MGL Industry News for Wednesday, November 3rd, 1999 Send news headlines to news@macledge.com!

More on Deus Ex progress (posted @ 8:00 pm EST):

After yesterday's update on Deus Ex (story), Ion Storm's Bob White made some clarifications to some questions in the Ion Storm Deus Ex forum... "Damn...We better not be a year out! We are finishing up our Alpha milestone as I type this. Within a few weeks our game will be testable (alas only internally)start to end. If we go much more past March I will shave Harvey's head. (If he is kicking and screaming...all the better :-)). Better yet, I will go strand myself on a deserted isle for seven weeks!" "This part of the development cycle becomes quite intense as we try to wrap up all loose ends. particularly when it comes to a full voice game, we have to get the dialogue finaled soon so we can begin casting and recording, not to mention translations, and hardware testing above and beyond clean-up, bug fixing and balancing." Related Links: - Deus Ex (www.deusex.com) - Ion Storm (www.ionstorm.com)

FLY! 2 interview with A.J. Fuller (posted @ 7:55 pm EST):

The Adrenaline Vault has posted an interview with Terminal Reality's A.J. Fuller, project manager and co-producer on FLY! 2. What changes and enhancements can we anticipate for FLY! 2? In general, we will build upon our foundation with better graphics, more scenery and more planes. We will also be communicating with our customers through web-based forums about what they want to see. There are so many things involved in the creation of a flight simulation that, for our first title, we consulted with actual experts who have flown planes such as the Cessna 172 R and Beechcraft King Air. Our customers love that their input can have a genuine impact on the final product. When you compare 40 to 50 guys, which is what we have, to the thousands of people who have actual flight experience, it is obvious who has more information to offer. Related Links: - FLY! (www.iflytri.com) - Terminal Reality (www.terminalreality.com) - Gathering of Developers (www.godgames.com)

Update on Anachronox (posted @ 7:35 pm EST):

The Ion Storm Daily Informant has been updated with the latest progress and a new screenshot from Anachronox, the company's Unreal-engine role-playing game. Each member of the team tells what they've been working on, and among the more interesting quotes is that from programmer Squirrel Eiserloh... "I just finished writing the code for Boots' digital camera; you can walk around Anachronox, snap off pictures, and refer back to them for later use. NPCs can comment about the content(s) of each picture, as that information is stored as well. Right now I'm souping up the 3d cursor system." Related Links: - Anachronox (www.anachronox.com) - Ion Storm (www.ionstorm.com)

Ritual seeks college applicants (posted @ 7:15 pm EST):

Ritual Entertainment, now hard at work on the Quake III-engine title Heavy Metal: FAKK2, is looking for a college student to work part-time at their offices according to Joel Braby's .plan... "Ritual Entertainment is looking for a college student in the Dallas area to work as a MIS intern. Applicants should be able to provide their own transportation and be willing to work 10-20 hours per week. Duties will include, but are not limited to, desktop support, server maintenance, web site maintenance, and other support tasks. Please contact Mark Dochtermann (markd@ritual.com) or Joel Braby (jsbraby@ritual.com) for more information. Related Links: - Ritual Entertainment (www.ritual.com)

Mac Quake II for $20 (posted @ 6:40 pm EST):

A reader let us know that him and his son were browsing through CompUSA when they came across Quake II for the Mac at the low price of $20. Prices are usually pretty standard across the national retail chain, so call up your local store (or just drop by) to see if they have this first-person shooter in stock at that bargain price. Related Links: - Logicware (www.logicware.com) - id Software (www.idsoftware.com) - Activision (www.activision.com)

35th Diablo II Screenshot of the Week (posted @ 8:00 am EST):

Right on cue, yesterday Blizzard Entertainment released their 35th Diablo II Screenshot of the Week. The caption says it all... "The Necromancer battles in the ruins of a once peaceful village." Related Links: - Diablo II (www.blizzard.com/diablo2) - Blizzard Entertainment (www.blizzard.com)

