Archived News:
We already posted a list of reviews this morning, but since there isn't a lot going on
(cue cricket sound effect), it seems pointless saving these for tomorrow's morning update.
As usual, thanks to Frans at 3D Action Gamers
for a few of these:
Version 2.1 of TriCon tool to
remotely administer public Starsiege TRIBES servers. The new release is intended primarily
as a bug fix, but they also couldn't resist slipping in a few new features in. The new
release only requires the download of a new exe.
The intrepid souls at Ground FreeSpace dug up the
box art for Volition's upcoming FreeSpace 2, as well as the system requirements, which had
been posted on Interplay's website. I saw this on A Talent For War in a game of telephone where
they spotted it on Planet FreeSpace.
The requirements are fairly modest, basically asking for a Pentium II 200 MHz (?), 32MB RAM,
though a 3D accelerator is also going to be required.
ASUS Beta
Testing Enthusiast Graphics Card Driver page (huh?) has new version 2.09 beta 2 V3800
Display Drivers for Win9x. Thanks Billy at Voodoo
Extreme.
All of these were spotted on BetaNews:
Version 3.0 of Name Maker Studio a fun-name and
colored name creation tool, has been released. Thanks Jacek Fedoryński. NMS supports
Q3Test, QuakeWorld (and Mods), Quake II RivCTF, Quake II Viking, Hexen II (and Hexen II
Mods).
BZ2.COM has posted a small file for users of the
just-released BattleZone II Demo ( story) that fixes the stuttery movement you notice when your pilot runs
around on foot after exiting a tank. They've also posted an Easter egg guide for those who
don't consider that a spoiler.
News comes from Randy at I.Am-TFC that when the Half-Life 1.0.1.3 patch broke all
their old demos, "the world's fastest TFC flag-runners were pretty sad"
(apparently they all hang around in a cafe somewhere swapping speed run stories all day
over small cups of rich exotic coffee). This sadness, however, soon gave way to resolve to show the world
that even faster demos were possible. Now having accomplished their daunting task, the
site has posted no less than 28 new 1.0.1.3 demos of speed-runs, combat action, and
special techniques described as "great for learning from the experts, benchmarking,
or just watching for fun." Contented, the speed runners can go back to their coffee and war stories.
The Roll Your Own page has news
of a server at 134.164.68.30 running this interesting-sounding new Quake II mod first
announced yesterday ( story) that allows you to "roll your own" Quake II mod
through a checkbox interface. More details on the mod and the new server are up on the website.
As we reported earlier, Prince of Persia 3D isn't gold, and it turns out that neither is Veiled Threat. It was when I saw the report on Gone Gold that our report that Prince of Persia 3D was
gold was incorrect ( story) that I also saw the news about the RTT game, Veiled Threat going
gold ( story). Ironically, it turns out that this report was not
accurate either, as Geoff Howland from Lupine Game's the developer, passes along, though it turns
out another real-time tactical game is gold (at least that's the story at the moment ![=]](/miscimages/smiley4.gif) ): Apparently there was a
misunderstanding, as a different game went gold besides VT. We just finished a game called
Hatfields and McCoys, which is a smaller title in a sort of comedy-RTT-shooter genre which
was what we announced went gold, except that I didnt explicitly say the name since I
havent been able to talk about it until now.
Sorry about any problems here.
To finish this all off, I received the following
from Carson Utz, the designer on Prince of Persia 3D on the cause of his confusion on the
false gold (fool's gold?) report he sent along ( story): Regarding the relative goldness of POP3D--
I'm sorry about the inaccuracy there. I'd like to clarify that I was given permission by
our exec. producer to post that the game was gold. The first I've heard of it not being
gold is reading Blues News this morning. Anyway, I apologize, and would never have
knowingly sent you any news I didn't know to be 100% accurate.
Until then, I hope you enjoy the demo.
Hostile Waters;
Music from Gore on GA-Source is a that looks at (and listens to) the music from 4D
Ruler's upcoming first-person shooter, Gore, providing a track in mp3 format as a sample,
and some Q&A with Erik Lyden the freelance
composer who created the music for the game.
AlchemyZone
has reprinted an article on id Software originally published in EDGE
magazine complete with several Quake 3 screenshots (which look somewhat familiar,
although I believe most of them are new to the web). The article features comments
from id's fabulous receptionist and official team mother Miss Donna, as
well as the rest of the crew. Ordinarily we don't mention reprinted copyrighted
material, but it would appear that they've gotten permission to reprint the
story from the magazine's editor, and if it's cool with them, it's cool with us.
A new version of The Heretic Fortress,
a teamplay mod for Heretic II has been released, and is available for download
on its homepage (thanks Frans).
This version fixes several nasty bugs, and adds two new maps as well.
Quake
Cinema Make It Shake is a well-produced ZDTV feature on the wacky world of Quake
cinema touring through some of the Quake II films on The Planet Quake Cineplex, focusing on Father Frags Best, Quake 2 Late Nite,
and Eschaton-
Nightfall. Thanks Overman at Zarathustra
Studios. Unfortunately it overlooks the Quake movies, some of which are still probably
the all-time best. Three favorites I can recall to particularly single out being Blahbalicious, Scourge done Slick, and Operation Bayshield.
