Firingsquad have managed to get a sneak preview of ATI's next generation graphics card technology at a recent Gaming Festival in Dallas, Texas.

Unfortunately, here comes the tricky part. While ATI has now officially demonstrated their 512MB technology, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to go out and buy a 512MB X850 XT tomorrow. As of right now, ATI has no official plans to introduce a 512MB card to the public.

Check out the full story here
ATI Driver Version 5.2 with Catalyst Control Center (29Mb)
Visiontek X850 PCI-Express 256 Mb Review

Discussion >>

Recently, GamersHell op-ed writer Shaun McCormack tried to secure an email interview with lawyer Jack Thompson - Thompson is currently suing four major companies for making the games Grand Theft Auto III and GTA: Vice City available to minors, which he claims drove then-underage client Devin Thompson to murder two police officers and a dispatcher.

Thompson sees video games as 'literally "murder simulators" teaching our kids how to kill'; McCormack's questions challenged his positions somewhat, and he replied with obnoxious non-answers:

McCormack: Jack, I'm working on an article about video game violence. I've read alot about your crusades against video games and the Devin Thompson trial and wanted to get you to clarify your position for me. With Thompson, do you believe that he would not have committed these murders had he not played these games? Is there a law in Alabamma that forbids retailers from selling M-rated games to minors? Do you have as much of a problem with less realistic violence, like with games from the 1980s?

What about Dungeons and Dragons, which was demonized in the 80s and blamed for several youth murders and suicides? What about violent sports game simulations; hockey, football, boxing, wrestling? How much consideration do you give to the idea that the responsibility for shielding kids from violence should lie with the parents instead of game developers or retailers? I need to get this story in over the next few days, so please email me back soon. Feel free to call me at 201-239-0449 if you need more details. Thanks,Shaun McCormack

Thompson: kiss the game industry good-bye

[...]

McCormack: why do you have a web site urging people to contact you if you don't want to talk about this stuff?

Thompson: read again whom I want to have contact me. have the games so disabled your frontal lobes that you can't understand the site?

Read on | McCormack's GamersHell Article

This isn't the first time Thompson has replied in that way to an interview request - back in November, kotaku.com had a similar exhange with him.

More info:
Thompson's StopKill.com
Answers.com Background info on Jack Thompson
GamersHell Article: Violence in Video Games
kotaku - Mad Dog Jack Thompson, attack-lawyer extraordinaire, is at it again.
Discussion >>

Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of the hugely successful Final Fantasy series of games, has joined with Microsoft to develop two new role playing games for the XBox 2, rumoured for release this Autumn:

"I'm excited about the two epic game titles we will be developing," Sakaguchi said. "A number of talented creators have signed on to help develop these games, and I'm confident we will be able to create games that provide gamers with a new kind of thrill.

"Microsoft's cutting-edge tehnologies in the next-generation platform will allow me to bring to life an array of ideas that I have had for many years," Sakaguchi said. "I want these games to be alive with a new vision for gaming and vividly depict new characters that will transcend the game, find a place in the hearts of gamers, and make time spent with my games a fond and long-lasting memory."

Link

Via Engadget.com
Discussion >>

DOOM 3 Gravity Gun

Worthplaying.com have an official trailer for the expansion pack to DOOM 3, Resurrection of Evil.

The trailer shows off a new gravity gun (originally planned for DOOM 3 proper but left out of the final version) and some new baddies.

DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil continues the terrifying and intense action of the already classic DOOM 3, which Maxim and Computer Gaming World awarded "five out of five stars" and the Associated Press called "one of the scariest games ever made." Through the discovery of a timeless and evil artifact you now hold the powers of Hell in your hands, and the demons have come to hunt you down and take it back. Following the events of DOOM 3 and featuring new locations, characters and weapons, including the return of the double-barreled shotgun, DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil expands the terrifying action that fans and critics have been raving about. The title will require the full retail version of DOOM 3, and has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

"DOOM 3 defines first-person cinematic action, and the expansion pack continues right where we left off -- with a terrifying atmosphere, a new story and one of the most classic weapons ever, the double-barreled shotgun," states Todd Hollenshead, CEO, id Software. "Now that fans have survived the horrors and edge of your seat action of the original, DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil delivers players deeper into the heart of the UAC to uncover new secrets and technology used to destroy the demon force that's Hell-bent on destroying you."

