August 2002

Saturday, August 31, 2002

MOH:AA: Spearhead Video....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:11 PM MDT Saturday, August 31, 2002 [Comment on news]

PC.IGN has a video from ECTS showing the upcoming MOH:AA expansion pack, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead. The file is a 13MB QuickTime video.


Global Warfare Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:05 PM MDT Saturday, August 31, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted an interview with Global Warfare team member Alex Peterson to find out more about the mod and their plans for the future. Here's a taste:


Mobile Forces Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:55 PM MDT Saturday, August 31, 2002 [Comment on news]

Action.pcarena.com has posted a review of Mobile Forces. Here's a nibblet:


Devastation Impressions ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:43 PM MDT Saturday, August 31, 2002 [Comment on news]

EuroGamer has posted some brief impressions of Devastation, an Unreal powered FPS currently in the works at ARUSH Entertainment. Here's a snip:

    "Thanks to the much lauded physics engine that's been included with recent versions of the Unreal technology, the game also allows you to use your surroundings to your advantage. For example, if you find a bottle on the ground you can smash it against a wall and then use it as a weapon. Or you can grab an empty can and throw it off into the distance to distract someone. Accidentally kicking beer cans or moving things around makes noise, so it's even possible to drop litter behind you to make it harder for people to sneak up on you while you're busy sniping. And on a purely aesthetic level, the "rag doll" physics means that when you shoot somebody their body will slump in a realistic manner, rather than simply landing horizontally on the floor with bits sticking into walls and hanging out over ledges or stairs."


UT2003 Movies ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:36 PM MDT Saturday, August 31, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpot has posted a bunch of UT2003 movies from ECTS. You can find them all here. Problem is you have to be a GameSpot Complete member in order to view them.


Battlefield 1942 Impressions ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:30 PM MDT Saturday, August 31, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has started its preview of the full build of Battlefield 1942. First up is Fett's Battle of Midway Map impressions which includes 16 exclusive screenshots. Next, they have Paligap's impressions of the Pacific Theater of War and much more that also includes over 30 exclusive screenshots from maps such as Omaha Beach, Bocage, and more. Check 'em out!


Friday, August 30, 2002

NOLF2 Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:04 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpy has posted a hands-on look at the first four chapters of Monolith's upcoming Cate Archer spy saga, NOLF2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way. Here's a snip:

    "The first two chapters of the game are set in the small village of Inotakimura, and serve an introductory purpose more than anything else -- the opening credits don't even start until you've made your way through all five levels of the initial episode. After meeting up with a UNITY operative, the first map basically acts as a tutorial mission -- instead of getting pre-mission training back at UNITY HQ as you did in the first game, you'll be getting on-the-job training this time around, mostly via notes posted around the level. One nifty twist: while gadget guru "Santa" has returned to help you out, he now does so in the field via a robotic mynah bird..."


UT2003 / Maya Personal Learning Edition....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:00 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

Worthplaying is reporting that each UT2003 box will contain a copy of Maya Personal Learning Edition, the free (for non-commercial use) version of Maya, as well as a plug-in that allows mod developers to import their game objects and characters into the game.


Raven Shield Delayed....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:58 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Rainbow Six Raven Shield website has posted word from Chadi "Leviat" Lebbos, producer on Raven Shield, announcing the release of the upcoming Tom Clancy shooter has been pushed back from late this year to the beginning of February 2003.


Iron Storm Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:55 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a preview of Iron Storm. Here's a nibblet:

    "The game itself has a very dark and bleak art style to it benefiting its 50 year old war setting. The artistic and graphical look of IronStorm shows a world that is literally decaying before your eyes at times. Even the characters that you encounter in the game look tired and worn out by the passage of such a long war. This choice for the look of the game may actually depress some players but the truth is that any civilization with 50 years of constant warfare would look like the world of IronStorm. The game's graphics engine itself looks a bit dated compared to other first person shooters but it's certainly servicable for this game.

    This look also extends to the weapons of the game as well. Because the game takes place in a World War I that never ended, a number of the weapons look like they were cobbled up from several different guns and rifles. The player will have his choice of a number of weapons like pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles, grenade and rocket launchers and several types of grenades, including one that contains a gas that can affect your vision. There are also fixed gun emplacements that you can also take over and fire."


Island Thunder Screenshots ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:52 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

Shacknews has posted a bunch of new screenshots of the Ghost Recon Expansion pack, Island Thunder. Check 'em out!


Hitman 2 Demo Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:50 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted a review of the Hitman 2 demo. Here's a snip from their intro to get you started:

    "Baldylocks is back, but don't let him catch you call him that or you'll be smiling with a bullet hole in your teeth. Dr Foxy tries to get to grips with the demo of Hitman 2 hoping it will be a tad more accessible than the original."


ECTS Award Winners....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:48 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

The winners of the most prestigious awards in the European interactive entertainment industry were announced in London today at ECTS - Europe's premier trade show for interactive entertainment. The awards were presented in a ceremony hosted by Whizzbang TV's Gareth Jones and attended by over 1000 leading industry figures in the trade hall of ECTS itself.

    The full line-up of winners:

    * MCV Best of British Award - Criterion
    * PC Format Best New Games Kit Award - Nvidia Geforce 4
    * The Develop Magazine Award for British Game Design
    * Innovation - Rockstar North for GTA3
    * The Edge Award - SCEI for Ico
    * PC Gamer Best PC Game Developer - Creative Assembly for Medieval

    The following awards were voted for by more than 750 visitors to the ECTS web site:

    * Best Console of the Year - PlayStation 2
    * Best PC Hardware - Gainward Geforce 4 'Powerpack' Ultra/750XP Golden Sample
    * Best Console Game of the Year - Grand Theft Auto 3
    * Best PC Game of the Year - Medal of Honour: Allied Assault
    * Publisher of the Year - Electronic Arts
You can checkout all the winners here.


Chaser Screenshots....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:43 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gamer's Hell has posted five exclusive in-game screenshots from Chaser, Jowood's FPS built on the CloakNT engine in the works at Cauldron. The screens show the "atmospheric light effects, hi-res textures and realistic shadow effects."


MyLadders at CSports.net....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:41 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

CSports.net, the online computer gamers ranking and statistics site, has just launched a new service called MyLadders. MyLadders is a personalized ladder service that allows you to easily run automated rankings and statistics for up to 25 online computer gamers. The
rankings work on a chess style system and can be applied to any of the 56 games and over 1500 modifications that CSports covers. You can check it out here.


Battlefield 1942 Screenshots....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:39 PM MDT Friday, August 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has posted more exclusive Battlefield 1942 screenshots. These shots are from the Bocage map and the Battle of The Bulge map, both of which are from the European theater of war.


Thursday, August 29, 2002

Devastation Interview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:13 PM MDT Thursday, August 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

Action Vault has posted an interview about Devastation, where they chat with Senior Producer Vic DeLeon, Programmer Ray Davis and Lead Programmer Bob Berry. Here's a nibblet:

    Action Vault: Please introduce Devastation in your own words. What kind of game is it, and what types of gameplay will it focus on?

