September 2002

Monday, September 30, 2002

I'm a happy girlie!!!....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:29 PM MDT Monday, September 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

Two great things have happened to me today since I posted news this morning....

First of all I was able to get my hands on a couple copies of UT2003, so Luckee and I can start our frag-fest!!

Secondly, while I was at the store buying UT2003, I saw Mobile Forces on the shelf! For those of you who follow things around here, you'll remember that we did quite a bit of coverage and advertising for this title and have been waiting through months and months of delays for Majesco to release it in the states. I picked up the box and on the back is a quote from us!! It says, "The physics system for Mobile Forces will raise the industry standard. A must have for any fps/action enthusiast."--PCShooter.com

w00t!! w00t!! My first gamebox quote! It's a great day indeed! :)


[Mornin' Mocha]....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:02 AM MDT Monday, September 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

The hunt is on again trying to find a retailer that has received UT2003... I HATE WAITING in case you didn't know that already. Everyone says "we're supposed to receive it sometime today" LOL, sometime today... how frustrating!! It will be my luck that when I do get ahold of someone that they'll be sold out before I can drive myself down to the store! Here's to keeping my fingers crossed for some good luck!

Have a great day!


Day of Days Screens....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:39 AM MDT Monday, September 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Day of Days website, a mod for MOH:AA, has posted some screenshots of C47s (that players can and will jump from) and a player-controlled 88. You can check them out here. (Spotted on PlanetMedalOfHonor)


Kreed Screenshots and Demo....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:22 AM MDT Monday, September 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gameguru got their hands on some newly released screenshots of Kreed from Rossobit-M and Burut. They are also reporting a playable demo should be out sometime early next year. You can check them out here.


UT2003 Music Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:57 AM MDT Monday, September 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a UT2003 Music Q&A where they talk with Kevin Riepl about his role as the music composer for Unreal Tournament 2003. Topics covered are how he got started composing music, his influences, the composition process, some of his favorite projects, and more.


Rainbow Six: Raven Shield Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:54 AM MDT Monday, September 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpy has posted a preview of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Raven Shield. Here's a snip:

    "This latest chapter of the Rainbow Six franchise looks better than ever. It's faster-paced with a simpler planning phase, plenty of weapons, and a new story that should satisfy Tom Clancy fans. The whole story hasn't been completely unveiled yet, but like previous games, it has Clancy's complete blessing and approval of Clancy, and we know it involves neo-fascists along with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. The official word is that (due to real-world situations) the focus completely avoids the Middle East, so look for skinheads and other ultra right-wing factions to make an appearance."


NOLF2 Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:51 AM MDT Monday, September 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

Doupe.cz has posted an interview with Chris Miller, the producer of No One Lives Forever 2. Here's a nibblet:

    Doupe: What's that "small revolution" of AI? Could you tell us something more about it? Do you use a new kind of scripting system?

    C.M.: No, it's not a new kind of scripting system. It's a goal-based system and that basically means that each enemy is aware of its surroundings. Each class of enemy has specific goals to perform based on their environment, and these are affected dynamically.

    For example, you might walk into a room and notice a guard outside. As you watch him through the window you notice him stop and pull out a cigarrette. At this point if you remain still, he might finish that smoke, throw it down and resume his patrol, or he might just come inside and use the bathroom. You're not sure, so you decide to shut the light off to create a hiding spot. Unfortunately for you, he knows that the last time he walked that path, the light was on, and he also knows no one is supposed to be in there so he comes to investigate. When he enters the room, if you hide well, he might not find you... but if he turns the light on and spots you, he's sure to shout... "The spy is here," which will bring his comrades running. The end result is that the AI behavior will change depending on how YOU play the game. It will certainly make you think more before you just go charging into an area.


Gaming: The Last Frontier....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:49 AM MDT Monday, September 30, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted an article today (actually a point/counter-point) called Gaming: The Last Frontier, where they talk about the world of multiplayer gaming. Here's their intro to get you started:

    "We’re all familiar with the harsh, aggressive and downright obnoxious world that is online gaming; the 12 year old with an attitude, the know it all with the lowest pings and the ever-present script-kiddie, ‘hacker’, or just plain cheat. Why is it that an activity such as gaming, designed to entertain and distract us, is so easily ruined by the immaturity of others? Many a dark night I have found myself fuming in frustration as yet another idiot blasts his teammates in the back, or mouths off with a string of biased slurs. There is a term for these people, a special word to describe a very annoying, but unfortunately persistent, foe: wanker."


Sunday, September 29, 2002

[Evenin' Mocha]....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 7:31 PM MDT Sunday, September 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

Hey all... happy Sunday to you (what's left of it LOL - and yes I know it's already Monday in most of the world). I'm looking forward to Monday for a change as the retailers in our area are supposed to have UT2003 available. Finally! The demo has been a lot of fun, but I want the real thing. Too bad I won't have time to play it until evening. Have you picked it up yet? What do you all think? I loved Unreal Tournament and had some great frag-fests with my friends, so I am excited to get the latest and greatest...


NOLF 2 Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 7:26 PM MDT Sunday, September 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpot has posted a review of Monolith's No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way. Here's a nibblet:

    "The series' stealth elements, arguably the weakest aspect of the original's gameplay, have undergone a complete overhaul. Thankfully, a lean function has been added to Cate's repertoire of actions. Most of the game's 40 levels (spread across 15 long chapters) can be completed using stealth, brute force, or a combination of the two. And unlike in many games with a stealth element, guard alarms are usually localized--if you trigger an alert in one section of a level and manage to escape, enemies in another area won't necessarily be alerted to your presence. The designers have also done away with all the aggravating missions in which you automatically lose if you're spotted. Though triggering an alarm (especially on higher difficulty settings, where enemies pack a real wallop) will often result in a tough situation, you always have the option of fighting your way through, fleeing, or hiding until things cool down. In fact, several new gadgets, such as the bear trap and the banana peel, are specifically designed to help you escape from pursuers."


SOF2 Linux Server Update ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 7:23 PM MDT Sunday, September 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

Following on the recent dedicated Linux server for Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix, there is now a small patch available to bring it to version 1.02a. This release fixes a PunkBuster related issue and comes as a new Linux binary to use with the full install of the v1.02 server. You can grab the file at 3D Gamers.


UT2003 Stuff....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 7:17 PM MDT Sunday, September 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Unreal Technology Website has posted a couple of updates regarding the editing and mod tools distributed with UT2003. There's an update for the Unreal Editor that address a problem that crashed the program when rebuilding AI paths, and have word that they will be posting another fix soon to correct a problem running the editor under Win98. They also plan on posting the Unreal Development Environment which is "a powerful script programming IDE," that will be available "very soon."


Iron Storm Preview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 7:13 PM MDT Sunday, September 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpy has posted an Iron Storm preview where they take a look at Dream Catcher Interactive's upcoming FPS. Here's a taste:

    "What immediately sets Iron Storm apart from other shooters is its setting. Iron Storm imagines a world where the horrors of trench warfare continued to drag on past 1918 all the way up to 1964, the year in which the game plays out. Iron Storm throws you into a bizarre and grisly battlefield where you're as likely to encounter muddy trenches and mustard gas as you are flame throwers, assault rifles, and helicopters. You'll visit a world where the only thing you can count on will be loads of danger and lots of action."
As I've mentioned before, we have also posted a preview of Iron Storm, that you can check out here.


