MIDI Compatability to Improve
Two of the leaders in the instrument and sound equipment field, Yamaha and Roland, have decided the time has come for them to see what they can do to improve MIDI data. This is the standard used throughout the world that governs the external control of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments that are equipped with tone generators. Both companies will actively support the 1998 GM2 Format as well as offer open access to the Yamaha’s XG Format and Roland’s GS Format. Additionally, these companies will produce both hardware and software products to support GM2, XG and GS formats. With this agreement, these music data assets will soon be accesible by consumers, regardless of differences in data format or playback platform. Details and more details. ...back to newsletter index.
Battle Isle’s Latest Multiplay Demo Launches
For the tons o’ gamers following the progress of Blue Byte’s Battle Isle: The Andosia War, grand news — the copmany has now released their multipalyer demo of the game, which can be glommed onto at the company’s website’s demo page. Other improvements in the Blue Byte site include a new chat technology that lets you establish your own chat rooms in mere seconds. Then, when chatting with friends and foes, you can use various colors and what the company calls "Emoticons" to indicate your ferocity. This new, lobby software weighs in at 1MB and can also be downloaded at the site. The company’s Battle Isle: The Andosia War now comes with a free, Plantronics SR–1 Headset if you purchase the game directly from the Blue Byte DIRECT store, and there’s a new, downloadable movie clip also available for your viewing pleasure. Ask, and ye shall receive when it comes to the Settlers IV and IL–2 Sturmovik preview version — simply request it via email and as soon as possible, Blue Byte will send it to you!
Release dates for the company’s product family are as follow:
Battle Isle: The Andosia War (PC CD) — Available Now
The Settlers III Collectible Figures — Available Now
The Settlers IV (PC CD) – February 2000
IL–2 Sturmovik (PC CD) – Q1 2001
Battle Isle: DarkSpace (PC CD) – Q2 2001
Dragon’s Lair 3D (PC CD & Mac) – Q2 200
Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Millions Into Diablo II
No question about this... Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo II is a true smash–hit! Already, more’n 2.75 million copies of this title have sold throughout the world during last year after shipping to anxious gamers last June. According to PC Data and other retail accounts, these numbers tell the story of a game that has broad appeal and an exciting game environment. To top this off, Blizzard is also announcing that, during Q1 of this year, you can expect Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, the expansion set. Within this new add–on disc will be new character classes as well as a new act. There are also six new quests, awesome and rather fearsome monster types that include Quest Bosses and Uniques, new recipes for your found Horadric Cube, plus your stash can be double in size. But wait (as they say on TV)... there’s more! How about nearly 250 new Unique and Exceptional items and new Class–specific and Elite items. Within the expansion set, you’ll travel through the Barbarian Highlands as you follow the path of Baal (who, as well know, is the last of the Prime Evils). You must prevent Baal and his evil denizens from destroying the mortal realm! Good luck! The expansion set will initially release for Win–based machines and, then in the summer, for Macintosh gamers. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
The Sims Have a House Party
If you’re a Sims ’fanatic’, when you read this headline you are probably sitting up straighter in your chair, anxious to learn about any upcoming Sims’ additions, right? Coming this spring, from Electronic Arts, will be The Sims House Party Expansion Pack, an add–on disk with new activities, architecture styles, characters, objects, music and more. With these additions you’ll now be able to participate in a luau, country barn dance, or even go to a rave, and have the appropriate costumes and decorations to reflect the theme.You can build a dance floor and hire a caterer, or roll in a mechanical bull or a giant cake with surprises inside (wink, wink). Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Leading the Pack is MacSoft
During these days of market depression, lack of sales, and consumers that aren’t quite aware of which system they should be purchasing, nice to know some companies have success! Latest info from Infograme’s MacSoft division is they have acquired some 37 percent of the market share for this calendar year. Titles you can expect to debut this year include: Links LSI 2000; Driver; Beach Head 2000; plus something for our younger citizens, that being a Mac Kids Pack. So, if you’re a Macintosh gamer, there’s something for your to look forward to as well as for MacSoft to drive home. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Space Ain’t Kind with The Ward
OK, here you are, a member of the Apollo XIX crew. You are sent out to the surface of the Moon to gather info concerning an unexpected seismic event. Pretty routine, right? Guess again... just as you nearly complete your work, your fellow crewmen are killed... and whatever caused their demise now has another target in mind... YOU! This is the premise for the latest release from On Deck Interactive, a science–fiction adventure game called The Ward. With various codes and puzzles to solve, you’ll find yourself engaging three different roles: those of a fugitive, investigator and saboteur. As you continue your adventure, you’ll realize that all your DNA plays a huge role in solving the puzzle that’ll affect mankind and the future. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Patching Up the Kingdom
Phantagram’s RTS title, Kingdom Under Fire, has been patched... really patched. There’s improved computer and pathfinding AI, plus, remember in the first mission when the camera followed the hero? That’s been fixed. Buggie bits within the multiple hero summoning, attacking a fog–of–war concealed Tower, mana decrease when upgrading a Mage, all are repaired now. Those disturbances that were part and parcel of a hero’s magic spells have also been fixed as well as increasing the game speed by 10 percent and adding a network speed latency counter are all incorporated in the now–ready 10MB patch entitled KufEng107a.exe, which you can obtain at this direct link. ...back to newsletter index.