    Vic DeLeon: The overall experience of Devastation can best be described as a mix of fast-paced shooter action blended with immersive story-fed exploration. In a sea of first-person shooters, we're starting to see Devastation's potential to be something different and exciting. It's visually stunning, and the gameplay is incredibly diverse while still maintaining a lot of the standard features hardcore gamers have come to expect from recent games. There is an outstanding single-player adventure packed with interaction, exploration, intrigue, and loads of action, plus the online multiplayer features many of the standard gametypes as well as a large variety of server options and customizations.


NOLF2 Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:08 PM MDT Thursday, August 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpot has posted a preview of NOLF2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way. Here's a snip from the intro to get you started:

    "While Cate Archer wasn't the first popular superspy to spoof the sometimes hammy settings, villains, and plots of the numerous James Bond movies, she was the first computer game character to do so in such a successful manner. Released in 2000, The Operative: No One Lives Forever was a superb first-person shooter that blended an impressive graphics engine with witty dialogue and a humorous setting, which made it one of the most memorable action games in recent memory. In fact, NOLF's single-player campaign was so good, the game walked away with our Action Game of the Year award for that year. But as well executed as No One Lives Forever's single-player game was, its multiplayer component was passable at best. Quake III and Unreal Tournament weren't even a year old at the time of NOLF's release, and when compared to those two online powerhouses, the multiplayer modes and the somewhat floaty controls of No One Lives Forever simply didn't stack up. In creating the sequel to No One Lives Forever, the designers at Monolith opted to eschew the tried-and-true but highly competitive standard multiplayer modes of deathmatch, capture the flag, and whatnot in favor of the path less traveled: cooperative play--the ability for multiple players to work together in order to complete objectives in a manner typically found in single-player games. We were able to take a firsthand look at NOLF 2's somewhat unique multiplayer mode during a recent visit to the Monolith offices in the Seattle area, and we liked what we saw."


XIII Screenshots....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:06 PM MDT Thursday, August 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

Ferrago.co.uk has posted a bunch of new screenshots of Ubi Soft's cell-shaded shooter, XIII. These shots were unveiled at ECTS.


Official UT2003 Specs ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:03 PM MDT Thursday, August 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

ActionTrip is reporting Infogrames has released the official system specs needed to run Unreal Tournament 2003. Here are the minimum system requirements: 733Mhz, 128 RAM, with 3 Gb of HDD space. Wow.


Battlefield 1942 Iwo Jima Map Impressions ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:58 PM MDT Thursday, August 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has posted Fett's impressions of the Iwo Jima map from Battlefield 1942 after playing through part of the preview build. They have included with the impressions a bundle of exclusive screenshots from the map. You can check it out here.


Chaser Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:55 PM MDT Thursday, August 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gamer's Hell has posted a preview of Chaser, the upcoming FPS in development at Cauldron studios. Here's a snip:

    "From the moment the main menu opens to when the first fire fight ensues, Chaser visually impresses. Taking full advantage of an engine specifically designed for the title, Chaser clearly is an example of a next-generation PC game. The clarity and detail of the textures give the game a crisp and polished look. The game offers a number of effects that can be toggled through the options menu (based on your PC's specifications) including reflection mapping, dynamic lighting, limited particle effects, and full shadowing. Even with most of these effects toggled on, the framerate remained steady and only dropped noticeably once in the incomplete version shown. Artistically, Chaser succeeds, but doesn't necessarily bring innovation. Character designs and animations feel slightly borrowed yet appropriately match the environments they are in. Rather than introducing radical new designs, Chaser feels more like the quintessential space FPS."


Wednesday, August 28, 2002

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Development Diary....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:54 AM MDT Wednesday, August 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

Computer and Video Games has posted their next entry in its Delta Force: Black Hawk Down development diary as Novalogic level desginer Brian Bekian talks about his work on the upcoming military shooter.


America's Army: Operations Gone Gold....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:51 AM MDT Wednesday, August 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

America's Army: Operations website has been updated with an announcement that the final version of America's Army: Operations has gone gold. America's Army: Operations will be available on a free CD at the beginning of October at local U.S. Army Recruiting stations, ROTC Detachments and at other Army events. The CD will feature a bunch of missions that can be downloaded, as well as several exclusive levels--including the Swamp Raid and Mountain Ambush missions.


Team Factor Demo Impressions....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:46 AM MDT Wednesday, August 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

Action Vault has posted some impressions of the updated Team Factor Demo. Here's a snip from their intro to get you started:

    "There are those who believed that the dissolution of the Soviet Union would herald a new era of global stability; after decades of brinksmanship and knife-edge tension, they foresaw or at least hoped a new world order would emerge to usher in a time of peace and serenity for the planet's many nations. Yet, as recent history has shown, this possibility has proven to be quite untrue. Instead, various powder keg scenarios have erupted in nations the world over, situations that sometimes can inescapably be defused by one method only. In its Team Factor, Czech studio 7FX casts you as an elite operative schooled in the rigors of special operations, challenging you to prove your worth by resolving such potentially explosive crises, including one that unfolds within the mainland of America itself.

    At first glance, Team Factor may seem quite similar to other titles in the tactical shooter sub-genre, yet it aims to offer more than a mere rehash of the familiar counter-terrorist versus terrorist dynamic. For one thing, every scenario is populated by three deadly groups, each with a color-coded name. A blue group, consisting of US Ranger, British SAS or German Fallschirmjaeger operatives will face off against Russian Specnaz troops who comprise the red team. The skewing of the two-team dynamic is achieved by the introduction of the black group, a rogue band of fanatics whose origins and motivations depend on each situation. Thanks to the recent availability of a one-level demo, we were able to check out a playable slice of the game's multiplayer action, an account of our experiences being presented in these Team Factor Demo Impressions."


Rainbow Six: Raven Shield Multiplayer Demo ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:36 AM MDT Wednesday, August 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

According to the official Raven Shield site: "a Rainbow Six: Raven Shield Multiplayer Demo is coming soon...


Battlefield 1942 ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:34 AM MDT Wednesday, August 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

Bluesnews is reporting that "Battlefield 1942 for the PC will ship Tuesday, September 10, 2002."


Monday, August 26, 2002

Doom III Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:55 PM MDT Monday, August 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

PlanetQuake3.net has posted a chat with id Software's lead designer on the Doom III project, Tim Willits. Here's a snippet:

    PlanetQuake3: How will the player interact with the game objects & how will the gameplay relate to the previous versions of Doom. What implementations will be required for a level editor program to make use of the new features.

    Tim Willits: As seen in the interactive presentation at QuakeCon, the player will be able to interact with physics objects in the world. We have the ability to make anything into a physics object that react to both the player's actions and the environment (i.e. falling objects). This gives the game a greater sense of reality and it increases the flexibility if the game design. Working with physics objects in the editor is very simple, all we need to do is select just about anything and turn it into a physics object. The editor interface is very straight forward and seamless.


Operation Flashpoint: Resistance Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:47 PM MDT Monday, August 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Entertainment Depot has posted a review of Operation Flashpoint: Resistance, the first official expansion pack for Bohemia Interactive's modern warfare simulator. Here's a snip:

    "...Even with the technical problems and glossed-over character models, there is just no denying the awe that Resistance's size induced in me. Being able to get out of a vehicle and run through woods and villages is still a thrill as such scale is primarily in online role playing games and to have that kind of real-world atmosphere is a claim that very few other titles can claim. Other positives are the vehicles seemed to have been touched up a bit and the animations look to be tweaked as well. Sure, it still isn't the best game on the block, but with an island the size of several games put together and having it populated with an army of pissed off Soviet soldiers, at times, there just isn't anything prettier."


