Thursday, March 10, 2005
| Texas Gaming Festival LAN Party Coverage |
The Texas Gaming festival recently held their big event in Dallas, Texas and Cool Tech Zone was on hand to cover the event. Check out what they have to say about the LAN, contests, and sponsors.
The Texas Gaming festival is a successful LAN event that has been taking place in Dallas, Texas for the past few years. Over the years, it has become one of the top most visited and sponsored LAN events in the nation with attendance easily surpassing the 500-attendee attendance. This year was no different. In fact, this was perhaps the most successful attempt at a LAN event especially when ATI decided to launch its X850 XT PE 512MB graphics card officially.
For the complete text and pictures, check out the Cool Tech Zone WEBSITE.
��-Devil 2 UWednesday, March 9, 2005
| Logitech MX518 Mouse emerges |
Everythingusb.com reports that Logitech has released details on the MX518 mouse, a replacement of the MX510.
More details have emerged for the new Logitech MX518. Slated to ship in April 2005, the $49.99 USB mouse will sport quick-shift controls above and beneath of the scroll wheel, allowing switching between 400, 800 and 1600-dpi without additional driver. For flexibility, gamers will be able to customize up to 5 levels of resolutions in SetPoint software. This feature will purportedly give hardcore gamers the speed and precision they need in any types of games.
First off, check out the NEWS posted by Everythingusb, then check out the Logitech WEBSITE for all the technical details.
We will keep our ears open for a review of this new mouse.
��-Devil 2 UTuesday, March 8, 2005
| The State of Linux Gaming |
As a popular alternative to Windows, Linux has gathered the support of computer enthusiasts for some time. But is it a platform for gaming?
HEXUS.net takes a look at this platform and the benefits it can offer a gamer in terms of loading speed, performance, and much more. The review takes a good look at the advantages and disadvantages of gaming on a Linux OS.
Well, Linux certainly isn't most peoples' thought for a games-based PC. Especially one being taken to a big tournament LAN party. However, by design or trickery, none of the tournament games at the event were out-of-bounds to my Linux machine, and rousing games of Call of Duty, Quake 2 and Unreal Tournament 2004 were shared by the HEXUS.net collective and any other gamers who felt like joining in.
Learn more about Linux gaming by reading the ARTICLE at HEXUS.NET.
��-Devil 2 UThursday, March 3, 2005
| 300-ft. CAT5e cable bundle for $16 |
While surfing the net toady, I found this quick deal on networking products...
If you have been wanting to wire up your garage to hold LAN parties (get it ready for the summer!) then this deal on a 300ft spool of CAT5e cable, 30 RJ-45 end caps, and a crimper is just what the doctor ordered. Computer Geeks has it on sale for $16, plus $9 for shipping.
Browse on over to DealNews for all the information and links that you will need for this deal.
��-Devil 2 U
| Add wheels to your computer case |
Creativemods have written a short article of use to those who transport or move their computers on a regular basis.... cough "lan partiers" cough.
While not a major advantage, wheels on your case make for an easy trip from your car into most LAN party lairs. While the concepts in this article are very useful, I would take it one step further and add beefier rubber tires instead. Plastic/metal casters are fine for use in your home, but it would be nice to roll your computer in from the parking lot on some wheels that can take greater abuse and absorb more shock.
See if wheels are the way to go over at the Creativemods.com website.
��-Devil 2 UWednesday, March 2, 2005
| Caffeine and Energy Products Reviewed |
A True Review has finished yet another article.
This one talks about the stuff that helps keep our LAN parties going all day and night. Yes, I am talking about that Solid Rocket Fuel known as CAFFEINE! In this review they take a look at several types of mints, chocolates, and gum that will keep you fragging until the sun comes up.
If you are a programmer, student or gamer you know about late nights and
long hours. Odds are, when you are wearing down during those late nights,
you are trying to get something in you that can keep you awake. You don't
always have to drink a caffeine or energy drink. Try a piece of gum, some
chocolates or a mint. These don't have caffeine you say, think again.
Check out the ARTICLE over at A True Review.
��-Devil 2 UTuesday, March 1, 2005
| CaseAce GearGrip LCD Shield Harness Review |
Need a safe way to transport your LCD around? Then you should check out LANmaniacs review of the CaseAce GearGrip LCD Shield Harness, reviewed by our very own KFC.
For us LAN geeks, when we go out in seek of new computer gear we tend to suit up for what were built to do, and that is to LAN! We will jazz up our machines by pimping them out in all of the ungodly ways imaginable, as well as purchasing components that will make our LAN going experience as less of a back breaker as possible. For instance small form factor computers such as the Shuttle have taken on a big influence within the LAN party area and in the same sense falls LCD displays.
KFC put this product through 8 months of testing, covering at least 20 trips to LAN parties, so this review has some real world use to report on.