Ghost Recon: Island Thunder Review ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 7:09 PM MDT Sunday, September 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

PC.IGN has posted a review of Red Storm's latest Ghost Recon expansion pack, Ghost Recon: Island Thunder. Here's a snip from their intro to get you started:

    "Ghost Recon was our 2001 Game of the Year here at IGNPC. So every time we hear and see anything else Ghost Recon, we get excited and laugh and play and generally rejoice. Of course, it can never quite compare to the original excitement we had when the original was released, but the added challenge and fun of expansion packs is certainly enough to bring us back into the fold for a little while again. And the new expansion pack, Ghost Recon: Island Thunder does just that, bring us back into the fold for a little while. This is not a long game by any means, but the levels are designed well and there are some new surprises in store for you in terms of weather and environments, so those die hard fans will probably still find themselves immersed in a bit of new fun for that little while."


Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 7:06 PM MDT Sunday, September 29, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a hands-on preview of IO Interactive's Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, based on the latest beta build of the game. Here's a snip:

    "Graphically, Hitman 2 is several steps above the original in terms of looks with some terrific level design and level textures in the game. You can really feel you are in a Italian mansion or a St. Petersburg subway station. Character models are nicely details with a lot of polygons and Io Interactive has put in some nice touches such as having the Hitman’s red tie blow to the side sometime when he runs. Lighting effects look realistic and even water effects have some nice touches. The game’s graphics also show off its blood effects which can be quite striking at times. When you see blood stains on the walls after a kill, it’s almost akin to a horror game. (In case you are wondering, Hitman 2 will be rated "M" when it is release)."


Saturday, September 28, 2002

UT2003 Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:21 PM MDT Saturday, September 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

PC.IGN has posted a review of UT2003. Here's a snip:

    "You've played the demo and seen the movies. This game features a visual luster that's virtually unrivaled in today's marketplace, but that doesn't mean that some aspects of the greater good are not without fault. Character models, while brilliantly animated and full of life, fall a bit short when it comes to raw polygonal detail... A bit short if you're an idiot and compare them to DoA 3. In case you didn't catch that, I'm saying they're awesome, pretty much like everything else."


UT 2003 Screenshots....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:16 PM MDT Saturday, September 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has posted some screenshots from the retail version of UT2003. You can check them out here.


MOH:AA Spearhead Movies....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:14 PM MDT Saturday, September 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

The official Medal of Honor Allied Assault web site has posted some new gameplay movies from Spearhead, the upcoming expansion pack for MOH:AA.


Battlefield 1942 Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:09 PM MDT Saturday, September 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

EuroGamer has posted a review of Digital Illusion's Battlefield 1942. Here's a bit for you:

    "With the release of the single and, most recently, multiplayer demos, the game has taken the online gaming community by storm. This is thanks in no small part to the depth with which the player can get involved in the battle – the aforementioned vehicles add an enormous amount of character to an otherwise fairly ordinary team-based shooter, so much so that the possibility for each game to be completely different comes into play. The random run-and-gun approach of similar titles pales in comparison to BF1942’s theatres of war."


Elite Forces: Navy SEALs Review ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:05 PM MDT Saturday, September 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Wargamer has posted an Elite Forces: Navy SEALs review. Here's a nibblet:

    "The environments could have been a bit more than they are. They are sparse, devoid of much that is needed. Caverns are perpendicular walls and floors, painted brown, and they weave here and there; open areas are bordered by straight walls and blurry skies; the water is a flat table of translucent blue. That's not to say that the graphics are bad, just that there could have been more. This is the LithTech engine, after all, it is capable of much more. The environments, much like the presentation, are bare, devoid of anything not needed to give at least half an impression of immersion. The final mission, in North Korea, was the best of all, in terms of graphics, but it was still well short of anything approaching half of what most modern FPS games can offer."


Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Preview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:01 PM MDT Saturday, September 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameOver has posted a Hitman 2: Silent Assassin preview where they take a look at IO Interactive's murderous third person action game. Here's a snip from their intro to get you started:

    "Do something for me: Take your life, as it is now, and completely forget everything about it. No family, no friends, no known past at all. You exist as a perfect blank slate. Then, suddenly, one day you awake to find yourself in a room with a bar code branded into the back of your skull and a voice from loudspeakers giving you orders. You, the voice says, are a hitman, and the only thing you’ve ever thought of as important is the completion of a contract. Silence and darkness are your friends, stealth and precision, your two main weapons. Kinda puts a new spin on your current job, doesn’t it? When Eidos and IO Interactive unmasked Hitman: Codename 47 on the world two years ago, they placed a new spin on the action genre by introducing a protagonist from this “gray” profession. Now, two years later, they’re ready to reacquaint the world with the shadowy world of contract killing with Hitman 2: Silent Assassin."


Iron Storm Demo Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:57 AM MDT Saturday, September 28, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet posted a review of the Iron Storm demo. Here's a snip:

    "If I was to compare Iron Storm to another PC game it would be Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. The gameplay is remarkably similar, although the storylines and weapons are quite different. The technology of World War 2 has been combined with the technology of today to create weapons that appear rustic, but perform well. If you were at war for 50 years would you not push for faster research? I think so. The weapons bring a Cold War gone wrong type feel to the game that adds to the environment."
A few weeks ago, we posted a preview based on playing a beta press preview copy of Iron Storm. You can check that out here.


Thursday, September 26, 2002

Operation Flashpoint: Game of The Year Edition....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 4:06 PM MDT Thursday, September 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

Codemasters has announced they will have an Operation Flashpoint: Game of The Year Edition. The compilation package is scheduled for release in Autumn 2002, and will contain Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis, Operation Flashpoint: Red Hammer and Operation Flashpoint: Resistance. It will also come with all the latest patches, extra campaigns, weapons, vehicles and upgrades.


Purge Online Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:27 AM MDT Thursday, September 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has posted a preview of Purge Online, where they take a look at this upcoming LithTech engined online FPS/RPG in the works at Freeform Interactive. The preview has an overview of the game, the character attributes that add the game's role-playing elements, graphics and sound, system requirements, and a bunch of new screenshots. You can check it out here.


IGI 2 Movies....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:24 AM MDT Thursday, September 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

Computer and Video Games has posted a couple of movies from IGI 2, Innerloop's upcoming shooter sequel. They have also posted a batch of 17 newly-released screenshots from the game.


New Quake Tenebrae....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:21 AM MDT Thursday, September 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

A new version 1.02 of Tenebrae is now available, updating the mod of that adds stencil shadows and per pixel lights to Quake. The new version runs faster, adds Radeon support, reflections, glare, Md3 support, and more. (There is an update to the new version since it was first released that uses the latest version of the code that adds Radeon support.)


Medal of Honor Allied Assault Spearhead Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:19 AM MDT Thursday, September 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

PC.IGN has also posted a hands-on preview of the MOH Expansion Pack, Medal of Honor Allied Assault Spearhead. Here's a snip:

    "There are twelve new maps for straight multiplayer action, with locations stretching from Holland to Malta. There are a fair mix of urban locations which was something the original game did quite well. The buildings and towns are each as believable as any we've seen in games of this type with a real sense of density and order. Spearhead even includes an awesome Berlin map if you really like your cities. For those of you who prefer less urban fighting, the woody Ardennes should suffice but there are plenty of other, less city-oriented maps."


