Archived News:
If yesterday's demo wasn't enough for you ( story), Eidos has now released a new movie trailer of Project Eden, available for download from their European ftp server. This 17.5 MB download is a high-res (640x480) movie offering a round minute of gameplay footage in Windows Media Player format. Thanks Patches Scrolls for the tip.
As the weekend approaches, another Halo update is online at halo.bungie.org. As always, Matt Soell provides an overview of recent happenings in the Bungie offices on the development of their upcoming 3D action title, and topics today include physics improvements and driving vehicles, multiplayer balancing, new sounds, weapon improvements, and more.
GameSpot has posted three new Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza movies, showing off the first-person shooter by Piranha Games based on the the 1988 action movie. The three clips take around 8-12 MB to download in MPEG format and are also available in several streaming choices, offering nearly three minutes of gameplay footage together.
Stomped reports that Fallen Age, the isometric MMORPG in the works at Netamin, has been "placed on hold indefinitely." They quote producer Daniel Manachi explaining that "creative differences with partners in Korea" are the reason for the current beta test to be shut down this weekend, and work is underway to allow Fallen Age beta testers to move over to Dark Age of Camelot which is being beta tested at Mythic Entertainment. Update: Here is the press release at the official site.
The official Red Faction site resumes their practice of designating Friday's after Volition's upcoming first-person shooter of destructable enemies and environments, in anticipation of the PC version's release. Today's update consists of a new screenshot of the week, as well as an MP3 music track entitled Red Dawn.
A new preview
of Arcanum: Of Steamworks & Magick Obscura is up at RPG Vault this evening.
The preview is based on their hands-on impressions of a beta copy of the game,
and is fairly detailed, with information about the various aspects of the game.
Note that there are some plot elements discussed here, so it may contain spoilers.
As promised, Quake III Arena version 1.29g beta has now been released, and naturally we have local copies with mirrors of the Win32 patch (25.3 MB) and the Linux client patch (26.4 MB). Note that there is a possibility that the Linux patch may not install under all distributions, so your mileage may vary. Also, there is no word on the Mac Classic and OSX patches yet, nor the Linux dedicated server. Finally, if you already have v1.29f installed, you should be able to use the auto-updater.
- Black Skies
MGON has posted a dozen new Ozzy's Black Skies screenshots, showing off the fantasy 3D action game by iROCK that's inspired by the works of the notorious rock singer.
- Codename: Outbreak
A brief but hands-on preview of Codename: Outbreak (formerly Venom) is online at Games Domain, including ten new screenshots from this two-man squad-based first-person shooter by GSC Game World.
- Sea Dogs 2
Two new screenshots of Sea Dogs 2 are up at Daily Telefrag, offering more scenes in the 3D role-playing sequel being crafted at Akella.
- Evil Twin
There are a few new and familiar Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles screenshots on GameScreenshots, illustrating this third-person action adventure by French developers In Utero.
- Camelot
The proliferation of Dark Age of Camelot screenshots continues at Camelot Castle where they've added some three dozen images of Mythic's medieval MMORPG to their gallery.
- 1193 A.D.
German site SpieleCity has posted the first information on 1193 A.D., a medieval management strategy game by Blackstar Interactive, which you may like to read via Babel Fish or you can just check out the first screenshots.
id Software sent along the news that they will be releasing Quake III Arena
version 1.29g at 6:00 PM EDT (5:00 PM CDT). We will of course have a mirror ready to go when
this happens, but there will also be a smaller update available via the auto-update
system in Q3A 1.29f. To tide you over until the release, here's a list of changes: 7-26-01
(version 1.29g)
- Players joining (and apparently leaving) the game cause everyone to hitch
- fs_handleforfile: none free ERROR
- After last level of tier game doesn't stay on trophy screen, instead it takes
you directly to next tier screen
- No sound in NT 4.0 at all with 1.29f PR
- There is a shader bug in Pro-q3dm6
- developer cheats like R_Showtris have been disabled in the PR (they were never
disabled, the user simply needs to run the game with “+set developer 1”
minus quotes, at the command line.
