Archived News:
There's a chat log on
UFOAftermath.co.uk recapping an online session with the folks behind the
upcoming xenophobic strategy game. Among the tidbits that were uncovered during
the chat is the fact that the game has gone gold. Here's the deal: [9-11]-caz:
When does UFO:A go gold?
[9-11]Brian_Cenega: Simple answer there is it is
already gold! We have a release date in the UK for the 26th of September. It
will be slightly different in some countries - down to the time it takes them to
reproduce the game.
[9-11]Nikua: Is the release date for Finland close to that of the UK and the rest of Europe?
[9-11]Brian_Cenega: Afrid to say I am not sure!!!! - but all the release dates where within a few weeks - so you should have it early October at the latest!
A new Source-engine demonstration trailer has been released, showing off DirectX
9 and the Half-Life 2 engine. The clip is a 116 MB download, which has been
mirrored on 3D Gamers, AusGamers,
Computer
Games Online, FilePlanet
(registration required), FileShack (registration required), Gamer's
Hell, GameSpot ( Bink
and Converted
(registration required)), IGN, and Worthplaying.
Following up on some comments from Gabe Newell and the Half-Life 2
benchmarks presented at yesterday's ATI festivities ( story),
NVIDIA has issued a statement in response, which has been posted on 3DGPU
and Gamers
Depot. The statement questions the use of older drivers for benchmark
comparisons, offers their understanding that there is only one Half-Life 2 bug
remaining in their newest (as yet unreleased) drivers, and concludes like
this: The optimal code path for ATI and NVIDIA GPUs is different - so
trying to test them with the same code path will always disadvantage one or the
other. The default settings for each game have been chosen by both the
developers and NVIDIA in order to produce the best results for our consumers.
In addition to the developer efforts, our driver team has developed a
next-generation automatic shader optimizer that vastly improves GeForce FX pixel
shader performance across the board. The fruits of these efforts will be seen in
our Rel.50 driver release. Many other improvements have also been included in
Rel.50, and these were all created either in response to, or in anticipation of
the first wave of shipping DirectX 9 titles, such as Half Life 2.
We are committed to working with Gabe to fully understand his concerns and with
Valve to ensure that 100+ million NVIDIA consumers get the best possible
experience with Half Life 2 on NVIDIA hardware.
The Istaria Europe Website has a
link to Atari's Betatests.net with an
invitation for those interested in beta testing Horizons, Artifact's
upcoming MMORPG. Their Beta Test
FAQ has info on how to sign-up. Likewise, Enlight
Opens Additional Slots for Joan of Arc Beta Test Program is the press
release announcing that the Joan
of Arc Website now offers details on how to apply to test the upcoming
"3D Medieval Strategy Action Role-playing game loosely based on the heroic
deeds of Joan of Arc in the fifteenth century." Thanks Frans.
Warrior
Kings Battles Gold is the press release announcing that the RTS sequel
(which has been available in Europe for some time now) is complete and off for
duplication, and is expected in North American stores "later this
month." Here's a bit on what this involves: Warrior Kings: Battles
comes complete with a full skirmish mode, boasting a proficiency of computer AI
not yet seen in an RTS product. AI Generals build a functioning economy,
offensive/defensive armies, correctly control formations, and intelligently
probe your defenses, looking for your weak points. AI Diplomacy, a major new
feature, makes you think you are playing a human opponent(s), giving a new depth
to single and multiplayer Internet gaming.
For those who like an epic RTS, Warrior Kings: Battles has a large strategic
Campaign that allows the player to battle through the land of Orbis choosing
their own path and defeating a variety of AI generals along the way. Players
have to conquer new territories, increase the size of their armies, and gain new
technologies before finally capturing the fortress-like city of
Telemagna.
In other gold news, Shrapnel
Games sends word about Space Empires: Starfury: "Having just recently
gone gold, the game will soon be available for purchase online at the Gamer's
Front, Shrapnel Games' easy to use electronic storefront. The expected release
date is September 29, with a price tag of $34.95."
A German demo for KnightShift is now available, offering a sample of this
upcoming RPG in the works at Zuxxez. The demo is a whopping 494 MB download,
available on 3D Gamers,
Computer
Games Online, and Gamer's
Hell. Word from Zuxxez is that an English demo for the game, which will be
known as Once Upon a Knight in North America, will be about 30 MB smaller, but
they are still uncertain when this one is to be released (thanks Frans).
A Lords
Of EverQuest Producer's Letter (thanks Frans) fills us in on some upcoming
plans as development continues on this upcoming RTS game based on the online
world of EverQuest. Topics include plans to start beta testing, classes,
voiceover talent, and more.
Valve Software has released Steam update tools for the Half-Life dedicated
servers. Here's the description along with the 3D
Gamers mirror: "...allowing server admins to upgrade to version
1.1.2.0. These update tools are now the only way to keep your Win32 and Linux
servers in sync, and this release brings a huge number of improvements and bug
fixes over the previous official v1.1.1.1." Other Mirrors can be found on
Computer Games Online ( Windows
and Linux)
and FileFront ( Windows
and Linux).
Two entries is probably one too few to warrant bullets: There's some new Medal
of Honor: Pacific Assault media on GameSpy
that they picked up during a trip to EA's offices to check out the upcoming MoH:
Allied Assault sequel. They offer a fact sheet with game info, screenshots, and
a bunch of movies taken from a tech demo of the game. Also, there's a new Lock
On: Modern Air Combat movie on the official
website (thanks Frans) showing off some hi-res jet combat.
Stratics
Central's Log of Thirteenth Lineage House of Commons is a recap of their
latest IRC session with the folks behind the popular MMORPG, discussing Lineage
and plans to begin beta testing Lineage 2 sometime in the near future.
The chat has been edited into a Q&A format. On a related note there's a
brief Q&A on Lineage II Warcry on player housing in the game. Also, RPG
Codex is hosted a developer chat with Larian Studios to discuss Riftrunner,
their upcoming RPG set in the same world as their Divine Divinity. The chat will
be Tuesday, September 16 at 8:00 p.m. EDT on the server irc.gamesnet.net in the
channel #rpgcodex.
The Weird War: The Unknown Episode of
World War II Website has opened for business, providing a home base for
Techland's upcoming World War II RPG.
LucasFiles has details on a Jedi
Outcast Mod Contest that will offer the chance to win a copy of Jedi Academy.
Helixe Games (a division of
THQ) is looking to hire a senior programmer, junior programmer, and a 2D
animation contractor.
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