Archived News:
Electronic Arts has released a set of new Battlefield 1942 movies for download from its ftp server, showing the hybrid 3D action game by Digital Illusions in motion. There is a 1:17 minute complete trailer in medium-res (9.0 MB) and low-res (3.0 MB) sizes, along with a 16 second gameplay clip in medium-res (1.9 MB) and low-res (651 KB), a 29 second one in medium-res (3.5 MB) and low-res (1.2 MB), and a 33 second clip in medium-res (3.7 MB) and low-res (1.2 MB), all of them in QuickTime format.
- New World Order
Project Three Interactive has issued a baker's dozen new screenshots of New World Order to the press, showing off the team-based tactical shooter in the works at Termite Games.
- Task Force Dagger
The official Delta Force: Task Force Dagger site has been updated with several new but low-res screenshots of this standalone tactical shooter expansion by Zombie Studios and NovaLogic.
- Eschaton
Gnostic Labs sends word of 14 new screenshots of Eschaton Online, their massively multiplayer online space game that was announced during E3 (story).
- Combat Mission 2
There are six new Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin screenshots on The Wargamer, offering more scenes in the turn-based 3D war game under construction at Big Time Software and Battlefront.com.
- Sea Dogs II
The official Sea Dogs II site has been updated with a new screenshot of the week, showing off the 3D RPG-at-sea being crafted at Akella.
- HoveRace
GSC Game World has posted three new screenshots of HoveRace, their sci-fi hovercraft racing game that now also seems to be going by the name Hover Ace.
- Broken Sword 3
There's a batch of new Broken Sword: the Sleeping Dragon screenshots and artwork on Just Adventure, illustrating the 3D adventure sequel in development at Revolution (thanks Tiscali Games).
Funcom has released new patches for Anarchy Online for manual download or through the auto-updater, updating their futuristic MMORPG via version 14.2 and 14.2.1 to the current version 14.2.2. The massive list of new features, changes and bug fixes is available in the Build Notes. Similarly, the EverQuest Patch Message shows that two successive updates have been applied to Sony Online's fantasy MMORPG as well. Finally, the official DuelField site offers a new version 1.09 patch for this online turn-based strategy game by Sismoplay.
RPG Vault has posted a new Icewind Dale II diary, covering progress in the development of the isometric role-playing game by Black Isle Studios. This ninth and possibly final installment is penned by designer Damien Foletto, and it describes the play testing and bug fixing phase the project is going through on the way to completion, as well as going into more detail about the pre-made parties that will ship with the game, some of the new features, and more.
There is a new movie trailer for G.I. Combat, showing more from the 3D war game under construction at Freedom Games. This clip offers the one-minute intro trailer from the game as a 13.9 MB download in self-running Bink format.
After a false start yesterday ( story), Barking Dog and Electronic Arts have now released a fixed multiplayer demo of Global Operations, available for download from FilePlanet (registration required). This demo fixes the problem where clients couldn't connect to any game servers, and as before the 98.6 MB download features the Antarctica map. Additional mirrors are online at EA's ftp server, Shacknews (registration required) and 3D Gamers.
On occasion of the game's one year anniversary, Cornered Rat Software has released the promised patch for World War II Online, bringing their massively multiplayer 3D war game to version 1.64. Available through the auto-updater, a hefty 98.5 MB download or on CD-ROM, this massive release adds a new user interface, first-person trooper systems, new vehicles, new and updated sounds, numerous gameplay changes and bug fixes, and more as detailed in the Release Notes. Thanks Jason DeWitt for the tip.
While we reported on three movies last night ( story), it has since come to our attention that in fact all six nTrap movies have recently been released by AGD-Software to show off their space and air 3D action game. The Water Planet (5.1 MB), Water Planet 2 (6.9 MB) and Jelly-Field Device (8.8 MB) clips all three offer more gameplay footage in high-res DivX format, running between 40 and 55 seconds.
TimeGate Studios has released a new patch for Kohan: Ahriman's Gift, upgrading their isometric RTS expansion to version 1.3.5 (thanks Adrenaline Vault). You can use the manual 1.7 MB download or the auto-updater, and this release reduces the guard zone of settlement buildings, adds mana production to temple upgrades, improves and tweaks some of the game's heroes, and more as detailed in the Revision History.
There is a Far Cry interview on Computer and Video Games, interrogating lead game programmer Betar Kotevski about the sci-fi first-person shooter in the works at Crytek. After an introduction of the E3 demo they saw, the interview covers topics like the game's premise, their in-house CryEngine, how long game and engine have been in development, gameplay features like movement, enemy AI and weapons, plans for multiplayer and mod support, and more. Elsewhere, another Far Cry preview based on the E3 demo is online at PC.IGN.com.
Strategy First and Nival Interactive proudly announce a publishing agreement for the highly anticipated sequel to Etherlords is a press release announcing not only a publishing deal for Etherlords II, but also offering the first official word that this turn-based strategy game is in development at Nival Interactive. Here is an excerpt on what you can expect from the game:
Etherlords II is the sequel to the innovative turn-based strategy game originally released in November 2001. Similar to Etherlords I, which was highly praised for its tactical depth and stunning graphics, Etherlords II promises to be even more spectacular, changing the emphasis of the game from simple exploration and resource gathering to a more enriching story-driven adventure.