Download it here (36MB)
Link via Joystiq

Related posts:
Rumour: Resurrection of Evil March Release (11 Jan)
Resurrection Of Evil - New Screenshots (9 Jan)
Discussion >>

IGNIQ are looking at organizing a Counter-Strike or Day of Defeat gaming party in Dublin for a Friday or Saturday next month.

Right-Click, on Lower Camden St. caters for all-night Counter-Strike sessions for parties of ten or more players @ €13 each, and we will probably go with them if we get enough players.

We obviously want to make sure we can make up the numbers before we book, so if you'd be interested in joining us for the weekend of (probably) 18/19 March, please post into the discussion link.

N.B.:
You don't need to be a member of this website to join the party - we're interested in joining up with and making friends with other gamers in Dublin, so the only requirements will be the €13 and your transport into the city centre.
Discussion >>

With Day of Defeat: Source Beta testing underway, I have gathered together into a nice little package, screenshots posted on various websites by beta-testers of in-game play. This should whet your appetite for...oh a few hours or so ;-)

There are only screens for 4 maps so far (click for larger versions) - Anzio, Donner, Avalanche and Flash. As I see more around the Web, I will update the page.

Map: Anzio



Map: Donner



Map: Avalanche

































Map: Flash



























































You can also catch some in-game vidoe footage from Avlanche and Flash here
Discussion >>

The Enquirer have got a glimpse at the new 512 Mb graphics card from ATI. The card is basically a present day Radeon X850 with the extra ram. The cards are not yet available but will be showcased at an upcoming overclocking event in Texas.

Full Story

Discussion >>

"This single-player Empire Earth 2 demo allows you to play as the Americans, Germans, or Koreans in skirmish mode across three epochs. You can also try the Conquest and Territory Control modes."

Download

Discussion >>

DevMaster.net has an article by Brad Jashinsky (of New World Video Games) comparing the DOOM 3 and Source gaming engines.

Source scores on most of his points, making it his pick as the best overall game-making engine, while DOOM's engine is superior in the graphics department:

Joking aside, it's pretty obvious that for making a game the Source Engine is the obvious pick. If I wanted to make a graphics demo or even a CG movie I would probably pick the Doom 3 Engine. The Doom 3 Engine's only advantage is the in the graphics department, which won't make a complete or even a good game. The Source Engine is the complete package and its only competition for graphics is Far Cry and Doom 3. Combining the two engines would be a dream of mine and pretty much any other game developer out there.

DevMaster.net - Source Engine vs Doom 3 Engine
Discussion >>

A beta test is underway for Irth Online, a new MMORPG from developer Magic Hat - and they are calling for gamers to apply to test it.

Players can choose to play as a member of one of three races in the Fantasy-based environment - the Morbus, the Mezoteks or the Arcadians:

The persistent world environment of Irth Online features an open ended skill system. Players may learn any skill offered in the game without facing limitations of race or class. Irth Online's advancement system has a unique skill-over-time feature, allowing all characters to enjoy adventures together, regardless of experience level.

Player battle and fighting include PvE (Player vs. Environment) and PvP (Player vs. Player). Also included either at launch (or shortly thereafter) will be instance-based thievery, looting, and justice, as well as the ability to fully explore, travel, or wage war on the ground, on the sea, and in the air. Opportunities for non-warfare gameplay are also offered, along with safe areas for peaceable players.

To apply to participate in the beta, sign up here.

More info:
Press Release: MAGIC HAT SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES NEW MMORPG IRTH ONLINE -- BETA TESTERS WELCOMED --
Irth Online pulled out of Magic Hat
Game storyline
Irth Online screenshots
Discussion >>

Players of the futuristic multiplayer game (MMORPG) "Anarchy Online" will soon face in-game advertisements from 3rd party products.

