Archived News:
Activision has released a playable demo of Spider-Man, allowing you to try out this third-person action adventure based on the Marvel Comics character that was ported by LTI Gray Matter from its console counterpart. The demo weighs in at a hefty 129.1 MB, and includes a lengthy cinematic introduction to the story, as well as the first three levels from the full game. Update: Note that the download link currently has a typo, so you can use this direct link instead. A mirror is online at 3D Gamers. Update #2: More mirrors are up at FilePlanet (registration required) and Czech sites Tiscali Games and BonusWeb.
- Halo Xbox
Xbox.IGN.com has posted half a dozen new Halo screenshots, showing off the Xbox version of the 3D action game by Bungie that will appear on the PC and Mac as well.
- Galactic Battleground
The official Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds site allows you to take a tour of LucasArts' isometric RTS, sporting eight "hot spots to get a close-up look at some exciting conflicts, characters and units!"
- Yuri's Revenge
GameSpot has posted over two dozen new Command & Conquer: Yuri's Revenge screenshots, celebrating that Westwood's isometric RTS expansion went gold today (story).
- Paradise Cracked
Daily Telefrag has added six new Paradise Cracked screenshots to their sprawling gallery for this 3D role-playing tactical combat game by MiST land.
- Blitzkrieg
Also on Daily Telefrag are five new screenshots of Blitzkrieg, the recently announced isometric real-time strategy game by Nival Interactive and CDV (story).
- Primitive Wars
Completing Daily Telefrag's hat-trick today are the first eleven screenshots of Primitive Wars, the just-announced isometric RTS by Arxel Tribe (story).
- Halloween
Just Adventure has posted what appear to be the first ten screenshots of Halloween, a 3D game by Kalisto and Wanadoo on which they provide no further information (but it doesn't take an adventurous bet to assert that it's adventure-related).
The official Earth and Beyond site transmits the news that the first round of public beta testing invitations have now been mailed out, on which occasion a new beta status update is online with the latest on this massively multiplayer space RPG in development at Westwood. The update has some information on progress made on all space frontiers in recent months, and word is they will "begin testing in a couple weeks. We'll be scaling up our test over the next few months, and adding progressively more and more members of the community."
As promised, a new beta patch for TRIBES 2 is now available for download from the Official Tribes 2 Central Download Site, bringing Dynamix' multiplayer shooter to version 24763. This release is said to include "a ton of bug fixes, cheat preventions and game tweaks based on your feedback. For a complete list of the changes consult the updatepatch.txt file." As usual, a reverse patch back to version 23669 is also available if you're burning your toes while testing the beta waters. Update: The huge list of changes is now up at TribalWar.
Mucky Foot has released a version 1.0.1b patch for StarTopia, their colorful space station management game. Word is that "This patch has no newer features than the old patch, and is fully compatible with the old patch across multiplayer and save games, however it will solve the problems some people are having with the original."
CG
Online's Command & Conquer Renegade Preview is online, offering a look
at Westwood's upcoming foray into the shooter genre based on their hugely
successful real-time strategy series. The article looks at how the action in the
new game relates to its RTS forebears, as you will play a lone wolf commando
with the GDI who receives an occasional assist from Gunner, as well as some more
"generic" reinforcements. The story goes on to discuss things like weaponry,
vehicles, the missions, and more. They also discuss the game's proprietary 3D
engine with its creator, Jani Penttinen, and the piece offers quotes about the game
from its producer, Dan Cermak. In addition, a few of the many screenshots
accompanying the article are new.
GameSpot Previews Warrior Kings
with a look at this medieval 3D RTS in the works at UK-based developer Black
Cactus. Along with a look at the game, the article offers a glimpse at its
turbulent history, as before Microids signed on to publish it, this was one of
the games that was dropped by Sierra during one of their recent shakeups. The
article goes on to offer first-hand impressions from getting to see a
demonstration, and they were obviously impressed by he game's scope, saying
"some cities in Warrior Kings are actually 20 to 25 square miles, which
might be a blessing or a curse, depending on your strategy for the game."
