Mathieu Ferland (Ubi Soft) on Splinter Cell on Ferrago.co.uk is the latest interrogation of the Ubi Soft Montreal producer about their upcoming third-person stealthy action game for PC and Xbox. Mathieu discusses how the style of gameplay deviates from previous games based on the works of author Tom Clancy, the main storyline, the emphasis on stealth play, their use of the Unreal engine and the interactivity it provides, the weapons and gadgets at the player's disposal, and a few other game features.

• Unreal II
  If the original images earlier this week were too small for your taste (story), then those six Unreal II: the Awakening screenshots have now been distributed to the press in their original, unadulterated 1600x1200 resolution, showing off Legend Entertainment's upcoming single-player FPS.
• O.R.B.
  The official O.R.B. site has been updated with 11 new screenshots, offering new galactic scenes in the space-based 3D real-time strategy game in development at Strategy First.
• UFO: Aftermath
  There are five new UFO: Aftermath screenshots (along with three familiar ones) on the official site for this squad-based tactical combat game by ALTAR Interactive, which seems devoid of such eye-pleasing things like thumbnails and layout images (at least in some browsers; but the full screenshots links work, and the set is also available in a downloadable zip-file).
• Highland Warriors
  The first three Highland Warriors screenshots in the image gallery on the official site show more from the 3D real-time strategy game under construction at Soft Enterprises.
• Icewind Dale II
  Nine new Icewind Dale II screenshots are online at Gaming Age, showing more from the isometric RPG sequel that is nearing completion at Black Isle Studios.
• Galactic Civilizations
  The Wargamer has posted three new screenshots of Galactic Civilizations, the 4X space strategy game under construction at Stardock.

GIGA Games Germany serves up the official German movie trailer of Neocron, the sci-fi MMORPG being beta tested at Reakktor Media (thanks Neocron Central). The movie offers some five minutes of high-res footage in MPEG format for the price of a 42.6 MB download, and features both an introduction of the game's premise with a German voice-over, as well as plenty of gameplay and fly-by sequences.

SWAT: Urban Justice Developer Diary #9 on Action Vault is another installment in their series covering the development of this police-squad tactical shooter by Sierra Entertainment. Today's topic is the character animation process, as art director Cyrus Kanga discusses the decision to use motion capture, as well as planning, capturing and processing the actual motion data.

GameSpot has posted a preview of Battle Realms: Winter of the Wolf, the upcoming expansion to the 3D real-time strategy game by Liquid Entertainment. The article describes the pack's setting as a prequel to the original game, its focus on the Wolf Clan, the main storyline that is played out in 11 new single-player missions, the new structures and units you can expect, and more. Ten new screenshots and a batch of concept art illustrate the proceedings.

Again trailing a day behind the auto-update (story), the manual version 1.19 patch for Neverwinter Nights is now available to upgrade BioWare's 3D RPG if you prefer this method (thanks Tiscali Games). As before, you need to apply a new NWUpdate utility (506 KB) first, while the data patch (a modest 2.5 MB for the previous upgrade) has now ballooned to a 32.9 MB download, but apparently it is a full standalone patch rather than an increment update.

Tiscali Games has posted a new movie of Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, showing the upcoming Somalia-based tactical shooter by NovaLogic in motion. The movie comes as a 2.0 MB download in DivX format, and sports about half a minute of gameplay footage (along with plenty of logo sequences).

A post titled New Beta Patch on the official TRIBES 2 forums announces the availability of, indeed, a new version 25013 beta patch for Dynamix' multiplayer first-person shooter. As usual, it's available as an upgrade from the last official patch (1.0 MB) and from the original game (3.8 MB), and players are requested to try and join a special test server that will assist Garage Games in tracking down any remaining issues.

This Strategy First Press Release has news that the "Reader's Choice" edition of World War II Online, Cornered Rat Software's MMORPG that has already been unveiled (story) but hadn't been officially announced prior to now, has gone gold, and is due on store shelves by the end of July. Additionally, a messageboard post called Re-evaluation Program Extended (thanks Steven Cochran) has word that the repeat of their offer to let former players try the game out again for free has been extended until next Friday to let reevaluation players check out the new version 165 patch.

Gathering of Developers Declares Tropico Mucho Macho Edition Available in Stores Now is the announcement of what they call the "ultimate fun-in-the-sun compilation" for Tropico, the island dictator simulator, as well as word that it has already shipped to stores. Here's their rundown on what this includes: "a full version of "Tropico," "Tropico: Paradise Island," and more than two hours of original, award-winning Latin music. 'Tropico: Mucho Macho Edition' also includes 12 all-new scenarios, Prima Games' official strategy guide in electronic format, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes video look into the making of Tropico.'"