UT2003 First Impressions....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:16 AM MDT Thursday, September 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

PC.IGN has posted their first impressions of the retail release of Digital Extreme's first person shooter, Unreal Tournament 2003. Here's a nibblet:

    "A lot of things can be said about Unreal Tournament 2003. First, it's a hell of a lot like a cross between Quake III and the original UT. Just like its dated father and powerful cousin, it's very fast, very frantic, and comes with a few modes, a lot of mutators, and the promise of more, more, more. But of greater importance for the average Joe is that it's very much like an average woman: extremely demanding and incredibly amazing when properly satisfied and powered.

    If you want to enjoy this next-generation first-person shooter you're going to need to beef up that computer. Beef costs money."


NOLF2 Demo Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:12 AM MDT Thursday, September 26, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted a review of the recently released (NOLF2 demo. Here's a snip from the intro to get you going:

    "But Cate Archer lives long enough to get herself a sequel and we lucky gamers live long enough to see its first proper demo released.

    Many people were impressed by the teaser demo Monolith released to wet our appetites for this, the full demo. It ran as well as they’d promised and even looked swanky to boot. The much maligned Lithtech engine finally seeming to deliver that kind of performance that games expect, and maybe even surprising people in its richness at the same time.

    So does the full demo continue this strong show? Is it worth the download?

    If you don’t have it already, you’ll be wanting to know the answer to those, and other, questions."


Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Mobile Forces Giveaway....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:16 PM MDT Tuesday, September 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

Just a reminder to you all that Xeon from the official Mobile Forces community site (mobileforces.org) is running a competition geared toward the U.S. gamer since we've not been lucky enough to have Mobile Forces released here yet. Here's the word for those of you who missed it last time I announced it:

    "Right, cos I'm pissed at the delay of MF *again* in the US, here's what I'm gonna do...

    I've got 10 copies of the game to giveaway in return for MF inspired wallpapers, or other art (like themes n' stuff).. just send them to me (xeon@mobileforces.org) and I'll post them here. The best 10 will be rewarded with a full copy of the game. Easy huh ?

    I know this is a little biased towards the US gamer, but if any Europeans (or anyone else) wants to submit some artwork I should be able to sort you out with a team colour MF tee! (limited stock though!)

    What are ya waiting for boot up Photoshop now! lol

    Cheers
    XEON"
So load up that demo and get your shots turned in!! If you don't have the demo, you can grab it here.


Nvidia's NVDVD....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:53 AM MDT Tuesday, September 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has posted their impressions of NVIDIA'S new DVD player - NVDVD. Nvidia, makers of the popular Geforce graphics cards, have come out with their own software-based DVD player, NVDVD. XGR had a chance to check out a copy of this program that is only being bundled with new PCs (for now). You can read what Paligap and the gang have to say about it here.


UT 2003 in Stores Soon!....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:47 AM MDT Tuesday, September 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

Epic's Mark Rein has posted on the Infogrames' forums that UT 2003 will probably hit North American store shelves by the end of September. Here's what he had to say:

    "Actually it will probably take less than 10 days to start appearing in stores in the USA. It could be as early as next Friday. I know the replicators are going to be churning out discs all weekend! It turns out one of the really big replicators (i.e. CD manufacturing plants) is about 5 hours away from here. At around 3:30 this morning I was getting ready to hop in my car and drive two sets of discs over there and we called Fedex Same-day Service and they said they could get them there by 2:15PM this afternoon which is earlier than they were expecting them anyway for production starting tomorrow so we sent them Fedex Same-day. Another set went to Infogrames in California and another set went to another replicator in Illinois. Someone will hand-carry the discs from the Beverly, Massachusetts to Sony replicating in Austria later tonight or tomorrow so Europe shouldn't be too far behind.

    It was a pretty crazy evening here last night we had everyone in the office playing the game in all the languages so you'd walk in one office you'd hear Spanish, Italian and English and in the next you'd hear French and German. It was pretty funny. We've had localization testers here from Europe for the last few weeks as well as Infogrames US testers and our producer, Tim Hess. They all did a great job and we're really appreciative of the work they did and thankful to Infogrames for sending them. There is still Chinese and Korean languages to do for a separate Asian launch - we'll get right on that next week but we're planning to take it easy this weekend and catch up on some well-deserved rest.

    Fun, fun fun!"


Forced Game Training....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:35 AM MDT Tuesday, September 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted an article today where they take a look at games that force you to go through training before you can play. Here's their intro to get you started:

    ""That may be your way, but that's not the Army way!" Sound familiar? It probably does, if you've played America's Army: Operations. The marksmanship qualification requires time and dedication, especially if you're a wanna-be sniper. The obstacle course will test your patience, as one little slip will send you back to start. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that you have to complete Basic Training before you're let loose onto the online battlefield. Oh yes.. This is 'forced game training'.

    The concept of training is good, and most games have some form of it. Tutorial levels, easy introductory missions, perhaps even a light sprinkle of helpful pop-up messages. Usually this training is largely voluntary, so if you feel you've got the necessary skills, you can proceed to the real deal. The keyword, of course, is 'usually'."


New æstats....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:30 AM MDT Tuesday, September 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

The æon's stats website has posted a new v5.39 for the free version of this utility that extracts and compiles stats from the game logs of many fps titles. This release adds support for Reaction Quake III, Q3A Rune, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, Soldier of Fortune II, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, True Combat Q3A, and UT Tactical Ops. (Spotted on Planetquake.com)


Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:25 AM MDT Tuesday, September 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Q&A where they talk with NovaLogic Producer Wes Eckhart. Topics covered are the reasoning behind basing the game on real events, whether they see this as a risky theme, the single-player storyline, settings and missions, weapons, AI, multiplayer modes, mod support, response to beta testing, their release date, and more.


The Mi?Jarin Chronicles FAQ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:23 AM MDT Tuesday, September 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Mystic Development site has been updated with a Mi?Jarin Chronicles FAQ, outlining most of the features and storyline of the upcoming Serious Engine powered FPS. Check it out!


Battlefield 1942 Review ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:21 AM MDT Tuesday, September 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

Stratos Group has posted a review of Digital Illusions' Battlefield 1942. Here's a snip:

    "The game itself is not so much a battlefield simulation as it is a team-based battlefield recreation. It's realistic enough to be challenging and exciting, but lax enough in its enforcement of the laws of physics and common sense to be flat-out fun. In other words, this is the kind of game in which you might find yourself taking the gunner seat in a plane your teammate is piloting, ejecting from it and parachuting onto the deck of your enemy's aircraft carrier, stealing one of their planes, using it to bomb a group of their infantry, parachuting out of the stolen plane behind enemy lines in an attempt to take over one of their checkpoints, and then perhaps commandeering a tank to sneak up on their massed troops from behind, before finally perishing after accidentally running over a mine one of your engineer teammates placed along the main road. So no, this isn't a simulation - but it is a blast to play, whether you enjoy lone-wolf tactics or intimately coreographed teamwork, piloting planes or tanks, playing as aggressors or defenders. There is, quite literally, something for everyone here."


SoF2 V1.02 Patch....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:16 AM MDT Tuesday, September 24, 2002 [Comment on news]

Raven has released its v1.02 patch for Soldier of Fortune 2. This update adds PunkBuster support, and various gameplay and weapon changes/additions but requires the previous 1.01 patch be installed. You can grab the file from 3DDownloads, 3D Gamers, and SoF2Files.com.


