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Archived News:
Microsoft has released a new Windows XP Service Pack 1a as a Network Install for IT Professionals,
a Checked Network Install for IT Professionals,
and an Express Install (32-Bit) for End Users.
Thanks File Flash. Here's the deal,
which seems to indicate this is not required if you already have Service Pack 1:
"Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) provides the latest security and
reliability updates to the Windows XP family of operating systems, and includes
Internet Explorer 6 SP1a. Windows XP SP1a is designed to ensure Windows XP
platform compatibility with newly released software and hardware, and includes
updates that resolve issues discovered by customers or by Microsoft's internal
testing team. To determine whether to install Windows XP SP1a, we recommend
reviewing the Windows XP documentation and information below. If you have
already installed Windows XP SP1, you do not need to Windows XP SP1a."
The Elder Scrolls
Website now offers a new version 1.4.1313 patch for the North American
edition of the Tribunal expansion for Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. The update
fixes a couple of sound effect bugs, as well as a problem that caused crashes to
desktop if you tried to pickpocket your companion. Thanks Loadedinc.
There's a Black
& White 2 Q&A on Computer and Video Games talking with Jonty Barnes
about the upcoming Black & White sequel they are moved to call
"incredibly enticing" in a conversation they feel is "rather
delectable." Topics include areas of the original B&W that could stand
improvement, the influence of feedback on the first game, differences in the
sequel, changes to the creature, the clearer distinction between good and evil,
combat, and more.
As is now noted on the
game's official website, the eagerly-anticipated version 1.3 patch for
Battlefield 1942 is now available for download (thanks Q). The 47 MB update to
the World War II shooter that optimizes network performance, SB Live fixes,
cheat fixes, bug fixes, and more is available from 3D Downloads,
3D Gamers,
Battlefield1942Files.com,
FilePlanet
(registration required), FileShack (registration required), Fragland,
Gamer's
Hell, and
Worthplaying. The
version 1.3 dedicated server can be found on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers,
Battlefield1942Files.com,
FilePlanet
(registration required), FileShack (registration required), Gamer's
Hell, and
Worthplaying.
The latest installment in The Adrenaline Vault's The Developers Corner
is written by Mike "Axehilt" Engle of Big Huge Games in an installment
titled "A Balancing Act" as he discusses the fine art of balancing
Rise of Nations for multiplayer play. Topics include the difficulty in balancing
an RTS game, the role of testers, a bit on the decision-making process for
tweaking game balance, patches that nerf gameplay, and victory conditions. Also, The
Making of Freelancer: Volume I on GameSpy.com kicks off a diary series on
the upcoming space simulator with designer Jorg Neumann going into detail on the
oft-discusses mouse control of spaceships in their game, and why they decided to
forego joystick support.
A The Gladiators: Galactic Circus Games Multiplayer Demo is now available. No
details are yet available about the contents of the third sample of Eugen
Systems' RTS game except that it offers a chance to try out the game's
multiplayer play. The file can be found on 3D Gamers
and Worthplaying.
HomeLan Fed's Devastation Publisher
Q&A chats with Donald Chase of Arush Entertainment, publishers of
Devastation, Digitalo's upcoming Unreal-engine first-person shooter. They
discuss the publisher's role in production, their status as copublisher with
Groove Games, competing with other shooters, impact of the game's "M" rating,
pro gaming, the possibilities of an expansion, and more. Also, HomeLan Fed's Final Devastation Developer Q&A
concludes their series by chatting with Digitalo's Bob Berry, the game's lead
designer. Topics include dealing with crunch time, the "rat drone,"
OGEs, plans for a demo, post-release support, and more.
- EVE Online
There's an EVE
Q&A on EveGate - Your Daily Dose Of Eve-Online talking with
"Pan," the community manager on this upcoming outer-space MMORPG.
They discuss when phase six of beta testing will begin, how many testers
will be included, what the game's manual will be like, plans for a strategy
guide, and more.
- Iritor Online
Iritor
Online Q&A on GamesPimp talks with Wootsoft's Roman Kremlicka about their
upcoming MMORPG. They discuss the game's story, setting themselves apart
from the competition, character creation, combat, the quest system, the game
engine, making life easier on casual players, and more.
- Galactic Civilizations
Part two of Apolyton Civilization Site's
Brad Wardell Q&A is online, further discussing progress on Galactic
Civilizations, the upcoming remake of the OS/2 4X space strategy game.
Topics include competing with Master of Orion III, avoiding too much
micromanagement, modification tools, pre-order rewards, and more.
Beta testing of The GameInfoBot is
complete, and version 1.04, the first public release, is now available. The
program offers server info and Rcon functions from within an IRC channel, and
while it has only been tested with RtCW and Q3A, it is quite possible that it
will work with other Quake III engine games as well.
A new version 1.81 of the Strike-Force
modification for Unreal Tournament is now available. The new release of this
tactical multiplayer UT mod eliminates "death lag," tweaks the SMGs,
adds a new "authentic" g36 scope, working Dualgun settings, disabling
the Ammocounter from the server side now works, and more.
The debut release of Jihad! for Soldier of Fortune 2
is now available. Here is the description of gameplay from the website: "One
player is chosen to be the 'Infidel'. The Infidel gets a single bullet weapon
(AK, outfitted Secondary, or outfitted Pistol, based on a server cvar) and a
knife. Everyone else gets a single grenade (frag or flame, based on outfitting),
which they may arm...but not throw. The objective is to blow up the Infidel. If
you succeed - you become the Infidel."
- The Steinware.dk Website
is now accepting beta testers for an upcoming OpenGL racing game called
NapkinRace...
- Seriously!
has posted the level created by their "Pass the Map" project,
where a few designers each in turn contributed to a Serious Sam: The Second
Encounter map...
Happy Groundhog Day! In spite of that
article yesterday suggesting the annual emergence from his hole is actually
based on the need to breed, rather than to act as some feral Al Roker, I think I
continue to consider him a harbinger of the coming change of seasons.
Unfortunately it's so sunny around here today that not only did he see his
shadow, but I doubt we could pressure him to change his story. Six more weeks
until spring is not great news, as this has been one freaky-cold winter in these
parts, and the sooner we can bid it a fond fondue, the better.
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