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2-25-3 If you have ever peeked into the BIOS and got confused with all the mumbo-jumbo? Maybe it's time to check out the most comprehensive guide on BIOS options! Currently in Revision 7.3, the Definitive BIOS Optimization Guide from Adrian's Rojak Pot has been totally revamped and now covers 170 different BIOS options! Here is the direct link here. I could not recommend this strongly enough!! It is a MUST READ. If you are new to computer tweaking or a longtime pro please check them out. A new version of Mr. Pants' Excessive Overkill is now available, offering the first Unreal Tournament 2003 version of this modification that creates over-the-top gameplay worthy of its hyperbolic name. There is a dedicated server available, and while clients do not need to install anything to play, installing the client is still recommended for the full experience. 2-24-3 A post to the Infogrames Forums by Epic's Steve Polge has a status report on their upcoming free bonus pack for Unreal Tournament 2003, attributing its delay (though he points out there was no promised release date to be delayed from) to work on the recent patch to close exploits, and work on the German version of the game to avoid being placed on that country's "Index." As before, there is no projection about when this will be released, but he offers assurances they are working on it as fast as they can. Sorry that I didn't post this yesterday, I was kind of busy. But
here it is. A new version 1.01 of the Forward Observer server browser for America's Army: Operations is now available. The new version eliminates the stagnant servers that populated the listing and adds a bunch of new features as the project officially leaves the beta phase. HomeLan Fed's Gary Gygax Q&A chats with one of the parents of Dungeons & Dragons about the history of the classic pen-and-paper RPG, his own tastes in gaming, and plans for an upcoming MMORPG based on his new "Lejendary Adventure" game system, and more. 2-23-3 So, you wanted to know about the new human unit in the expansion pack of WARCRAFT 3? Well, it has been added to Blizzard's features page, along with a cool animation and history! Devastating Devastation on PC.IGN.Com is the latest preview of Devastation, offering some flu-addled impressions of Digitalo's upcoming Unreal-engine first-person shooter. Topics include the accessible interface, the varied and detailed environments, the vast hoards of enemies to be overcome, enemy and NPC AI, the straightforwardness of the action, some specifics about gameplay, and more. Included are some new screenshots. The American Conquest War of Independence Tournament is now underway, though there is still time to participate if you have not yet signed-up for what they are hoping to make "one of the biggest RTS tournaments ever." 2-22-3 There's a Warcraft III- The Frozen Throne Preview on GameSpot and another on PC.IGN.Com each offering very detailed impressions of the upcoming Frozen Throne add-on for Blizzard's RTS game. Each article offers thoughts on gameplay, units, the storyline, game balance, multiplayer support, races, and more. Each article is illustrated by a healthy serving of screenshots, and the GameSpot article also offers quotes from Blizzard's Bill Roper. Additionally, there's also a Q&A with Blizzard's Bill Roper on GameSpot, discussing the goals for the project, new content, plans for testing, and more. Infogrames has released an updated version 2206 of the demo for Unreal Tournament 2003, Digital Extreme's UT sequel. In addition to being updated to the latest Unreal-engine codebase, the new demo also adds another level. The 142 MB file is available as a Windows version, found on 3D Gamers, AusGamers, FileShack (registration required), UT2003Files.com, and Worthplaying, or as a Linux version on 3D Gamers, AusGamers, FileShack (registration required), UT2003Files.com, and Worthplaying. The updated demo includes five maps, four gameplay modes, a pair of mutators, and more, offering language support for English, Español, Français, Italiano, Deutsch, Korean, Simplified Mandarin, and Traditional Mandarin. After over a year without an update, Orange Smoothie Productions has posted a new version 1.02 "final" of OSP for Quake III Arena. The new version addresses some nagging issues, and adds support for FreezeTag (FT) TDM as a default game type. GameTrailers.com is now offering an Enter the Matrix trailer that they created for Shiny's upcoming Matrix game. In addition, they have also posted an Indiana Jones TV Spot. The DX2: Invisible War Preview on GameSpy.com describes their first-hand impressions of the upcoming Deus Ex sequel after a visit to ION Storm's Austin studios to check it out. They discuss seeing a cinematic presentation, changes