Saturday, September 21, 2002

[Afternoon Mocha]....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 1:19 PM MDT Saturday, September 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

After almost a week's worth of rain the clouds finally moved off the mountains, and guess what... snow!! I know it won't last long up there as we usually have a couple of warm snaps before the real winter rolls in, but still. Snow :( I'm not ready for winter, but then what else is new? The leaves are changing and beautiful hues of red and gold are speckling the landscape. It's really pretty here now, but you know me, I LOVE SUMMER!!! Oh well, what's a girl to do? Just one more thing in this world that I can't control... lol... I'm beginning to wonder if anything is under my control. ;) One of these days I'll learn. Have a great day!


Tenebrae Interview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:58 PM MDT Saturday, September 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a Tenebrae Interview where they chat with Charles Hollemeersch of the Tenebrae project. For those of you who haven't heard of this title, Tenebrae modifies the Quake source-code to add next-generation features such as stencil shadows and per pixel lights to the old-school shooter. Topics include his background, how difficult an achievement this project was to pull off, plans for future versions, the possibility of a similar project for Quake II, and more. Check it out!


Battlefield 1942 Review ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:55 PM MDT Saturday, September 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

Media and Games Online Network has posted a review of Battlefield 1942. Here's a nibblet:

    "Battlefield 1942 isn?t like your typical World War II first person shooter. In games such as Medal of Honour: Allied Assault the entire combat focused around your character and nothing else. In Battlefield 1942 you?re just a speck in the combat arena, with one epic battle being fought out around you. For the most part Battlefield 1942 is a first person shooter and this is the basis of the gameplay. Players spawn in numerous points around the map and then must fight for survival any way they can. The difference is rather then just being a soldier on the battle field you can utilize numerous vehicles around the map to aid your conquest of the other army. See a tank? Jump in and drive away its that simple. The change between vehicles and first person gameplay is one of the best aspects of this game, primarily because of the fact that it?s so smooth and easy to adjust."


Conflict: Desert Storm Review ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:52 PM MDT Saturday, September 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

ActionTrip has posted a Conflict: Desert Storm Review. Here's a bit from the intro to get you started:

    "Every now and then, a game comes along that doesn?t promise much on paper but it sure as hell delivers when you put that shiny disc in the CD drive. Conflict: Desert Storm just happens to be one of those games. When I first saw this one a couple of days ago on the PS2 I thought ?Ah hell, just another Ghost Recon on the PS2, with less polys and crappier textures.? That just goes to prove that you can never judge a book by its cover, especially if that ?cover? is intended for a different platform.

    Don?t get me wrong - the PC version I played is much the same as the one for the PS2, but there are some subtle differences. You can tell right off the bat that this game was simultaneously developed for all platforms and not just ported to the PC, a year later. The controls are highly intuitive and easy to pick up. Issuing team orders is a breeze and the mouse support works great. The graphics look crisper on the PC, and not just because of the higher resolutions. The textures appear more detailed, and the PC adaptation seems to feature a more advanced particle system."


Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Preview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:49 PM MDT Saturday, September 21, 2002 [Comment on news]

PC.ign has posted a preview of Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. Here's a snip:

    "Thankfully we got a little more hands-on time with the single player missions in the game. The first we were thrown into was an escort mission for a convoy moving through an enemy heavy city. The mission started us out in the Black Hawk running interference for the convoy with the ability to man two different miniguns on either side of the craft, riddling enemies on foot and in technicals. Every mission in the game will be able to be played co-op, so you'll be able to have someone manning each of the mini-guns as well as the big guns in the Humvees on the ground. While a lot of the mission has you moving through the streets peppering enemies as they appear from alleys and building windows, the path opens up into some squares where all hell breaks loose unleashing a torrent of infantry and technicals firing all weapons with abandon. RPGs fly through the air in all directions hitting buildings, vehicles, and the ground throwing the scene into chaos."


Friday, September 20, 2002

No One Lives Forever 2....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:51 PM MDT Friday, September 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

Sierra has announced that Monolith's No One Lives Forever 2 is done and will be in stores October 1st.


Iron Storm Demo....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:42 PM MDT Friday, September 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

There's an Iron Storm demo available for download. You can grab the 194MB file here, with more mirrors at FilePlanet, 3DGamers, and FileShack.


UT2003 Gone Gold....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:33 PM MDT Friday, September 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

Action Trip is reporting that Unreal Tournament 2003 has gone gold as of early this morning. The three-disc package will reportedly include the game, Maya Personal Learning Edition from Alias|Wavefront, The Karma Authoring Tool, a mod "starter kit," Linux support, and more. Good stuff!!


Unreal Tournament 2003 Demo Strategy Guide....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:26 PM MDT Friday, September 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted an Unreal Tournament 2003 Demo Strategy Guide. Here's a snip from the intro:

    " You want the strats? You can't handle the strats. Unreal Tournament 2003 is quite possibly the most intensely incredible multiplayer game known to man, but it's also one of the hardest to master. Even if you think you're good, there will always be somebody better. This guide, like all of them, is designed to give you and edge over your opponent. And edge that will let you crush them into the dust!"


Cliffy B Interview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 3:24 PM MDT Friday, September 20, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has posted an interview with Epic's Lead Designer, Cliffy B. Their chat covers different thoughts and aspects of Unreal Tournament
2003 and the much-talked about demo. You can check it out here.


Thursday, September 19, 2002

Ghost Recon: Island Thunder....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:18 AM MDT Thursday, September 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

Ubi Soft sent over a press release announcing that Ghost Recon: Island Thunder has gone gold and is scheduled to be shipped to stores on September 25.


Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:17 AM MDT Thursday, September 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

Computer and Video Games has posted up a new Q&A with Novalogic's Wes Eckhart as he talks about their upcoming first person military shooter Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. Check it out!


First Person Shooter (Documentary)....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:15 AM MDT Thursday, September 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Electric Playground has posted an interesting article (documentary) by Robin Benger called First Person Shooter.

    "This story is about videogames. And about how one particular game came between me and my 16 year old son."


Iron Storm Hits Stores in October....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:11 AM MDT Thursday, September 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

Wanadoo has announced its PC action game Iron Storm will be available on October 23rd. Taking place in an alternate world that has been devised by combining real elements from World War I & II and the Vietnam War, the game revolves around a war between the Occidentals and Russo-Mongols forces which has been raging for 50 years.

If you missed it, checkout our beta preview that was posted a couple of weeks ago.


Battlefield 1942 Review ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:07 AM MDT Thursday, September 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gamer's Hell has posted a review of Battlefield 1942. Here's a snippet:

    "When operating the game’s main menu you will be accompanied by a very catchy and downright kick-ass tune. I was a bit disappointed that the only thing you listen to when playing is the sound effects.

    On the other hand, the sound effects are superb, diminishing the need for background music. Cannons have as mighty roar as expected. Machineguns sound as furiously fast as expected. Nothing sounds out of place or as if the developers had to cut money by not using authentic sounds. With support for surround sound, the aural experience is enhanced even more. It’s truly amazing when you’re driving across an open field and you hear rockets fly by, planes dropping bombs, and infantry firing their rifles. Nearly everything you interact with in the game has its own distinct sound, making the game not only a visual treat, but also aurally as well."


No One Lives Forever 2 Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:04 AM MDT Thursday, September 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

Lone Gamers has posted a No One Lives Forever 2 Q&A where they talk with Fox Interactive's Chris Miller about the upcoming NOLF sequel. Topics covered are gameplay, changes from the original, new features, using the LithTech engine, whether development is on track, and more.


