Archived News:
A trailer showing off gameplay from C&C Generals: Zero Hour has been
released, showing off the upcoming C&C expansion pack. The trailer can be
downloaded from GameSpot,
Renegade Generals,
and Worthplaying.
Also, this Sierra Entertainment
Downloads Page now features a trio of TRIBES Vengeance movies, though
it looks like these are the same clips that were released at the recent event
showing off the game.
There's a
new Dragon Empires Diary in which Adam Parsons describes the work the art
team is pushing towards the Beta0 milestone for Dragon Empires,
Codemasters' upcoming MMORPG (thanks Frans). Also, there's a
UFO: Aftermath Diary Chapter 11 on UFOAftermath.co.uk in which Martin Klima
of ALTAR Interactive looks back at the experience of showing UFO: Aftermath
at this years E3. Newly launched Empires: Dawn of the Modern World
fansite Empires Element kicks
things off with a Tactical
Combat Design Diary as well as two developer write-ups describing
civilizations in Stainless Steel Studios' upcoming RTS game, covering the United
States of America and the Franks.
The Greyhawk The Temple of Elemental Evil Journal #5
on RPG Vault features Troika programmer Aaron Brunstetter discussing
"various truths and misconceptions" about game development after a
year of being on the Temple of Elemental Evil team. Finally, the Restricted Area Developer Diary part 4on RPGDot is the translation of Master Creating's Jan Beuck's latest Restricted Area diary.
This Shadowbane
Press Release (thanks Josh) announces a 10-day free trial of Wolfpack
Studios' MMORPG. Details on how this all works can be found
here. In the small print is word that "Please note that you will be
asked for a valid credit card to participate in the trial, however you will not
be charged unless you choose to subscribe at the end of your 10 Day Free
Trial."
A new version 1.01 (Open Beta) patch for F/A-18 Operation Iraqi Freedom is now
available on the F-A-18 Operation Iraqi Freedom Support
Page (thanks Frans).
Unrealbadlands.com now offers a new
version of the Badlands modification for Unreal Tournament that converts the
game's environments to the wild west. In addition to the mod, they have also
released a Badlands bonus pack. Thanks Josh.
A story on Gamasutra
(registration required) confirms rumors
that Graeme Devine has departed id Software to join Ensemble Studios (thanks
Frans), saying: "In his new role at Ensemble, Devine will be focusing
primarily on game design." Graeme joined on at id in March of 1999 after
serving as CEO of Trilobyte
(The 7th Guest and The 11th Hour), a company he co-founded. In moving over to
Dallas-based Ensemble, he reunites with fellow id alumnus Paul Jaquays (Ensemble
now has three ex id developers: Devine, Jaquays, and Sandy Petersen).
CDV cancels Galaxy Andromeda
on GameSpot is the report that the game previously known as Imperium
Galactica III has been given the axe. The report says this is in reaction to
considerable losses the publisher reported in the most recent quarter, and is
"part of a wider restructuring effort." This puts to an end a saga
that in addition to the title change, also saw the space strategy sequel suffer
delays ( story) and a shift in development teams from Philos
Entertainment to Mithis Games ( story), which was formed by former
members of Philos.
As promised, the official release of the version 1.90 update for America's Army
Operations is now becoming available, though the full installer was actually
released earlier this week ( story) as the result of a mix-up
( story). Those who have not already downloaded the full version
can now opt for the upgrade patch if they already have the game installed. The
322 MB update can be downloaded from 3D Gamers
and FileFront.
The 605 MB full version can be found on 3D Gamers
and FileFront.
Republic: The Revolution goes gold
on GameSpot (thanks Frans) is the report that Elixir Studios' game of
political insurrection in the fictional country of Novistrana is complete. The
report offers September 5 as the UK in-store date, but no release dates are
provided for other territories.
