Archived News:
As expected, Microsoft has released a new playable demo of MechWarrior 4: Vengeance after the earlier multiplayer test demo expired last month. It's available for download from Daily Radar at 67.1 MB, and offers four Mech types and an Instant Action level, but no multiplayer. Note that it requires DirectX 8.0. Thanks demoage for the heads-up.
After a a month-long teaser page, the official ThreeWave site has now opened for business, offering a new home for the infamous CTF mod for Quake/QuakeWorld and Quake II. There are support sections for their existing releases, as well as the first hints at their plans to bring ThreeWave CTF to Quake III Arena and its Team Arena mission pack.
Their server is getting completely hammered (to the point where we were barely
able to reach them to verify this stuff), but Wolfpack Studios has updated
their official Shadowbane site with new information on two of the character
races, 18 new screenshots and seven movies showing off the character creation
process.
- Warcraft III
French site Joystick has posted a pair of new Warcraft III screenshots along with a previously released pair and some concept art, all illustrating their write-up on the game's fifth race (which you may like to read via Babel Fish).
- Oni
There are five new Oni screenshots on Inside PS2 Games, showing off Bungie's third-person action game that will be released on PC, Mac and PS2 simultaneously early next year.
- Wizardry 8
The official Wizardry 8 site has been updated with four new, high-res screenshots of this 3D role-playing game by Sir-Tech (thanks RPG Vault).
- Throne of Darkness
There are four Throne of Darkness screenshots on GameSpy.com, offering new scenes from the isometric RPG being crafted at Click Entertainment.
- DarkSpace
GA-Sim has posted a brief preview of Battle Isle: DarkSpace, looking ahead at the massively multiplayer space sim by PaleStar and Blue Byte, illustrated by three new screenshots.
- Cossacks
CDV has released a new pair of Cossacks: European Wars screenshots, illustrating this real-time strategy game in development at GSC Game World.
- IL-2 Sturmovik
Also on GA-Sim today are three new screenshots of IL-2 Sturmovik, accompanying a brief look at this WWII combat flight-sim by 1C Maddox Games.
- Battle of Britain
GA-Sim's opening content is rounded out by a preview of Battle of Britain, another WWII flight-sim that is nearing completion at Rowan.
GameSpot's week-long TRIBES 2 feature comes to a close today, with the
last of their previews of the game (for now, anyway). Today they look at
the Deathmatch and Bounty modes, and of course both are illustrated with new
screenshots. And in related news, PlanetStarsiege has posted the box art of the game.
A new
edition of GameSpot's Battle Realms diary is online this evening. This installment
is by Liquid Entertainment producer Ed Del Castillo, who discusses the art of
gameplay balance in RTS titles, as well as the decisions they made when designing
the various clans for the game.
As promised, The Collective and Simon & Schuster have released a new playable demo of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Fallen, available for download from Adrenaline Vault. The demo weighs in at a hefty 111 MB, supersedes the alpha test demo that was released this Summer, and offers new content, cinematics, voice acting, and more. Update: a mirror is available at 3D Gamers.
Newly opened GA-Sim has conducted an interview on AquaNox, talking to an unnamed representative of Massive Development about their 3D underwater action adventure. Topics on the table are the game's origins in Archimedean Dynasty (which members of Massive worked on while at Blue Byte), how AquaNox will improve on it with its new KRASS-engine, and more, although several questions are somewhat apologetically left unanswered.
Eidos Interactive sends word that Project IGI has gone gold and will be on
store shelves next week. You may recall that the game has been gold overseas
for some time ( story) and in fact is already on the shelves in
some places, but this announcement is regarding the US version of the game,
which has only now gone gold.
Bethesda Softworks sends word of a new Sea Dogs patch on their official site for this 3D role-playing game by Akella. The 1.4 MB download brings the English edition of the game to version 1.02, adds a number of new features, including configuration improvements, and fixes a series of bugs, all listed in the patch README.
id Software's John Carmack made a post to a
thread at Slashdot regarding the possibility (or lack thereof) of Quake
III: Team Arena being released at retail for Linux. Here's what he
has to say on the subject (which also addresses the chances of a Linux version
of their upcoming Doom title): We are going to continue to support linux
in future products, but unfortunately it doesn't look like a strong business
case can be made for it. The mac version outsold the linux version by quite
a bit, and even that didn't hit 5% of the windows sales. Mac versions are still
valid business cases, because the support is way easier than on either windows
or linux platforms, and the sales numbers amount to something noticeable.
There is no way that a linux box will hit the shelf at the same time and have
the same price as a windows box, assuming the publisher is making a maximum
effort for the windows box. If this is truly a gating factor, linux boxed games
just won't succeed.
Loki wants to get away from making games "convertable" between platforms,
to force linux players to buy the linux boxes. I have issues with this. Not
making executable binaries available online sucks. I hate binary patches, and
requiring either patches from different versions, or the installation of all
previous patches. Just releasing a new executable is so much easier.