Soldier of Fortune 2 Patch Information....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:02 AM MDT Thursday, September 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

The other day, Activision's Producer Matt Morton posted this in the forums about the SoF2 patch.

    "Hello everyone...

    I know the date of the patch has been in question for awhile and it has caused many a topic string to be posted... I thought I would post an abbreviated list of some of the fixes we are working on.

    The 1.02 patch will address many things, and also add a few new things as well..."
You can read the whole post here.


Devastation Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:58 AM MDT Thursday, September 19, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a Devastation Q&A where they chat with Torbjorn Ahlen, the Lead Level Designer at Digitalo. Devastation is a squad based shooter powered by Epic's Unreal technology, that will feature 32 disparate environments and around 30 weapons that the player may equip. Check it out!


Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Mobile Forces US Release??....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:34 AM MDT Wednesday, September 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Adrenaline Vault is reporting that Majesco has announced that Mobile Forces is shipping to stores nationwide. Developed by Rage Software and powered by the Unreal Engine, Mobile Forces is a team-based shooter offering a blend of ground and vehicular combat. You can choose from eight single and multiplayer modes, where players can enter into battle on foot or use an array of combat vehicles and is set within 11 militaristic locations, including ice bases, boot camps, rail yards and warehouses.

(Editor's Note: ... I have not been able to verify this announcement, but after months of delays, it's about time if it has shipped!!)


Postal 2 Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:32 AM MDT Wednesday, September 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gameguru has posted an interview with Running With Scissors' CEO, Vince Desi, where they chat about Postal 2. Here's a nibblet:

    GGMania: We are talking about successor of POSTAL, a controversial isometric shooter that was first published in October 1997 for a couple of months before being ripped off shelves! In that title, players could choose to go off the deep end and embark on a spree of mindless violence against pedestrians, the marching band from the local high school and the rest of the local citizenry :) What are the biggest changes in POSTAL 2 over the original POSTAL?

    Vince Desi: Never underestimate the POSTAL Dude. POSTAL 2 offer a new 3D first person view in an Action Adventure game style. New weapons, over 100 unique characters, a complete open world with indoors and outdoors, and hey let's not forget Gary Coleman and the Running With Scissors bad ass attitude.


The Mi'Jarin Chronicles Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:15 AM MDT Wednesday, September 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted an interview with Mystical Development's Adrian Shuter as he talks about The Mi'Jarin Chronicles, the upcoming first person action game that will use Croteam's Serious Engine. Here's a nibblet:

    HomeLAN - Why was the decision made to use the Serious Engine as the graphics engine for The Mi'Jarin Chronicles?

    Adrian Shuter - With the sheer range of locations you can visit in "The Path To War" , it was important for us to have a graphics engine that could be diverse in it's lighting and colouring. The ability to put many objects and enemies on screen at one time was a big advantage as well, although we are looking at ways to increase those limits. Also, the guys over at CroTeam are very helpful, so the question is "Why wouldn't we?"


Kenn Hoekstra Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:12 AM MDT Wednesday, September 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

Invisible Dream has posted an interview with Raven Software's Kenn Hoekstra where they chat about their company's growth, whether he sees them branching out from the FPS genre, their recent emphasis on licensed games, the possibility of returning to the Hexen/Heretic series, whether there is room for innovation in the first-person shooter, and more.


Battlefield 1942 Review ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:07 AM MDT Wednesday, September 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpot has posted a review of Digital Illusions' recently released WWII action game, Battlefield 1942. Here's a snip:

    "Battlefield 1942 can be a lot of fun things to a lot of people, but first it's important to tell you what it's not: The game definitely isn't a realistic WWII combat simulator. This is a pick-up-and-play action extravaganza, a comic book version of WWII. The fact that any player can casually hop into a tank, drive around, hop out and pick off an enemy soldier with a sniper rifle, hop into a plane, parachute out, and then call in artillery fire (within the span of a few minutes) should tell you a lot about the game--and a lot about what makes it so much fun."


UT2003 Demo Review ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:00 AM MDT Wednesday, September 18, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted a review of the UT2003 demo that was released last week. Here's their intro to get you started:

    "It's over. The months of "two more weeks" are now over -- the long-awaited demo for Unreal Tournament 2003 has arrived and it, by the looks of things, was well worth the wait. (However, some die-hard Unreal Tournament fans may have a few issues.) Check out today's mammoth review of the demo."


Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Devastation Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:13 AM MDT Tuesday, September 17, 2002 [Comment on news]

GameSpyDaily has posted a Q&A with Digitalo's Bob Berry as he talks about their upcoming Unreal engine powered first person shooter, Devastation. Here's a taste:

    GameSpy: Okay now some more specific questions. You're obviously using the latest Unreal technology from Epic. First what specific enhancements are you adding to your game that came with the engine and what special technology have you built and added to the game yourselves?

    Bob Berry: We've made many enhancements to the particle system for special effects. We've done our player animation control system from scratch, building on top of Epic's excellent skeletal system. We've licensed the Karma physics engine technology and while Epic did much of the initial integration, we developed our own techniques for physical interactivity in the world. We've also made tons of enhancements to the tools we use to build the game, such as a new Decoration Browser for easily decorating the worlds with literally hundreds of unique prefab objects. These tools will be released along with the game to help support the mod community.


NOLF2 Demo....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:07 AM MDT Tuesday, September 17, 2002 [Comment on news]

As promised, the demo version of No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way has been released. The demo is a 158 MB download, and offers "four levels total from three of the game's 15 chapters. The locations include Japan, Siberia and the never before seen, Underwater Base." Mirrors are now available on FilePlanet Gigex and FileShack (registration required).


UT2003 Demo Patch....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:04 AM MDT Tuesday, September 17, 2002 [Comment on news]

There is a 3MB patch for the UT2003 Demo that has been released. Check out the UT2003 Downloads Page for a list of mirrors.


UT2003 Demo Tweak Guide (part 1)....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:55 AM MDT Tuesday, September 17, 2002 [Comment on news]

TweakTown has posted an Unreal Tournament 2003 Demo Tweak Guide (part 1) where they cover download and settings, advanced tweaks, and HighQ Settings & console commands.


How Many Mods Make the Grade?....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:47 AM MDT Tuesday, September 17, 2002 [Comment on news]

CSports.net, the gamers ranking service, sends word on some mod stats. Here's a bit of what they had to say:

    “Despite the popularity of some Half Life Mods, Quake 3 still has, by a whisker, the greatest number of active mods in the First Person Shooter world. The Jedi Knight 2 mod community has already made a good start and eighteen Quake mods are still very much alive."
You can read the rest here.


Cold Zero: The Last Stand Trailer ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:38 AM MDT Tuesday, September 17, 2002 [Comment on news]

Jowood is offering a new trailer of Drago Entertainment's upcoming 3rd person action/adventure game, Cold Zero: The Last Stand. You can grab the 15MB file at Gamer's Hell.