Game Once Limited to U.S. Military, Available Soon
A very realistic RTS tactical combat PC game, Real War, which was limited for use only with the U.S. military, will now be available in May of this year from Simon and Schuster, and will sell for $39.95. If you’re at E3, you can take a peek. Real War, a sim, was developed by the Department of Defense Contractor OCI, which enables you to choose whether to be with the U.S. military or a rogue army, The Independent Liberation Army. Real War was developed in 1997 by a Virginia–based defense contractor for the Joint Chiefs of Staff to teach joint doctrine, which is the military term for guidance on how to coordinate war operations across all branches of the military. In Real War you’re involved in a very volatile Eastern Hemisphere in which some terrorists have bombed a U.S. military base, killing a large number of soldiers. The U.S. pursues the bad guys that live in the Sudan. Bad news — a catastrophic event occurs when a missile is launched, taking the U.S. into war with the ILA and the other countries that join in the fight. You’ll have 12 scenarios, each of which takes approximately 40–hours to complete, with in–game briefings and news reports that provide you with a current state of affairs. Real War, when it is available for public use, will include all new levels, AI and better graphics, and is not yet rated. The game is currently installed in military colleges such as West Point, U.S. Joint Forces Staff College and Air University. The official Real War site (available soon!) ...back to newsletter index.
Game Balance Assured By Stainless Steel
When creating strats, one of the most difficult tasks in building such a title is that of game balance, especially within a multiplayer environment. To assist with Stainless Steel Studios Interactive’s upcoming title, Empire Earth, now has the assistance of Damon "Stratus" Gauthier, who has joined the company to contribute his expertise within this realm to the title. Guathier worked on the Empire Earth Multiplayer Strike Team and he is extremely well–known in the Starcraft community as "Stratus", after gaining noteriety playing Warcraft 2. He lead Team Canada to victory over Team USA in the Canada vs. USA Starcraft: Brood War Tourney in 1999 and has written several Starcraft strat guides for web consumption. ...back to newsletter index.