in direction from the original game, new bio-mods, efforts to up the ante on the game's engine and graphics, revamped AI, the UI, controls, console ports, and more. A Tale in the Desert, the combat-free MMORPG, has gone live. The client software and the first 24 hours of play are offered for free, after which users will be subject to a $13.95 monthly fee. Here is a bit from the game's FAQ on how this will operate: "The game is a blend between city-building games and games of guile like Diplomacy and Illuminati. There's no combat - you must win by smart management and sharp-witted negotiation, not by weapons. The game has a plot that unfolds in response to player actions, and when the story is over, the game ends." This FTP directory has downloads of a new version 7.02 of the Netscape Navigator web browser. 2-21-3 HomeLan Fed's Urban Terror Q&A chats with Oswald of Silicon Ice Development about Urban Terror, their Quake III Arena modification. They discuss the project's history, the recently-released UT update, and future plans. The GreenHouseEFX Website now offers a new version 2.8 patch for the Coliseum modification for Quake III Arena. This server-only patch addresses a bug that could crash a server when bots were playing. GameSpy.com's Warcraft III Preview Part II concludes their two-part look at the imminent Frozen Throne add-on for Warcraft III. This installment offers a rundown on the spells and units of the undead and the orcs, providing descriptions of each along with impressions of seeing them in action. They also describe neutral units and abilities, describe the new tilesets, and tick off a list of interface improvements. The Deus Ex: Invisible War Preview on GameSpot is the latest look at ION Storm's upcoming FPS/RPG sequel. Based on getting to visit ION's Austin-based offices, the article describes the gameplay experience starting with the opening cinematic, how the story and protagonist are introduced, character progression, weapons (as well as the possibility that the game can be completed without using them), missions, story forks, locations, graphics, physics, and more. Included are some new screenshots. GameSpy.com's Dave Perry Q&A talks with the Shiny Entertainment prez about Enter the Matrix in an article that reproduces a conversation at the recent press event to show off the game (and the movies from which it is derived) to members of the press. They discuss collaborating with the movies' "enigmatic" directors, challenges encountered during the project, replayability, hax0ring, squeezing all the content they have into one game, and more. Included are some screenshots and a headshot suitable for framing. Additionally, they have posted a Q&A with some of the actors from the movies about working on the movie and the game at the same time. 2-20-3 There's a Quake 3 back in WCG 2003 Petition protesting the game's omission from this international tournament. The Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Preview on GameSpy.com kicks off a planned four-part preview examining Blizzard's upcoming Frozen Throne add-on for Warcraft III. Based on getting the expansion demonstrated for them by lead designer Rob Pardo, the article discusses the story and the races it involves, the additional custom orc campaign, plans for new cinematics, new spells and abilities, and more. Warcraft III The Frozen Throne Beta Online Registration is now underway. Word is: "Approximately 10,000 beta testers will be chosen randomly in the initial phase of the beta test from the pool of qualified applicants. Applicants must be 13 years of age or older, have the bandwidth capability to download 100 MB of data, have a valid email address, and possess a valid Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos CD-Key to be eligible to enter the beta test. Testers that are chosen to participate in the beta test will be notified by e-mail." A new demo version of Splinter Cell for the PC is now available, now offering three missions in the imminent stealthy third-person shooter, the Tbilisi 1, Tbilisi 3 and Kalinatek missions. The 178 MB demo can be downloaded via Gigex, and mirrors are available on 3D Gamers, FileShack (registration required), and Worthplaying. There is also a new gameplay trailer, in low, medium, and high resolutions, available (respectively) on FileShack (registration required), FileShack.com (registration required), and FileShack.com (registration required). 