. In a
special ceremony, Tom will be awarded the badge of his advancing age by the
Levelord (the badge being a pair of tweezers for ear hair).
Link of the Day: Flatulence Filter.
Thanks Ant. They have their own
domain for goodness' sake..
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