The Quake movies require the registered Quake, the Quake II movies require the registered
Quake II, Scourge done Slick requires both Quake and the Scourge of Armagon mission pack,
and while the ZDNet
article has a text portion, the full effect requires RealPlayer
or NotRealPlayer.
After working all that out, I require a nap .
A new version 2.1 of the NOP Java
stats tool is now available. NOP allows stats from a Q3Test server to be displayed on a
website practically in real-time. The new release clears up several bugs from the previous
version. Also now available is NOPTrans v1.0, a tool that transfers games.log files from
Q3Test servers to a master ranking server.
As promised, right on schedule, GameSpot's
Prince of Persia 3D Demo is now available for download. The file is available as a big
ole installer (described as for "corporate connections"), as well as one of
those resumable Gigex stub dealies, for modem users. Word is a DirectX-compatible 3D card
with 8MB RAM is required to play, as is QuickTime
4.0. This doesn't seem to be an exclusive, so here's a local copy of the
full installer (49.9 MB), along with the customary list of other mirrors.
Saw on Gone Gold a reference to the report here
recently that Prince of Persia 3D is gold ( story) is not accurate, pointing out that the game is not gold until
Mindscape says so, which is certainly the case. The gone gold folks tactfully refer to the
source of the inaccuracy generically, but it was from here that the report originated
(based on an email from Carson Utz, one of the game's designers). Sorry for causing any
confusion. Remember, by the way, that the Prince of Persia 3D demo on
GameSpot is due in less than a half-hour.
Gone Gold that Lupine's Veiled Threat has gone gold. This game is not a
true RTS, sounds more like real-time tactics (which appeals to me more), offering combat
without the resource management. Thanks SmokingMan. Also, MetalFatigue.net has posted some new screenshots
showing off gameplay from Metal Fatigue.
Diablo 2 Beta Test report
on the DiabloII.Net Network offers an account from
a PCXL contest-winner of a hands-on encounter with a recent beta build of Blizzard's
upcoming sequel to their smash-hit isometric-view action game.
Ingava's System Shock 2
Weapons Guide give a complete rundown on the armament in Looking Glass Studio's
newly-released sequel to the classic science fiction role-playing game. The 20 page guide
is described as "the most complete, comprehensive guide and commentary on all of the
weapons found in System Shock 2, covering all 14 weapons; the ammo, modifications and
firing modes.
Outrage's Jeff Slutter made a post to the
DBB saying "that he forgot to include a DMFC.lib in the new version of the SDK.
According to post, the D3SDK 1.0 is not compatible with MS Visual C++ 4.x and 5.x."
thanks The Descent Chronicles. Here's the deal
on how to get it working:
If you have 4.x or 5.x, the fix is simple. Bring up a dos prompt and change
directory into your d3-sdk's lib directory (where dmfc.lib is located). Then execute the
following: lib /DEF :Dmfc.def /NAME :Dmfc.dll /OUT :Dmfc.lib
After this executes, you'll have a new dmfc.lib that will work with your compiler. If it
can't find lib.exe for some reason, do a find in files for it, it's somewhere on your
harddrive (assuming you have your compiler installed correctly).
GT has updated their official Unreal
Tournament site with this week's UT level of the week. This week's level
is DOM Cinder, a domination map, and there's three new screenshots available
on the site showing it off.
NovaLogic has
announced that when Delta Force 2 and Armored Fist 3 (which both support
voice over net technology) ship, they will be bundled with a hands free microphone
from Labtec.
Volition's home page has been updated
with a new MP3 showing off the music from Freespace 2. Expect another one of
these every week until the game ships. Also posted are new desktop images from
Freespace 2, as well as Summoner, their 3D RPG in development (thanks Billy
" volatile" Wilson).
Kabuto.net has posted a poll featuring
a question from PlanetMoon, the developers of Giants: Citizen Kabuto. The question
deals with what kind of accent people think the Delphi character should speak
with. If you've got an opinion, jump over there and vote.
- A reminder: at 9:00 AM PDT this morning, GameSpot
will release the Prince of Persia 3D demo. Keep an eye out for it. Thanks Ant...
- Winamp 2.50c, an incremental update
to this popular MP3 program is out, and available for download...
- Thresh's FiringSquad
will be posting new screenshots every day from SquareSoft's Final Fantasy
VIII from now until the game's PlayStation release on September 2nd...
Well, I returned from Texas, and what do I find on my doorstep? None other
than Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun. Now personally, I refused to believe
that this thing had gone gold until I had it in my hands, and jeez...I guess
it finally did. The game's okay...it's nothing revolutionary, and C&C fans
are probably going to be pleased with it. Personally, I think I'll stick to
StarCraft, or better yet, System Shock 2. :)
Link of the Day: (Update posted by Blue): Star Wars Episode 2: Food Court. Star
Wars meets Pulp Fiction (thanks MAVERICK). Full of foul language, copyright infringement,
and belly laughs. The first link of the day posted here has been removed as a poor
editorial decision. Apologies to any that though it was in bad taste, which would include
myself. We define bad taste very narrowly here (just check out the replacement link to
confirm that), but laughing at the serious misfortune of others does qualify.
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