2-8-3 The Enter the Matrix Video Game Website is now online, offering a FAQ, game info, and some screenshots from the upcoming action/adventure Matrix game in the works at Shiny Entertainment. According to the FAQ, "Enter the Matrix will be released for all major platforms (PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC) on May 15, 2003, the same day as the release of the film The Matrix: Reloaded." The Qtracker Homepage now offers a new version 3.4 of this utility that offers more functions than a Swiss Army knife, including its primary function as a game server browser. The new version adds support for the IGI-2: Covert Strike Demo, James Bond 007: Nightfire, and Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead while QtUplink adds support for Aliens vs Predator 2, Drakan, the IGI-2: Covert Strike Demo, James Bond 007: Nightfire, Medal of Honor Allied Assault Spearhead, Quake, and Serious Sam. Also support has been added for multi-ip computers as well as XP-style controls, and numerous bug fixes and server-side enhancements. This page offers the complete list of what's new and different in the new release. As promised, this NVIDIA Game Spotlight & Download Page now features a new playable demo for Delta Force Black Hawk Down, the latest installment in the DF series of tactical shooters that's based in Mogadishu, Somalia. 2-7-3 Beta testing of The GameInfoBot is complete, and version 1.04, the first public release, is now available. The program offers server info and Rcon functions from within an IRC channel, and while it has only been tested with RtCW and Q3A, it is quite possible that it will work with other Quake III engine games as well. Microsoft has released a new Windows XP Service Pack 1a as a Network Install for IT Professionals, a Checked Network Install for IT Professionals, and an Express Install (32-Bit) for End Users. Here's the deal, which seems to indicate this is not required if you already have Service Pack 1: "Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) provides the latest security and reliability updates to the Windows XP family of operating systems, and includes Internet Explorer 6 SP1a. Windows XP SP1a is designed to ensure Windows XP platform compatibility with newly released software and hardware, and includes updates that resolve issues discovered by customers or by Microsoft's internal testing team. To determine whether to install Windows XP SP1a, we recommend reviewing the Windows XP documentation and information below. If you have already installed Windows XP SP1, you do not need to Windows XP SP1a." 2-6-3 A new version 1.81 of the Strike-Force modification for Unreal Tournament is now available. The new release of this tactical multiplayer UT mod eliminates "death lag," tweaks the SMGs, adds a new "authentic" g36 scope, working Dualgun settings, disabling the Ammocounter from the server side now works, and more. The debut release of Jihad! for Soldier of Fortune 2 is now available. A new version 2.20 of the Seismovision Demo Player is now available, adding a bunch of tweaks, fixes, and support for still more games. VIA Chipset Idle Temperature Hack on OCModShop. 2-5-3 The Unreal Tournament 2003 Website now offers the release of the version 2186 patch for the retail version of UT2003. Ubi Soft sends along a confirmed ship date for Splinter Cell, saying the PC version of this stealthy Tom Clancy game is heading into U.S. stores on February 18, 2003, and "will hit store shelves as soon as the trucks pull in." 2-4-3 HomeLan Fed's Unreal II Q&A chats with Legend Entertainment's Robert Wisnewski, Glen Dahlgren, Mark Poesch, and Craig Lafferty about Unreal II: The Awakening, their now-gold Unreal sequel. Topics include their feelings upon the completion of the project, what they would do differently given the opportunity, the influence of the feedback they collected during development, favorite aspects of the finished game, modification support, the possibilities of a demo or bonus pack releases, chances of console ports or a multiplayer expansion, and more. UT2003 Bonus Pack Q&A on Unrealism talking with Epic's Steve Polge about their upcoming free UT2003 add-on. They discuss new maps, other new features, new game types, new weapons, and more. 2-2-3 On the subject of the current state of 3D cards, headlined "NV30 vs R300, current developments, etc." At one point saying "As always, better cards are coming soon," the update kicks off saying: "At the moment, the NV30 is slightly faster on most scenes in Doom than the R300, but I can still find some scenes where the R300 pulls a little bit ahead. The issue is complicated because of the different ways the cards can choose to run the game." He goes on to outline quite a bit on how this all works. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell for the PC Has Gone Gold is the press release announcing the PC version of the stealthy third-person Tom Clancy shooter is complete and off to duplication. 