Big Mac Graphics Card Roundup (posted @ 7:45 am EST):

Accelerate Your Mac! has published their big Mac graphics card roundup comparing performance in several categories, including games, among these Mac graphics cards: VillageTronic MP960 (Voodoo3) Voodoo3 3000/2000 PCI ATI's Rage128 Orion Formac's Proformance 3 Related Links: - Accelerate Your Mac! (www.xlr8yourmac.com) - VillageTronic (www.villagetronic.com) - 3dfx Interactive (www.3dfx.com) - ATI Technologies (www.atitech.ca) - Formac (www.formac.com)

New Myth II: Soulblighter Ladder (posted @ 7:30 am EST):

Carch wrote in to let us know about a new, unique ladder for Myth II: Soulblighter which can score gamers some bucks towards merchandise and other cool goodies... "The venerable internet gaming ladder, Case's Ladder (http://www.casesladder.com), now has a new league for Myth 2 players." "Carch's Myth 2 Ladder (http://www.myleague.com/myth2/) allows you to test your mettle against other Myth players in singles and doubles matches." "Case's Ladder uses a simple and time-tested ranking system. The Myth 2 Ladder offers players a new kind of head to head competition that bungie.net rank does not afford. Myth 2 Ladder players will also be able to compete in special co-op, singles and doubles tournaments." "Not only that, but Myth 2 Ladder members earn "ladderbux" just for participating. Just about everything you do as a Myth 2 Ladder member earns you ladderbux. Ladderbux can be redeemed at Case's Ladder store for games, accessories, and merchandise." "All you need to sign up is an email address and a burning desire to claw your way to the top of the Myth 2 Ladder! Bring it on!" Related Links: - Myth II: Soulblighter (myth2.bungie.com) - Bungie Software (www.bungie.com)

Spades Deluxe 2.0 and Setback Deluxe Preview Releases (posted @ 7:20 am EST):

Freeverse Software has released pre-release versions of their two awesome card games, Spades Deluxe and Setback Deluxe (aka Pitch). Among the hot new features for the titles is a great way for Mac gamers to hook up with each other for some relaxing games over the 'net... "Keeping up their insane pace, Freeverse Software today announces the Preview Release of their upcoming new titles Spades Deluxe and Setback (aka Pitch), both featuring full support for the HMS Freeverse, a new game server for Macintosh. Both are at early Final Candidate stage and should be considered stable and fully functional." "When asked how Freeverse could introduce two new products so soon after having introduced Classic Cribbage and Deathground 1.2, Ian Lynch Smith, President of the company lifted his head out of his feed bag of Halloween Candy and said, "Sugar."" "Setback 1.0 (also known as Pitch) is the first version of this popular card game for the Macintosh. Both games are MAC ONLY and require:" PowerPC Mac System 8.1 or later. 7.5 Megs of RAM 15 Megs of Hard Drive Space Related Links: - Freeverse Software (www.freeverse.com) - Spades Deluxe 2.0 (www.freeverse.com/freeverse/spades/) - Setback Deluxe (www.freeverse.com/freeverse/setback/)

In-game movie of Heavy Metal: FAKK2 (posted @ 7:10 am EST):

Heavy Metal: FAKK2 fan site FAKK You! has posted a large, in-game movie of the Quake III-engine title based on a movie by Kevin Eastman. The development team is attempting a Mac version of the amazing title but have made no promises thus far. The movie shows off some breath-taking scenes, but is the result of two-month-old work on the game so expect even more as the title develops. Download Heavy Metal: FAKK2 Movie (52.4 MB) Related Links: - FAKK You! (www.fakkyou.com) - Ritual Entertainment (www.ritual.com)

Sign up for the MGL Newsletter! (posted @ 7:05 am EST):