Sudden Strike Launched
Sudden Strike PC CD–ROM from Strategy First Inc. is now available in North America, and includes five new missions, bug fixes (since the European release), and multiplayer support on gamespyarcade.com. Sudden Strike sells for $39.99 and takes place in World War II putting you in control of units from the American, German, British, French or Russian forces. You play in an interactive environment in three campaigns in this RTS–style action game, with a focus on fast–paced reality based action such as paratroopers, indirect artillery, towed anti–tank cannons, snipers, fortifications, bazookas and more. Multiplayer mode supports up to 12 players in four teams, and either cooperative mode or head–to–head warfare. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Europa Universalis Now Gold
History buffs, heads up. Strategy First’s real–time strat, Europa Universalis, which is developed by Paradox Entertainment, is now gold and ships in late February. You will embark on a tour that covers 300 years of history, from 1492 and the Age of Discovery to 1892 and Napoleon’s rise to power, and take part in three new campaigns that include American, German and Polish scenarios. Here you’ll attempt to conquer the enemy and take over the land by playing as Spain, England, Prussia, France or Portugal and deal with the area’s religion, politics, colonialism, technology, warfare and conquest. There are more than 75 countries that you or AI can control and up to eight players can participate. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Flying High with 767 Pilot
There’s a brand new add–on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2 expected to debut this week. From Wilco Publishing, their new expansion disc is entitled 767 Pilot in Command. Included are step–by–step flight training tutorials and lessons. The 108–page downloadable manual was written by an active 767 pilot and is so accurate and detailed that such could be used as a flight school training handbook. You’ll be given the ability to custom program Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs), Standard Instrument Arrivals (STARs) and Approach procedures for any airport. Plus, there’s a desktop pilot that can import an FS200 compatible flight plan created by any third–party flight planner directly into the FMC. Once such has occurred, the FMC can take over many of the manual navigation tasks. You’ll learn how to handle emergencies, such as tire blowouts, locked gears, electrical failure, cabin depressurization as well as engine trouble. And once you’ve mastered short flight check lists, you can progress to Prof Checks, the same ones actual pilots must master in order to secure their licenses. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Peek At New Gaming Models at World Internet Gaming Summit
Everything pertaining to Internet games will be dissected at the Strategic Research Institute’s World Internet Gaming Summit, on March 15–16 at the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort in Miami, Florida. Here you’ll learn about international legislation and regulation, e–cash solutions, interactive gambling jurisdictions in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, South Africa and the Caribbean and new possibilities for online gaming and the regulatory framework. Tony Fontain, vice president of complex business solutions for Station Casinos will chair the conference with 29 speakers from six continents. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Animators Can Now Glom Onto 3ds max 4
Apps that seems to be constantly winning awards within the graphics development arena has been the modeling, animation and rendering programs from Autodesk’s Discreet division. Now the company has released 3ds max 4, the latest version of their program, delivery new and extensible character animation architecture, advanced game development tools, ActiveShade for rendering, Render Elements and support for the new Direct 3D technology. Rich media content creation for film sfx, 3D web production, or nextgen game development for PCs or console systems, is offered within a flexible and realistic work environment. The 3ds max SDK and maxscript language expand in this new version, building upon the company’s commitments to extensibility and open–source compliance. Included is a set of web tools from Cycore, Pulse, RichFX and Viewpoint, plus the latest Vecta 3D–MAX vector animation renderer from Ideaworks 3D offers Macromedia Flash content generation. There’s also the integration of 3ds max and combustion, the company’s 3D compositing and resolution independent paint software for Mac and NT users. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Gamecube Development Suite Debuts
Naturally you’d expect one of the leaders in the creation of tools for developer would quickly address such needs for one of the upcoming nextgen system environments — yep, we’re speaking of the Nintendo Gamecube. And Metrowerks has made available the first development tool set for this system that includes a compiler, debugger and IDE. Called CodeWarrior for Nintendo Dolphin, Version 1.0 (an appropriate name!), this is the official development tool set for Nintendo’s nextgen system. These tools can be installed on the same host machine as CodeWarrior tools for other game platforms, which is a first. This means you can write and debug the same code on multiple target platforms, and all within the identical and familiar IDE. Plus, these CodeWarrior tools were used by Nintendo to help create the Gamecube OS itself. Features include drag–and–drop, quick keys, automated project management, and quick source navigation. And, by the close of Q1 of this year, the company also plans to make available their CodeWarrior Analysis Tools for Nintendo Gamecube. These can be used to locate performance bottlenecks and solidify test suite coverage. The CodeWarrior Analysis Tools Construction Kit will also be licensable so that developers can create their own analysis tools. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
No More Dreamcasts?
