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Archived News:
The Combat Task Force 121 Website
(thanks GameGossip)
reveals development of an upcoming military shooter from Direct Action Games
using the Unreal engine. No release date is offered, but the site does have some
screenshots and a couple of gameplay movies. Word is:
You are a member of Task Force 121 an elite covert
unit comprised of Navy Seals, Green Berets, and USMC Recon personnel -
deployed with lightning speed into terrorist hotspots around the globe, with
devastating force and then vanishing.
Tactica Online
Announced on IGN is a story overlooked yesterday (thanks Mike Martinez)
revealing plans for Tactica Online, an MMO turn-based strategy game in the works
at Australian developer Imaginary Numbers. The game is slated to launch in Fall
of this year, offering gameplay set in the days of Leonardo da Vinci. Here's a
bit:
In Tactica, players will control a team of
characters with customized skills and abilities. The developer describes
building a combat-worthy team as similar to building a deck in a collectible
card game. The game will offer action in the form of missions, Tournaments,
and Campaigns, the last of which affect the game's primary story.
The Cold Fear
Videos Page now offers gameplay footage trailer #4 from DarkWorks' horror
game that appeared in U.S. stores for consoles today and is still upcoming for
the PC. Also, a new official SWAT 4 trailer can be found on the
SWAT 4 Media Index
on GameSpot showing off more of the upcoming police shooter sequel in the
works at Irrational Games. The 12 MB clip is mirrored on
3D Gamers,
Gamer's Hell, and
Worthplaying.
Aspyr Media, Inc.
Ships True Crime Streets Of L.A. for the Mac announces the availability of
the think different edition of the life of crime game. No actual in-store date
is mentioned, though the release does mention that
Aspyr is still accepting pre-orders.
- F.E.A.R.
The
F.E.A.R. Factor on Computer and Video Games chats with Monolith's Kevin
Stephens about their upcoming survival horror game
first-person shooter: "No not really. In survival horror you usually get six
bullets and you've got to conserve them and there's puzzle elements, at
least that's what I understand and F.E.A.R. is not like that at all. It's a
first-person-shooter first and foremost. It's action and we give you lots of
bullets, guns and things to blow up. And you're going to have fun. It's the
story and how you tell the story where the horror elements creep in and you
start to feel that things don't seem right."
- SWAT 4
SWAT's The
Plan on Eurogamer.net is a Q&A with Ken Rosman about Irrational's
upcoming police shooter: "We had a 34-year LAPD SWAT veteran named Ken
Thatcher actually, and he flew out to Boston and gave Irrational a two-day
tactical training; how to hold the weapons, because you see your guys lower
their weapons when they're among team-mates, walk correctly and so on. He
basically verified our radio commands, our radio calls and he verified
movement speeds, weapons interaction, how suspects would react in a
situation. From start to finish he's reviewed the game and played the game
at different stages."
- ParaWorld
The
ParaWorld Q&A on Gameplay Monthly talks with Richard Doepher about
ParaWorld, the Prehistoric RTS game: "Paraworld is the first RTS Game set in
a prehistoric world in which humans have subjugated the giants of primeval
times. Besides the actual RTS part, the game boasts an incredibly exciting
atmosphere, an engrossing story and units never before seen in a game. We’ll
introduce a totally new unit management system and are confident that this
constitutes a groundbreaking development in the genre."
- Gordon Walton
RPG Vault's
Gordon Walton Online Worlds Q&A talks with the "Once and Future Tyrant"
about his past and future in online gaming: "Why online games? Well that's
simple; they touch people in a way that no other medium does. We basically
offer venues where real (not virtual) friendships and relationships flourish
and spill over into so-called 'real life'. It is an awesome possibility
space and there is a huge amount to learn, so I can't imagine working on
anything less challenging!"
A release-day patch #1b for Act of War: Direct Action is now available,
updating Eugen System's new strategy game. The patch adds NAT Negotiation
support, a replay feature, and several bug fixes. The patch is available on
this Atari Support page and mirrored on
3D Gamers,
Gameguru Mania,
Gamer's Hell, and
Worthplaying.
The Brothers In
Arms Website now features downloads of the English edition of a new version
1.02 patch for Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30, Gearbox Software's World War
II shooter that should be in stores today. As noted in the update, this is the
official first patch for the game, and the version 1.01 patch that was
inadvertently released is unsupported. The various other language editions of
the patch can be found in this
Ubisoft FTP directory. Mirrors of one or more of the patches are available
on 3D Gamers,
Gameguru Mania,
Gamer's Hell,
GameSpot DLX (registration required),
Strategy Informer, and
Worthplaying.
Word is: "Version 1.02 of Brothers in Arms is a release-day update to enhance
various aspects of Ubi.com online matchmaking support and LAN multiplayer
features."