The preview goes on to describe the three factions represented in the game, and
give a feel for gameplay, where you can not only succeed by besting your
opponents on the battlefield, but also via diplomatic means, and even divine
intervention, as: "If a battle isn't going in your favor, you can ask the
inhabitants of your city to pray for divine favors or, basically, the assistance
of a god." ( "They're not gonna catch us. We're on a mission from
God!"). Included with the preview are a half-dozen new screenshots.
Spencer Low, the UK Marketing & PR guy for CDV Software sends along an orcs in Divine Divinity
update where Swen Vincke, the game's producer, fills us in on what sort of
orcy fun to expect in Larian Studios' upcoming RPG. Included with the update is a
batch of new screenshots of Divinity's orcs that also includes some concept
art. Also, The Divine
Divinity Preview, part 2 on RPGDot continues their first-hand impressions of
the game based on a visit they made to check it out in person, offering a
detailed account of gameplay. Finally, GameCaptain's Aktuelles aus der Welt der
PC-Spiele offers another set of impressions in the site's native German (as
if that title didn't give that away). As usual, the German can be roughly
auto-translated via the services of Babel Fish.
There is an Age of Mythology teaser movie on GameSpot, offering the first footage of the 3D real-time strategy game under construction at Ensemble Studios. Sporting a voice-over by lead designer Bruce Shelley, it runs for some 30 seconds in MPEG or several streaming formats, about half of it showing actual in-game footage.
Games Domain has posted the ECTS movie trailer of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon, showing off the 3D tactical shooter in the works at Red Storm Entertainment. The 9.3 MB download in AVI format sports nearly 40 seconds of in-game footage. They also have a copy of the earlier trailer ( story) online that requires a 31.9 MB download but for that includes a soundtrack and a higher image quality. And elsewhere, Dutch site Tactical Games offers up eight new, high-resolution Ghost Recon screenshots.
This evening XGR will be conducting a new audio interview on Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza, chatting to Fox Interactive producer Chris Miller about the first-person shooter being developed at Piranha Games. As always, WinAmp or a compatible player is mandatory, popcorn is optional, and the fun kicks off at 9:00 PM EDT.
- Chaser
The official Chaser site has been updated with half a dozen new screenshots, a sketch and four renders, all illustrating the futuristic first-person shooter in the works at Cauldron.
- PlanetSide
As promised, XGR has added two new PlanetSide screenshots to last night's audio interview on Verant's massively multiplayer shooter.
- Escape From Alcatraz
The official Escape From Alcatraz site now offers up four new screenshots of The Swampland area in the 3D squad-based action strategy by Philos Laboratories.
- Far West
There are a bunch of new Far West concept images on German site raffs.de, illustrating the 3D strategy game under construction at Greenwood Entertainment.
- AquaNox
Italian site IGZ has posted their hands-on AquaNox preview which you may like to digest via Babel Fish, or you can check out the two dozen screenshots they have included there, and another half dozen here.
- Pool of Radiance
EuroGamer has captured eight new Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor screenshots from their beta build of the isometric role-playing game that went gold the other day (story).
- Cossacks Expansion
There are two new Cossacks: the Art of War screenshots of the official site for this isometric RTS expansion being created by GSC Game World.
- Morrowind
The official Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind site has been updated with three new Xbox screenshots and a new wallpaper of this first- and third-person RPG being crafted at Bethesda Softworks.
- Hitchcock
This Hitchcock screenshots gallery on Just Adventure offers a mix of new and familiar scenes in the 3D adventure game by Arxel Tribe based on the works of the Master of Suspense.
- Curse
Also on Just Adventure is a mix of new and familiar Curse: The Eye of Isis screenshots, showing off this survival horror adventure by Asylum and Wanadoo.
The Divine Divinity website has
updated their listed release dates for both the English and German versions of Divine Divinity, Larian Studios' upcoming RPG. The site formerly had fourth quarter 2001 listed for the
release of the German version, with release of the English version listed as
T.B.D. Since the update, both versions are now listed as being slated for a
first quarter 2002 release.
A casual post on A Talent For War
mentions that Jumpgate, the upcoming massively multiplayer space combat game
from NetDevil and 3DO, has gone gold. Surprised by the off-hand way this
information is presented, we contacted them about this, and sure enough, they
confirmed that the news came straight from Brian Clayton, a producer at 3DO.
Word is the game is still on track to be available on September 25, and in the
meantime, the recently announced free Jumpgate trial ( story)
continues, allowing players to participate in the game's stress test.