Battlefield 1942 Screenshots ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:58 PM MDT Monday, August 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR is continuing its exclusive coverage of EA/DICE's upcoming online title, Battlefield 1942, with screenshots of the Kursk map. You can check out over A DOZEN EXLCUSIVE screenshots featuring a new vehicle here.


XIII Movie....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:22 AM MDT Monday, August 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Ubi Soft Entertainment website has posted a a gameplay movie from XIII, their upcoming shooter. The movie is available as both a larger 15.2 MB version, and a smaller 8 MB version. Check it out! (Spotted on Blue's News)


Hardware Reviews....
Posted by [luckee] @ 2:24 AM MDT Monday, August 26, 2002 [Comment on news]
Today’s Hardware Reviews


Saturday, August 24, 2002

IGI 2: Covert Strike Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:08 AM MDT Saturday, August 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

Action Trip has posted a Q&A with Henning Rokling of Innerloop where he talks about their upcoming fps, IGI 2: Covert Strike. Here's a snip:

    AT: Can the players expect IGI 2 to be as challenging as the first game? Explain a bit more about the AI and various tactics the enemies may use during combat.

    HR: One of the things in Project IGI we got complaints about was the fact that it was a bit too hard for some gamers. We've made efforts to greatly improve the AI, making the enemy's resistance affected by light conditions and sound. Now the enemy will effectively take cover and will also use squad-based tactics. In short, they are now a lot more advanced. When it comes to challenges, we are using the difficulty level to a greater degree now: easy will basically be dead easy - that doesn't mean the AI is stupid, it's just that they will have a harder time hitting you, detecting you, and they will move a bit slower. They will also be a bit sloppier when it comes to examining suspicious things around the base. The 'hard' mode denotes the same difficulties as in IGI1, with intelligent soldiers, lightning-quick reactions, and no save game options. This is only for the hard-core fans though!


QuakeCon Mod Q&As....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:07 AM MDT Saturday, August 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted some Q&As with several represenatives of various Quake 3 Arena mods where they get their reactions to last week's QuakeCon and a quick update on their individual mods.


IGI 2: Covert Strike Movies ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:01 AM MDT Saturday, August 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

The mediaviewer.IGN page has posted seven new movies from Innerloop's upcoming FPS sequel, IGI 2: Covert Strike, that shows off the gameplay. Check 'em out!


America's Army Patch....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:57 AM MDT Saturday, August 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

A new patch updating America's Army RECON to version 1.2.1 has been released, and addresses some bugs found in the recent version 1.2.0 patch. You can grab the file from AmericasArmyFiles.com and FilePlanet.


NOLF2 Preview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:54 AM MDT Saturday, August 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpy has posted a preview of NOLF2 after a hands-on look at the game's innovative co-op multiplayer mode. Here's a snip from the intro to get you started:

    "No One Lives Forever was a welcome shot in the arm for first-person shooters. Initially underhyped, it wasn't long before the game started racking up accolades within gaming circles for its engaging gameplay and strong sense of wit. Monolith has been hard at work on the sequel -- NOLF 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way -- for some time now, but with the game nearing release, relatively little has been said about the game's multiplayer component.

    Until now, that is. This week, we made a trek up to Seattle to visit the team at Monolith, and had a chance to sit down for a few hours and take the game's multiplayer for a spin. We weren't quite sure what we were in for, and we were pleasantly surprised to see what the team had cooked up."


MOH:AA: Spearhead!....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:48 AM MDT Saturday, August 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

PlanetMedalofHonor has posted news on the MOH:AA expansion pack. Steve Groll at EA has informed them the name will be "Medal Of Honor: Allied Assault: Spearhead!" and will have a teen rating, not mature as has been reported. Nice... can't wait to see what this expansion pack is like.


Cheating on Secure DoD and CS Servers....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:36 AM MDT Saturday, August 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

ActionTrip has posted an interesting bit on cheating on DoD and Counter-Strike secure servers and the consequences. Here's the info:

    "The ban list is now active, which means people that are detected cheating on a secure server will be banned from all secure servers for 24 hours. We'll be increasing the penalty for cheating dramatically over time as we become more comfortable with how the system is operating. We know of no false positives being generated currently, but we're going to be extremely careful we aren't banning legitimate players."


Friday, August 23, 2002

Team Factor Demo #3 Fix....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:46 PM MDT Friday, August 23, 2002 [Comment on news]

7fx has released a small fix for the Team Factor Demo #3 because some people were having a problem with not finding online servers. Here are some details:

    "For those of you who downloaded the latest demo and can't find online servers any more, here's a small fix. To apply it, just replace the file data/net.cfg found in the Team Factor installation folder. Then you'll be able to play on-line again."
You can grab the file here.


Iron Storm Screenshots ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:43 PM MDT Friday, August 23, 2002 [Comment on news]

Worthplaying has posted a bundle of screenshots from Iron Storm, the alternate history World War I shooter in development at 4X Studio. Check 'em out!


Mac OS X version of SoF2....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:39 PM MDT Friday, August 23, 2002 [Comment on news]

The MacPlay SoF2: Double Helix website has posted word that the Mac OS X version of SoF2: Double Helix has gone gold, and should ship in 2-3 weeks. (Spotted on Blue's News.)


Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Developer Diary ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:35 PM MDT Friday, August 23, 2002 [Comment on news]

Computer and Video Games has posted a Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Developer Diary where Associate Producer Barry Feather chronicles a month in the development of NovaLogic's soldier sim. Here's a snip:

    "It's safe to say that we've been impressed by what we've seen of Delta Force: Black Hawk Down so far. Built on a tweaked Comanche 4 engine, the game easily has the best visuals of the series, coupling this with terrific atmosphere that immerses you in the heart of the proceedings. Novalogic is also promising realistic non-player AI, and if it can come up with the goods then it looks as though we're in for a pretty special treat indeed."


NOLF 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way Playable Teaser....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:31 PM MDT Friday, August 23, 2002 [Comment on news]

Monolith, Fox and Sierra have released a great new "playable teaser" for the upcoming PC FPS - NOLF 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way. GameSpyDaily has the info and say "The teaser level is set in Akron, Ohio and sees our chick-in-charge, Cate Archer, battling ninjas while trying to avoid a rampaging tornado!"


Chaser Screenshots ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:24 PM MDT Friday, August 23, 2002 [Comment on news]

ActionTrip has posted some Chaser screenshots. Chaser is a first person shooter being developed by Cauldron and uses their in-house CloakNT engine. Check 'em out!


Battlefield 1942 MP Demo Strategy Guide....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:20 PM MDT Friday, August 23, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted a Battlefield 1942 MP Demo Strategy Guide. Here's more:

    "Yesterday, we featured a review of the amazing Battlefield 1942 MP Demo, which is heating up the download charts over at FilePlanet. It only seemed natural that we should also give you guys a few pointers -- TheBigDuke is here to do just that, with his Battlefield 1942 MP Demo strategy guide. Check it out -- Uncle Sam wants YOU!"