Hitman 2 Screenshots ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:36 AM MDT Tuesday, September 17, 2002 [Comment on news]

XGR has posted a set of exclusive screenshots from EIDOS' upcoming title, Hitman 2. You can check them out here


Monday, September 16, 2002

[Mornin' Mocha]....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:48 AM MDT Monday, September 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

Well I finally got my hot little hands on Battlefield 1942 (Thanks Luckee for tracking me down a copy), only to find out I'm one of the many *lucky* people who cannot get the game to play MP... I cannot launch a server, nor can I join one without getting a Server Disconnected error after a few moments. I've been to the official BF1942 forums and so far there is no fix for this, just a lot of upset gamers. I've even done all the standard tweaks to my system and nothing works. Man it's frustrating!!!!! :(


NOLF2 Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:35 AM MDT Monday, September 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gamer's Pulse has posted a Q&A with Fox Interactive's Chris Miller as he talks about the upcoming 1960's action shooter No One Lives Forever 2. Check it out!


Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:32 AM MDT Monday, September 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gameguru Mania has posted a review of Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven. Here's a snip from their conclusion:

    "Besides the single player mode, Mafia includes a Free Ride mode where you can drive anywhere you want and try out the different cars and even earn cash by taking taxi missions, without having the restrictions of time and people pressing players to move forward in the game. Once you have completed the game, you'll unlock a completely new mode called Free Ride Extreme which gives you access to some bonus cars. All in all, Mafia is a good game that is worth your time, especially for those who love 1930's gangster theme and solid story. If you don't already own it, put aside the money because it is well worth it."


Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:29 AM MDT Monday, September 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

ELiTeD has posted a Hitman 2: Silent Assassin preview where they take a look at IO Interactive's murder for hire sequel. They describe issues with the original that the follow-up looks to address, the locations the game visits, graphical detail, the balance between stealth and aggression weapons and items, and more.


Battlefield 1942 First Impressions ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:27 AM MDT Monday, September 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Wargamer has posted its first impressions of the full version of EA's vehicular and infantry based shooter, Battlefield 1942. Here's a nibblet:

    "As I've explained previously, Battlefield 1942 is anything but a simulation. While the game uses real historical battles as its stage, the players on the stage are anything but realistic. There are no regiments, no squads or any other military hierarchy within these battles. Players simply take the role of a simple foot soldier and move across the battlefield in an attempt to take over strategic locations. Control is strictly limited to the soldier himself, but each player has the ability to leap into any waiting vehicle. Think of it Battlefield 1942's interpretation of these mega World War II battles the way children "simulate" battles with their GI Joe toys: combine a few toy soldiers and vehicles, and make up the storyline around famous and well-known battles."


UT2003 Demo & Voodoo Cards....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:24 AM MDT Monday, September 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

Mark Rein has made a post to the official Unreal Tournament 2003 boards that addresses the concerns of Voodoo based card owners and the demo's incompatibility with those cards.

    "Folks,

    Daniel Vogel informed me that he unknowingly accidentally broke Voodoo3/5 compatibility in the demo. We're fixing it and there will be a patch that addresses that plus a few other major bugs we discovered. Keep watching the Official Unreal Tournament 2003 Site for news of its release.

    We are sincerely sorry for this. Daniel claims it was just one, itty-bitty, single little line of code that caused it to break. I'll make sure that I personally play the gold master for the full game (when it's done) on Voodoo3 and Voodoo5 to make sure it doesn't happen for the retail version.

    Thanks for your patience and again, our apologies."


UT2003 Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:22 AM MDT Monday, September 16, 2002 [Comment on news]

MGON has posted a preview of Digital Extremes' team-based shooter, Unreal Tournament 2003, based playing the final preview code that Epic will be sending Infogrames before the game goes gold. Here's a snip:

    "Since the last code we played the AI has had small tweaks and offers a much harder challenge to the player now. They are smart and will react depending on the situation at hand. If they are almost defeated they will run whereas if the player decides to run the AI will hunt them down, this can become quite advantageous to the player as certain tactics can be employed which only in the past have really worked against humans mainly due to the bots not being as evolved as they are today. Even if you can’t find a decent match online the bots will offer a formidable challenge no matter how experienced you are with the series. The bots are also configurable, such as name and skill level."


Saturday, September 14, 2002

Battlefield 1942....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 7:04 PM MDT Saturday, September 14, 2002 [Comment on news]

For those of you here in Utah still on a quest to find a store that has Battlefield 1942 in stock, you may be in luck. We've been in close contact with Best Buy (Sandy/Draper) and they have 40 copies that just came in today... run out there and grab one before they're gone!! If you want to call them first, their number is (801) 571-0168.


UT2003 Demo....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 6:59 PM MDT Saturday, September 14, 2002 [Comment on news]

Last night the demo for the much anticipated Unreal Tournament 2003 was released. You can grab it from the UT2003 Downloads page or from the following mirrors:

Hopefully you'll be able to connect to one of them... ;)


Friday, September 13, 2002

[Mornin' Mocha]....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:08 AM MDT Friday, September 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

Well Battlefied 1942 hit the store shelves here yesterday, but if you didn't go 1st thing and grab your copy, good luck finding a store that still has some to sell. We've called about 15 retailers and all of them are sold out until further notice.... geez I hate that! Probably the quickest way to get it now is to order it directly from EA, and luckily they are offerring free shipping if you order by September 30.


LithTech Jupiter – NOLF 2 AVI....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:53 AM MDT Friday, September 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

LithTech Inc. has released a new movie that highlights the LithTech Jupiter engine's capabilities in No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way, the upcoming PC action game from Fox Interactive, Monolith and Sierra. The AVI was taken from the Japan level of No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way and showcases the LithTech Jupiter system's ability to handle extensive, in-depth cinematic sequences. The AVI also highlights the advanced facial animation and tracking features afforded by the Jupiter technology. You can grab the file here.


Sven Co-op Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:46 AM MDT Friday, September 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

modDB.com has posted a Sven Co-op Interview with the representatives of the team behind the Half-Life cooperative teamplay mod, during their attendance at the Half-Life MOD Expo. They discuss how long this project has been underway, their inspiration, whether they anticipated their mod's popularity, how the expo went, and more.


Kreed Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:44 AM MDT Friday, September 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

Ferrago.co.uk has posted a Kreed Q&A, where they chat with Alexey Leshev, the Scriptwriter at Russian developer Burut. Here's a snippet:

    Ferrago: Will Kreed require a monster rig to get the most out of it’s lush graphics and how well will the lower spec gamer be catered for?

    AL: For optimal gameplay with every option included KREED requires a PIII-1000 Mhz, 512 Mb ram, and a 6th generation video card (ATI Radeon 8500, GeForce 3). But this doesn’t mean that the number of those able to play ÊREED will be limited. One could play even with minimum requirements - PIII-600 Mhz, 256 Mb ram, and a 5th generation video card. Though it’s most likely that some visual features won’t be activated in that case.


No One Lives Forever 2 Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:41 AM MDT Friday, September 13, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Adrenaline Vault has posted a No One Lives Forever 2 Q&A, where they chat with Fox Interactive's Chris Miller. Here's a snip:

    AV: What multiplayer components will NOLF2 contain?

    CM: NOLF 2 contains a cooperative multiplayer mode that puts up to four UNITY agents in H.A.R.M.'s way in missions that parallel the single-player story. Once you've played both the single-player and co-op modes, you'll see how the story ties together, and you'll learn more about Cate's missions and UNITY's involvement with H.A.R.M. You'll collectively have to fight the AI, which scales its difficulty based on the number of players connected. This is a unique approach to the co-op experience, and one that people have been asking for a long time.