Ohhhh, say it ain’t so! After thousands have purchased Sega’s nextgen console unit... after Sega has dumped millions into the system’s and peripherals development... and with their expenditures in building a true, online community for Dreamcasters, word is that — come March — the company plans to halt all Dreamcast unit production! Reported in the Nihon Keizai Shimbum, in the January 24th edition of the Japanese newspaper, the company’s concentration is going to refocus on creating titles for both the Game Boy Advance (a couple of titles) and the PlayStation 2 (five titles). As we reported earlier this week, the company planned for this involvement earlier this quarter. Expectations are that Sega will continue to market their Dreamcast into 2001, but once those spare parts have run out, no new units will be created. As all of the parts that create the Dreamcast our outsourced by the company, there may be some chance that a third–party could continue to build these units when Sega halts their own assembly process. Additionally, Sega has been working long and hard on their online product, and we expect them to remain strategically involved in such work on hardware/software combos such as set–tops and even possible add–in cards for PC machines.
Hmmmmm, already more than 100 game titles are expected for this machine for release this year. The good news (albeit somewhat hollow) is that, in the company’s official statement, they have reaffirmed their Dreamcast commitment and will not comment on rumors they are creating titles for other platforms. And the shakeout continues... ...back to newsletter index.
Dying, But Far From Dead
With Sega’s pronouncements of a Dreamcast demise, they have certainly rebirthed hope for DC’ers, as the company has just released a list of titles they’ll be releasing for their machine that’ll see the light of day in JAPAN... no word about whether these games’ll ever reach the shores of North America, and all DC’ers can do is keep their fingers x’d that mebbe some of them will find their way over the big, salty pond to their doors... The games include: Alien Front Online, As Snow, Bikkuriman 2000, Crazy Taxi 2, Derby Tsuku 2, Derby Owners Club Online, Dynamic Golf, Far Nation, Get Bass 2, Guru Guru Onsen 2, K–Project, Let’s Make a Monster, House of the Dead 3, NBA 2K2, NFL 2K2, NHL 2K2, Outrigger, Sonic Adventure 2, Space Channel 5 2, ToeJam and Earl, Victory Goal 2001, and Virtua Tennis 2. ...back to newsletter index.
Croc 2 Is Back
If you liked those reptiles in Croc, you’ll be happy to learn that the sequel, Croc 2, is now available for the Game Boy Color from THQ Inc. Crock was very popular, selling 2.4 million units worldwide for the PlayStation and Game Boy Color. In Croc 2, with 12 levels in four Gobbo worlds, you can interact with Croc in a new adventure as Croc is in search of his parents. The mission turns dangerous when the nasty Barton Dante tries to interfere with Croc’s plans. You ’ll earn Jump Jellys and Crystals when you get rid of the monsters using Croc’s Spin, Tail and Comet Attack. ...back to newsletter index.
PC to be Displaced as Web–Access Machine
According to the researchers at Cahners In–Stat Group, you can expect goodies such as Palm computers, wireless modems and two–way pagers to supplant the PC as the preferred Internet access method over the next several years. The company reports that wireless Internet access devices will garner double and triple growth through 2004. Sales will soar above 1 billion annually by 2004. Their estimates are that, by the close of 2002, nearly all wireless phones will be pre–loaded with mini browsers, and all will be Internet ready. Other info uncovered reveals that two–way paging unit shipments will exceed 10 million by 2004 with users relying upon one device for both voice and data services. The report is entitled "Mobile Internet Access Devices: Surfing the `Net on the Fly," Details. ...back to newsletter index.
New Capabilities Sell Video Game Consoles
According to Cahners In–Stat Group, the video game market will expand sales from $4.1 billion in 2000 to $7.8 billion in 2004. This is the result of game consoles that will include other elements enabling you to not only play DVD video games, but watch DVD movies, and eventually you’ll be able to surf the web. The game consoles are essentially evolving into low–end computers or home entertainment gateways, beginning with Sony’s PlayStation 2 which is leading the way, followed by the upcoming Nintendo’s Game Cube and Microsoft’s Xbox, which will also be equipped with DVD technology, broadband connectivity and hard drives. ...back to newsletter index.
