Archived News:
More reports from the Medal of Honor event covering the announcement of
development on Pacific Assault are now online, PC.IGN.Com
has details including quotes from the developers and mention of planned features
like the changing appearance of your squad mates as they experience battle.
Also, Medal of Honor Pacific Assault revealed
on GameSpot focuses on the technology planned for the game. Each article is
accompanied by a video interview with producer Matt Powers, but only GameSpot's
is available to non-subscribers.
10-David is reporting having confirmed
with Sierra reports that SWAT: Urban Justice has been further delayed, and now
the next installment in this series of tactical police games is not expected
until 2004. They have also posted an update to their story, reporting the game
will not be shown at this year's E3.
A new patch for the US version of O.R.B. is now available, updating Strategy
First's Off-World Resource Base game to version 1.03. The new version offers
bug-fixes, new multiplayer features, improvements to the game editor, and more.
The patch can be downloaded from 3D Gamers,
Gamer's Hell,
and Worthplaying.
A new version 1.29 dedicated server program for Neverwinter Nights is now
available. There's a stand-alone server package with everything required to run
a server under either Windows or Linux and a package for Linux users who already
own the game. Both files are mirrored on 3D Gamers.
On a semi-related note, a new MoH
Allied Assault Spearhead dedicated Linux server version 2.11 beta 3 is now
available, though this is still very much in beta. This file is available
on 3D Gamers and Worthplaying.
A post to the Infogrames
Forums by Legend Entertainment's Craig Lafferty offers details on what's
planned for the upcoming patch for Unreal II (thanks HomeLan Fed).
Though the list is quite detailed, and even includes planned revisions to the
game's read me file, no ETA for the patch is offered at this time.
BANDITS: Phoenix Rising Has Gone Gold
is the press release announcing GRIN's "Mad Max-style" action game,
which is already available in Scandinavia, has gone gold for other territories,
and is expected to be available on March 25. Here is a bit from the
pronouncement: "With several clans vying for power namely the Wolfpack,
Flaming Pumpkins, Crusaders and Enclaves, players must battle hordes of heavily
armed enemies with custom-built cars that are equipped with missiles, guns,
cannons, grenade launchers and mine droppers. The notorious leaders of the
Wolfpack gang, Fennec and his vertically challenged co-driver, Rewdalf, guide
players through more than 22 action-packed missions ranging from train robberies
to the storming of outposts, providing hysterical commentary along the
way."
Codemasters' IGI2 Covert Strike Blasts Its Way Into Retail Outlets
has word that Innerloop's stealthy shooter sequel has shipped to stores in the U.S. Here's
a portion of the announcement: "Players take on the role of British covert
operative, David Jones, a former SAS soldier now working for the secret U.S.
military organization, codenamed ‘IGI’. Set immediately following the events
of the first game, Jones engages in top-secret military operations by
infiltrating airbases, harbors, and secret government installations located deep
within enemy territories. Additionally, IGI2: Covert Strike offers intense
team-based multiplayer action with up to 16 players online and 32 players via
LAN. Gameplay pits IGI operatives against terrorist groups from around the
globe, with several objectives including hacking data satellites; launching
space shuttles; bombing oil refineries; and escorting convoys. Reconnaissance
elements provide for a new style of FPS multiplayer gaming, blending stealth and
surveillance with action and gunplay."
As noted on the IL-2 Sturmovik Website,
the Forgotten Battles sequel to the World War II air combat game is now
available in the U.S. They have a link to the North American Ubi Shop
where the game can be ordered, as well as pre-order information for Europe,
where the game will be available on March 20. Thanks Jim Hendrickson.
Diversions Entertainment sends word that One Must Fall: Battlegrounds will ship
in Q2 2003. Here's the word: "One Must Fall: Battlegrounds promises to
deliver the next-generation of hand-to-hand robot action-combat bringing players
the most intense and visually stunning 3D fighter on the PC. Building on the
growing popularity of PC fighting games, One Must Fall: Battlegrounds features
unique, out-of-this-world characters; stunningly detailed graphics;
lightning-paced and fluid gameplay; and a unique 3rd person fighting point of
view. 'One Must Fall: Battlegrounds promises to raise the bar on the 3D fighting
game genre,' said Judy Elam, Business Manager of Diversions Entertainment.
'Building on the success of its predecessor, One Must Fall: Battlegrounds will
take gamers to a new level of robot-style fighting, incorporating a number of
innovative and diverse gameplay aspects. The engine design and
interchangeability between the pilots and the robots are first-rate, and the
future mod capabilities make this title an all around incredible fighting
system.'"
The English version of the single-player Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 Raven Shield
demo is now available. The demo can be downloaded via the streaming services of Gigex,
and mirrors are available from 3D Gamers,
FilePlanet
(registration required), FileShack (registration required), Gamer's
Hell and Worthplaying
(where they also have posted a
preview of the game).
Sierra sends word on the availability of the gold edition of Empire Earth, which
will combine the RTS gameplay of the original Empire Earth along with its Art of
Conquest expansion in one package, along with the official Prima strategy guide
for both products. The MSRP on the combo package is $39.99.
Ubi Soft Entertainment sends news that they have announced a deal with Infinite
Interactive to publish Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria, the next installment in
the popular Warlords series of fantasy turn-based strategy games. Word is
Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria is expected to ship in the fourth quarter of this
year.