Thursday, September 12, 2002

Devastation Web Site Launched ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:49 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

Arush Entertainment has launched the official Devastation web site with new screenshots and info about Digitalo's upcoming Unreal engine powered first person shooter.


CPL Winter 2002 Event Spectator Pass....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:47 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

Due to popular demand, the CPL now offers spectator passes for its Winter 2002 Event. Previously, spectators would only be able to gain entrance at the check-in desk of the event, but now can sign-up to receive one of the 500 available permits.


Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:37 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

EuroGamer has posted a Delta Force: Black Hawk Down preview. Here's a taste:

    "Despite the title, Black Hawk Down covers a wider canvas than the eponymous movie and the book on which it was based. The game begins with the player working with the 10th Mountain Division to defend relief supplies and escort UN convoys during Operation Restore Hope. As the UN and US get sucked further into the war, you'll progress to Task Force Ranger before eventually arriving in Delta Force.

    Missions vary from locating documents to destroying a pirate radio station and assaulting a warehouse full of weapons. There are often multiple objectives to accomplish, and you may get fresh orders in the middle of a mission. In one level, for example, you begin on a routine fly-over of a Somali town, only to receive a message that a UN convoy is under attack and needs air support. In another you start off by clearing a warehouse, but end up taking a ride in a Land Rover to get to another site, fighting off rebels with a machinegun mounted on the back of the vehicle. You're dropped off next to a mine field and have to make your way through this before reaching a river, where crocodiles offer an unusual threat. Eventually you'll reach the other side and meet up with a trio of Delta Force operatives who have been dropped in by helicopter, at which point you move on to attack the second warehouse."


Mobile Forces Giveaway for U.S. Gamers....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:32 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

Just got word from Xeon from the official Mobile Forces community site that there's a little giveaway in process for all those US gamers who have been patiently awaiting MF's release here in the states. Here's the word:

    "Right, cos I'm pissed at the delay of MF *again* in the US, here's what I'm gonna do...

    I've got 10 copies of the game to giveaway in return for MF inspired wallpapers, or other art (like themes n' stuff).. just send them to me (xeon@mobileforces.org) and I'll post them here. The best 10 will be rewarded with a full copy of the game. Easy huh ?

    I know this is a little biased towards the US gamer, but if any Europeans (or anyone else) wants to submit some artwork I should be able to sort you out with a team colour MF tee! (limited stock though!)

    What are ya waiting for boot up Photoshop now! lol"


Dredd vs. Death Hands-on Preview ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:15 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

Games Domain has posted a hands-on preview of Dredd vs. Death, Rebellion's upcoming Judge Dredd game that also has some quotes from lead designer Alex Moore. You can check it out here. (Spotted on Blue's News)


Conflict Desert Storm Demo ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:12 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

There's a Conflict Desert Storm Demo on 3D Gamers, Pivotal Games' upcoming squad-based combat game set in the Gulf War. The demo contains a video introduction and a full single-player mission in a 70 MB download.


Iron Storm Interview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:00 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

Doupe.cz has posted an Iron Storm interview where they chat with Wanadoo Editorial Director Edouard Lussan and 4X Studio CEO Roman Vincent. Check it out!

Also, if you missed it the other day, we posted an Iron Storm preview based on a preview press build that we received.


Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Demo Impressions.....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:52 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

Action Vault has posted some Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Demo Impressions. Here's their intro to get you started:

    "Since time immemorial, the more unscrupulous members of society have sought to eradicate their adversaries through the employment of cool, calculating and deadly professionals whose motivations are often purely monetary. Offering their services in circles that run the gamut from the world of organized crime to the rarefied environs of international politics, assassins have often changed the course of history through their nefarious and life-terminating activities. Undoubtedly intriguing subject matter for a game, this theme was put to good use in Danish developer IO Interactive's 2000 release, Hitman: Codename 47. In that title, players assumed the role of the shadowy, numerically monikered titular killer, whose enigma was compounded by the mystery of his origins and true identity, his only raison d'etre seemingly to seek out and exterminate distinguished individuals who would pay for his monetary gain with their blood.

    With the forthcoming release of Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, players will once again don the appropriately funereal black suit of the mercenary murderer, who has been forced to return to his heinous profession by members of an iniquitous organization. Coerced out of his retirement at a Sicilian monastery, 47 will return to travel the globe, eliminating various prominent, morally reprehensible individuals such as hi-tech terrorists and corrupt Japanese businessmen, all the while angling to frame within his crosshairs those who brought an end to his peaceful hiatus. As with the original title, development duties are being handled by IO Interactive, and as a precursor to the game's scheduled release this fall, a single-level demo was recently made available. After some time exterminating mobsters in this wholly welcome foretaste, we present these Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Demo Impressions."


NOLF2 Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:49 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a preview of NOLF2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way. Here's a sneek peek:

    "NOLF 2 is the debut title for Lithtech’s new Jupiter engine and it’s already light years ahead of the LithTech 2.0 engine used in the original game. Indeed some of the Japan sequences were used as tech movies for LithTech demos. Water and lighting effects ande impressive and you can actually shoot out some lights and have it affect the lighting of the level. The polygon count for characters has increased heavily as well and the facial animation is especially impressive with none of the out-of-sync looks that other games have had for faces and speech. Level design and textures are highly detailed as well.

    In the first two missions, Cate Archer deals with a bunch of Valley Girl speaking Japanese girl ninjas and its here that we get to witness some of NOLF 2’s improved AI. The ninjas are quick to dodge Cate’s attacks and can even jump from rooftop to rooftop in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon style. They can even deflect Cate’s crossbow and shuriken attacks with their katana swords. Of course, Cate is not defenseless. Not only is she equipped with a crossbow but she can also pick up weapons from the dead ninjas. Stun weapons like an electrical stun device and stun grenades are also used in the Japan missions to make the ninjas sleep or make them have stars over their heads."


Battlefield 1942 This Week!....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:39 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

Electronic Arts has announced that Battlefield 1942 will be released this Friday and should be in stores by Saturday.


Tenebrae....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:32 AM MDT Thursday, September 12, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted an article today that takes a look at Tenebrae, a mod for Quake I that adds per pixel lighting, bump mapping, realtime lighting and shadow effects, and gloss texture effects. Here's a snip:

    "Booting up Quake with this new add-on was exciting. The original Quake console is there, and I was just as giddy loading it now as I was 6 years ago with the original shareware. Then, when the console disappeared, I was in for a definite treat. Suddenly, the pixilated badguys disappeared out of my memory. The black tar-like teleporters were gone. Now, I can only remember bump-mapped opposition and lightning effects for the teleporters. Just by watching the early demo, I suddenly realized that this isn't the original Quake. This is a completely new experience which blows the original away. Just by being able to see a flickering light in the teleporter room blew my mind. Just by seeing my shadow as I walked by, as my body covered up a light and the room's dynamics changed, it was both exciting and amazing. All the textures have been redone. The outdoor areas look like they're outdoors. The ground is sharp, clear, and bump-mapped. The people look like actual people who you need to kill. When they fire at you, the lighting changes. When your shotgun goes off in a dark area, for one split second it's lighted. Little touches like that make this little mod what it is. While gawking at the effects that were added, I forgot that I was playing a 6 year old game. It felt like a brand new game, and I am completely amazed how the Tenebrae team was able to add all this stuff into such an old engine. I think that the mood and feel of Quake has completely done a 180 with Tenebrae on. Instead of boring, pixilated demons, you see scary denizens from hell. The people you're killing look like 3D people, not 2D sprites. After playing for a bit, it was understood that I am still as bad at Quake now as I was when I first installed it. I don't know if it was caused by the amazing new look of Quake, or if I just am terrible at it. I think it's the second."


