Archived News:
This NovaLogic
Downloads Page (thank Frans) has a new patch to update Delta Force: Black
Hawk Down to version 1.2.0. The 10.2 MB patch adds additional cheater validation
checks, tweaks some single player levels, and more. Mirrors of the patch can be
found on 3D Gamers, Gamer's
Hell, Gaming Horizon,
Tiscali Games,
and Worthplaying.
A new version 380 Linux dedicated server for Devastation is now available. The
server is for the retail version of Digitalo's Unreal-engine shooter, and
the download can be found on 3D Gamers
where it says: "running a devastation server is very much like running a
UT2003 server, so most of the stuff at UnrealAdmin.org is relevant."
Washington state bans sale of violent video games
on CNN Money has news that the state of Washington is on the verge of
explicitly outlawing the sale of violent computer and video games to anyone under
the age of 17, as a bill to this effect has passed the senate, and is expected
to be signed into law by Governor Gary Locke (D). Rather than being broadly
aimed though, the bill "specifically mentions those that depict violence
against law enforcement officials," with the article suggesting that Grand
Theft Auto Vice City was a specific catalyst for this measure. The article
offers quotes from both sides of this issue, and touches upon the question of
interpretation that's being raised by those who feel the law's wording might be
too vague. The article offers handy updates on other related legislation:
In Washington, D.C., Sen. Joe Baca, D.-Calif., has resurrected his
"Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act" for the second
year. The
bill would make it a federal crime to sell or rent "adult video
games" to minors – with proposed fines of $5,000 or more. Re-introduced
to the House on Feb. 11, the bill is currently in the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, and Homeland Security. The 2002 bill of the same name died in that
committee.
At the same time, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D.-Conn., who has been a long-time
critic of the video game industry, plans to introduce legislation to fund a
study on how exposure to different types of media affects players. When
proposing the legislation at a research symposium, the presidential candidate
made sure to single out video games.
Meanwhile, the gaming industry is currently awaiting a ruling from the U.S. 8th
Circuit Court of Appeals on its attempt to overturn a St. Louis law, which bans
the sale of violent video games to minors. A lower court upheld
those restrictions a year ago.
This N-Fusion Downloads
Page now offers an unsupported patch for Deadly Dozen: Pacific Theater,
updating the game to version 2.38. They warn: "As soon as you install this
patch customer support can no longer help you with problems you might have."
What's changed in the patch is described in the
release notes. Thanks hund schraube.
Rainbow Six Retreat points out
that the Ubi Soft's E3
Showings list on IGN includes the following on what seems to be a new add-on
for the tactical shooter: "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 Athena Sword: Looks
like the PC is getting a new expansion for the latest in the series. Fun all
around!"
MicrosoftGamesInsider
(thanks Tiscali Games)
has news of a 15 day free trial version of Asheron's Call 2 that requires a 882
MB download from FilePlanet
(registration required) but does not require credit card info. Players looking to continue after
the 15 day trial must purchase the boxed retail version of the game after the
trial period concludes.
Enter the Matrix Goes Gold
is the press release announcing the game tie-in with the sci-fi Matrix trilogy
is now complete for all platforms, and is expected to appear at retail on May15,
simultaneous with the debut of The Matrix Reloaded. Here's a bit: "Enter
The Matrix" is a revolution in interactive entertainment -- a third-person
action game that effectively blurs the line between Hollywood blockbuster films
and next-generation video games. The game is directed and features a script
written by the Wachowski brothers, writers/directors of "The Matrix"
film trilogy, creating the most intensive collaboration between a video-game
publisher and a movie studio to date. More information about "Enter the
Matrix" is available at www.enterthematrixgame.com;
in addition, to learn more about "The Matrix Reloaded" visit www.thematrix.com.
GameSpy.com's Chrome Developer Diary
Volume II is online, in which Pawel Zawodny from Polish developer
Techland, "discusses implants, vehicles, and customizability."
Also, Action
Vault's Homeworld 2 Diary #3 is online, offering a look at multiplayer balance
& mechanics, penned by Geoff Thomas, assistant producer on Relic
Entertainment's upcoming space strategy sequel. Finally, RPG Vault's Greyhawk The Temple of Elemental Evil Journal #1
is written by Troika's Tim Cain, who discusses the "origins of the Troika
game that almost wasn't."
Summitsoft's Empire of Magic Goes Gold
(thanks Frans) has word that the role-playing strategy game from Mayhem Studios
is complete, and is expected in stores by the end of this month. Word is: "The
final days of a once mighty empire have come at last. The rotting dead rise from
their earthbound sanctuary and, like a plague upon humanity, spread death and
destruction across the lands. Armed only with powerful magic, players must take
on the role of the young mage Artemian on a quest for truth and a ruthless
battle for survival."
'Tekken' developer Namco courts Sega.
Thanks Mike Martinez. Also, HomeLan Fed's Vultures
Q&A talks with GRIN CEO Bo Andersson about their upcoming Xbox game of
gladiatorial combat.
The VERC Collective
has opened up beta testing for a new version 3.5 of Hammer, some manner of
developers dealie that now offers "model preview and leak trace in the 3D
view" and further details can be found on
this page.
Human Head Studios Help Wanted
Page has word that they are "looking for a top-notch Unreal level
designer to fill an immediate opening." They say: "We're looking for
mappers who can stun us with a body of pre-existing levels made using the Unreal
Tournament or (preferably) the UnrealED 3.0 editor."
Brrrrr... Maybe by the time May rolls around we can finally shut down the
furnace for the winter? Naaah...
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