Thursday, August 22, 2002

America's Army: Operations Beta Test....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:11 AM MDT Thursday, August 22, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan and the US Army have teamed up and opened a beta test for America's Army: Operations. Successful applicants will get the opportunity to test new maps, weapons, packs and more, before they're released to the public.

    "Applicants will be screened based on certain required criteria, then the testers will be selected randomly from the remaining pool based on hardware configurations and other factors necessary for successful beta testing. Keep in mind that presence in the community as well as frequency of play and interest in the title will also factor in (i.e. the people who have invested the most time in the game will have the first crack at helping to shape and polish it)."


The Sum of All Fears Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:07 AM MDT Thursday, August 22, 2002 [Comment on news]

Yesterday EuroGamer posted a short review of The Sum of All Fears. This short sentence in their intro pretty much says it.

    "Rainbow Six, only cheaper, shorter and without the feeling."
You can read the review here.


Users Sue Over Pentium 4 Claims ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:02 AM MDT Thursday, August 22, 2002 [Comment on news]

I don't usually post these things but this one I can't believe... people will sue over anything these days. No wonder we can't get the murderers and rapists off the streets, the courts are packed full of this kind of useless bunk.

    "A small group of PC buyers has filed a lawsuit seeking class-action status against Intel Corp., Gateway and Hewlett-Packard, charging that the firms misled consumers by claiming the Pentium 4 microprocessor is the best- performing computer chip on the market."
What next? LOL (Spotted on Blue's News)


AvP2: Primal Hunt Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:53 AM MDT Thursday, August 22, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpot has posted a less than favorable review of Sierra Entertainment's add-on pack for AvP2, Primal Hunt. Here's a nibblet:

    "Four completely undistinguished multiplayer maps are included in the expansion. No new game types have been created, and none of the four maps can be used in the overrun or evac modes. The humans get a new short-range 360-degree motion detector, a double pistol, and mountable turrets, the predators get an unexciting fléchette gun and a really underpowered suicide detonation attack, and the predaliens can now bite heads. None of these subtle changes will make an impression on anyone but the most hard-core Aliens Versus Predator players."


Ghost Recon: Island Thunder Trailer ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:49 AM MDT Thursday, August 22, 2002 [Comment on news]

PC.IGN has available for download, a trailer of the newly announced Ghost Recon: Island Thunder mission pack from Ubi Soft. You can grab the 15MB trailer here.


Battlefield 1942 MP Demo Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:46 AM MDT Thursday, August 22, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted a review of the Battlefield 1942 MP demo that was recently released. Here's their intro to get you started:

    "Following up the Single Player demo, GameSpy’s favourite action game from this year’s E3 finally shows up in a form we can play against each other. Dr Foxy dusts off his combats ready to take a look, bounding off into the war-zone hoping for some laughs and good times. It mightn’t show the true nature of war, but how does it shape up? Read on."


Battlefield 1942 Screenshots....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:42 AM MDT Thursday, August 22, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has posted a set of exclusive screenshots from EA/DICE's upcoming
massive online game, Battlefield 1942. These shots are kicking off XGR's exclusive coverage of the game that will include screens and impressions from two maps you will not get anywhere else. These shots are from the Iwo Jima map and show off the Allied Aircraft Carrier and planes. Check 'em out!


Kreed Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:36 AM MDT Thursday, August 22, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gamer's Hell has posted an "in-depth" interview with the development team working on Kreed, at Burut CT. Kreed is an fps to be published by Russobit-M in spring 2003. Here's a snip:

    How, and when did you come up with the idea behind Kreed? Has the initial design changed much during the development? And generally speaking: what kind of an experience will you try to give the players?

    AL: The Idea of “Kreed” appeared during the creation of our first project “Heath”. We dreamed of creating an original game universe with all its essentials like history, races, mythology, religions, traditions, etc. We thought about global RPG as an ideal plan that time. We wrote the first script, prepared the first artwork, but we still weren’t satisfied. Our future hero seemed too “foreign”. That’s why we decided to look on our created world in our own eyes, i.e. from the first person perspective, in order to feel the universe completely. That’s how the idea of the First Person Shooter was born. Here we saw the possibility to apply to the world of human feelings. So, the main hero of “Kreed” is a real man who was deserted to the infernal sector of Universe at the fates decree.
    “Kreed” tells the player that among the hot fights, with many evildoers and monsters there is something more significant, which is under a veil of secrecy. The ending should be the very mysterious and fascinating.


Wednesday, August 21, 2002

The Devastation Team Interview on XGR....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 7:24 PM MDT Wednesday, August 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR is going to be broadcasting, starting in just a few minutes, an interview with the Devastation Team. Paligap has managed to catch up with Vic DeLeon - Senior Producer, Ben Golus - Technical Level Designer, and Bob Berry - Technical Director and has picked their brains about Devastation. Tune in at 7:30 p.m. MDT to hear all about this upcoming first person shooter from Digitalo!


Gore Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:41 PM MDT Wednesday, August 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

MonkeyReview has posted a review of 4D Rulers' fast-paced, futuristic FPS, Gore. Here's a snip:

    "So I’m crusin’ along blasting these futuristic punks, and my ammo runs out (which runs out REAL fast). Apparently, these people can take a whole clip before going down. So does Gore live up to it’s title? Maybe. Blood splatters like you shoved a Roman Candle down their pants. Once out of ammo, you are left with fists that do as much damage as your gun. The fists action was about as funny as the feet shuffle. I will say that I had a good chuckle out of the explosive impact that some of these weapons had on targets. With the rocket launcher, grenades, and sniper rifle, some enemies would literally explode to pieces, while others upper torso would launch to the stratosphere."


Doom III Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:23 PM MDT Wednesday, August 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

GamersClick has published a preview of id Software's Doom III, based upon what was seen and heard at last week's QuakeCon event. Here's a snip from their intro to get you started:

    "I can't think of few more clichéd statements than "You’ve never seen anything like this before." But you haven’t. Doom III puts an entirely new face on the world of computer gaming. Bottom line: Games have never looked this good before.

    The most noticeable - and, indeed, most substantial - improvement that Doom III makes over its predecessors is simply in terms of the graphics. The sound is phenomenal (Nine Inch Nails’s Trent Reznor contributed a lot to the soundtrack), but we’ve had phenomenal sound before. The atmosphere is as creepy as you could ask, and the game is as engrossing as - though perhaps less frantic than - the Doom titles you remember. But, we’ve seen all this before. What we’ve never seen before, though, is a game that looked so amazing.

    Let me paint you a picture: A large, fat zombie lies on the bathroom floor, his entrails being eaten by a particularly hideous-looking creature. With every bite the creature takes, the zombie’s fat wobbles. Yes, it wobbles. The level of realism (well, excluding the fact that most of the creatures you fight don’t really exist) found in this game, graphically, is truly impressive. Watching a character slide down the stairs after he’s died is really a nice effect, and it’s done better in Doom III than any game I’ve ever seen. Obviously, id was striving for a remarkable achievement in the graphics department, and they’ve definitely succeeded."