The complete REVIEW along with some ghetto methods of LCD protection are available at the LANmaniac website.
��-Devil 2 UFriday, February 25, 2005
| Review: Radeon X800XT Plat |
A review of the Radeon X800XT Plat has been posted by Tweaknews. If you're in the market, read the review. Dr. Frag, thanks for the tip.
��-Mickey KnoxThursday, February 24, 2005
Despite the fact that the big list is currently not outputting LANParties, you should still be able to add LANParties as well as view those already in the system. If you'd like to see the ones in the system already... sorted by date, check out LANParties by Date. Ahh... always nice to have a back-up plan, eh?
��-Mickey Knox
In GameSpy's ever continuing quest to serve you, the readers, they recently moved bunches of sites around on their servers. That worked for lots of things, it broke some things. Currently, we're running into problems with outputting the big list. That is why you still see LANParties from the 19th (and none for this weekend). D'oh! We're actively working on the problem with GameSpy and hope to have it fixed ASAP!
��-Mickey KnoxWednesday, February 23, 2005
| ETF 1.2 Patch! The Fix All! |
The now popular Wolfenstein: ETF has a new patch for itself that bring the
game up to version 1.2.
For those of you that don't know, Wolfenstein:
ETF is a FREE mod for the FREE game Wolfenstein:
Enemy Territory! ETF is a conversion of Q3F
MOD for Quake III ported into Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. Basically its the
Team Fortress MOD that we have all come to love. It's fast, addicting and makes
for a great LAN game. Especially since it's free, so nobody should have a problem
with installing it.
Now to tell you about what version 1.2 of the ETF brings to the table, I will
just let this quote from the ETF website
speak for itself.
***PLEASE NOTE: The full installer is corrupt in some places. This is
being fixed and reuploaded. The mirrors will have it on Wednesday. The Checksum
for full installer is: 737bd8a1e11e268fa80182d9bccffd99. If that is not your
checksum you have the wrong version.***
Screw setting a release date for ETF 1.2 because it’s released!
Yes you heard me correctly soldier! 1.2 is now released to the public
which fixes all the bugs that 1.1 brought to the table.
You can grab ETF 1.2 here in our file section and check out the change
log posted below.
We also encourage everyone that gave up on ETF because of the problems
in 1.0 and 1.1 to please give 1.2 a look because we believe you will have
a better experience with ETF 1.2.
1.2 Change Log:
- fixed client 0 not drawing, no more invisible players
- cg_drawfriend "team" no longer shows enemy agent team color
- players can no longer connect to wrong version servers
- added menu option to run server in permanent match mode
- fixed kicking/banning player displaying "disconnected" message
- fixed shadow/sniperdot graffiti
- loud sentry sound fixed
- sentry gun spinup fixed, was causing bad tracking, sentry is now only slightly
less powerful than in 1.0
- fixed prediction issues, hitscan weapons are now accurate again
- sniper returns to 1.0 damage settings, keeping 1.1 hitzone calculation/glancing
shots
- sniper rifle knockback is now 75% of 1.0
- slightly decreased recon's armor to compensate for higher 1.1 damage absorption,
same as in 1.0 now
- fixed bumping when trying to get out of water while carrying flag
To grab the 1.2 update for ETF go here
for the official ETF mirror page
To grab Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory go here
to download it from PlanetWolfenstein
��-kfc
| World of Warcraft Festival |
Okay you West coast World of Warcraft freaks, prepare to get your 3 day LAN on!!! That�s right; from April 22-24 the WoWFestival will descend upon Los Angeles. And we are not just taking your normal LAN party either. A huge schedule of other activates are planned such as workshops, contests, and live music. Jennifer, who tipped us off about this event, also rumored that someone might walk away with a new car!?!
...the winner gets to trade in World of Warcraft currency for a brand new vehicle.
If you live and breathe Warcraft, then head directly over to the WOW Festival website and read all about it.
��-Devil 2 UTuesday, February 22, 2005
| UT2K4 Gets Updated to 3355! |
Wow, this is new. A patch that is released well in advance of a weekend LAN.
What a neat concept is that, huh! Normally developers wait to throw a patch
together on a Friday night so that 1/4 of the LAN has the update and then the
LAN host is forced to choose between updating the server and all clients to
the new patch (which hasn't been tested) or to tell the dedicated fans who where
on the ball with installing the patch to go downgrade. But no, we get a well
enough in advanced warning this time. Thanks Epic!
This patch will be the 6th installation in Epics Games awesome title, Unreal
Tournament 2004. Like normal this patch fixes everything under the sun including
the general gameplay, networking, demo recording, engine, editor and menus.
Here is a little information regarding the beef of the issues that patch #6
fixes.