7FX has issued the first mission pack for Team Factor, their team-based tactical shooter that was recently released in Europe. The pack requires a 10.0 MB download and contains two missions called Topaia and Sarajevo, which allow you to "experience more of the close combat environment, than in most of our previous levels." There's also word of an upcoming second mission pack and a 3D Studio MAX plug-in for mod authors.

Perhaps enough to inspire curiosity about exactly how many games of the year can emerge from the same year, Ubi Soft Releases Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Game of the Year Edition is a press release offering news of a GotY version of Ghost Recon, as well as word that it is in U.S. and Canadian stores as of today. The release offers the pedigree that justifies conferring this title on the game and word on what the package will include, which is the Desert Siege mission pack in addition to the full version of Ghost Recon.

The German Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind site offers a patch for the European edition of the 3D role-playing game by Bethesda Softworks, bringing it in sync with last week's US version 1.1.0605 patch (story). As before, this 6.1 MB release offers new features like auto-run, a Difficulty slider, a Health bar for enemies and NPCs, plug-in improvements and more, along with a large number of quest and bug fixes. Thanks YiYas. Also, Take Two Germany serves up a GTA 3 Audio Update 1.0 to add some improvements to the MILES Sound System employed in Rockstar's 3D action game, but the Readme file included in the 465 KB download is in German only, so it's not clear whether this patch applies to other language editions. Finally, Infogrames Germany recently issued a German version 1.21f patch for Civilization III (7.8 MB) to bring it in sync with the various other editions of Firaxis' turn-based strategy game.

The new Battlefield 1942 Preview on Games Domain takes a look at Digital Illusions' upcoming team-based World War II shooter. The preview describes the game's focus, the various theaters that will be represented by the final game's 16 maps, player classes, the graphics and other features of the proprietary Refractor 2 engine, the two campaigns and the "conquest" mode they got to play with in the beta version they checked out, and more.

There's an Impossible Creatures Preview on GamePen with their impressions of Relic Entertainment's upcoming strategy game where creating impossible creatures is quite possible. The article hints at the roles of the game's two main characters Rex Chance and Dr. Lucy Willing, the game's mix-and-match genetics, strategies, visuals, and more. Included are 34 screenshots, though these are inexplicably not actually thumbnailed.

Apparently seeking a trial in the court of public opinion, Ravensburger Interactive has sent along a press release contradicting the recent assertion by Headfirst Productions that the publishing contract between the two companies for the development and publication of Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth has been terminated due to breach of contract by Ravensburger (story). Here's what they have to say:

Ravensburger Interactive Media: Contract with Headfirst regarding Call of Cthulhu is not cancelled

Munich, June 28th 2002 - Contrary to deviant press releases and reports concerning the games title Call of Cthulhu, the publisher Ravensburger Interactive Media GmbH makes clear:

The agreement between Ravensburger Interactive Media and the developer studio Head-first regarding the software development and publishing of the title Call of Cthulhu has not been validly terminated by Headfirst and continues to be valid from the perspective of Ravensburger Interactive Media.

Ravensburger Interactive Media reserves legal steps against any unauthorized assignment of the rights continuously held by Ravensburger Interactive Media or any unauthorized exploitation of the same.

There's a Master of Orion III Q&A on GameSpy.com discussing Quicksilver Software's upcoming 4X space game with art director Rantz Hoseley, focusing on how they have recently re-worked several aspects of the game and its interface to streamline gameplay and reintroduce some of the fun-factor that was being lost in the minutia. Accompanying the article is a new movie showing off 37 seconds of CGI footage for download from FilePlanet (registration required).

The Adrenaline Vault Previews Sudden Strike II with a look at the upcoming World War II strategy game sequel in the works at Fireglow studios. They discuss the groundwork for the follow-up that was laid by the original Sudden Strike and its expansion, the several gameplay modes offered, new difficulty settings, unit re-balancing, the increased role of planning and strategy over its predecessors, the addition of the Japanese as a playable faction, new vehicles, and more. Included are 10 new screenshots.

• Imperator
  RPG Vault's Imperator Q&A talks with Mythic Entertainment president Mark Jacobs about Imperator, their just-announced MMORPG set in a future where the fall of the Roman empire never occurred. Topics include the process behind deciding on this project, factors that will promote a speedy development cycle, and more.
• Splinter Cell
  There's a Splinter Cell Q&A on EuroGamer with an article-format conversation with Mathieu Ferland of Ubi Soft Montreal to discuss the upcoming entry in the series of games based on the work of thriller author Tom Clancy. Topics include the increased emphasis on stealth in this game, the switch to the third-person perspective, use of the Unreal engine, and more.
• UFO: Aftermath
  There's a UFO: Aftermath Q&A on Computer Games Online with the English-language version of their conversation with ALTAR Interactive public relations manager Jiri Rydl, discussing the project's complex history, the amount of gameplay offered, their "simultaneous turn" system, and more.
• Earth & Beyond
  HomeLan Fed's Earth & Beyond Q&A chats with Doug Chiang about his work designing the spaceships for Westwood's upcoming space MMORPG, as well as his contribution to the Star Wars movies, and more. On a related note, there is also an Earth & Beyond preview on Gamersclick offering impressions of a beta build of the game.