Today we've unveiled one of our new tools and services for keeping our readers up-to-date on all of the latest cool happenings in the Mac gaming world and hear at MGL: the MGL Newsletter! Each Friday an e-mail from your helpful MGL staff will drop into your In-box with the latest and greatest news from around Mac gaming. In addition, if a hot story breaks some time throughout the day, we'll fire off an e-mail so you won't be caught dumbfounded when the conversation in GameRanger switches to the hottest title announced that day. It's easy to sign up: simply scroll down to the bottom of this page, enter your e-mail address in the box provided and hit Subscribe. After confirming via e-mail that you were indeed trying to subscribe, you'll be one of the thousands of Mac gamers who stick with MGL for our Mac game coverage! Related Links: - MacGamer's Ledge (www.macledge.com)

Carmack updates Quake III: Arena worklog (posted @ 6:50 am EST):

id Software's John Carmack updated his .plan with the latest edition of the Quake III: Arena worklog. Not a lot of really interesting stuff this time except for anyone who's ever been gibbed by the gauntlet... cd check in single player removed drop shadow on console input line swapped mynx pain sounds fixed cleared music buffer on track loop again force skins on spectators in team games to prevent having a default waste memory only defer to a model with same team skin fixed grenade-disappearing-at-floor bug when about to explode draw reward medals during gameplay added "humiliation" feedback for gauntlet kills spread respawn times to prevent pattern running: #define RESPAWN_ARMOR 25 #define RESPAWN_TEAM_WEAPON 30 #define RESPAWN_HEALTH 35 #define RESPAWN_AMMO 40 #define RESPAWN_HOLDABLE 60 #define RESPAWN_MEGAHEALTH 120 #define RESPAWN_POWERUP 120 Related Links: - Webdog (www.webdog.org) - Quake III: Arena (www.quake3arena.com) - id Software (www.idsoftware.com)

Directions to bungie.org (posted @ 6:40 am EST):

bungie.org's domain name server has crashed due to some bad weather on the East coast, and while their host recovers they wanted to provide IP's for their loyal readers to use to access the site until operations return to normal. http://209.54.40.223/ is Oni http://209.54.40.233/ is www.bungie.org http://209.54.40.233/marathon/ http://209.54.40.233/bighouse/ http://209.54.40.233/archive/ http://209.54.40.233/halo/ Related Links: - bungie.org (209.54.40.233)

Resurrection of Avara (posted @ 6:35 am EST):

Avara.org has posted an interactive manual for Avara titled Comprehensive Avara, the addictive multiplayer game from Ambrosia Software. The manual seeks to provide an alternative for those looking for something a little retro but has some entertainment value nonetheless. Related Links: - Avara.org (www.avara.org) - Ambrosia Software (www.ambrosiasw.com)

Madden NFL 2000 preview updated (posted @ 6:25 am EST):

MacWarrior.com's Victor Sirotek let us know that they had updated their preview of Aspyr Media's Madden NFL 2000 for the Mac... "On October 22nd MacWarrior.com published a Madden2000 Preview. Since then we have received an enormously wonderful response from Mac gamers all over the place. To fulfill my promise, 3Dfx VooDoo Screen Shots have been added to the preview. There are 20 shots in all and they look great! I encourage everyone to come back again to view the game under 3Dfx acceleration!" Related Links: - MacWarrior.com (www.macwarrior.com) - Aspyr Media (www.aspyr.com) - Westlake Interactive (www.westlakeinteractive.com) - EA Sports (www.easports.com)

Carrot Software seeks translators (posted @ 6:20 am EST):

Carrot Software let us know that they are looking for translators for their game, Mega Minesweeper. "Carrot Software is looking for people to help translate documentation and other files into non-English languages. Anyone who is interested can e-mail <nowalk2@tcnj.edu> or visit the Mega Minesweeper web page <http://www.tcnj.edu/~nowalk2/carrot/mega/mega.html>." Related Links: - Carrot Software (www.tcnj.edu/~nowalk2/carrot/)

Voodoo3 fix for Mac Myth II (posted @ 6:00 am EST):