General Gameplay:
- Fixed stuttering/snagging/sinking into static meshes in some places on clients
in net games
- Improved getting out of water
- Fixed FaceClassic teleporter exploit
- The Cicada hud indicators should now show up in all game modes.
- Fixed SPMA causing damage at world origin.
- Fixed not being able to exit raptor when it's on the ground
- Fixed (for assault) the energy core always showing on the HUD even if it
not the current objective (thanks AngelMapper)
Networking:
- Server performance improvements
- Cheating detection improvements, with shorter time for master server ban
detection
- Integration of UTAN bans with UT2004 master server. Admins can opt out by
adding bIgnoreUTANBans=true to [IpDrv.MasterServerUplink]
- Fixed potential garbage collection crash when changing levels during network
games
- Improved caching of server data for when you can't connect to the master
server.
- UTV updated (netspeed fix).
- Better Client->Server->MS Error Messages
Go here
to download this 12.6MB update from our latest and greatest addition to the
GameSpy family, 3D Gamers!
��-kfc
| Battlefield 2 Release Date Narrowed Down |
In their annual
report DICE just narrowed down the release date of BF2 from April-June 2005
to June 2005. Which is still after E3, a guess that we made last month. This
move isn't anything out of the blue. As most developers choose to hold off their
release until around the end of E3 to the Christmas season. E3 will just give
the industry and gamers one last sneak peak at their latest build and what is
to come before BF2 becomes available on store shelves.
The release date of Battlefield 2 has now been set to June 2005. This
implies that Digital Illusions will not be making any game releases in the
first quarter of the current year.
Source (Battlefield Nation)
��-kfc
Registration for the Gaming For Hope LAN Party, to be held this April, is now open. The event is FREE but donations will be accepted to benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation. Yes, your fragging can help make a difference.
Here is some more information about the LAN:
One of the northeast�s biggest video game tournaments is here in the Mid-Hudson Valley! Gaming For Hope will be held on April 2, 2005 at the McCann Center at Marist College.
Donations will be accepted, and all proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You must bring your own computer to the event, and if possible register your computer ahead of time. We will have video game consoles to play on during the course of the day, and there is no need for registration.
Last year Gaming For Hope raised over 1,000 dollars for the Make-A-Wish foundation through the generosity of our sponsors and everyone who attended! Our donations went to granting such wishes as sending a local young girl to meet her favorite WWE superstar in New Your City!
You can download their FLYER, see an IMAGE of the floor plan, and sign yourself up all at the Gaming for Hope website.
��-Devil 2 U
Missed some news? Grab it here!
|
| Game Players Anonymous | Silver Creek,Western New York, Western New York, United States | 3/9/2005 7:00:00 PM |
| Green Bay Underground [GBU] | Green Bay, WI, United States | 3/11/2005 |
| Nuclear Lan 2005 v1.1 | mukilteo, wa, USA | 3/11/2005 |
| LAN Slam | Greencastle, Indiana, USA | 3/11/2005 |
| Egy cyber game | Alexandria, Egypt | 3/11/2005 |
| NJ Gamers | Scotch Plains, NJ, USA | 3/11/2005 |
| Friday Night Frag Fest | Fraser, CO, USA | 3/11/2005 |
| The Basement | Glencoe, MN, USA | 3/11/2005 6:00:00 PM |
| UKLanParty | Milton Keynes, Bucks, England | 3/11/2005 7:00:00 PM |
| LNGC | Leicester, UK | 3/12/2005 |
| Maryland Lan Gamers | Greenbelt, Maryland, USA | 3/12/2005 |
| Maryland Lan Gamers | Greenbelt, Maryland, USA | 3/12/2005 |
| shaft-LAN | Berlin, Germany | 3/12/2005 |
| Local Area Gaming(L.A.G.) | Bartlesville, OK, USA | 3/12/2005 |
| CS: Retour a la Source! | Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada | 3/12/2005 |
| LANmaniac | B e l l f l o w e r, C A, U S A (OC/LA Area) | 3/12/2005 |
| TGC Monthly LAN Party | Greensboro, NC, US | 3/12/2005 |
| NML III | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | 3/12/2005 |
| BSU Housing LAN | Boise, ID, US | 3/12/2005 |
| 0xh LAN | Denver, Colorado, US of A | 3/12/2005 |
| LAN Lordz | Wichita, Kansas, United States | 3/12/2005 |
| Open Box Project | Pella, Iowa, Iowa, United States | 3/12/2005 |
| Marmalade Dog 10 | Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States of America | 3/12/2005 |
| LANGO | Burbank, California, USA | 3/12/2005 9:00:00 AM |
| F.A.N.G. | wichita falls, tx, United States | 3/12/2005 10:00:00 AM |
| Phillyfrag - BigFNBirthday Bonanza! | Bensalem, PA, USA | 3/12/2005 12:00:00 PM |
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