FASA Terminates Existence
This is sad news for us, as we’ve been covering FASA for many, many years, from our days writing about pen–and–paper role–playing games as columnists with Dragon Magazine oh–so–many years ago, to the acquisition of FASA Interactive by Microsoft — FASA Corporation is halting all of their publication and game development activities. FASA has been a grand company, creating the likes of both the Battletech and MechWarrior franchises. And let’s not forget their miniatures designed and created through their Ral Partha operation. To avoid bankruptcy, this is a necessary move, according to the company. Whizkids will be purchasing the Battletech and Shadowrun properties. We are including the company’s official press release regarding this move for your perusal, and we bid adieu to a company that was a real class act...
"25 January 2001
After 20 happy and difficult years in business, FASA Corporation is closing its doors.
"The adventure gaming world has changed much in those years, and it is time for the founders of FASA to move on. We may produce a few remaining products in the next month, but then we will close up shop.
"We will remain open to fill all orders from our inventory until April 30, 2001. We do not plan to print any new inventory; when an item goes out of stock, it will be gone forever.
"Making this decision now will allow FASA to meet all of its obligations to suppliers, authors, artists and other freelancers. Our plan is to sell our inventory, collect all of our receivables and royalties and continue to manage our subsidiary rights.
"We are selling our BattleTech and Shadowrun properties to Wizkids LLC, along with certain assets of Ral Partha Enterprises.
"As most of you know, Wizkids was started by Jordan Weisman, a founder of FASA and the creator of the incredibly successful new game line Mage Knight Rebellion. We know that FASA’s properties will be in very good hands at Wizkids.
"I want to thank all of our loyal fans and customers who over these 20 years have made FASA Corporation a fun place to be and a company of which we are very proud.
Morton Weisman and Ross Babcock"
We’ll miss you, FASA. Thanks for everything... ...back to newsletter index.
Media Players On 99 Percent of U.S. Home PCs
A report form Media Metrix, which measures Internet and Digital Media worldwide, reports that media players are now on 99 percent of the PCs in the U.S., which enables the computers to provide online and offline digital–audio and video to consumers. In addition, streaming–media players, which are the subset of media players, providing real–time access of digital–audio and video over the Internet also are on 99 percent of home PCs in the U.S. ...back to newsletter index.
NewKidCo and Ubi Soft Extend Publishing Agreement
Ubi Soft Entertainment and NewKidCo. get along so well, their contract has been extended. The original contract from last July now now has an amendment that grants Ubi Soft the international publishing rights of NewKidCo’s E.T. The Extra–Terrestrial titles and Tom & Jerry titles for all PAL territories including Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This amendment is to continue through 2002 and includes 13 new games. This contract’s extension also names Ubi Soft as the distributor of NewKidCo’s new and existing video game titles, based on licensed characters from Disney Interactive, Sesame Workshop, Sony Pictures Consumer Products, and for the PlayStation and Game Boy Color in all PAL territories worldwide. ...back to newsletter index.
Sun Garners $20M in Settlement
Finally, it appears as though, truly, the battle of Java has finally ended... well, perhaps such is the case only "legally" speaking. As you know, Sun Microsystems and Microsoft have been legally wrangling over Java for some period of time. Back in 1996, Microsoft licensed Sun’s Java Technology. Sun then claimed that Microsoft’s alterations to Java defeated the goal of the technology and sued the Redmond–based company in 1997. Now, a settlement has been reached, and Microsoft will pay Sun $20 million in settling the lawsuit and Sun will grant to Microsoft a limited, seven–year license for their products that contain a form a Java. But don’t expect the animosity between the two companies to suddenly come to a significant rest — history proves such will probably not occur. Plus, the bitter wrangling between the two high–tech giants certainly won’t lead to Valentine cards delievered between card–carrying members of either company. ...back to newsletter index.
Sega Into PS2
Yep, you read that correctly... Sega Enterprises fully plans to supply the – with software they develop. And if that doesn’t blow you away, rumor also has it that the company also wishes to get involved in – software development, as well. With three quarters of losses, mebbe it’s time for Sega to join in with systems that have the apparent charisma of success to help buoy flagging revenues. Such work will, of course, require the prerequisite reorg by the company, and such is expected to be completed by the first of February. ...back to newsletter index.