Wednesday, September 11, 2002

We Will NEVER Forget....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 12:02 PM MDT Wednesday, September 11, 2002 [Comment on news]

Today I've decided not to post any news. Seems as though we ought to join the rest of the USA in remembrance of the terrible tragedy that happened last year on this date.

Everyone be safe, tell the people that matter to you that you love them, and God Bless America! To all of my friends out there in the world, you're in my thoughts and I love and miss you all...


Tuesday, September 10, 2002

CPL Winter 2002 Event Registration Open....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:12 AM MDT Tuesday, September 10, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) has opened registration for the $100,000 Counter-Strike Championship, to take place at their Winter 2002 Event being held in Dallas, Texas from December 18-22, 2002.


Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Hands-On Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:08 AM MDT Tuesday, September 10, 2002 [Comment on news]

ActionTrip has posted a Hitman 2: Silent Assassin hands-on preview. Here's a nibblet:

    "The gameplay has become far more interesting, as the player is offered several different ways of finishing a mission. The AI has been enhanced over the original, which pretty-much reflects the overall changes in the game's design. The baddies are smart and they are environmentally aware. For instance, in one mission you're required to disguise yourself as a chauffeur and plant a car bomb in order to blow up a couple of ex-KGB big shots. It goes without saying that you should hide your weapons, but there's more to it than that! Don't go near the bodyguards as they might recognize your face, or simply find you suspicious. Also, don't run while you're close to the bodyguards; they'll immediately think you're up to no good and start shooting at you.

    In other words, Hitman 2 encourages players to think of the best ways to accomplish a mission, and not to just try to blast their way out of a tight spot. Sure, you can occasionally pull this off, but you'll need a lot of luck, not to mention skill. Even though No. 47 is genetically enhanced, he is no Superman, so you had better stay out of sight unless you can handle those pistols like Arnie on a steroid trip."


Ghost Recon: Island Thunder Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:05 AM MDT Tuesday, September 10, 2002 [Comment on news]
PC.ign has posted a Ghost Recon: Island Thunder preview. Here's a snip from the intro to get you started:

    "Ripe with randy women, hairy men, some of the world's best cigars, rainforests, beaches, and a dictator who's managed to stay in power for over a little over 40 years. While he may not be someone that holds a lot of sway in the world, he certainly has captivated the world with his ties to the former Soviet Union and his ability to keep the US the hell out of his country. His history of doing what he wanted for his country in the face of all those that didn't like it is an interesting one. But that's about to end. Fidel isn't exactly a spring chicken anymore. He's pretty much starting to look like a winter chicken. At nearly 80 years old, it's only a matter of time before Castro is gone and the island nation is forced to decide its fate. Ghost Recon: Island Thunder takes the possibilities and runs with them."


Mafia Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:02 AM MDT Tuesday, September 10, 2002 [Comment on news]

Gamer's Hell has posted a review of Illusion Softworks' Mafia. Here's a snip on the graphics:

    "One word: Luscious

    This is the kind of game we were all dreaming about when we were kids. The graphics are a lust for the eye. Taking full advantage of the very flexible and diverse LS3D engine the game is able to show massive amount of polygons without even stuttering.

    Now the player / human models in the game are also extremely well done, but I didn’t expect any less from such a seasoned developer. One thing about the characters that I found very nice was the great lip-sync, which was very nice especially in a game which revolves around the cut scenes that tell the story between gameplay."


UT2003 Demo Soon?....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:57 AM MDT Tuesday, September 10, 2002 [Comment on news]

Epic's VP Mark Rein has posted an update in the official UT2003 forums about the Unreal Tournament 2003 demo.

    Hi Folks,

    The demo is nearly ready to go. It should be out sometime within the next few days. Keep watching this space (the stickies) for an announcement. When it's ready we'll just be releasing it randomly to a few major sites so that hopefully it will spread like wildfire and everyone will be able to get it from their favorite games site. There won't be any special exclusives or anything like that. We want everyone to be enjoying it the minute it goes live.

    More details to follow, keep watching this space.


Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Demo ....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 9:50 AM MDT Tuesday, September 10, 2002 [Comment on news]

The official multiplayer demo for Delta Force: Black Hawk Down will be available this Thursday and will not be time-limited like the last demo. You can get more information at the Novalogic website.


Monday, September 9, 2002

UT 2003 Q&A....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 11:20 AM MDT Monday, September 9, 2002 [Comment on news]

The Unreal Admin Page has posted up a Q&A with Epic Games' Joe "DrSin" Wilcox where they talk about the server admin features in Unreal Tourament 2003, Digital Extremes, Epic Games and Infogrames' upcoming multiplayer shooter. Here's a nibblet:

    Bry: Will a UT2003 server also require its own unique cd key like a normal client? Hopefully it won't and will operate like UT, otherwise there will be not very many public servers due to the hsots of requiring a unique key per server.

    Slack: With a single legit copy of UT2003, I expect to be able to run a dedicated server, and a full client. One CD key, two (1.5 really) instances of UT2k3 running. Please confirm that this will be the case.

    FWIW: I'd really rather not have to have the CD in the dedicated server machine upone every launch!

    Dr Sin: Yes, UT servers require a CDKey, but I think single CDKey can run multiple servers as well as a single client. There will also be a free server download (for both Linux and Win32). When you sign up for it, you will receive a "server-only" CD key.


U.S. Special Forces: Team Factor....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:45 AM MDT Monday, September 9, 2002 [Comment on news]

Blue's News has posted a press release announcing the ship date for U.S. Special Forces: Team Factor, the North American version of Team Factor from 7FX as September 24. Here's more:

    "USSF requires a combination of strategy, stealth and firepower to accomplish and survive the lethal missions. Teams must work as one, think as one and become one to annihilate the opposition and get to the extraction point."


Mafia Review....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:39 AM MDT Monday, September 9, 2002 [Comment on news]

HomeLan has posted a review on Illusion Softworks' Mafia. Here's a snip:

    "Combat in the game could use a little help. This is the only feature in the game I have any problem with. It's a little slow. You can die very easily when you have three people punching you, and you can't get one hit off. I found it a little fustraiting at times. However, as the game progresses, you will get more used to the controls of the game, enabling you to keep up with the action, but at times, you can also get overwhelmed, often finding yourself replaying the same mission over and over. The controls themselves are fairly easy to get into; within 20 seconds I was able to drive a car, almost like a pro. Almost. Moving in third person is pretty much the same. You'll get the hang of it, and before long, won't even notice the quirky movements."


Winners and Losers....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 10:34 AM MDT Monday, September 9, 2002 [Comment on news]

3DAction Planet has posted a fun article today called Winners and Losers. Here's their intro to get you started:

    "In life there are winners and there are losers. In some walks of life there are more winners, in others there are more losers. This article, slightly based on Time Magazine's own feature, will venture to point out the winners and losers in the gaming community. Sorry if we've offended anybody, it's all in good fun."


Iron Storm Preview....
Posted by [Frag-girlie] @ 2:43 AM MDT Monday, September 9, 2002 [Comment on news]

Dream Catcher Interactive sent us a beta build of their upcoming tactical war shooter, Iron Storm, and we have posted a preview. You can check it out