Or if not ships ahoy, periscope spotted, as Ubisoft announces that Silent
Hunter III, the World War II submarine combat sequel, has shipped in the U.S.:
SAN FRANCISCO – March 15, 2005 – Ubisoft, one of
the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that the WWII submarine
simulation, Silent Hunter® III, on DVD for Windows, has surfaced today in
stores nationwide at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39.99.
The game is rated “T” (Teen) for Mild Violence.
Submarine fans love to immerse themselves in the historical and compelling
world of authentic WWII U-boat battles via books, movies and television
programs. Silent Hunter III will blow this passive submarine experience out
of the water with its all-new 3D engine, Dynamic Campaign system, detailed
U-boat models and immersive battles thrusting players into the depths of
intense stealth action.
"We’re really excited to finally let players man the torpedoes and
completely immerse themselves in Silent Hunter III,” said Florin Boitor,
producer, Ubisoft’s Romanian studio. "The team is very proud of the early
feedback within the community and the press. We feel we’ve succeeded in
creating an all-new U-boat experience that combines movie-like graphics and
a realistic atmosphere, while making it challenging to both series fans and
players new to naval simulations.”
The latest title in the Silent Hunter franchise will add new dimensions to
the simulation experience, where players will assume the role of U-boat
commander, become immersed in a dynamic ocean environment and experience the
intensity of WWII submarine warfare. The a deep and rewarding Dynamic
Campaign mode will challenge players to work with their crew to hone their
submarine tactics as they stalk, outmaneuver, and embark on realistic naval
missions, such as hunting merchant ships and sinking enemy tonnage.
The game features an event camera for focusing on the most crucial moments
of battle, such as following your torpedo as it smashes into the hull of an
Allied destroyer. In addition, the online feature allows up to four players
to cooperatively take on AI opponents or eight players via LAN. Whether
stalking convoys or hiding from depth charges, players will experience the
game as their own personal war story.
Silent Hunter Background:
The critically acclaimed Silent Hunter series recreates the ferocious
battles between the German U-boats and the Allied naval forces during WWII
to gain domination over the oceans. Its impressive list of features,
beautiful 3D graphics and unrivaled gameplay assure that this installment of
the Silent Hunter series will reinvent underwater simulations.
A pair of new TrackMania Sunrise demos are now available, offering a the
chance to test drive Nadeo's upcoming construction/racing sequel. There is a new
English demo, available on
3D Gamers,
Computer Games Romania,
Filerush (torrent),
Fragland.net, Gameguru
Mania, Gamer's Hell,
GameSpot DLX (registration required),
Strategy Informer, and Worthplaying;
and there is also a new French demo, available on the
French TrackMania Sunrise Page.
Atari Ships
'Act of War Direct Action'(TM) (thanks Frans) is the press release announcing that Eugen Systems' Dale
Brow-inspired strategy game has shipped in the U.S.:
Act of War: Direct Action(TM) is a graphically
stunning and frighteningly plausible tale of suspense, international
intrigue and geopolitical military conflict. Through a techno-thriller story
constructed by military expert and author Dale Brown, this real-time
strategy experience puts players squarely in control of counterterrorist
forces to defend cities of the world. As commander of a newly formed
anti-terror military unit known as the Talon Task Force, players will need
to recruit combat units, develop technologies, manage finite resources, and
deploy their forces against a cunning and ruthless terror network.
The official Sacred Website has word that Sacred Underworld is gold (thanks
Frans), and the expansion for their RPG
should be available later this month in Germany and in other territories about a
month after that:
Ascaron have announced the completion of its highly
anticipated expansion pack "Sacred Underworld". The expansion pack will be
available from 24th March in Germany, and from 22nd April internationally.
Players can look forward to a massive expansion containing a 40% larger
gaming world, new quests, 2 stunning new characters, tons of new items,
weapons, armor, and 30 new enemies.
The 2 new characters are the Daemon and the Dwarf. Both characters offer new
game play features and a host of new skills and abilities. For those who
have not completed the Ancaria Quest, these two characters will be provided
with the level needed to head straight into the Underworld.
If you have existing characters saved from Sacred or Sacred Plus you can
import these into the Underworld for a whole new Sacred experience!
N-Fusion.com
(thanks Frans) has news that Elite
Warriors: Vietnam is now gold. Word is that a demo will be released in a "week
or two," with the game's retail availability to follow shortly thereafter.
Here's word on the planned demo: "The demo will contain one level that can be
played single player and coop as well as a deathmatch level."
- Brothers in Arms
Ubisoft's FTP server is now serving up an eighth, and likely final movie
journal from Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30, Gearbox Software's World War
II shooter that's due in stores today. The clip shows off multiplayer
action, accompanied an interview with Marc Tardif. Thanks
Frans.