As consumers spends less time watching television and more time playing games (as indicated by numerous studies, including one from Nielsen), the game industry is turning its attention to understanding the potential to drive additional revenue from in-game advertising.

Personally i would have thought that people spending less time watching television was healthy, but i guess that doesn't go down too well with these advertisers.

I like the way the CEO of Anarchy-online says:

We know that most gamers want in-game advertisement to heighten the sense of realism

As if it's somehow about keeping the customer satisfied, as opposed to just another way of making more money. The emptiness in his statement makes my ears bleed!

I don't want to see any freakin' in-game advertisements in online games that i play. If Valve ever brought in-game ads into Day of Defeat: Source or Counter Strike: Source, i would shelve them in a heart-beat.

I don't know how the rest of you feel about this but i detest the idea of people trying to hawk there cheesy ware on a game that has little or nothing at all to do with their product.

More info over at gamespot

Discussion >>

"This demo of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory contains the Lighthouse singleplayer demo."

Download


Discussion >>

"This is a single-player demo that contains one mission featuring a hostage situation in Victory Imports Auto Center, as well the ability to create variations of this mission with the Quick Mission Maker."

Download here

Discussion >>

Guru3d have managed to get their hands on the very latest build of the Nvidia Forceware drivers. The driver build is date stamped at the 10th of January 2005.

It is amazing how the French site Station drivers always get's their hands on the latest drivers somehow. Today we can bring you ForceWare 75.90 ! These drivers support everything ever made by NVIDIA, setup.exe is included.

Download the new drivers here (15 Mb)

Remember (as always) they are beta so it is not uncommon to run into problems, use them at your own risk. ;-)

Discussion >>

Day of Defeat: Source is approaching beta status and will be available "early this Spring via Steam", according to Valve:

A team-based multiplayer game that cast players in the Axis vs. Allies battles of Western Europe circa 1944, Day of Defeat: Source leverages the power of the Source engine to introduce integrated physics simulation technology, all new audio, updated maps, enhanced effects and more.

More information about Day of Defeat: Source will be released in the coming weeks.

For two new teaser pics of the Anzio and Donner maps, check the discussion link.
Discussion >>

Ferrago have posted up the second part of their preview of the FPS games that will be released this year.

Though DOOM 3 and Half-Life 2 made 2004 a year to remember for the genre, some top titles are expected for 2005; among them S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Quake IV, Battlefield 2, F.E.A.R. and Close Combat: First to Fight.

Ferrago Shooters Preview 2005 (part one)
Ferrago Shooters Preview 2005 (part two)
Discussion >>

Richie's Counter Strike: Source map, de_estate is finally available for download.

Check out the map here (1.39 Mb)
To install, copy de_estate.bsp to
C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\YOUR ACCOUNT\counter-strike source\cstrike\maps

About: before I talk some about my map, I would like people to know my circumstances.
during the building of this my very first map. I didn't have Internet access, because of this I couldn't
make use of the various websites that provide help and information on the use of Hammer.

because of this I really don't know what the standards are for maps released to the public.
I don't know whether this is a good map or not, but in my opinion its pretty sweet ;)

hardened mappers might notice that my map is completely made of rectangles, this is because I didn't notice that I could change the block tool shapes until well near the end of the building process.

also, I tried to make the skybox as suggested in the cobble map provided in the SDK, but couldn't clear the sky of anomaly's so had no choice but to revert to a shoe box surrounding my map. once I get back online I will be able to consult the pro's as how to fix this problem. the compile times on this map where huge, something like 15 minutes. Because of the Vvis.exe times due to shoe box sky.

so like I said this is my first map EVER! so I had to wing certain things and haven't really clocked vertex manipulation just yet, I did manage to get the roofs to work but everything else gave me compile errors so I had to pull them. go easy on me, Im sure my next map will kick ass way more than this one, but I just want to get going on a new map as it gets really boring doing the same map every day. with this map I will provide my compile info so any pro mappers can provide me with assistance in clearing up certain problems Im having.(should they be bothered)

The map runs super fast on my P.C so I hope this translates to yours.
I've got a lot to learn, and by the standard of the source engine, a hell of a long time to learn.