2-1-3 A post on Unreal Ops (thanks Shacknews) has an email from Legend's Glen Dalhgren that says that although the recent report that there would be no demo for Unreal II was based on statements they had made all along, they are currently revisiting whether a demo for the now-gold Unreal sequel is still possible. Here's a bit: "Now that Unreal II has gone gold, we've been exploring the possibility with Infogrames and Epic, which is something that Headup wasn’t aware of. FWIW, everyone involved—including Legend—is very conscious of the benefits of a demo, and we’d all love to do it. I hope to have more news soon." 1-10-3 The Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory Preview on GameSpy.com offers impressions of the upcoming Return to Castle Wolfenstein Game. They discuss how the game has expanded from an expansion to a full game since they last got to check it out, the single-player campaign, how the events in the game actually serve as a prequel to RtCW, the removal of zombies from the enemy mix, the 20 included missions, the emphasis on teamplay in the multiplayer game, skills, multiplayer maps, and more. Uru: Online Ages Beyond Myst to Begin Closed Beta Testing in January 2003 is the press release announcing that Uru: Online Ages Beyond Myst will be the title of the upcoming online Myst game, and that registration is currently underway to participate in the game's beta testing. Those interested can register for the beta on the game's official website, and here's a bit on the game, including the use of voice communication: "Uru will take advantage of broadband to deliver a continually updated, immersive environment and storyline, with content that grows, changes and evolves constantly. It will also be the first persistent world to support real-time voice communication. Uru is designed to appeal to a broad audience and enable players of all skill levels and interests to experience expansive ages of the Myst universe in a uniquely social environment. Playing their own avatars, hundreds of thousands of players will meet new people, all realistic impersonations of themselves, play games, solve mysteries and embark on a voyage of discovery with friends. Players will be able to customize their level of interaction with other players, choosing to play alone, with small groups of friends or in areas where they can meet new people." A batch of new screenshots and concept art accompany the announcement. A single-player demo for Delta Force: Black Hawk Down has made its way onto the internet after being released on the cover-mount CD of a gaming magazine. Apparently an updated demo that addresses some shortcomings in this one and adds the multiplayer component from the previously released demo of NovaLogic's upcoming DF game is in the works for a release in a few weeks, but in the meantime, no objections are being raised to the distribution of this demo, which can be found on 3D Gamers, FileShack (registration required), and Worthplaying. 1-9-3 The official Unreal II: The Awakening Website has relaunched, offering a Flash intro to the upcoming Unreal sequel in the works at Legend Entertainment, along with some new screenshots, and a new video trailer from the game. The site is a bit hammered at the moment, and the gameplay movie has been mirrored on Worthplaying and on Tiscali Games where it's been converted to smaller and larger DivX-format files. Epic has released a new version of the dedicated server software for Unreal Tournament 2003. The file has been mirrored on FileShack (registration required), where they have posted the 247 MB Windows version and the 231 MB Linux version. You will also need to generate a CD key to operate a dedicated server, which can be done here. 1-8-3 A new patch for Night's Edge Wet Works is now available, updating this Unreal Tournament modification to version 1.2. The new release addresses several bugs, offers gameplay changes, and barring unforeseen eventualities, represents the mod's final update. The Mechina Q&A on the Junkyard discusses this modification that brings the earth shaking combat of giant Mech-style robots to TRIBES 2. Topics include the history of the project, his role in development, plans for the next beta, and more. 1-7-3 The beta version of Purge is now publicly available, offering a sample of FreeForm Interactive's upcoming online LithTech engine game that combines aspects of an FPS and an RPG. The phase 6 beta is a 95 MB download offering six classes, 24 weapons, 18 skills, three maps, and five battle modes, and can be found on The Purge Website and mirrored on Computer Games Online, Fragland, Game Helper, Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying. In addition, they have released two dozen new screenshots showing off the game. GeForce FX Benchmarks Revealed on Maximum PC. 1-6-3 The D-Day Normandy Website features a couple of recent releases for this Quake II World War II modification. Now available is the first beta release of the British