NOLF2 Demo Information....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:16 PM MDT Wednesday, August 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

EvilAvatar is reporting about the NOLF2 Demo. Here's what they had to say:

    "Sierra and Fox Interactive confirmed that the official demo for NO ONE LIVES FOREVER 2: A SPY in H.A.R.M.'s WAY will be available in September. Make some room on your hard drive for this one. The demo will include 3 levels from the game which is being developed by Monolith. No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way will be shipping in October.""


Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon™: Island Thunder™ Mission Pack....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:13 PM MDT Wednesday, August 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

ToTheGame has posted some info and screens of Ubi Soft Entertainment's forthcoming release of the Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon™: Island Thunder™ mission pack. You can grab all the details here.


Devastation Screenshots....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:09 PM MDT Wednesday, August 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

My good friends at XGR have posted a couple of exclusive screenshots from Devastation, Arush Entertainment and Digitalo's upcoming Unreal-powered FPS. You can check 'em out here.


Breed Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:07 PM MDT Wednesday, August 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

Fragland.net has posted an interview with BRAT Designs about their upcoming FPS Breed. Here's a snip:

    Q - Briefly : what's the story behind BREED?

    A - The plot draws on a lot of familiar science fiction themes. To keep it short: In the year 2601 AD mankind has crossed the threshold to a new age. Political unity and a booming world economy have kept the planet peaceful, wealthy and stable for decades. Now the flourishing economy has made it possible to reach for the stars, and allowed humans to colonise space. No goal seems unachievable, the rest of the galaxy is an open playing field. 2602 AD - First contact: The Breed, an aggressive alien species, attack distant colonies. Earth sends her armed forces to the colonies in the Besalius system to help defend the defenceless colonists. 2610 AD - Following a long and devastating war against the Breed, Earth's last remaining spaceship Darwin returns victorious from the ruined remains of the colonies. But all the crew finds at home is a few remnants of what was once a glorious defence force. The planet has been overrun by the Breed, and is now totally under their control. While the fleet was fighting to save millions of lives in the off-world colonies, billions died back home on Earth. Earth's climate has been artificially heated and adjusted to the Breed's requirements. The result is a rise in the worldwide water levels.


Tuesday, August 20, 2002

Chrome Trailer at ECTS....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 5:00 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

Polish developer Techland announced today that they will be attending ECTS in London next week where they'll be showing off a brand new Chrome trailer. The trailer is reported to reveal details of the game's story and will demonstrate some of the activities in which the players will take part while playing the first-person shooter.


Vietcong Screenshots ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:47 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gathering of Developers has released some new screenshots from Vietcong, their upcoming Vietnam War era first person shooter from Illusion Softworks and Pterodon. You can check them out at HomeLan.


Hitman 2 Demo Workarounds....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:37 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

Blue's News has a post helping with a couple of compatibility issues with the Hitman 2 demo that was released earlier today. Here's their post in its entirety:

    "Eidos Interactive Producer Neil Donnell sends word of a couple of compatibility issues present in the Hitman 2 demo that hit the 'net this morning that he assures us will not be present in the final build of the upcoming game of hired assassination. In the meantime he passes along a couple of workarounds, saying folks with NVIDIA video cards with corrupted graphics should use drivers older than the 30-series Detonator drivers (e.g., version 28.32), and users of Creative Audigy sound cards experiencing audio glitches should be able to fix this by turning down hardware acceleration."


PlanetSide Weapon Shots....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:31 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

The official PlanetSide site has posted twenty-one images of the weapons in Sony Online Entertainment's FPS PlanetSide.


Battlefield 1942 Multiplayer Demo Impressions ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:27 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

AllOutGames has posted their impressions of the recently released Battlefield 1942 Multiplayer Demo. Check it out!


Delta Force: Task Force Dagger Review ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:24 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

ZDNet Australia GameSpot has posted a review of Zombie Studios' special forces FPS Delta Force: Task Force Dagger. Here's a snip from their conclusion:

    "Overall, despite the downfalls with its AI, Operation Dagger is an enjoyable single player FPS, but the new weapon and character features as well as the multiplayer component are what make it stand out. Importantly everything is kept in a base of reality, which makes it quite sterile to an extent, yet, as expected; it has an obvious pro American slant."


Hitman 2 Demo....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:15 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

EIDOS has released a demo of Hitman 2: Silent Assassin. The 48.3 MB file is available at Gamer's Hell.


Doom III....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:09 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

PC.IGN has posted an interview with id's Lead Designer Tim Willits and Animator Fred Nilsson during QuakeCon about Doom III. Here's a taste:

    "If you look closely you can tell, but for my money it looks better than anything I've seen in the gaming industry ever. "In stills, you'll see the edges and look lower polygon to people," argues Nilsson, "but when you actually see it all actually moving and all of the detail, you'll be like, okay, wow." Of course, this means that the team has to create these incredibly detailed models to start. "The technology has definitely added a lot more time to make textures and monsters and everything. We can't just paint the wall anymore, we have to go and model every nook and cranny and bolt and nut. So building all of that stuff takes a lot more time.""


Hitman 2: Silent Assasin Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:04 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

Action Trip has posted a Hitman 2: Silent Assasin interview. Here's a nibblet:

    AT: What can you say are the most obvious enhancements in terms of enemy AI?

    CP: Enemies have a more realistic reaction to any suspicious act that the player does. For instance, disguising yourself as one of the guards isn't totally full proof. When you run around like a lunatic or get too close to them, the AI will definitely get suspicious. You have to play the part to attract the least amount of attention to yourself.

    In a firefight, the enemies will be formidable foes. They will use any available cover and take potshots at you.

    Lastly, all the enemies now speak their OWN language! This was one of the criticisms from the first game that we have addressed.


America's Army Strategy Guide....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:01 PM MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted an America's Army Strategy Guide. Here's their intro to get you started:

    "Let’s face it, even though you’re forced to complete “basic training” before venturing into the multiplayer portion of America’s Army, it only teaches you the most basic skills. It tells you nothing about the different stances available, the levels you will be playing, or anything else advanced. TheBigDuke is here to fill that void."


Monday, August 19, 2002

Battlefield 1942....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:52 AM MDT Monday, August 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gone Gold has confirmed that Digital Illusion's World War II vehicular action game, Battlefield 1942, has gone gold. The report says the game should be off to duplication in a day or two, and is expected to hit store shelves around September 12.


Scott Miller Interview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:17 AM MDT Monday, August 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

InGaming has posted an interview with Scott Miller of 3D Realms. Here's a snip from their intro to get you started:

    "Today we talk to the guy who is probably best known for the invention of the trilogy model of software distribution in shareware, creation of the character 'Duke Nukem' and also an indirect hand in getting well known developers id software off the ground. Remarkably, these are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Scott Miller's achievements, as he has garnered recognition in the games industry to be honoured by earning a "Lifetime Achievement Award" (Shareware Industry Foundation) amongst other accolades. We ask his opinion on a number of issues, focusing on games development in general."


RtCW Special Forces Mod....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:06 AM MDT Monday, August 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Special Forces mod for RtCW is now available. This first Alpha version is a 14 MB download and features three of the mod's classes, and a pair of levels. You can grab the file and all the details here.


