Archived News:
Though we don't really offer much in the way of downloads here, Blue's News is
supporting the sentiments in the following open letter, which demonstrates to
Activision (and hopefully the rest of the industry) what the undersigned sites
feel are the general sentiments of the community about the downsides of
exclusive demo releases. As a result, these sites will not be carrying the Call
of Duty demo, even after its FilePlanet exclusivity ( story) is
over. Update: To be clear, this does not mean we will not carry news of
when the demo is released, exclusive or not. Here's the letter: After
discussions with Activision, the following websites will not be carrying the
Call of Duty playable demo, even after its exclusivity is over. This is due to
Activision's decision to not accede to the reasonable request of making the demo
freely available to all game enthusiasts at the same time.
3D Downloads
3D Gamers
AusGamers
Blue's News
EdgeFiles (Callofduty.org)
FileFront
FileShack
GameGossip
Gamer's Hell
Loadedinc
Tiscali Games
WorthPlaying
The above-listed websites hope to show Activision that the enthusiast industry
is strongly opposed to the idea of exclusive demo releases.
Feedback from our users shows that gamers hate to be forced through a single
point of congestion if they want a demo right away. While these websites are
actually competitors, this competition provides the freedom of choice that
enthusiasts want by offering the widest possible distribution of any demo (a
sample intended to interest as many gamers as possible in the full product,
after all) rather than the most restricted one.
Therefore, something this disrespectful of the industry as a whole has inspired
all of these websites to stand together in this open letter.
Deals like this hurt the industry much more than they could possibly enhance a
single relationship, and we ask for your support in sending out this
message.
BF1942 Dedicated Linux Server
Distribution Site has the release of a new version 1.45 Linux dedicated
server for Battlefield 1942, firing the first shot in the upcoming invasion
of version 1.45 of the World War II first-person shooter. There is a
complete list of what's included and changed on BFNation,
where they also have a changelist for the upcoming version 1.45 of the BF1942
client.
On the heels of the release of the Etherlords II demo ( story),
Strategy First sends long this
press release announcing that Nival Interactive's turn-based strategy game
has gone gold, though the expected North American in-store date is still just
listed as September. Here's the provided feature list:
- Five campaigns covering a magnificent 3D fantasy world
- Hundreds of spells and creatures combine to create nearly unlimited
tactical possibilities
- New monsters and magic that can be used by any of the four races
- Enhance your Hero’s skills throughout each campaign with new spells,
creatures and abilities.
- Non-linear missions with multiple paths to completion
- New multiplayer modes, automated tournament server
- Boats, tunnels and transporters let you explore every corner of the
Etherworld
- Versatile Map Editor lets you create new missions and even campaigns
A new version 1.7 of the venerable Rocket
Arena modification for Quake III Arena is now available. The update adds
user definable colors for enemies and teammates (more teamplay mods should do
this for those of us who are color-blind), a new accuracy award, new admin
functions, and three new maps along with bug fixes and other tweaks. There's a
mirror of the 119 MB full version on FileFront
and the 29 MB update for previous versions on FileFront.
Strategy First has released a playable demo for Etherlords II, allowing the
chance to check out single-player play in Nival Interactive's turn-based
strategy sequel based on the deck of cards paradigm popularized by Magic: The
Gathering. Here's a bit on the demo: "In the Etherlords II demo you will
get a glimpse into the gameplay of the single player campaign as you make your
way through the 2 available missions. All adventure and combat experiences are
available in the demo while all multiplayer features have been disabled. In
order to make this demo as pleasurable as possible, we have included the Combat
tutorial to get you started." The 199 MB demo can be downloaded from 3D
Gamers, Computer
Games Online, FileFront,
Gamer's Hell,
IGN, Loadedinc,
and Worthplaying.
Nothing seems to do the deeper questions of theology as much justice as a 3D
action game, hence Angels vs. Devils,
a newly unveiled project from Spanish developer Enigma
Software Productions (ExcaliBug). According to their main
page the game is finished, but there's no mention of availability
beyond "soon" among
the provided details, which highlight the use of a "Last Generation 3D
Engine" and "Very elaborated Artificial Intelligence." The game
is described as a 3D action game with some strategic and role-playing elements,
in which: "The angels and demons will fight each other in different games
to measure their strengths and to so achieve exclusive right to dominate men.
There is only one rule in the competition, win at all costs. Anything goes if it
helps you win." Thanks Frans.
BF42.de's
Battlefield Vietnam Q&A talks with Armand 'Aj' Marini from DICE about
the upcoming Vietnam War follow-up. They discuss the BF1942 mods with related
features like EoD and Desert Combat, including this on how the helicopters in BF
Vietnam will differ from those in DC: The Battlefield vehicle system was
never intended to be used with helicopters. We had looked at trying something
similar with vertical take off (VTOL) vehicles in Secret Weapons, but the system
did not allow for an acceptable level of control. The Desert Combat helicopters
are the best attempt I've seen at trying to adapt the BF: 1942 system to be used
in that capacity, but the issues of control and accessibility still exist.
We wanted a helicopter that was useful in a true helicopter sense. It had to
hover with pinpoint accuracy, fly backwards, fly sideways, and airlift. It had
to be immensely versatile and as easy to control as a tank. The BF: 1942 system
didn't allow for any of those requirements. A new physics system was created for
the helicopters and we are extremely pleased with the level of playability we've
achieved. You can place it exactly where you want it to be.
- Drake
HomeLAN
Fed's Drake Q&A talks with Stephan Ljungqvist and Johan Sjöberg of
Idol FX about The Drake, their upcoming comic book-inspired third-person
shooter. They discuss the unique feel of the game, including how the
technique being used to create the game's comic book feel actually differs
from cel-shading.
- PlaneShift
The PlaneShift
Q&A on Warcry talks with Luca Pancallo about Planeshift, their free
to play MMORPG, discussing how such a project can exist, much less be good.
Or as he says: "If I have to make a comparison to some other product, I
can say that PlaneShift wants to be the 'Linux' of on-line games."
- Spiderweb
IndieGamer's
Spiderweb Software Q&A talks with Jeff Vogel about the ups and downs
of being an independent developer in a marketplace filled with corporate
giants.
GameSpy.com's
Empires: Dawn of the Modern World Developer Diary is online, in which
Stainless Steel Studios' Rick Goodman talks about their upcoming RTS game and
the research that they have put into the historical diversity of warfare,
describing the goal of combined air, sea, and land combat that every
civilization strives for.
Xbox.com has been redesigned, offering prizes
for those who launch or update their Xbox Live accounts. Also, NVIDIA
eyes PlayStation 3 on CNN Money has word from a couple of analysts
speculating that NVIDIA might be on the fast track towards being the graphics
chipset supplier for the PS3. EA
games to play on Nokia device (thanks David Becker). There's a Tony
Hawk's Underground preview on UGO. Finally, the Metal
Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater trailer on GameSpot has a ShakyCam clip from the
ECTS floor.
There's a list of Purge Tips on
PurgeWorld with 64 bits of guidance on how to succeed at the multiplayer
FPS/RPG making it easier to soak them in than the couple of seconds they are
visible when they pop up within the game.
Wow... it's probably just the impending holiday weekend in the U.S., but my
comment about what a busy August this has been for gaming news was immediately
followed by a precipitous drop in news submissions. I'm pretty sure it was not
cause and effect based on my comment, but just in case it was, let me just also
comment on how hot and humid it's been around here lately. Hey... you never
know!
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