Please feel free to report any bugs/suggestions/comments either in the forums or to Richie directly (richie@igniq.com).

Have fun ;-}
Discussion >>

The Overlook Hotel from the genuinely terrifying movie The Shining by Stanley Kubrick has been recreated as a playable level in Duke Nukem 3D:

Once inside the hotel, you battle an evil reincarnation of Jack Torrance as you attempt to find the keys to unlock the door to room 237, the caretaker's apartment, and eventually a way out.

The game is available for free download here, but requires a copy of Duke Nukem 3D.

Via Waxy.org

Discussion >>

kotaku links to a creepy viral marketing video for Atari's Act of War, depicting an airborne attack on the British Parliament.

Though the plane in the video appears to be a stealth fighter, the footage is very reminiscent of the 11 September attacks, and it feels like a very cheap shock tactic to promote a game.

how-safe-are-we.com
Discussion >>

A patch has been released for America's Army: Special Forces, adding 2 new multi-player missions and fixing some security issues that have raised a few eyebrows in recent weeks.

- 2 new multiplayer missions: Urban Assault and Woodland Outpost.

- All new Tournament Mode providing full support for
America's Army competitive gaming.

- The America's Army Server Manager: A new application
which provides an easy user-friendly interface for
configuring, launching, and monitoring your America's
Army game server (LAN, Internet, and Tournaments).

- Many new security enhancements and protections integrated
into the game (client, server, and back-end).

Please see below for more detailed descriptions of the
new v2.3 features.

NOTE: If this AA version was patched to v2.3.0 from v2.2.1,
you must run the 'AASM 1-0 Setup.exe' file to
install the America's Army Server Manager
application. This file can be found in the
root 'America's Army' directory.

Full release notes here
Grab the patch through Bittorrent here
Or direct download from 3dgamers here (64.3 Mb)
America's Army Official Website Here
Review by IGNIQ's Dave Dalley Here

Discussion >>

Game developers Smiling Gator have a quick survey posted soliciting general feedback for their latest project in development, Twilight War: After the Fall.

The game concept sounds interesting; it'll be a MMORPG, but built on Valve's Source engine and will include a HL2-style FPS combat system.

Though the game is not expected to be released 'til next year, taking part in the survey lets you put your email on the list to be included when the game is ready for beta test.

Link, via Steampowered.com news
Discussion >>

A new command has been added to EverQuest II, allowing gamers to order pizza without interrupting their play:

Ever get those nasty hunger pains while playing EverQuest II?

You're in luck - pizza is just a few key strokes away! While playing EverQuest II just type /pizza and a web browser will launch the online ordering section of pizzahut.com. Fill in your info and just kick back until fresh pizza is delivered straight to your door.

Link

Via Boingboing.net

More info:
Specialized EverQuest II Keyboard
dek's Everquest II preview (22 Oct 2004)
Discussion >>

GameSpot have a cool in-depth video review for World of Warcraft, describing exactly what's so good about the game - even for gamers who aren't huge MMORPG fans:

This is the sort of game that you owe it to yourself to check out, it's just really, mindblowing and staggering and makes you glad that you're somebody who plays games, and feel sorry for people who don't.

WoW has been beset by technical problems that saw the sale of new copies being stemmed, and even resulted in popular gaming site Penny Arcade taking back their 2004 Game of the Year award, but the general consensus is it is one of the very best games to be released in recent years.

View the video here.
Link via the Russell Beattie Notebook; he has a good first impressions review of WoW posted here also.

