Starting in 1996, Alexa Internet has been donating their crawl data to the Internet Archive. Flowing in every day, these data are added to the Wayback Machine after an embargo period.
This brings your game to v1.02 adds new AI enhancements, improved off-map counterbattery fire, expanded equipment-specific unit silhouettes, a new map-rendering system and other new features.
This patch addresses some of the most significant issues found with the game so far, in particular a change in the Republic of Ireland's flag to represent rugby players across all of Ireland.
This patch adds a new multiplayer map, Hangar, suitable for up to
16 players and can be played in all supported multiplayer modes (Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Assault).
Camelot 1.75 Goes Live03:05 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG(4 comments)
After weeks of testing Mythic has released the v1.75 update for Dark Age of Camelot. It's rather large in both size and scope (they felt the need to put an intro movie in it) where some of the highlights include: RvR missions, tower razing, streamlined master level credit, a new title system, run speed changes, interface tweaks, improved rvr stats (listed kills, etc), class tweaks (warlocks' reign as flavor of the month class is now over), plus oh-so much more. As mentioned above, the patch is pretty large, mostly due to that intro movie they snuck in, so expect a bit of a glut if you download it in prime time. The prepatch on Pendragon was around 18 megs, and the live upgrade is another 16, so chances are you're looking at a fat 30+ meg patch when you log in.
Dark Age of Camelot Visit Report
Our friends at Mythic invite us into their stronghold to learn what lies ahead for the popular persistent state world.
Frater Peek #1 Frater Peek #1
A trio of illustrated character profiles as we get the chance to look into Rebelmind's recently announced action RPG - Includes three exclusive concept images
Dungeon Lords Media #8
We pay a pictorial visit to the Chamber of Spirits and the Pedestal of the Relic in Heuristic Park's impending game. - Six exclusive screenshots
The U.S. patent, granted to Sony researcher Thomas Dawson, describes a technique for aiming ultrasonic pulses at specific areas of the brain to induce "sensory experiences" such as smells, sounds and images.
"The pulsed ultrasonic signal alters the neural timing in the cortex," the patent states. "No invasive surgery is needed to assist a person, such as a blind person, to view live and/or recorded images or hear sounds."
No brains have been fried yet, but Sony bods believe this may be the way technology moves in the future.
"To become a global online entertainment leader it was essential for Webzen to grow the company's information technology and internal development infrastructure, as well as align ourselves with the industry's most talented game creators," said Nam Joo Kim, CEO of Webzen, Inc. "Webzen is serious about making high quality online games that players around the world can enjoy. We're committing more resources than any other games publisher to make this a reality."
Earlier in the year, Webzen announced part of its product portfolio that will be unveiled at the video game industry's largest trade show, the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, May 18-20, 2005. The line up includes the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), SUN; massively multiplayer online first person shooter (MMOFPS), Huxley; and All Points Bulletin (APB), the first online game developed by David Jones, the creator of the multi-million unit selling video game franchise, Grand Theft Auto, and his UK-based game development company, Real Time Worlds (RTW).
1) The Sims 2 University Expansion Pack
2) World Of Warcraft
3) The Sims 2
4) Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30
5) Half-Life 2
6) Roller Coaster Tycoon 3
7) Matrix Online
8) Act Of War: Direct Action
9) Zoo Tycoon 2
10) Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
Planned for a spring opening in New York City's Rockefeller Center, the two-story mega-complex will showcase the best of Nintendo, the worldwide leader in interactive entertainment.
Nintendo World will also be the new home of Pok�mon Center, which will feature exclusive Pok�mon merchandise and host special Pok�mon events (visit pokemon.com to get the latest news and updates). Pok�mon Center at Nintendo World will continue to be the official headquarters for everything Pok�mon.
The Nintendo World Store will be a place where visitors can check out the best new and unreleased games for Nintendo DS, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance SP at high-end sampling bars and interactive stations. Visitors will enjoy two floors of all things Nintendo, such as games, merchandise, accessories, DVDs and trading cards for the wildly popular Pok�mon franchise. Stay tuned to for updates.
The world's most popular film series joins with the world's most beloved toy maker to create LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game. Eidos plc, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software and Giant Interactive Entertainment today announced that LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game is now available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft, PC and Game Boy Advance platforms.
Created by Giant Interactive Entertainment, Ltd. and Traveller's Tales, LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game features a unique game world and characters built from virtual LEGO blocks. Within the game, players relive the most memorable scenes from the most recent Star Wars movies, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and the forthcoming film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.
Gamers can play as more than 40 of their favorite Star Wars characters through more than 18 levels, experiencing the complete storyline of the first three movies in the Star Wars saga with plenty of action, puzzles, and unique LEGO Star Wars humor. Additionally, players can enjoy a two-player cooperative play mode that lets a second player drop in and out of the action without interrupting gameplay.
From Podracing on Tatooine and the battle to repel the droid onslaught on Geonosis, to Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon's fateful fight with Darth Maul, LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game provides a startlingly immersive Star Wars experience, with the added unique take on the Star Wars fantasy that the LEGO toy line brings. LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game carries an "E" rating.