- made /startOrbit cheatprotected
- Rcon issues now resolved.
- fs_basegame isn't published to clients
- fixedlegs command in the animation config is apparently not working
- + and cvars fixed
HomeLAN's Dreadnoughts
Interview talks with members of the development team from Xenopi Studios
about their upcoming first person shooter. Topics covered include the game's
influences (one of which is the classic Genesis strategy game Herzog Zwei),
why they decided to create a new engine instead of licensing an existing one,
the game's plot and more.
As promised (and in fact earlier than originally announced), beta version 0.45
of the True Combat mod for Quake
III Arena has been released. True Combat is "a superreal conversion"
and this latest release adds "free climbing," a holstering system,
a new light glare effect and lots more. It is available for Mac, Linux and Win32.
According to this
Hollywood Reporter story on Yahoo News, Monolith is currently working on
a first person shooter based on the classic movie Tron (thanks AVault).
There aren't any details beyond the fact that it's a "first-person-perspective
action game" and is being developed for the PC, with an Xbox port likely (whether or not the fan-favorite light cycles will be making an appearance is unknown).
Also of note for geeks is the news that Disney is preparing a 20th anniversary
DVD release of the original film, and that things are progressing (albeit slowly)
on a sequel.
Computer and Video Games has conducted a
Q&A with Sid Meier. The interview mostly deals with Civilization III,
one of two projects he's currently working on, and Sid comments on the many
changes that have been made since the last game in the series.
Polish developers Reality Pump have released a playable demo of World War III: Black Gold, available for download from likewise Polish site Gry-Online. World War III: Black Gold is a 3D real-time strategy game and the sequel to Earth 2150 and The Moon Project, and this English demo weighs in at a hefty 130.8 MB, allowing you to play a tutorial and a single-player mission on the USA side in the game, and there's also a skirmish mode. Update: A US-based mirror of the demo is now available at 3D Gamers.
As promised, here's
a local copy of the version 1.01 Max Payne patch mentioned in the story
below this one. It has a list of mirrors for the 6.1 MB download, which we will
update with more sites as we become aware of them.
The Max Payne Version
1.01 FAQ on the Remedy website has word that the Max Payne patch that's been
in the works ( story) is now available. In spite of what was said
about "No single source nonsense" ( story), it currently
is only available in a couple of places... the link in the FAQ is to eDome in Finland,
and we have word of a mirror at Peliplaneetta.net,
but we'll cook up a local copy and a more comprehensive mirror list soon enough.
Following up on their
speculative Quake 4 story a couple of weeks ago ( story), a
new report on Computer and Video Games
titled "Raven takes Quake 4 from Carmack" offers further fuel to this
rumor, saying "several independent insiders, under conditions of strict
anonymity, have now confirmed that the project is well down the line at Raven
and will almost certainly be shown at QuakeCon." As pointed out in the
article, "Activision is refusing to discuss the subject on or off the
record." On an equally speculative note, Raven Flies Quake 4 Flag
on FGN likewise cites "reliable sources," agreeing that Quake 4 (IV?) will
be unveiled at QuakeCon, and adds an even more speculative release date as
"late 2003." Rounding out the no comments on this, they point out that
Raven likewise has not yet responded to their requests for a comment on these
rumors.
There's a
Halo article on PC Zone that says "Despite all the rumours, Halo will
come to the PC, complete with online multiplay," saying "PC ZONE can
now confirm Halo will indeed be a PC release, though exact release dates remain
uncertain, and it is sure to be at least a couple of months after the US Xbox
launch." Since they don't offer any source for this 'confirmation,' I guess
we file this under the 'in spite of all the rumors, here's another rumor'
category. Of course, regardless of their acquisition by Microsoft, Bungie has
never once wavered from their stance that Halo is ultimately destined for the PC and Mac
in addition to the Xbox, so this article is really just repeating the party line.