Players control one of four races in a lavish 3D fantasy world, in which they will explore, and conquer territory, solve puzzles, and seek out enemies. Combat takes place in wonderfully detailed and expansive arenas and is based upon fantasy collectable card games in which the player must make tactical decisions on the types and combinations of spells and creatures to cast against their foes.
The sequel is based upon a new and enhanced narrative that lends itself to exploration and adventure. 4 new campaigns will offer 16 new creatures and over 30 new spells, including spells and creatures that can be wielded by all of the races. A simplified interface and a thorough tutorial system enhances gameplay as well as new abilities, such as sailing, tunneling, teleporting, and an artifact editor for creating customized spells. As Heroes develop their skills they will change in appearance, giving the game more of a role-playing aspect.
In addition, players will find a map editor that allows anyone to create their own maps and combine them into entire campaigns. Added modes for one-on-one and team-based multiplayer duels on a new game server featuring auto-rating and recording will make on-line tournaments more captivating than ever before.
Update: The announcement is accompanied by the first three Etherlords II screenshots.
There's a
Lionheart Q&A on FREELANCER where they catch up with Black Isle Studios'
Chris Parker and Reflexive Entertainment's Ion Hardie to learn more about
progress on Lionheart, their upcoming role-playing game. Subjects covered in the
detailed conversation include an introduction to the interviewees and the game,
the story on the game's title change, the storyline, the alternate world where
gameplay will take place, the main character, the magic system, comparisons with
Fallout, races, weapons, whether the game will allow for "tactical
pauses," AI, quests, the game engine, music, multiplayer support, and more.
There's an I of the Dragon
Q&A on Gamer's Hell talking with Slava Pismenny, director of Primal
Software, about I of the Dragon, their upcoming role-reversal RPG that puts the
player in the role of a dragon. Topics include his role in the game's
development, where the idea of the dragon protagonist originated, the spell
system, replayability, the status of multiplayer support, how far along they are
in development, and more.
The DreamCatcher Downloads page offers a new Iron Storm movie for visual inspection, showing off the first- and third-person shooter in the works at 4X Studio. This 36.7 MB download sports two minutes of action-packed gameplay sequences in high-res (though somewhat low quality) MPEG format. Update: The movie has been replaced with an older trailer, but mirrors of the gameplay movie are available at 3D Gamers and FilePlanet (registration required).
Aspyr releases Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds for the Macintosh
is word that the Mac version of Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds has shipped,
and that Westlake Interactive's "carbonized" version of the Age of
Empires-engine RTS game "is available wherever great interactive
entertainment software is sold."
After what seems like an endless development cycle, version 1.0 of Mozilla,
the open-source browser descendant of Netscape Navigator, itself the offspring
of Mosaic, is now available (thanks Ant). Also, Apple's
QuickTime 6 Public Preview is now available (thanks Shacknews).
The Night's Edge Wet Works Website seems to
have stabilized again, after buckling following the release of version 1.0 of
the Night's Edge modification for Unreal Tournament. This first official
non-beta release "brings quite a few enhancements to this futuristic-themed
game of team combat. Now you can load up with an even wider variety of
contemporary and ultra-advanced weaponry, using them on 19 different custom
Night's Edge maps." Windows and Linux version are available, and word is a
Mac version is also in the works.
This Gore
Stand-Alone Server Configuration Guide offers a guide to setting up a
multiplayer server for Gore, 4D Rulers' just-released first-person shooter. The Soldier of Fortune II Top Solutions FAQ
has been updated with several new Q&As concerning Raven's mercenary shooter
sequel.
3DGaming.de's Map Assault 2002 Mapping Contest
is underway, sponsored by EA Germany, offering some swag as prizes for user-submitted maps
for Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.
Raven Software Prime Minister Eric Biessman updated
his .plan with word that Raven is seeking "talented individuals to work
on AAA-quality next generation console and PC titles." These positions will
require relocating to Madison, WI. Also, Human Head
Studios is likewise looking to fill some positions, their Head
Hunting page has all the details on what this entails, including that this
would also involve relocating to Wisconsin.
As a follow-up to yesterday's Link of the Day, the 404 Research Lab,
braeden sends a note pointing out that this site, dedicated to creative 404
(page not found) error messages, does not even have a custom 404 page of their
own, as can be seen in this broken link.
I know given the nature of their site means the pressure was on to live up to
this, but this still seems like a cop-out. What is this world coming to?
Link of the Day: The Palm Graveyard
Thanks Adam.
Story of the Day: How to Thank Kenya for 9-11 Cows.
Thanks [MP] Wolverine [MP].
Weird Science: Dark Matter: Science Doesn't Know What, Where Or How.
Thanks Sergio Pena.
Wild Science: Milky Way Caught Ripping Up Star Cluster.
Thanks again Sergio Pena.
Image of the Day: Star Wars Fans Strike Back.
EEEK! Thanks Chris Johnson.
Auction of the Day: Japan Domain name Japanese First Emperor.
$10,000,000.00. Yowza! Thanks Eric Blade.
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