Looks great at 1600x1200 too.
Creative Labs Beta Drivers 01:00 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: General News(30 comments)
Creative Labs sends along word that it has released some swanky new beta sound drivers. "It's got bug fixes and performance increases for OpenAL-based PC games like UT2K4 and Republic Commando. Also, with the upcoming patch [from id], it will give Doom 3 users a true hardware audio experience which will include 7.1 audio and EAX reverbs....in both the original game AND the expansion." Tasty.
In Other News...12:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- In-House: In Other News...(71 comments)
I saw it coming for awhile now so I wasn't surprised when the ole work PC finally blew up. Not in a huge plume of smoke and flash of bright lights or anything like that (well, not_that_much smoke) so I'm now updating on the gaming rig. I usually have an AMD and Intel system with either a NVIDIA or ATI card (different ones, obviously) so I can compare how stuff runs on different set ups. This guy I'm on now is an Intel 3.6Ghz, so chances are I'll snag a Athlon 55 or something for gaming and turn the Intel one into the work machine. I dig the Pentium 4 since you can run a couple different programs at once and it doesn't kill performance, so its all good. Anyhow, I'll need to install a buncha crap on this one later (icq, etc) so if you need anything, send an email or something. Today's question:
What was the favorite piece of hardware you've ever owned?
It doesn't have to the "best" thing right now, just the one you liked at the time the most.
In the first several hours, you also encounter a variety of bad guys armed with a variety of weapons, and they're not afraid to be aggressive. They'll come in waves, patrol in groups, and guard key locations. They also have a bunch of well-delivered catchphrases, but the frequency could be toned down a bit, as some of them get used a bit much. The bad guys also make an effort to stay behind cover, fall back, and keep clear of grenades.
With a cool weapons system, complex environments, lots of character and style, Pariah looks like it's going to be a pretty fun and involving game that puts the Digital Extremes stamp on single-player shooters in a way that Unreal II couldn't quite do. I don't know if it will blow you away, but you'll have to make an effort to not have some fun.
Empire Earth II is very much a traditional, big-scale real-time strategy game. If you played the original game, then you already know what's involved. But if you didn't, here is the gist: Empire Earth II will let you guide a civilization from the dawn of history to the near-distant future in a single game. This means that you'll start in the Stone Age, gather resources, construct cities, and research advances to propel your civilization forward through history. At least, that's the case if you play the traditional skirmish mode against the computer or human opponents.
Star Wars Republic Commando Patch10:01 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action(0 comments)
3D Gamers has a new patch for Star Wars: Republic Commando: "The first update for Star Wars Republic Commando is now online, keeping the recent sci-fi first-person shooter by LucasArts at version 1.0. This release is less a patch and more an add-on, as it adds one new multiplayer map titled Hangar, suitable for up to 16 players in all multiplayer modes." It comes in at 2.9 megs.
This update brings your game to v1.2 and addresses damage system,
interface adjustments, multiplayer issues, and the usual bugs fixes and
gameplay tweaks.
"In setting the stage for the Tomb Raider franchise moving forward, we took ourselves back to Lara's origins, asked ourselves the hard questions and challenged ourselves to think differently," said Chip Blundell, vice president of brand marketing, Eidos Inc. "Who is Lara Croft? What makes her tick? How is she relevant today? Only by answering these questions could we ensure that gamers get the experience they deserve with the character they love."
Eighteen months ago, Tomb Raider team members at Crystal Dynamics embarked on their own quest to rediscover Lara Croft. During their soul-searching mission, they unearthed past consumer surveys, conducted new research, re-read every game review, listened to lots of passionate pleas and opinions from gamers and re-played through every Tomb Raider product. From this introspection and open-minded search for a fresh perspective, Tomb Raider: Legend was born.
Tomb Raider: Legend revives the athletic, intelligent and entertaining adventurer who won the hearts and minds of gamers worldwide. Lara comes alive with intricately animated expressions, moves and abilities. An arsenal of modern equipment, such as a magnetic grappling device, binoculars, frag grenades, personal lighting device and communications equipment, allows gamers to experience tomb raiding as never before.
Eidos and Crystal Dynamics shaped Lara's look and movements to be an inherent extension of her skills, motivation and personality. Lara's character model features natural structure, realistic textures, detailed facial features, reactive eyes and fluid motion, all of which make her part of a living environment.
New character animations and controls allow her to move through stunning environments with grace and precision, while an understanding of the game's original appeal reinvigorates the fundamental explore-and-solve adventure experience.
Just below you can check out Lara's new look, which obviously required a lot of that soul-searching:
SWAT 4, the latest edition of the popular award-winning SWAT franchise, has shipped for the PC to retail outlets nationwide. Developed by Irrational Games, SWAT 4 allows players to take control of a squad of up to five SWAT officers tasked with performing dangerous operations such as high risk warrant service, rapid deployment, barricaded suspects and hostage situations. To ensure authenticity, VU Games enlisted Ken Thatcher, a 24-year SWAT veteran, as the game's consultant.