MOH:AA Dedicated Linux Server Version 1.11....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:04 AM MDT Monday, August 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

German fansite MOH-Central has the final version 1.11 dedicated Linux server for Medal of Honor: Allied Assault available for download. This release is about 1.5MB and offers a few more tweaks and new console variables.


FireStarter Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:01 AM MDT Monday, August 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gameguru has posted an interview with GSC Game World Project Manager Slava Klimov, where they talk about his company's forthcoming FPS project, FireStarter. Here's a snip:

    GGMania: At the conceptual level, what are your key overall goals for FireStarter? What are the major elements in the gameplay experience you're aiming to provide?

    Slava Klimov: As far as the storyline is concerned, we've got a virtual reality machine which goes beyond the control to capture players conscience and order him play in line with new rules - to survive within a total of 48 hours - accomplishing all the game levels. Talking about play-though techniques, they are focused on staying as active as possible on levels and killing hordes of monsters popping up. The gameplay will be very intense, so the player has about 10 seconds at the level start to get accustomed to its design and architecture. No keys or doors to unlock, player's task is boiled down to finding an optimal path to move around the level, shooting vehemently and not falling prey to monsters. Another important part of gameplay are role-playing elements, such as character parameters, skills and extra-ability-enabling artefacts. Skills and artefacts give player certain game advantages, so players are constantly motivated to increase the level of character they play.


AvP2: Primal Hunt Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 8:58 AM MDT Monday, August 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

PlanetAvP has posted a review of the recently released expansion pack for AvP2, Primal Hunt. Here's a snip from their conclusion:

    "In closing, I will say that AVP 2: PH is definitely worth the price of admission for AvP 2 fans. It has issues, but many of them are 'personal preference' types I have and only a very few are serious (like the above mentioned install) So, if you enjoyed AvP 2, you’ll enjoy PH and probably just as much. It definitely adds more new stuff than a lot of expansions I’ve seen, and it’s as bug free as PC games get - once you manage to actually install it. The biggest concern with expansions often is their continuity with the games they come from, and Primal Hunt has that nailed. A great effort from 3LI, and certainly proof that they can do good games. KISS kind of had me wondering about that."


CPL Winter Event 2002....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 8:53 AM MDT Monday, August 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

The CPL has announced their next major US event - The Pentium 4 Processor Winter Event 2002.

    The Winter Event will consist of three simultaneous computer game tournaments: Half-Life Counter-Strike, with $100,000 in cash prizes being awarded; Unreal Tournament 2003, with $30,000 in prizes going to the top contenders; and a special Team Fortress Classic tournament with $10,000 in prize money. Also a $10,000 Consummate Computer Competition (C3) for "computer mods" will be hosted at the Winter Event. With over $150,000 being awarded, the Pentium 4 Winter Event will be the largest US gaming event this year. Over 2,100 people attended the recent Summer Championships, and the CPL expects another large attendance this December.


Sunday, August 18, 2002

[Mornin' Mocha]....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:46 AM MDT Sunday, August 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

Hello! Happy Sunday to all of you. I know a lot of you here in the USA have not been able to get your hands on Mobile Forces because the US release keeps getting pushed back. For those of you who know about this game and don't want to wait, you should go to Rage's e-store and buy it. The price in the UK has come down and shipping is very reasonable.... and believe me, it'll be worth it - this game is great fun!

On a related note, those of you who do have Mobile Forces, watch for a PCShooter.com server in the list and come play!

Enjoy your day! :)


Punkbuster Interview/Article....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:37 AM MDT Sunday, August 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has also posted an interview (in article format) with Tony Ray where they talk about their anti-cheat software, Punkbuster. Here's a snippet:

    "Ray believes the rise in online cheating began when games became more than just a hobby for some players. “With the rise of pro gamers, it means a lot more than just having fun”, Ray said. With more and more money becoming available and allowing players to actually have a career playing games, Ray said there are players who would do things like cheat in order to win the prize money. The other big reason for the rampant cheating, according to Ray, was that until programs like Punkbuster there was no real way to deal with cheaters in the first place. “If there was no deterrent against crime we would have a lot worse crime rate than we would have today,” Ray said as an example. "


Purge Beta Test Phase 4....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:33 AM MDT Sunday, August 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Purge website is accepting applications from those interested in participating in phase four of beta testing this upcoming LithTech engine FPS/RPG hybrid.


Serious Editor Mathematics Toolkit....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:31 AM MDT Sunday, August 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

Fan site Seriously has posted a new version 1.2 of the Serious Editor Mathematics Toolkit. The new version fixes some parser bugs in the previous versions, and adds a bezier function to allow importing curved surfaces.


Iron Storm Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:28 AM MDT Sunday, August 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

VideoGameNews has posted a short preview of 4X Studios' alternate history action game, Iron Storm. Here's a nibblet:

    "Iron Storm is classified as a mix of a shoot-em-up and infiltration game much like Medal of Honor. It runs on a 3d engine called PHOENIX 3D developed by 4X Technologies. The PC version (which features multi-player mode) will debut in the fall of 2002. The Playstation 2 version will be released more than a year later in the winter of 2003. The ratings for this highly anticipated game are still pending with the ESRB Board. Hopefully, Iron Storm will live up to all the hype it has promised, and you never know, maybe it’ll have a little something extra!"


More QuakeCon 2002: Doom III ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:25 AM MDT Sunday, August 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpot has also posted some QuakeCon 2002: Doom III info. You can check out what they had to say here.


QuakeCon Doom III Presentation Report ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:23 AM MDT Sunday, August 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a QuakeCon Doom III Presentation Report after a brief presentation by id team members. Here's a snip:

    "The lead designer for the game, Tim Willits, started the event by showing off an example map from Doom III on a big projection screen (as per usual, id banned photography of what was shown on the screen and even prohibited audio recording of the presentation). Willits emphasized the dynamic lighting that the new game will have by showing off examples of lights shining realistically from objects in the game level and on the fat zombie that was shown in previous presentations and screenshots. Willits also showed off the per-pixel feature in the game characters by being able to shoot the zombie at any point on the body. He even showed some Soldier of Fortune like effects of shooting the zombie and having the dead creatures body react to it. There was even a funny bit where Willits’ player character stepped on top of the prone zombie which prevented the zombie from getting back up. Willits then showed a new creature which has been seen only in the Activison European and Asian press events: a new version of Doom’s Reverent creature with twin rocket launchers on his shoulders. Willits also demonstrated the new physics engine in Doom III which allows objects in the world to be shot and moved realistically. Even lighting fixtures can be shot which then can sway back and forth with the lighting following a realistic path in the room."


Friday, August 16, 2002

Primal Hunt Ships....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:24 AM MDT Friday, August 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

Sierra and Fox have announced that Primal Hunt the expansion pack for AvP2 is shipping to stores. The expansion includes 3 missions for each of the 3 species, new weapons and four new multiplayer maps.


Hitman 2 Screenshots ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:20 AM MDT Friday, August 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR posted some screenshots yesterday showing off IO Interactive's upcoming third-person action game, Hitman 2. Check 'em out!.


Battlefield 1942 Multiplayer Demo ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:18 AM MDT Friday, August 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

Electronic Arts has now officially released the multiplayer demo of Battlefield 1942, the 3D vehicular action game in development at Digital Illusions. The 130.2 MB download offers the Wake Island map that you can play in Conquest mode with up to 32 players. You can grab the file at Blue's News, FilePlanet and 3D Gamers.