A reader recently picked up a Voodoo3 card from 3dfx and found, to his disappointment, that the drivers were incompatible with Bungie's Myth II: Soulblighter. Of course this is has been documented as a problem with Myth II, and this relentless reader did some investigating by contacting Bungie to see if a fix was on the way... "Not yet, but we are working on one and it's very, very close to being released." Related Links: - Myth II: Soulblighter (myth2.bungie.com) - Bungie Software (www.bungie.com) - 3dfx Interactive (www.3dfx.com)

A Drop of the Hard Stuff (posted @ 6:00 am EST):

Some links are courtesy MacSurfer's Headline News. MacNN reports that ViewSonic has introduced the $500 GS790, a short-depth 19-inch monitor with 0.22 horizontal dot pitch, 1,280-by-1,024 resolution and ViewMatch color control. Accelerate Your Mac! reports that 3dfx Interactive will announce the Napalm graphics cards (aka Voodoo4) which they say will be focused on extraordinary fill-rates (industry insiders have revealed that the card will likely have 32-bit rendering in 3D, a first for 3dfx). dealmac found a way to get a free G4 PowerMac (don't get your hopes up; it's gonna cost you). In addition, hard drive manufacturers are hurting as they continue to sell enormously-sized hard drives at super low prices (dealmac points out the best). Mac OS Rumors, traditionally reporting an eerily high percentage of rumors that turn out to be at least partially true, reports that the clock speed differential between the Mac and Wintel worlds will decrease beginning in about a month. The advancing speeds are so accelerated that 700-900 Mhz second-generation G4s are expected by May 2000 and the 1.1 GHz mark should be seen by Q4 2000. NoBeige.com reports that the GrabPac, a soft carrying case for the iMac, now comes in new colors and priced at $50. RamSeeker, a service which tracks RAM prices, is celebrating their second birthday by giving away 128 MB of RAM (hope it's your style). O'Grady's PowerPage reports that the FCC (a U.S. government agency, for our international readers) has approved the AirPort for use in the U.S. MacinStart details the recent moves in the Mac graphics card market, but doesn't seem to grasp the tidal wave approaching in the next couple of weeks and in early January 2000. MacProvider lays out a comparison of the 333 and 350 Mhz iMacs in terms even a pre-schooler could understand in showing which model is the best bang for your buck. Related Links: - MacSurfer's Headline News (www.macsurfer.com)

Fact of the Day (posted @ 6:00 am EST):

Baldur's Gate, located south of Waterdeep and north of the nation of Amn on the Sword Coast, is named after a great explorer named Baldurian who first explored the region. He mysteriously disappeared while exploring new regions. Baldur's Gate for the Mac from Graphic Simulations Corporation should be released by the end of the year with the company already accepting pre-orders. Related Links: - Graphic Simulations Corporation (www.graphsim.com)

Previous Headlines- Tuesday, November 2nd, 1999

Local MGL News

7:15 pm - Rainbow Six to go gold soon 6:50 pm - The Idiots split up 6:45 pm - Diablo II interview with Bill Roper 6:30 pm - Quake III: Arena interview with Graeme Devine 6:20 pm - Update on Deus Ex 6:15 pm - Full Mac Unreal Tournament Demo 6:00 pm - Experience interview with Sky Kensok 5:45 pm - Test Your Mac Games knowledge 5:30 pm - Carmack updates Quake III: Arena worklog 5:00 pm - First Obsidian X24 Mac Tests 8:50 am - New Total Annihilation Map of the Week! 8:25 am - FLY! fixed for Rage Pro users 8:10 am - Thoughts on Mac Unreal Tournament Demo 8:00 am - Mac Unreal Tournament fan site 7:45 am - Wolfpack Studios answers "Why Mac?" 7:40 am - American McGee's Alice for the Mac? 7:35 am - Mac-O-Rama begins Madden NFL 2000 contest 7:30 am - GameRanger updated to 1.0b11 7:00 am - First Duke Nukem Forever screenshots [daily] - A Drop of the Hard Stuff [daily] - Fact of the Day

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