- EverQuest II: The Bloodline Chronicles
The EverQuest II Players Page
has a second EverQuest II: The Bloodline Chronicles gameplay movie, showing
off part two of a quest undertaken by a pair of adventurers in the MMO
expansion. Thanks
Frans.
- Empire Earth II
Another Empire Earth II video developer diary is now available, further
chronicling the development of the RTS sequel currently in the works at Mad
Doc Software. The clip offers gameplay footage accompany by narration from
designer Dan McLure. The clip can be found on
Sierra's FTP
Server.
A new Brian Lara
International Cricket 2005 Website is online (thanks
Frans), offering the pitch for the
upcoming Cricket game, among other things,
announcing the game's
new licensing agreement with the International Cricket Council. The site has
nine new
screenshots online out of a batch of 20 new shots that can be downloaded
from this page.
- SWAT 4
GamersInfo's
SWAT 4 Q&A sweats Bill Garner for details on Irrational's upcoming entry
in the SWAT series of tactical police shooters: "VUG approached us about
taking on development on the game. A good number of us here are huge
tactical shooter fans. Needless to say, we jumped at the opportunity. Our
primary reference point during production was SWAT 3. As for our
inspirations, we thought working on a game based on real life heroes was
inspiring enough. I'm not saying that to sound tacky, but even pretending to
walk in their shoes was a very humbling experience."
- SOE
The
Sony Online Entertainment Q&A on FileFront talks with
Matt Wilson about SOE’s new Seattle-based studio:
"Our goal has always been to expand the online entertainment market and to
address the more mainstream game players. The mainstream game player wants a
game that is about delivering a great experience, not just gaining
experience. Our focus is to deliver experiences you typically see in single
player games that are noticeably missing from the MMO market."
- Republic Dawn
Computer Games
Magazine's Republic Dawn Q&A talks with Ben Simpson of Nicely Crafted
Entertainment about Republic Dawn, their upcoming MMO sequel to Elixir's
Republic: The Revolution: "Players can choose to PVP (Player Vs Player) in
either combat or in business or to band together and tackle the games PVE
(Player Vs Environment) aspects. It is completely feasible that players
could come together, create a new political movement and ascend to the
Senate and attempt to influence the running of the republic and therefore
its actions..."
- Bone
There's a Bone Q&A on
Computer Games Magazine talking with Dan Conners of Telltale Games about
Bone, their upcoming adventure game based on the Bone comic book series: "We
were all working on Sam and Max Freelance Police and really enjoying the
experience, when the gloomy cloud of cancellation started gathering over our
heads. At this time, Jon Sgro approached Kevin and gave him the Bone books
and it hit the note for us, great story, cool characters, and
multi-generational. We started seeking out Jeff Smith and lucky for us Jeff
is a fan of Graham Annable, and his comic Grickle. Graham set up a meeting
at Comicon, after meeting Jeff and his Wife Vijaya, and hearing all the
plans they had with Scholastic, it seemed like perfect timing. Also we were
completely impressed seeing everything Cartoon Books has accomplished, and
how they have maintained their integrity, artistically and otherwise through
it all."
- Chaos League: Sudden Death
The
Chaos League: Sudden Death Q&A on Strategy Informer talks with Regis
Robin about the upcoming expansion for Cyanide's fantasy-themed sports game:
"Despite this being France, several of the Cyanide team play American
football, so we were drawn to it as a sports game. However, there are some
heavyweights in the genre already !! From a video gaming point of view, the
same people play plenty of heroic fantasy games. Plus, we all like
Speedball.... "
- Still Life
The
Still Life Q&A on FileFront chats with Mathieu Larivière about Microïds'
adventure game: "We’ve changed the dialogue system. We’ve come up with a
design that we believe can make a lot different players happy. The
conversations are divided into two categories: business and off topic. We’ve
separated these two categories in the left mouse button (business) and right
mouse button (off topic). So for players who want to get to the point
quickly and move on, they may do so by left clicking. The right click is for
more personal or off beat subject matter that adds depth to the characters
and the story line. These conversations do not hide special information thus
skipping them does not interfere with the flow of your progress. They are
simply there to add more flavour."
PHPAdmin version 3.7.1 is now available, updating this Half-Life server
administration tool to unify some Half-Life and Half-Life 2 functions, including
a centralized ban list.
The
Mageworld Q&A on RPGDot talks with Jim "Xaa" Farris, creator of
the
Mageworld siegelet for Dungeon Siege.
Billy "Wicked"
Wilson, VE founder, Dead at 33 is the surprising report for the gaming
community of an untimely death. Condolences to Billy's friends and family.
Update:
Voodoo Extreme has further details, saying this was due to complications
from liver failure.
R.I.P.:
Molly Hatchet lead singer dies at 53.
Yakety Yak!
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