team, which includes British player models, new weapons and sounds, along with three maps. Also now available is the Inlands Campaign, an official campaign over a year in the making, offering seven new maps. There's a Star Trek Elite Force 2 Q&A on Computer and Video Games talking about the upcoming Trekkie shooter sequel in the works at Ritual Entertainment with Doug Pearson, publisher Activision's producer on the project. The conversation covers an introduction to the project, missions, the challenges of introducing "away" missions to the game, enhancements being made to the Quake III engine, multiplayer support, improvements over the original game, and more. A new Unreal Tournament 2K3 Benchmark script is now available. 1-5-3 A new version 1.4b of the Deathball is now available, offering an updated version of this bombing run modification for Unreal Tournament 2003 that's loosely based on a number of sports. The new release features several bug fixes, as well as tweaks to gameplay. I can highly recommend this. Activision has released the promised patch for Soldier of Fortune II Gold, adding tweaks, bug fixes, and three new maps. There is a 49 MB full patch to update any version of the game, available on 3D Gamers, FileShack, SoFFiles, and Worthplaying, and a "lite" patch that will only update version 1.02 which can be found on 3D Gamers, FileShack, SoFFiles, and Worthplaying (more mirrors are now listed on the Soldier of Fortune Website). There is no related dedicated server update, so since the protocols are the same, version 1.02 dedicated servers should still work fine "when you use the 1.03 data files (the pak files)." 1-4-3 The debut release of CodeRed, a modified version of the Quake II source code, is now available. CodeRed offers a science fiction theme covering 20 levels featuring new weapons, new enemies, and more, along with a reworked engine that supports 32-bit color, new particle effects, stainmaps, and more. Unfortunately it does not seem this can be downloaded without a FilePlanet registration (though they will happily accept mirror offers). Shacknews' Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Preview returns for another look at the upcoming Counter-Strike game now that development has been handed off to Ritual Entertainment. The article offers some background on this shift in developers, a description of how the single-player campaign will operate, items exclusive to the solo game, the use of art to implement "rag doll" style physics, the revamped user interface, and good news for map designers: "Ritual is not using Worldcraft to edit their maps, they have a custom version of QERadiant (The editor used in the Quake3 editing community) that they are using. Ritual is currently planning to release this new editor to the public along with Condition Zero." 1-3-3 There's an Unreal II: the Awakening Preview on Computer and Video Games with a look at the upcoming shooter sequel in the works at Legend Entertainment. Based on getting to check out the game first-hand, the article includes quotes from Legend's Glen Dahlgren in discussing how the Unreal follow-up may finally surpass Half-Life in the author's mind as the preeminent single-player FPS, what gameplay is like, and the decision to forego any sort of multiplayer support. 1-2-3 A new version 1.80 of the Strike Force modification for Unreal Tournament is now available. The file is a staggering 377 MB download, and includes no fewer than 88 maps, and eliminates almost all of the bugs identified in previous versions. Additionally, they are set up to send a free copy of the modification on a CD to those whose connections are to slow to make such a massive download practical. 1-1-3 Happy new year all. How can I predict anything but a good year when this is the year we will see both Quake4 and DOOM 3. Games Domain talks to Todd Hollenshead is a conversation with the id Software CEO about their various projects. Topics include how Return to Castle Wolfenstein is being tweaked to accommodate console ports, shooters on consoles, the influence of other games, the inclusion of RPG elements in shooters, progress on DOOM III, and more. There's an Unreal II: the Awakening Preview on Computer and Video Games with a look at the upcoming shooter sequel in the works at Legend Entertainment. Based on getting to check out the game first-hand, the article includes quotes from Legend's Glen Dahlgren in discussing how the Unreal follow-up may finally surpass Half-Life in the author's mind as the preeminent single-player FPS, a what gameplay is like, and the decision to forego any sort of multiplayer support. NVidia Ti4200-8XAGP Video Card round-up on PCStats.com. A new version 1.1.7 of the CPUCooL utility is now available. |
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