Our options from here are to move towards a hybrid CD and pay Loki for official
support (which makes linux support look like an expense, rather than a benefit),
make a hybrid CD but leave the linux version in an "unsupported" directory,
or just make unsupported linux executables available online like we used to.
It is going to be quite some time before DOOM ships, so we can't say anything
definitive at this point.
I will probably do the initial development work for DOOM on linux, but I'm not
interested in tracking every change that goes on in the linux world. The initial
work will probably be with the Nvidia driver, which already has all the features
I need, then I will work with the Open Source mesa drivers to bring them up
to par.
As promised, Monolith has released the patch for No One Lives Forever, updating the English edition of their recently released first-person shooter to version 1.001. This patch fixes a series of bugs and adds a couple of new features, while the promised multiplayer maps will be released next week. Here is a local copy with mirrors of the patch, along with a complete list of the changes it brings.
Heuristic Park has released a version 1.0 beta patch for Wizards & Warriors, their recently released first-person RPG. The 1.1 MB download, which is not supported by publisher Activision, addresses several game crashes, save game issues, lighting in Direct3D, and a variety of quest-related problems.
Version 1.8 beta of the GoldenEye mod
for Half-Life has been released (thanks Stomped).
This new release includes the usual batch of bug fixes as well as new LAN support
for several gameplay modes.
Also new today is version 2.10 of the Half-life
Admin Mod (thanks again to Stomped).
New in this version is a DLL that allows Win32 users to use the MySQL functionality,
support for the Front Line Force and GoldenEye mods, and a gaggle of other fixes.
With the Playstation version on the shelves, and the PC version expected this
month, AVault figured now would be a good time to catch up with the Evil Dead:
Hail to the King development team, and they have conducted an
interview with art director Robert Yang and lead designer Matt Coohill.
The pair talk about the challenges working with such a well-known franchise,
and provide details on what characters from the movies are in the game, as well
as how it fits into the series' storyline.
While only mildly on topic here, the Tomb Raider movie site now features the official trailer for the live-action motion picture based on Core Design's series of action games. Starring Angelie Jolie, the movie will premiere in US theaters on June 15, 2001, and the trailer offers nearly two minutes of footage in every conceivable format.
Wasting no time, Interplay has released a patch to restore red colored blood
in Giants: Citizen Kabuto (thanks Voodoo
Extreme). The patch is available on
their FTP site (248k, direct link) and only restores the blood color - Delphi
remains clothed.
Loki Software has released a beta version of their Linux port of Unreal Tournament GOTY. The 6.0 MB download contains everything you need to bring this Game of the Year edition of Epic's first-person shooter to Linux, and is compatible with version 436 of the game.
There is a new interview on Delta Force: Land Warrior at GameSpot UK, talking to producer Wes Eckhart about NovaLogic's tactical shooter that's already out in the US but not yet in Europe. Wes discusses the five characters introduced in this installment in the series, gameplay features such as the extra ammo and the GPS system, and how the game stands out in the increasingly crowded field of "realistic" tactical shooters.
Three Emperor: Battle for Dune articles are up at Computer Games Online this
morning. First up is a
preview of the game, which contains a detailed look at the gameplay and
three new screenshots, followed by an
editorial looking at Westwood's hesitance to enter the 3D strategy arena,
and a look back at Dune 2, the game that started it all. Finally, they also
have posted an
interview with producer Chris Longpre, talking with him about the game and
how it differs from every other Westwood-developed strategy game to date.
TheForce.net has conducted an interview with LucasArts president Simon Jeffery (thanks Stomped for the full interview link). It's all over the map, dealing lots of different topics, including their recent decision to make Obi-Wan a console
only title ( story). Here's an excerpt: Unfortunately I
can't go into too much detail at this point, as there are still some issues
which need finalizing with Obi Wan. I can say that Obi Wan was not the game
that many fans seemed to believe it was. The decision to make it a console game
was largely taken because it was already half way there in terms of what the
game had evolved into. The initial design was huge, and some features worked
really well, others didn't. For instance, the glyph system combined with mouse-look
was proving too problematic for a workable camera - and playability really suffered
as a result. We want to make a fun game, and sadly, the glyph system wasn't
fun. I am full of admiration and respect for the team that has put so much into
this game - they have created some truly remarkable stuff that we are still
planning to feature in the final game - but sadly it won't be a PC game.
Fan page Bridge Commander News has conducted an
interview with Peter Leahy, David Litwin, and Larry Holland of Totally Games
(thanks A Talent For War). Some of
the questions deal with issues of note for mod authors, touching on how models
are created and their scripting system (which is Python, an open source language),
but they also talk about the importance of diplomacy, and the various weapons
that will be available.
The third installment
of GameSpy.com's Asheron's Call Developer's Diary is online. It's written
by several different members of the development team, and like the previous
editions, it consists of a look back at the development of Asheron's Call, and
it has details on the creation of the monsters, the game world and quests, as
well as what they feel wasn't as successful.