First details: Black & White 2
on GameSpot continues their audience with Peter Molyneux, the head of the pride at Lionhead
Studios, getting the first bits of information out of him regarding plans for
Black & White 2, the sequel to their god game. According to the article,
B&W2 will contain the enhancements found in Creature Isles, the upcoming
B&W expansion "(or minisequel, as the team likes to say)," and
will be much more focused on strategy than the original, as, like in Creature
Isles, you will find your once-peaceful island embroiled in conflict. The
article goes into other innovations planned for the game, and even elicited an
estimate that the sequel is about "a year or so" away. Here's a bit
more that describes the ambitious plans for the future of this franchise:
One of Molyneux's surprise revelations was that Lionhead has a very
long-term plan for Black & White. A console version that rethinks the game's
mechanics for play with a PlayStation 2 or Xbox controller instead of the PC
mouse is in the works, and there are also basic plans to extend the Black &
White series through five full games. For the third game and beyond, there are
one or two page design docs, and they're naturally pretty vague at this stage.
But there are some more specific plans for Black & White 3, which should be
particularly spectacular visually and will use a completely new engine. Molyneux
envisions that the Black & White series will likely continue in the same
highly detailed yet cartoony visual style, but ever-improving PC and console
hardware will open up new and more dramatic gameplay options.
Battle Vortex Online Gaming
has an audio interview with Bob "Gbob" Roland, Netdevil's community
manager, discussing Jumpgate, their upcoming persistent state space combat game.
The interview spans an hour and 24 minutes, and is available in streaming
format, as well as a 10+ MB download. To listen to either version you will need
an .mp3 player. Here's the amusing list of topics covered that is on the
website: "Introduction to Gbob, Life as a PR Weasel, Introduction to
JumpGate, US Release estimates, US launch strategy, Returns, Pika?, The future
of PvP in JumpGate, Cheesy Tactics, Fiction Concerns, Quests, Simulator Events,
New Conflux Sim, Patch Schedules, The Cyclone, Grief Play, Hacking, Gear, Patch
29, Capitol Ships, Chat Channel Spam, Gbob shaves his head?, NetDevil's Future
Plans, and much more..."
TalonSoft has released a patch for Myth II: Green Berets, updating their squad-based tactical strategy game to version 1.1. The patch comes as a 2.6 MB download and includes a few minor bug fixes and unit balance changes, but it apparently requires a rather elaborate process involving a "Plugin Patcher" to apply it to the game, so be sure to read the instructions on the download page.
Molyneux's next big project
on GameSpot has word that "when not contributing to the design of Black
& White 2, Peter Molyneux works on a new project code-named Dimitri."
The article is based on visiting with Peter in Lionhead's UK-based offices. While there were not many details to be had, there were hints that the game will
be for the PC, though there's no way of telling if the "separate
discussion" they describe having with him about RPGs being his favorite
genre relates to this project as well. Here's a portion of the article that
talks of what they did learn about this "Dimitri" project: In
Lionhead's central office, Molyneux is working on a completely new game concept
that's code-named Dimitri, a name that will certainly change before the official
announcement. He couldn't give more than a few hints about what the project
involves, but he said it's very different and won't be a god game like Black
& White. However, some of the technology being developed for Dimitri will be
worked into Black & White 2. There was some hint that the game will be for
the PC, and Molyneux said that game concepts for PCs and consoles will
necessarily work differently because mouse interfaces don't translate well to
game controllers and vice versa. He said he's exploring his console game design
impulses through Lionhead's other projects, including Black & White
Next-Generation, Project Ego, and BC.
Phantagram Interactive has recently opened both its Duality and Strident websites for inspection, introducing the recently announced 3D action RPG by Trilobite Graphics as well as their own 3D action title. Both sites offer an overview of their respective game's features, the screenshots that were released at ECTS, and a movie trailer. The Duality trailer was already available elsewhere in a smaller but soundless variant ( story) but the original trailer (61.9 MB) can be downloaded from the Duality site. Likewise, the Strident site offers an impressive looking but once again pre-rendered movie trailer (33.8 MB) in high-res DivX AVI format that runs for two minutes, and Gameplex has again posted a smaller but soundless version of it.