RtCW: Enemy Territory Impressions....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:09 AM MDT Friday, August 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan was able to checkout a build of Enemy Territory, the upcoming expansion pack to Return to Castle Wolfenstein, at QuakeCon. They also had an opportunity to ask questions about the game to the title's producer, Activision's Jonathan Moses. Here's a taste:

    "In addition to the new bot play and the new single player mission, RTCW: Enemy Territory will also have all new content for the team based multiplayer modes, according to Moses. An all new class, the Covert Ops class, has been added to multiplayer which will allow players to take clothes off dead Nazi soldiers and pose as Nazis, at least for a time. The Covert Ops class also carries a silent sniper rifle and during multiplayer Moses said that he can sneak inside enemy lines and relay info on the enemy team via a new gameplay feature called the command map, a 2D look at the level that will enable teams to look at where their members are as well as what their objectives in the map are located.

    Besides the new silent sniper rifle for the new Covert Ops class, there will be other new weapons that will be added to Enemy Territory. The engineer class will get to use the new grenade launcher as well as land mines. A heavy machine gun will also be added that will be very inaccurate when the player is standing up but become more accurate when the player sets the machine gun down."


Iron Storm Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:04 AM MDT Friday, August 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Electric Playground has posted a preview of Iron Storm. Here's a snip from their intro to get you started:

    "Iron Storm is another speculative game, a 3D shooter which asks the question "What would Europe be like in 1964...if World War I never ended?" It seems as though after the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks were defeated by Baron Ungern-Sternberg, who wants to establish a Russo-Mongolian empire, from the Atlantic Ocean to Vladivostok. To oppose him, the Allies and the Occidental faction of the German army have joined forces, creating a new faction called the United States of Western Europe.

    Gamers play Second Lieutenant James Anderson, who will be sent on missions against Baron Ungern-Sternberg's army, with the ultimate goal of destroying him and perhaps at long last bringing peace to war-torn Europe."


AVP2 Primal Hunt Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:58 AM MDT Friday, August 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gamer's Hell has posted and interview with Paul Pawlicki, Associate Producer, at Fox Interactive about the new AvP2 add on Primal Hunt. Here's a snip:

    Has the game graphics or AI been tweaked in any way since the original? What changes have you added to the code this time out?

    We are using the same version of the LithTech engine that we used in AvP2, which was dubbed the Talon engine. We have, however, incorporated all of the code updates that have been released since AvP2 hit the shelves. Like most expansion packs, we've focused on supplying more content rather than making drastic changes to the engine.


Thursday, August 15, 2002

Iron Storm Screenshots....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:49 AM MDT Thursday, August 15, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has posted some screenshots of Iron Storm, and if you missed it the other day, we posted a handful of shots too. Check 'em out!


Splinter Cell Site....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:29 AM MDT Thursday, August 15, 2002 [Comment on news]

Yesterday Ubi Soft launched the official web site for their upcoming Tom Clancy game, Splinter Cell. They have posted a bunch of in-game shots, and a trailer for the game. Check it out!


Unreal 2: The Awakening Fact Sheet....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:07 AM MDT Thursday, August 15, 2002 [Comment on news]

Infogrames Europe has published a fact sheet for their upcoming title, Unreal II: The Awakening. Here it is:

    Platform - PC
    Estimated Release Date - Q4 2002
    Developer - Legend Entertainment
    Publisher - Atari

    Product Description
    The long awaited follow-up to Epic Games' groundbreaking single player opus, Unreal, Unreal 2: The Awakening incorporates the same absorbing story-driven gameplay, cunningly ferocious enemies and nail biting tension that made the original title the top choice for first person action fans worldwide.

    Developed by Infogrames' Legend Entertainment, Unreal 2: The Awakening uses next-generation Unreal technology created by the masterminds at Epic to deliver intense life-or-death action in the most breathtaking scenery ever displayed in a computer game.

    In the game, players jump into the scarred combat boots of a grizzled space mercenary, dispatched to more than 10 unique worlds to battle a torrent of bizarre alien creatures and hard-hitting enemy soldiers to stop an malevolent plot to awaken an ancient power. Between missions, players return to an orbiting ship where they can interact with other crew members, research items acquired during missions and refresh their arsenal. Designed to challenge both the hardcore fragger and welcome the first time FPSer, Unreal 2: The Awakening can be played fast and furious by the adrenaline junky or more slowly to ease newer players into the impending warfare.

    Focusing on innovative gameplay, Unreal 2: The Awakening poses unique tactical challenges in each mission, including rescuing hostages, assaulting enemy fortresses, escorting civilians, stealth infiltration, defending outposts and more traditional search-and-destroy sorties. The game also includes elements of exploration and discovery in exotic new settings that range from stunningly realistic outdoor terrain to spine-chilling alien cities, dark undersea bases, archaeological dig sites and more.

    Key Features
  • Innovative Game Play - Unreal 2: The Awakening combines intense, pulse-pounding action with the magic of exploration and discovery and RPG-style character interaction

  • Advanced Technology - Under the hood lies the latest Unreal technology from Epic - a hundred fold increase in level geometry and a ten fold increase in character detail. The advanced particle system creates the illusion of running water, blazing fire, drifting smoke, and advanced weather effects

  • Knuckle-Whitening Enemy AI - Enemies use their new AI to find cover during fire-fights, work together in teams and react believably based on the caliber of weapon the player is carrying

  • Devastating Arsenal - Fifteen flesh-chewing instruments of destruction are available, ranging from familiar alien-bashing favorites like the Rocket Launcher and Combat Assault Rifle to all new exotic alien variants like the Leech Gun and the hunter/seeker Takkra

  • A Large Bestiary of Creatures - The fearsome Skaarj return along with 24 all-new enemies, each hell-bent on eradicating the player and his compadres

  • Real Time Conversation System - Legend's groundbreaking dialogue system allows players to start and leave conversations, interrupt other characters, issue commands and respond to events. The system tracks the emotional state of characters so they react appropriately in a given situation

  • Unreal Editor -- Amateur level designers and mod makers will receive the same tools the experts used to make the game - the Unreal Editor -- in every box


Wednesday, August 14, 2002

Lawsuit Against Entertainment Companies Not Reinstated....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:36 PM MDT Wednesday, August 14, 2002 [Comment on news]

A federal appeals court yesterday refused to reinstate a $33 million lawsuit blaming entertainment companies for a 1997 high school shooting spree in McCracken County that left three students dead.

The suit claimed the makers of video games, a pornographic Internet site and a movie studio were responsible for the slayings because they exposed the gunman, Michael Carneal, to violent and sexual images.

In a unanimous ruling, a three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's ruling that dismissed the case, saying the companies couldn't have known that someone would commit such a crime after playing the games or viewing the movie or Web site.

''We find that it is simply too far a leap from shooting characters on a video screen (an activity undertaken by millions) to shooting people in a classroom (an activity undertaken by a handful, at most),'' Judge Danny Boggs said in the ruling.

You can read the article in its entirety here.