Though the English release is not yet evident, the
German single-player Demo for Tom Clancy's Raven Shield (direct FTP link) is
now available, for the cost of a 224 MB download. Details on what's included in
the single-player demo are available on Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 Raven Shield
Website. An English version of the demo is expected some time today as well.
Yesterday's tease of a new Medal of Honor PC game has come to fruition, as there
are reports on the press event to unveil the future of the franchise on Boomtown,
HomeLan Fed, and PlanetMedalOfHonor.
There are scant details on Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault other than its
obvious setting in World War II's Pacific theater and plans to release it in
January 2004. There is also word to expect another expansion for Allied Assault
this summer with a longer solo campaign than the Spearhead add-on as well as a
new multiplayer mode.
The Ultimate Space Adventure Begins As PC Game Freelancer Hits Store Shelves
is the press release announcing that Digital Anvil's eagerly awaited space game.
Here's the skinny: "With 'Freelancer,' players can embark on an epic space
adventure that puts them in the space pilot's seat as never before.
"Freelancer," developed by Digital Anvil and Microsoft Game Studios,
enables gamers to experience the adrenaline rush of fast-action combat with the
engrossing story of a dynamic living universe. Players assume the identities of
a variety of characters -- from crafty traders and naval officers to galactic
explorers and bounty hunters -- and those identities determine which allies and
enemies players will encounter in the game."
YouPlayGames Signs Exclusive Deal With id Software and Even Balance, Inc. to Provide First-of-Its-Kind Multi-Player Online Gaming Service With Return to Castle Wolfenstein
is the press release with word that: "YouPlayGames today announced that it
has signed an exclusive deal with id Software(TM) and Even Balance, Inc. to
offer Return to Castle Wolfenstein(TM) as the premiere title available through
the company's new skill-based online gaming service. YouPlayGames is pioneering
the world of professional online gaming by bringing massively popular
multi-player licensed titles into homes and providing everyone with the chance
to make money while playing their favorite computer games. Through the
agreement, gamers at any skill level can play Return to Castle Wolfenstein and
vie against each other over the Internet for the opportunity to win money and
prizes. Participants who connect to YouPlayGames' servers to play Return to
Castle Wolfenstein will be required to have the latest version of Even Balance's
PunkBuster Anti-Cheat software on their systems in order to compete."
A new World of Warcraft gameplay trailer is now available showing off gameplay
from Blizzard's upcoming Warcraft MMORPG. The DivX-format trailer is about 23
MB and available on the World of Warcraft
Movies Page and is mirrored for Windows on 3D Gamers,
AusGamers, FilePlanet
(registration required), Gamer's
Hell, and Worthplaying
and for Macintosh on AusGamers
and FilePlanet
(registration required).
The Söldner
Developer Diary: part four on Computer and Video Games is written by an
unnamed member of the development team on Wings Simulations' upcoming special
forces shooter (we're told now it's Teut Weidemann), discussing engine physics,
graphics and specialist character items. Also, RPG Vault's Horizons Journal #14
is online, with more on Artifact Entertainment's upcoming MMORPG as David Bowman
describes the history of the game's subjugated races.
Activision Signs Multi-Year Agreement With Legendary Game Designer Peter Molyneux
has news on "the exclusive worldwide rights to Molyneux's new project
tentatively titled The Movies for the PC and all video game console platforms.
The agreement also grants Activision the option to publish sequels and add-on
products to the title."
ATI
Announces Technology Development Agreement with Nintendo "Under the
agreement, ATI and Nintendo are developing technologies for use in Nintendo
products. No other details regarding the nature of this agreement are being made
available at this time." Also, Nintendo
Invests in Matrix on The Adrenaline Vault has word that "Nintendo has
invested $15 million in Matrix Semiconductors to help with the development of 3D
Memory." Also, Xbox Live logs 350,000 subscribers
(thanks Mike Martinez) with word: "Microsoft said late Monday said it has
signed up more than 350,000 subscribers worldwide for its Xbox Live online video
gaming service, as it prepares to bring the technology to Europe."
The Work at Firaxis Section
of the Firaxis website has word of several openings at Sid Meier's company
(thanks Civilization Fanatics' Center),
where they are looking to add Artists, Modelers, Animators, Texture Artists,
Technical Artists, a Programmer Guru, a Multi-player Programmer, and a Tools
Manager.
- Ubi Soft sends word they are at work on a PC game based on the TV series
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Likewise, Legacy Interactive has announced
plans for a Law & Order: Dead
on the Money sequel...
- Funcom has announced that they are reactivating cancelled Anarchy Online
accounts to allow former subscribers to check out the Notum Wars booster
pack...
- CnCMatrix is offering downloads of
four C&C Generals maps created for the game, but not included in the
final release...
- A new version 1.4 patch for Strange Adventures in Infinite Space
is now available for the full version (not the demo version) of the
game...
- A new version 1.4 of Halloween
is now available along with an updated demo that "includes some speed
improvement, improved gui, new demo map and a tournament multiplayer game"...
Well I am very happy that it seems I have beaten my machine and most of the
nagging problems it had been displaying into submission. I am not sure what
ultimately caused the BSoD crashes that set me off on this long course, but they
have gone away, and rolling back to the previous version of Norton seems to have
eased the enormous drain on my system's resources that my upgrade did. Thanks to
all of you who offered suggestions on this... it's appreciated. Hopefully all
these recent fiascos are over, and I can get things back on a more appropriate
schedule here.
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