More cinematic news from Phantagram, for they have also released a Kindom Under Fire Gold Edition Movie Trailer as a 31.2 MB download in DivX Windows Media Player format. The trailer sports two and half minutes of cinematic and in-game footage to introduce this new edition of their isometric role-playing RTS.
The official German site for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura offers the German version 1.0.7.0 patch for download, bringing the newly available isometric RPG by Troika Games in sync with its English cousins ( story). It's a 2.2 MB download and the German README is also available. Thanks raffs.de.
Activision sends along a press release with the announcement that Soldier
of Fortune Platinum Marches onto Retail Shelves. Along with the word on the
availability of the repackaged version of the gold edition of the mercenary
shooter that includes five new multiplayer maps, GameSpy support, a digital copy
of the official strategy guide, and a preview trailer of Soldier of Fortune II:
Double Helix, the release also has word of a new Soldier of Fortune
website where you can "can learn more about Soldier of Fortune Platinum
Edition, Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix and the real life exploits of John
Mullins."
There a very brief
Q&A with Dan Cermak on Tiberium-MW (thanks GameSpyDaily)
discussing Command & Conquer Renegade with the upcoming third-person C&C
action game's producer. Half of the four questions deal with the fact that the
orca will not be flyable in the game, while also asking Dan's feelings about how
the project is progressing, and pinning him down on the fact that they are till
working towards a Christmas release.
FREELANCER's Art
of Magic interview chats with Climax Entertainment's Steve Norris to catch
up on progress on Magic & Mayhem: The Art of Magic. They learn that the beta
testing on the 3D RTS is now complete, and that the finishing touches are now
being applied to the master copy, Steve saying "the release date just can't
arrive soon enough." They also go into details about gameplay, discussing
the game's number of missions, similarities to the original Magic & Mayhem,
the music, the possibilities of another follow-up, and more.
Version 1.0 of the RealBot
for Counter-Strike is now available, offering the ability to play with AI
playmates. The new version fixes the ladder code, reduces CPU load, and more.
Also, on a related note, an update to The official Counter-Strike website
(thanks Rimas Gaizutis) has a status report on the highly-anticipated version
1.3 of this Half-Life mod/game. Noting that the promised first week of September
release has obviously been missed, they estimate the new version, which will
offer the voice communication and proxy spectator modes in the upcoming
Half-Life patch, is likely to be released "in the next 2 weeks (hopefully
next week, but that could change)."
The Team Vortex website has a
playable demo for Operation Na Pali, their upcoming single-player Unreal
Tournament modification/mission pack. This release is said to represent about a
quarter of the gameplay that will be in the final version of the mod.
Black & White Center
interviews Lionhead talking with Lionhead's Peter Molyneux about their
site's namesake game, Black & White. Topics include the possibility that a
future B&W add-on will offer in-game mod support, what sort of plans there
are for a release of an SDK, the reason plans for Black & White universe
were scrapped, plans for a third-party creature editor, and more.
MGON's
Empire Earth Preview is online, based on playing with the closed multiplayer
beta of this upcoming RTS. The article offers a little background on the game,
impressions of the graphics, a description of how gameplay is conducted, and
their hands-on impressions, which refer to it as "one of the most challenge
RTS creations to date," and their feeling that "Empire Earth could
very well be the RTS game of 2001." The preview also includes a
new screenshot gallery.
Command &
Conquer Red Alert 2 Yuri's Revenge Goes Gold (thanks To The Game)
is the press release announcing that this Red Alert 2 expansion has gone gold,
and is expected in stores September 28th. The release refers to this as "the
largest expansion pack in Westwood’s history, adding to the real-time strategy
game new Allied and Soviet units, two single-player campaigns, multiplayer
features, co-operative campaigns, an hour of filmed story sequences, and an
entirely new side: an Army lead by the mysterious psychic warrior, Yuri."
GameSpy.com Previews Red Faction
with a hands-on look ahead at the PC version of Volition's earth-shattering
first-person shooter that's already available for the PS2. The preview describes
the game's plotline, its environments, multiplayer play, and of course, the
GeoMod engine that allows you to shoot your way through walls and floors in
addition to your enemies. Also included with the preview is a bunch of new
screenshots.