As noted on the Battlefield 1942
Website, the promised demo for Secret Weapons of World War II is now
available, offering a sample of the upcoming Battlefield 1942 add-on that plays
'what if' with experimental weapons. The demo has been posted on Battlefield 1942
Website. Mirrors of the 165 MB download are available on 3D Gamers,
Battlefield1942Files.com,
Boomtown (registration required),
FileFront,
FilePlanet
(registration required), FileShack (registration required), Gamehelper,
Gameplex, Gamer's
Hell, Games Fusion,
Happy Puppy
(registration required), IGN, Loadedinc (registration required),
and Worthplaying.
Valve to show Half-Life 2 at ECTS - Half-Life 2 News for PC at GameSpot
has word that the shooter sequel will have its first public showing on the show
floor at ECTS on August 27-29: "Valve and Vivendi Universal Games UK have
today announced that Half-Life 2 will be shown for the first time in Europe at
ECTS. The game will be presented, by Valve, in a purpose-built soundproofed
amphitheatre dominating much of the VU Games UK stand."
The America's Army Website has the
cart and the horse announcement that the version 1.9 patch for the free
multiplayer shooter (which has already been widely distributed - story) is gold, and will be distributed today at Noon (no time zone
specified, but Frans tells me it's PDT, making it 3:00 p.m. EDT). Thanks Tanya and or Greg.
With the playable demo due in scant hours, there are a whole bunch of new Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of World War II
Movies on PC.IGN.Com. Thanks Frans.
Hollywood Heeds the Call to Join Forces With Activision on Call of
Duty has word that they have "enlisted Jason Statham and Giovanni
Ribisi to provide their trademark voice talent in key roles. Additionally,
accomplished writer/producer Michael Schiffer ('Crimson Tide,' 'Colors,' 'Lean
of Me,' [sic] 'The Four Feathers' and 'The Peacemaker') has added his
screenwriting stamp to the game's action-filled script." Thanks Frans.
Microsoft, Ubi Soft File to Bid in 3DO Auction
(thanks Peter Binazeski) has word that: "Seven video game companies,
including Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT
- news),
Eidos Plc (EID.L) and Ubi Soft Entertainment (UBIP.PA), have qualified to bid in
the auction for the assets of bankrupt publisher 3DO Co. (Other OTC: THDOQ
- news),
according to court papers filed on Thursday." The auction is to be held on
August 14.
Rebellion's official Dredd vs Death
Website is now online, dedicated to the upcoming shooter based on the Judge
Dredd comics.
Nintendo slowing GameCube production.
Also, Microsoft is launching a new Xbox "Live Web" on August 25 that
will provide Xbox Live subscribers with enhanced ability to stay in touch with
their friends online, and other such features. They have also announced a new
60-day free Xbox Live trial that will accompany Live-enabled games, beginning
with NFL Fever 2004. Also, there's a Metal Arms: Glitch in the System Preview
on FiringSquad and an Airborne Liberation
Q&A on HomeLAN Fed.
Are video games a sport?
A report on the CPL on the Christian Science Monitor, complete with
photos and quotes.
- Skewed and Reviewed (thanks Rhazor)
reports: "seems the writers of SWAT (Ron Mita and Jim MCClain) have been
hired to write the script for DOOM .This is according to sources at
Sony and verified by the media kit for SWAT in the writers Bio."...
- Gamers Struggle to Preserve Past
(thanks Mike Martinez) on the Classic Gaming Expo,
"abandonware," and more...
We had a blackout here in the middle of the night, which disturbed both MrsBlue
and Hudson the wonder dog, as it caused all manner of audible alarms when the
UPSs in my office kicked in. I ran around shutting them down, in case power was
still gone this morning, so I could do all the updating that 10 minutes of power
would allow. Luckily it didn't come to that, as all seems relatively normal now.
It might not be related but when this happened we could see what looked like
a pretty big fire off in the distance. I guess we'll learn more when the local
paper comes out... this is sure to knock the bake sale off the front page.
|
Twitter 