Activision has opened its own official site for Medieval: Total War, the 3D real-time and turn-based strategy game being assembled at Creative Assembly. The Flash-only site offers sparse information on the game's story and features, a batch of small Flash-ified screenshots, and three wallpapers.

Set your sights on Operation Flashpoint Resistance’s detailed new visuals on the Codemasters Website has word that the Operation Flashpoint: Resistance expansion pack is now in stores in Europe. "In addition to a new campaign, a new island, and improved network code, Resistance delivers its terrain visuals via an enhanced graphics engine with support for higher-resolution textures, more lighting effects and greatly increased draw distances, so now there’s even more scenery to take cover behind when you’re in combat."

New Lord of the Rings Trailer Fingered on Computer and Video Games is a story offering downloads of the 6.0 MB trailer for Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Console Reviews

• Resident Evil (GameCube) on X-Sages.
• Savage Skies (PS2) on The Armchair Empire.
• Shadowman: 2econd Coming (PS2) on RewiredMind.

Beta 1.0 of the Thievery modification for Unreal Tournament has been released, offering stealth-oriented UT teamplay where players take on the role of either thieves or guards. The mod is a 122 MB download offering new maps, models, weapons, gametypes, and more.

Alpha 1 of the Jungle Warfare modification for Unreal Tournament is now available (thanks HomeLan Fed) offering 15 new weapons, 10 new classes, 15 new maps, a jungle weather system, and more. The mod is a 35 MB download, and there is a guide and a FAQ online to answer questions that may arise.

A new set of Dungeon Siege Hints have been posted, offering keyboard shortcuts, mouse tips, strategies, party dynamics, and more. Also, the Darkfall FAQ has been updated.

• Age of Wonders II: the Wizard's Throne on PC Gameworld.
• Diggles on ESCMag.
• Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project on Gamer's Pulse.
• Dungeon Siege on OnePC.net.
• Grand Theft Auto III on PC-Gaming.
• Le Mans 24 Hours on GameZone.
• Mobile Forces (first impressions) on Action Vault.
• Neverwinter Nights on Guru3D and GameSpot UK.
• Silent Hunter 2 on Gamitopia.
• Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix on Gamers Depot.
• Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns on Video Game News.
• Uncommon Valor: Campaign for the South Pacific on GameSpy.com.
• WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos (first impressions) on GameSpot.

• The Thing on Frictionless Insight.

• Abit KX7-333R Motherboard on Hot Hardware.
• Altec Lansing 251 Speaker System on Gaming Illustrated.
• AMD Athlon XP 2200+ Thoroughbred CPU on GamePC.
• Antec TruePower 430W PSU on BlargOC.
• AOpen Aeolus GeForce4 Ti 4200 Video Card on Guru3D.
• ATI All In Wonder 8500 Video Card on SourceMagazine.com.
• E-D Wired 3D Glasses on AMDPower.com.
• Gainward GeForce4 PowerPack! Ultra/650 XP Golden Sample Video Card on HEXUS.net.
• Thermaltake GeForce 4 Copper Cooler on Viper's Lair.

• CrapRadio is now on the air, streaming computer and video game music from the folks who brought you PlanetCrap...

I think I've got the dentistry and pain-killers thing in perspective... oral surgery without pain-killers is sort of like being hit in the head with a two-by-four without the resulting loss of IQ, while treating that pain with the pain-killers leaves you with the mental acuity of someone who's been belted in the head, without the pain. I guess that makes the best of both worlds skipping the whole procedure altogether, as I certainly can't imagine it's the reverse. The other thing I can't imagine is how folks manage to choose to abuse pain-killers like these, as they certainly ease pain in many places, but also cause some too: after a while these things put my stomach in knots, and I would think being on them too long would result in being permanently doubled-over.

Doh! Popular Online Game Site Spread Nimda Virus. Putting the Spy in GameSpy. Thanks WarPig[doh].

R.I.P.: The Who Bassist John Entwistle Dies.

Play Time: Ultimate Soccer Showdown. A.K.A. Football (and UFC for that matter). Thanks 3Y3.
Story of the Day: High Court Approves School Vouchers, Random Drug Tests. Thanks dbodine.
Story of the Day II: Cow Falls on Car, Driver Injured. Thanks Cat Butt.
Weird Science: Panda porn to cure bedtime blues. Thanks George Cano.
Follow-up: U.S. court puts Pledge of Allegiance ruling on hold.
Follow-up II: Gator sued over pop-up ads. Thanks Nuinn Foxwood.
Image of the Day: APOD 2002 June 27 - Carving Ma adim Vallis. Thanks Zdim.