More info:
Blizzard Entertainment
NY Times: World of Warcraft Keeps Growing, Even as Players Test Its Limits
Penny Arcade Revokes Warcraft GOTY Award - (23 Jan)
Blizzard Respond to Penny Arcade - (26 Jan)
Discussion >>

The latest Steam update adds the map dm_steamlab, and the SLAM, Stunstick & Crowbar weapons to Half-Life 2: Death Match.

The updates will download automatically when you load Steam; for the full list of changes in the update, check Valve's list.

More info:
Half-Life 2 Death Match Opinions
Discussion >>

A new trailer for The Matrix Online shows off the in-game advertising feature; as an Agent leaps from a building, he flies by a billboard emblazoned with an ad for Constantine, the new movie by Keanu Reeves.

It may only be a once-off plug for The Matrix star's new movie, or an (inevitable) move towards ads becoming commonplace in games.

Via Joystiq

See also:
Pizza Hut tie in with EverQuest II
Targeted Ads Coming to PC, Console Games (19 Nov 2004)
Discussion >>

Congratulations to Rick, winner of our free RYL: PoTE Voucher giveaway.
The giveaway is now closed, and all entrants will be notified by email.

Thanks to MtS_Alien for contributing the voucher for this giveaway, keep an eye on the IGNIQ homepage for more RYL information and giveaways in the future.

More info:
RYL.net
Planetwide Games
Web's first preview of Risk Your Life: Path of The Emperor
Discussion >>

About a_dark_dualies

"This is the first map put out by -LVX-killerpg123, this map is semi-dark with secret passages, death traps, and a hidden buy zone for each team. You spawn with only dualies, and dualies are spawned every 3 seconds on the bottom floor. Enjoy:)"

Download it here

Discussion >>

"This map is in DM, TDM & INVADER.
The map represents an island occupied by the Americans. They are equipped with a camp and a submarine base.
The American, peaceful army playing cards, maintaining their equipments...
But an army of Japanese goes on the island. It's the panic. Their mission is to neutralize the allied Force.
The army American will manage you it to like against the axis force?
The game will burn the history of this event...
Version INVADER : Attacker : Axe -vs- Defender : Allies
Mission Axis:
1-Shutdown Allied Listening Post
2-Capture Allied Command Post and Enter Base
3-Capture Allied UBoat 1
4-Capture Allied UBoat 2"

Download it here
5.64MB

Discussion >>

IGNIQ's Richie Cahill is currently working on a map for Counter Strike: Source codenamed "Courtyard". Some work needs to be done before he will be releasing it to the public, so stay tuned to IGNIQ for details as they emerge.

It's still very much in beta at the moment, definately shouldn't be more than a few weeks before it's complete.

He wanted me to keep it hush hush but i am too excited about it and hell, he's not the boss of me ;)

Check out two teaser screenshots of the map here

Discussion >>

SEGA Europe are looking for beta testers for The Matrix Online; testing has been underway in the U.S. for some time, but the developers need gamers from Europe to try out the game before its expected release in Spring.

The beta testing will be made available to members of SEGA City this week; sign up here and you'll receive instructions when the testing starts.

More info:
The Matrix Online official site
SEGA City Registration
Discussion >>

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has a report on a recent speech Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gave at Microsoft Headquarters - he was asked about the XBox 2 and whether it would be able to stand up against the competing systems from Sony and Nintendo:

I absolutely think we’re going to kick their backsides, so to speak. I think Xbox 1 has been a fantastic product. We’re not market leaders yet. There’s Sony, there’s us, there’s Nintendo. When we get Xbox 2 in the market, there’s going to be Xbox and the other guys."

Citing Halo 2 for the XBox as the best video game ever written, that showed off the full potential of the console, he also predicted the next greatest games to be written will be one of those in the pipeline for the XBox 2.