From intense hostage situations to high risk undercover operations, players will tactically command their teams and address every situation differently, where a split second mistake could lead to failure. Tension is the key element of SWAT 4, and the game emphasizes tactical deployment over pure run-and-gun action. Proper use of a broad range of real police gear, including tactical mainstays such as the Colt M-4 carbine, the Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun and Surefire tactical lights, will help the team to overcome any obstacle, rescue endangered civilians, and bring the bad guys to justice.
SWAT 4's 14 single-player missions feature random enemy placement ensuring the player's experience is different each time the level is played. Players can also use the quick mission maker to create and customize missions, including modification of enemy and civilian AI, mission objectives and more. SWAT 4 includes extensive multiplayer functionality including co-operative modes and team based competitive modes with up to 16 players.
Electronic Arts announced today that The Sims 2 Nightlife is under development from the celebrated Maxis studio, the creators of the widely popular franchise, The Sims. This is the second expansion pack for The SimsTM 2 which took the world by storm in September 2004 by becoming the fastest selling PC game and selling over 4.5M units worldwide to date. With The Sims 2 Nightlife, players will be able to take their Sims out to hit all the swanky hot spots in the all new downtown location and spice up their lives with an all new dating gameplay and a new life goal focused on pleasure seeking.
The Sims 2 Nightlife takes Sims into the night to explore all of their favorite after-dark activities. Players can either head out and discover their love lives or have a crazy night out with friends. With the new dating gameplay, players will see if their Sims have chemistry with others which will determine their romantic fate. The newest addition to the game includes the brand new pleasure seeker aspiration allowing players to explore a life filled with unforgettable dates, endless nights of dancing and fine dining. Make your Sims nightlife fantasy a reality with over 125 new objects including a DJ booth, Electro Dance Sphere and all you need to design the ultimate nightclub and VIP lounge.
Autumn is the rough release date, so you better book the entire 3 months off work in advance.
Prey At E3?10:26 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action(20 comments)
CNN Money's latest column suggests that Prey, originally a 3D Realms game, will be making its first appearance at E3 since 1998, and as expected it'll be powered by the Doom 3 engine:
The show's biggest surprise, though, will likely be the revelation of "Prey". Gamers first heard of "Prey" in 1997. The game, originally about a Native American who fights several nefarious alien races, was thought to be cancelled, but quietly restarted a few years ago. The new version will use the "Doom 3" graphics engine and is said to be a visually striking title. There's no word on whether the story has changed.
Human Head Studios is developing; for nostalgias sake you can view the 1998 trailer here.
Connery Back For Bond03:14 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action(15 comments)
Word out of the Hollywood Reporter today is that Sean Connery is reprising his excellent rendition of 007 for EA's forthcoming From Russia With Love, which will also feature the likenesses of other cast members, including the deceased Desmond Llewelyn:
Connery will record dialogue for the game, and his likeness will appear as it did in MGM's 1963 hit movie, his second outing as the suave British super spy.
He will be joined by other likenesses from the original film's characters, including Q (Desmond Llewelyn), Donald "Red" Grant (Robert Shaw), Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya), Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi), Kerim Bay (Pedro Armendariz) and Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell).
In addition, EA said it will work with Hollywood talent to round out the game's experience. "As an artist, I see this as another way to explore the creative process," Connery said. "Video games are an extremely popular form of entertainment today, and I am looking forward to seeing how it all fits together."
All the talent in the world can't save this game if it's as bad as GoldenEye: Rogue Agent.
The Few Who Pwn The Many01:26 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG(10 comments)
Mythic's Scott "Lum The Mad" Jennings updated his blog with his thoughts on Guild Wars' claim that you don't need to actually play very long and be able to kick anyone's ass in it. It's just all about having C-S twitch like skills and not having to worry about gaining experience, items, and all that other jazz:
Now, what skill based games DO well is give you the illusion that you have a chance - similar to slot machines in Vegas, there's always the chance that you could possibly defeat that top ten percent, whereas in most time-investment games higher level mathematically must always defeat lower. So the key, I feel, is to introduce that element of "fairness", that a lower "level" or whatever advancement schema you are using at least has a ghost of a chance of defeating a higher "level", while still meaningfully rewarding those who have invested in their character. It's definitely a very fine line to travel down. Basically, you have to ensure the 90% are still enjoying themselves, even while knowing that the 10% are running amuck through the rest of the ecosystem.
Because, whether due to greater skill in tactics, twitching or time, the 10% will always pwn the 90%.
What is the last game you bought and what are your impressions of it?
You might've noticed Steejee added a little comments link under the poll. He says that there should be a number display under it as well after he figures out how to hack it into our current design. Speaking of which, the IGN guys should be starting work on the new site (knock on wood) fairly soon. I'm told that pop-up ads will be a thing of the past, plus less of those full screen thingies, so woot for that. Obviously there are ways to kill all the ads now like using Firefox or signing up to be an Insider (well, the tower and side ad still show), but it's a nice start. Ideas for a new logo? hmm...