The Carbon6.com website is online,
offering information about the new game company formed by American "tokay"
McGee and Dave "ddt" Taylor, both one-time id Software employees
before American eventually moved on to EA and ddt went on to Crack dot com and
Transmeta. The site offers background on the newly-formed company, which also
includes Paul Rosenberg, and Scott Faye, and describes how it "takes original or Hollywood
IP (intellectual property) and marries it to a development team and a publisher
then designs and manages the game to completion." To kick off the site,
they have posted three pieces of
concept artwork from an unannounced upcoming title.
Rat Patrol Radio at The Virtual
USO is playing host to an audio interview this evening with Chris
"Mo" Sherland, producer for World War II Online. The show will air
live at 11:00 PM EDT, and can be accessed via
this link (.mp3 player required). Topics of the chat will be the vehicles
and weapons of the first theater, Blitzkrieg, as well as what is planned for the
future of WW2 Online.
A new Unreal Championship Video
on Team Xbox has 42 seconds of high-resolution footage of the upcoming Xbox
Unreal game, while the Digital Extremes
website has been updated with new UC character descriptions. HomeLan's Half-Life PS2 Interview
talks with Gearbox Software's Randy Pitchford about progress on the upcoming PS2
version of Half-Life. Ubi
Soft To Launch Six GameCube™ Titles in the U.S. by March 2002 is the press
release with U.S.' U.S. G.C. plan, which includes a GC version of Rogue Spear. Toys R Us Sells Out Xbox Pre-Orders in 30 Minutes
(thanks Bundy845) is a story on the rapid sell-out of the $499 pre-order
bundles, though the quote saying a spokesperson would "not disclose exactly
how many such bundled units had been sold" is bound to set off the hype
alarm in the more cynical among us. On a related note, GameCube
Bundle Only
is an FGN report saying "Toys R Us has said that the firm will sell GameCube
as a bundle only." This
photo of an Atari Microbox prototype seems to bear an uncanny resemblance to the PS2 (thanks Team Xbox).
EA Games to go Game Boy Advance
on Pocket.IGN.com includes word that Medal of Honor is GBA-bound. PS2.IGN.com's
James Bond in...Agent Under Fire Movies has shaky cam videos of the upcoming
007 game shot at ECTS. Starbreeze Eyes New Home
on FGN reports: "Enclave developer Starbreeze Studios has now received GameCube
and PS2 dev kits. Does this mean the Xbox stunner could go
multi-platform?"
The Riot Mod Software page has beta one of
the Bloodbath Seven modification for Quake III Arena, the first release of the
Q3A version of this mod series that started with a Shogo: Mobile Armor Division
modification. Word on the mod is it "is all about big, flash weapons, gibs,
explosions, and fast, furious Deathmatch."
LanDAG Gaming Group announces their next 24
Hour LAN Event will take place on October 13. ClanPages.com
is seeking beta testers for their Dedicated Game Server Service which they are
looking to test before they launch the pay for play version of the service. If
you are feeling informative, you can fill out this
Survey about online gaming.
Kowboy's kickass 3DS tutors on CFXweb
offers a nine-part modeling tutorial ranging from the "very basics
(learning the GUI) to advanced particles creation."
There's a TRIBES 2 Warped Modification Q&A
on HomeLan talking with the warped folks behind this upcoming Warped T2 mod.
The Q&A also includes nine new screenshots.
We finally got the gremlins out of the email sometime yesterday afternoon. Of
course you don't actually destroy gremlins, just flush them from your system,
apologies to whomever we passed them along to, hopefully they aren't destroying
too much.
Is it really football season (The US kind, not the soccer kind) already?
Where does the time go? Speaking of which, happy birthday Marge Simpson, as MoB
Chris Morris points out Julie Kavner is 50 today. And I forgot a present. D'oh!
R.I.P.: Cajun chef Justin Wilson dead at 87 (thanks Kevin Kitchen).
He was a fun guy. R.I.P. I guarontee.
Link of the Day: You are stupid
(thanks Jason Lewis). Informing the world one idiot at a time (don't be
offended, I went there before you).
Wild Science: Milky Way May Have Black Hole.
Thanks Brendan.
Wild Science II: Scientists score scramjet success.
Thanks Mike Martinez.
Media of the Day: APOD 2001 September 6 - Moon AND Stars.
Thanks Andrew and brother19.
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