Read the article
Via Scobleizer - Microsoft Geek Blogger

More info:
BBC: Xbox 2 could be unveiled in May
Xbox Live's Major Nelson's unofficial blog
Discussion >>

I have been gaming literally since the age of Seven on my Atari 7800 ((Pole Position anyone ?)), then came the Nintendo ((The Mario Brothers years)), Commodore 64, Amigo 500 ((Swash Buckling Monkey Island)), Super-Nintendo ECT. Todays games are so realistic, believable and amazing looking but a lot of my fondest memories go back before the days of Gordon's crowbar :D

Well where to begin, I think probably the game I spent more time with my eyes glued to the screen was Super Mario Brothers, every one from Super Mario Brothers (Nes) right to the mods ((Mario-Kart)) Nintendo owes me some serious time back for that, I could have gotton some sort of kids' degree with the time I wasted on that game, oh boy was it fun though.


Next contender from the Amiga 500 we have "The Secret of Monkey Island", a swash buckling tale of mystery, adventure, grog drinking contests, insult sword fighting and general fun. I remember playing as Guybrush Threepwood, a nobody who wanted to become a pirate at any cost. Great adventure kept me busy for a lot of hours too.

Ok, on to the Super-Nintendo. Being a Street Fighter II fanatic ((well a former one anyhoo)) I always used to spend as a kid any little change i could find on going down to my local arcade and pumping it in to Street Fighter II.
I slowly developed my skills of the fireball and "awr-uu-get" ((I know, I know it was Sho-ryu-ken or some crap, but it sounded like awr-uu-get to me)). The conversion to the Super-Nintendo was breath-taking to fans of the arcade version. Many a sleep over was had with a trusty Super-Nintendo and many, many game-pads to boot.

I so owned everyone at Street Fighter II ;)

The first game i played on the PC that really got me into them big time was a multi-player Half-Life mod known as Day of Defeat. A WW2 tactical shooter, it was just so dam playable. Richie introduced it to me over a year ago and i am still playing it online. It just has it all really, great gameplay, team speak, wonderful maps and the ability for anyone to make a map ((within reason)). Dave has a review for DoD here. And it will be getting a make-over in the form of Day of Defeat Source, new technology that brings believable graphics to DoD's outdated cardboard looking trees, real physics, lighting and shadows. Actually it's pretty scary when i think of just how much time i spend playing DoD, when Source comes out i'll be screwed. I'm thinking of those people who get trapped in their room from lack of doing anything and i get so fat that i can't fit out the door so they have to demolish part of the house. :D

So what are your fondest gaming memories, do share with everyone...

Discussion >>

A free trial is available for the latest game published by Alawar Games, Sea Wolves.
Players explore the ocean in the aftermath of a series of man-made cataclysms that left most of the world flooded.

The 3D engine-generated screenshots caught my eye, but the game also boasts realistic physics effects:

For starters, each player vessel contains animated parts, bringing to life the age when wind-powered ships gave way to the first workable steam engines.

The waters surrounding your boat have also been designed with an eye for detail; sunlight dances on the surface of the ocean and shines through to the rocky bottom below, twilight gives the game world an amber hue, and smoke trails trace the path of each shell and missile as it arcs through the air.

Realistic physics play a part in ship navigation as well, as your boat pitches and sways according to its movement across the deep and bucks with each blast of your cannons.

Download the free trial here
Discussion >>

FiveStarDeath points us to Face of Mankind, another MMORPG he's found that is currently in Open Beta.

The screenshots look good:

Face of Mankind is not a typical RPG: the most important difference is that you are the game. Your actions will affect the next available tactical decision for you and your fellow players. Your actions will affect the economic system. Your actions will determine the balance of power each and every second.

You have control over an intuitive First Person Shooter style interface. The cutting edge graphics engine will present a world of five huge cities on earth, 20 colonies in outer space and two special places.

Choose to join one of ten organizations. Be a soldier for the F.D.C. or a law enforcer of the L.E.D.. Fight for right and order, climb to higher ranks! Decide to be a clan member and find your way beyond the law! Or join one of the companies as a trader, miner or producer to control the complex economic system.

Sign up to play here, or if you're already playing let us know what it's like in the forum.
Discussion >>

ATI have made available new Catalyst drivers for their Radeon graphics cards.