A new interview
with Kinesoft founder Peter Sills is up at GA-Source this morning. Peter
talks about their two upcoming titles: the tactical action game Crimson Order,
and MageLords, their fantasy-themed RTS title. He provides some general info
on each, and comments on what separates them from other games in their respective
genres.
A new official Edge of Chaos website
is online, dedicated to the upcoming sequel to Independence War. There's not
much there to start with other than a brief rundown on the story behind the
game, and a small screenshot. Thanks A Talent For War.
The Icewind Dale Main Page
has an update from Harold Kim, an Interplay QA project supervisor discussing the
latest developments in the development of Heart of Winter, Black Isle's upcoming
expansion for Icewind Dale, their successful RPG. The quick update covers a bit of
what to expect from the game's intro, as well as a bit of what's changed as far
as gameplay goes.
Zophar's Domain has
posted (get this) files to enable Linux on the Dreamcast (no, I don't know how
that works, either). Another Dreamcast breakthrough is reported in this Gamers.com
article about Farnation, the first MMORPG for Sega's console system. Also, PS2.IGN.Com's First Look
at Metal Gear Solid 2 Demo offers hands-on impressions of a one-level demo
(to be included free with the purchase of Konami's Zone of the Enders,
"due in the US at end of March 2001" according to the article), there
are also impressions and screenshots from the demo on Gamers.com and GameSpot.
Also, Factor 5 Sounds off on Cube Audio
on Cube.IGN.Com is an audio interview that clarifies the confusion
surrounding "a vague statement regarding the performance of Gamecube's
audio DSP" from a recent Sharky Games
interview. Didn't I recently refer to a story about a fake Xbox image as
being "in case you are collecting the whole set"? (I did, I just
checked, it was in this story), well the Xbox Bogus Cards
on Daily Radar take this a step further, offering "trading cards"
based on the flood of fakes.
Quake Nation
interviews Odee talking about plans for the upcoming Savage European
Quake III Arena CTF Championships.
The Strike Force website
has been updated with four new screenshots of one of the new player models that
will be in the upcoming version 1.60 release of the Strike Force modification
for Unreal Tournament. The Forge
interviews MasterX talking about the X-Mod, an upcoming X-Men based
modification for Half-Life.
fatal1ty's
Quake III Arena Guide on Stomped offers tips on how to frag like a champion
from fatal1ty, who has done just that himself, with strong finishes, including
overall victories, in several large Q3A competitions. The guide also includes a
rundown on useful console commands, and how to put them to use for you. Also, DailyRadar.com's Game
Guide for Hitman: Codename 47 offers soup-to-nuts tips on being a good
assassin in this game that requires just that. Meanwhile, the No
One Lives Forever Frequently Asked Questions page has new Tech Support &
Server Administrator FAQs.
Thanks for all the advice on the speeding situation, if you are curious about
the outcome, I didn't get out of the moving violation, but the charge was
amended to just 5 MPH over the limit (I joked to my pal Hoosier_Dadi that this
gave me the chance to complain about being popped for a speed that usually
doesn't provoke a cop, but he just glared at me--I think he felt it was bad
karma after I was treated so kindly by the officer). On that subject, I'll use
this occasion to mention that I have a lot of respect for New York State
Troopers, they do a dangerous job, and I have never personally met one that
wasn't courteous, professional, and without the excess of attitude that a gun
and a pair of fly aviator shades can often impart. BTW, since I confessed my
crime in this spot, but focused on escaping from justice, rather than the act
itself, I guess I should point out that on this subject that I feel use of
excessive speed in general is dangerous, and speeding in a residential area in
particular is a terribly irresponsible thing to do (my incident was on the
Thruway), and my plan on getting out of my next ticket includes not receiving it
in the first place.
R.I.P.
Werner Klemperer, the man who played Colonel Klink dies at 80. Thanks
theAntiELVIS. Want a piece of American history? Own
the truck that made U.S. Presidential election history, and support the American
Red Cross! Thanks [POLO]Irishman. That's right, you can ride in the Ryder
truck. Is O.J.'s Bronco next?
Link of the Day: BlinkerFluid.Com.
Thanks WalterEgo (my real world bro). A collection of possible LoDs, including The Reflex Tester,
which already was one.
Story of the Day: Woman bit off man's testicle in party fight
(Electronic Telegraph). Thanks CandyMan. I could not get my agape mouth to close
while reading this astonishing story.
Bonus Story: Vatican-Approved Comic Strip Depicts Adventures of the Pope
(Fox). Thanks again theAntiELVIS.
Weird Science: Professor to wire computer chip into his nervous system
(CNN). Thanks Vate Powell. Talk about a situation where I wouldn't want to be an
early adopter.
Image of the Day: Angelina
Jolie as Lara Croft. Thanks Well Rounded Entertainment.
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