Battlefield 1942 Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:31 PM MDT Wednesday, August 14, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gamers Pulse has posted a Battlefield 1942 preview offering another look at Digital Illusions' upcoming World War II combat game based on the two level preview build. The article talks about the game's premise, settings, gameplay, objectives, movement, the ability to control things like warships and fixed gun placements, , graphics, and more. They have also included five new screenshots.


IGI 2: Covert Strike Developer Diary ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:29 PM MDT Wednesday, August 14, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpy has posted another developer diary of the ongoing production of Innerloop Studios' IGI 2: Covert Strike. This installment is from Producer Richard Blenkinsop. Check it out!


PlanetSide Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:25 PM MDT Wednesday, August 14, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a PlanetSide Q&A where they chat with Andrew Risch, one of the artists for Sony Online’s upcoming massively multiplayer first person shooter. Here's a nibblet:

    HomeLAN - How do you work with the other artists, level designers and other team members to implement what they want to put into the game?

    Andrew Risch - The building process starts out with the designers. They come up with a building and its uses. They work out a list of spaces and functions that they need/want to happen in the building. Next some thought is put forward to the spatial relationships between the functions themselves and the gameplay that they are designing. IE: the main entry rooms should be on the first floor. This is where it comes to me. I first review what they are asking for and talk through it with them so we all on the same page, making adjustments as needed to aim us at the desired result. Next, I’ll do the 3D spatial layout for the building and determine paths, gameflow and scale of the rooms. This then automatically leads to general massings and shapes for the building as a whole. I’m not totally influenced by the ‘form follows function’ mantra, but I find it a great place to spring board from as I do my designs. From here, I’ll generate a rough draft version of the building’s geometry and get it into game so that everyone can run around in it as well and give feedback. Once everyone is happy at this point, it’s given to the art director to work with the concept artists to draw up the wallpaper, paint and furnishings for the buildings. Then the building is broken up and given to members of the building team to model and texture the parts into what ended up in the game. Later on lighting and special effects are added to bring the rooms to life and give them an atmosphere. Now that all the buildings have essentially been finalized, I’m one of the artists helping out on building out the various rooms and assets throughout the game.


Purge Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:21 PM MDT Wednesday, August 14, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Florida Gamers Network has posted an interview with the Freeform Interactive development team where theay talk about their online only FPS/RPG title, Purge. Here's a snip:

    Q: Purge is a FPS/RPG Hybrid, how will the RPG elements of this game be setup, and what are all the options for Character setup?

    A: Because Purge is a FPS/RPG hybrid, we developed a new RPG core system called the DETAILS system. In Purge, unlike most other RPGs, the computer does not do the work for you. You cannot simply click "attack" and let some random roll of the dice decide if you hit or dodge. You might as well watch TV or make sandwich while you fight. DETAILS are unique for RPGs because it is an attribute system which will assist you, make your task easier, but the final results are still your doing. DETAILS stands for the 7 attributes in Purge: Dexterity, Energy, Tenacity, Agility, Intelligence, Life, and Strength. There is an new FAQ coming out that will explain DETAILS in elaborate detail.


Tuesday, August 13, 2002

Team Factor Patch....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:20 PM MDT Tuesday, August 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

7FX has issued a small patch for Team Factor that updates their team-based tactical shooter to version 1.06. The 595 KB download updates your game configuration to use a backup master server, because a "UK primary master server at jolt.co.uk went down." You can grab the file here.


Battlefield 1942 MP Demo Friday....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:15 PM MDT Tuesday, August 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

The official Battlefield 1942 site has just been updated with word that the multiplayer demo will be out this Friday. Check it out!


Ghost Recon Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:18 AM MDT Tuesday, August 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gamer's Hell has posted a Ghost Recon Q&A where they talk with Darren Chukitus of Red Storm Entertainment about their Tom Clancy shooter. Topics covered include the game's objectives, planned features that were dropped, what they would change about the final product, what the future holds for Ghost Recon, and more.


Schwarzenberg Interview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:14 AM MDT Tuesday, August 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a Schwarzenberg interview where they chat with Radon Labs' Bernd Beyreuther to find out more about this game. Here's a snip:

    HomeLAN - How did the idea behind Schwarzenberg come about?

    Bernd Beyreuther - The original story behind Schwarzenberg is not fiction - but a real historical event. The core team and founders of RADON LABS originally came from that little German town: Schwarzenberg, deep in the mountains, close to the border of Czech. Since Schwarzenberg has been located in the former GDR - where we grew up - we did not know much about the War and the time 1945. But there were a lot of rumours around and we heard stories from our grandfathers about a mysterious "Free Republic of Schwarzenberg". After the wall came down - suddenly it was possible to get books and information. In that time the idea of a "Schwarzenberg" - game came up... but it took another 12 years, until we felt prepared to realize our idea.

    HomeLAN - The game sounds like it is going to be a mix of action and adventure. How do you plan to balance both types of gameplay?

    Bernd Beyreuther - 60% Silent Shooter Action 40% Adventure


Battlefield 1942 Preview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:12 AM MDT Tuesday, August 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameOver has posted a preview of Digital Illusions' forthcoming multiplayer-oriented WWII action game Battlefield 1942. Also included in the write-up are a bunch of screenshots. Here's a snip:

    "The scope of Battlefield 1942 is perhaps the most ambitious part of it. Supporting up to 64 players, it doesn't approach the size of MMORPGs or online action games (WWII Online comes to mind) but it is able to balance an epic scope with a meaningful multiplayer component. I'm not sure how many times I've joined a 64+ player game only to see or play with/against a fraction of that amount. Here, it's promised you'll be able to pilot aircraft carriers, the planes, the landing craft and the troops put on the landing craft. Thus, every player can be engaged into the main action. Drawing from a rich WWII backdrop, the guns are all rendered with painstaking detail to realism; including clip sizes and ammo counts. Reloading before a clip is out, discards the remaining unused bullets. But at the same time, these nuances of realism are offset by the easier physics for vehicles. The final product is something that is undeniably fun and unbelievably addictive. Battlefield 1942 storms on to the PC this September."


Iron Storm Screenshots....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:38 AM MDT Tuesday, August 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

DreamCatcher Interactive sent us a batch of screenshots from their upcoming FPS Iron Storm. You can check them out here. Here's a bit on the game for you:

    "Western Germany, March 1964 - The last Great War continues to rage on. All you have ever known is the madness of the front lines and of men butchering each other. War-torn Europe stands ripped apart by a front line that runs straight through the heart of Germany where American and Western European troops battle against enemy forces. In an eternal war that seems to have no end in sight, opposing forces mercilessly attack each other with unrelenting force, claiming small victories one day only to lose them the next.

    As Lieutenant James Anderson you must infiltrate and destroy key enemy positions deep behind enemy lines using your sharpened combat skills and stealth where necessary. If successful, your mission could finally put a stop to the carnage and restore what everybody has long since forgotten about: peace.

    Alternative history: between reality and fiction, Iron Storm takes place in an imaginary environment which has been inspired by real events. Iron Storm takes real elements from the First World War; trenches, barbed wire fences, mines, gas warfare, snipers… and combines them with more modern elements from the Second World War; automatic weapons, radar, tanks, flame throwers… as well as elements inspired by modern warfare; helicopters, lasers, electronics and more."