GameSpy.com Previews Trade Empires
with a look at this upcoming "empire building" strategy game from Frog City Software,
creators of the Imperialism series. The hands-on preview outlines the basic
premise of gameplay, offers a look at the various scenarios it includes, the
role of its namesake trading, and more, and also offers up several screenshots.
There's a Q&A with Sarah Boulian
on TheLandsOfDS (thanks PlanetDungeonSiege)
talking with one of the level designers at Gas Powered Games about progress on
Dungeon Siege, their upcoming fantasy/RPG. The conversation focuses on level
design, talking about factors that must be taken into account for creating
Dungeon Siege levels and discussing the functionality of the game's engine and
the Siege Editor program. In spite of its brevity (or contributing to it), this
is part one of a two parter, with the second installment planned to go up at
some point today.
Sega Price Cuts Addressed
(FGN) as you should soon be able to buy these for Weimar Marks. On the upside of
the console business, GBA Sees Super Sales
(also on FGN) informs us that the GameBoy Advance is selling like hotcakes (and
if you've seen the line at the International House of Hotcakes lately, you'd
know that's saying something). In an interesting twist on an exclusive, there are three
Raven Blade screenshots on Planet GameCube, which are the first in-game shots
from this title that had been in the works at Retro Studios before its recent
cancellation ( story). Finally, Consumer slump triggers Sony loss
on BBC news (thanks Chris Jones).
D-Link, Sierra, and VitalStream Announce Alliance to Deliver Free Tribes 2 Summer of Champions Tournaments
is the press release announcing "Summer Games 2001," culminating in a
"Tournament of Champions," to be followed-up by an open "End of
Summer Deathmatch." Over $30,000 of prizes are being offered for this free
5-on-5 teamplay event, for which sign-ups have already begun on
this page.
A new "Vendetta Guide" has been added to the
Gangsters 2 Strategy Guide. Remember, if you really have a vendetta, it
should be "buckwheats" for everybody. Xezol.com's
Max Payne Walkthru has a guide to eight chapters of the game, using
screenshots to clearly illustrate what's what.
Thanks for the copious feedback on the Flash ad dealie, it has been very
interesting reading, and for all those that have expressed such strong
encouragement and support for what we are doing, consider yourselves
doubly-thanked, as that is what makes all this worthwhile. The latest on the ad,
btw, is that it's back in the "shop" to see if it can be made to stop
showing repeatedly during the same visit to the site.
More on advertising stuff... in the discussions about all this brouhaha, one
of the concepts that's frequently suggested is to get the site
"sponsored," which inspired the brainstorm that adding a text link to
sponsor a days worth of news as a logical way to get rolling with that. I put a
sample of such a link in today's date-bar for the folks at BAWLS... I've managed
to wrangle a couple of free cases of the stuff over time, so we can even
consider this one "paid" for.
If you are interested in sponsoring a days worth of news, contact me. This is
meant for corporate-type sponsors, we appreciate the offers of support from
readers, but individuals should resist any temptation to do this for charity (unless
you're filthy rich, in which case just go nuts), this should be for those with
products or services to offer. Anyway, if you do so, you won't get BAWLS-style
pimpage (that has never had anything to do with advertising, just my own
affection for their product), but it's pretty obvious from reader feedback on
the ads issue that there are enough folks out there that will appreciate the
support you would be providing us with to make this or some variation on it a
very desirable position.
Link of the Day: Our Lady of Toast, Mother of Toasters.
Thanks EvilToast (who else?).
Story of the Day: Child's name offered to highest bidder
(CNN). Thanks Jonathan Ruff. I hope this kid ends up named Anusol Schroeder.
Bonus Story: Dog
Fends Off Alligator, Protects Elderly Woman in Fort Myers. Thanks
theAntiELVIS. And the dog's name is Blue! ![=]](/miscimages/smiley4.gif)
Follow-up: Bronze Age 'iceman' killed by arrow
(CNN). He was fragged! Thanks [MP] Wolverine [MP].
Media of the Day: APOD 2001 July 26 - Madagascar Totality.
Thanks brother19.
|
Twitter 