PlayStation 2 Successor Set for 2002 Launch
You may still be hunting about, trying to locate a PlayStation 2 with which to adorn your home entertainment space... we wish you good fortune! Or, should you desire, you can hope that Sony Computer Entertainment gets their proverbial distribution act together so that they can ship their PlayStation 3 in 2002. According to Scientific American magazine, this next–nextgen system is going to be the "star" of Sony’s convergence plans. The system will not only be an alleged superior game machine, but will also become a distribution system for other Sony divisions, such as the likes of their music and film companies. Yep, fully web–centric, with email and the like, as well as some of the goodies folk had hoped the PS2 would deliver, such as broadband content delivery. Powered by the yet–to–be–seen Emotion Engine 2, this silicon will pack around 50 million transistors and there’s talk that the machine will be Linux–smart. We’ll see... ...back to newsletter index.
Side–Scroller to Make An Ape of You
How about a game entitled Monkey Brains? Sound appealing? A true side–scroller, this is the latest offering from Arush Entertainment and is an online episodic game that should appeal to a broad range of gamers. You can download the initial game episode at no charge, enjoy the involvement, and should you enjoy your experience, you can then buy additional installments online. Real "try–before–you–buy"! The game was developed by Yobro Productions and combines puzzles, aerial acrobatics, and of course, monkey antics. With a classic arcade action feel, you’ll use a variety of simian weaponry that includes bottle rockets, hamster wheels and plungers. Your goal is to control a group of monkeys and try to capture an evil doctor. Then, it’s up to you to destroy his mind–control machines. The game is rated "E" by the ESRB. You can glom onto the first episode at the RealNetworks website. ...back to newsletter index.
NFL Touchdown! With EA.com
Add this to the list of goodies on EA.com — NFL online games such as Running Back Challenge, Madden NFL 2001, Front Office Football, Madden NFL ’95. In addition, there’s a media only event that you can see at EA.com, which will take place on January 25, in Tampa, Florida — the EA Sports’ 7th Annual Madden Bowl, which is a traditional pre–Super Bowl football video game tournament that has NFL stars and Hollywood celebs in competition. This agreement specifies that EA.com and NFL.com game sites will be co–branded in order to offer links to each other’s location on EA.com’s NFL Games Channel and on the AOL, CompuServe, Netscape and ICQ games destinations. In addition, EA.com can use NFL teams, uniforms and logos. According to the stats, NFL.com clocks in 6.5 million unique monthly visitors. ...back to newsletter index.
Gigex’s Two New Demos— Surf and Turf
Whether you’re a surfer or into multiplayer war games, Gigex now has two new demos that will keep you happy. From Mattel Interactive comes 65 MB of a demo of Championship Surfer for the PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast. This 3D surfing experience is complete with ocean spray (not the cranberries), weather effects, environmental effects such as hypodermic needles afloat in the Souther California level and more. You can demo two surfers, two beaches and two modes. Then if you’re into turf battles check out 74 MB demo of Battle Isle: The Andosia War, multiplayer demo from Blue Byte for the PC at the "Details" link below. The demo offers three single–player maps and mission 1 (First Steps), from Battle Isle: The Andosia War’s Bratt campaign; Mission 5 (The Trap) from the Rutherford campaign, and the single–player map from the original single–player only demo. There are also new multiplayer maps such as multiplay tutorials 1,2, and 3; four regular multiplayer maps for 1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, 3 vs. 3, and 4 vs. 4 players, two combat multiplayer maps for 1 vs. 1 and 2 vs. 2 players. Details. ...back to newsletter index.
Dreamcast Technology Into Xbox?
Denials by both Microsoft and Sega earlier regarding the rumor that the chipset that drives the Sega Dreamcast will be part and parcel of the Xbox seem somewhat hollow. Sources indicate that such IS the case, and that only is this is a possibility, but has also been implemented. So, no matter that the DC is officially going bye–bye as an official Sega machine, mebbe... just mebbe... all of those titles under development for the DC will find their way into Xbox gamers’ hands. No wonder Sega decided to drop their own production of the machine... why bother, if Microsoft is going to include their technologies? Some expect Microsoft’s grand leader, Mr. Gates, to include information on this possibility on March 30th when he delivers his keynote address during the Tokyo Game Show. Interesting possibilities here, folks...