These release notes provide information on the latest posting of ATI's industry leading software suite, CATALYST™. This particular software suite updates both the ATI Display Driver (version 8.10), and the CATALYST™ CONTROL CENTER (version 5.2). This unified driver has been further enhanced to provide the highest level of power, performance, and reliability. The ATI CATALYST™ software suite is the ultimate in performance and stability.

Full release notes here
Download Catalyst 5.2 for W2K/XP here
Other systems here.

Discussion >>

Another short trailer showing off Risk Your Life: Path of the Emperor has been uploaded; you can grab it here (4.56MB | WMV format)

Our RYL contest is also still running if you haven't entered yet;
just answer the simple questions here to be in with a chance to win a voucher for three six months of free playtime when the game goes subscription-based.

More info:
RYL: Path of The Emperor exclusive first previews
Discussion >>

Over the next month or so Source will see a numer of updates. Apart from new maps for Couner Strike Source, Valve have revamped the "Highway 17" chapter of Half Life 2 with new technology and have designed a new level to be released over Steam (free of charge) to customers who meet a specific "High-end" hardware requirement.

Valve have been sketchy with the details of the requirements but have said they will be released shortly.

One feature that we'll be adding to the Source engine in the coming months is high dynamic range lighting. To showcase this we've taken a part of the Highway 17 chapter of Half-Life 2 and worked it into a single level that incorporates HDR along with some new gameplay. We're calling this short level "The Lost Coast," and it will be made available free of charge to Half-Life 2 customers that meet a specific set of high end hardware requirements. We'll be publishing those requirements soon.

Some concept art is available here, here, and here

Visit Steampowered for more information.

Discussion >>

Chris writes: Here's an article from The Inquirer that deals with the question whether Half-Life 2's End-User License Agreement (EULA) is illegal:

The German Consumer Association has recently found that the packaging on Half-Life 2 is misleading.

In a report made following complaints from the public, they said that the mere listing of an internet connection under the 'other' category in system requirements did not accurately describe the true extent of the internet tie-in with the game, and ordered Vivendi to amend the packaging and untie Steam from HL2 or face a hefty fine.

[...] How far other consumer associations will agree with the Germans is yet to be seen, but it seems a no-brainer that Steam should be mentioned on the retail pack.

The return of software has traditionally been a bugbear for gamers. Most shops, at least in the UK, have a policy not to allow the return of opened software because of piracy risks. However, most consumers are not aware that, in some cases at least, this is in breach of their statutory legal rights, which cannot be infringed.

[...]It is quite conceivable that any gamer not being able to connect to Half-Life 2 is entitled to a legal refund in the UK. The case would hinge around whether or not the inability to play the game without persistent net connection, or the previous hacking of the CD Key rendering it unplayable, makes the game unfit for the purpose described on the box. This could well be a winner.

The last issue is the most interesting and relates to a number of other cases that have come up over the last couple of years.

According to US and UK law, under the principle known in the US as 'First Sale', a consumer buying a game takes absolute title to it; that is, they own it. Here's the dig. At least in the States, opening a game box is equivalent to accepting a EULA. However, you can't read the EULA until you've opened the box, since game stores don't carry copies. Can the EULA then be binding? In the US courts - and contrary to popular opinion - it can be, but it must be 'reasonable' according to a bunch of different standards. Half-Life 2, perhaps, wouldn't be.

This whole issue might be in line with Valve caring about their customers...

Discussion >>

Variety report that Microsoft have employed Alex Garland (28 Days Later & The Beach) to write the script for a Halo movie.

The route of employing the scriptwriter themselves (instead of simply licensing the rights out to one of the major movie studios) is reportedly due to Microsoft's awareness of the damage a shoddy movie could do to the Halo franchise:

As nearly every producer in town expressed interest in the title, it became clear that Microsoft wasn't interested in licensing it out of fear that a poorly received adaptation similar to "Final Fantasy" or "Super Mario Bros." could hurt the lucrative franchise.

Instead, those inquiring about a license found out that Microsoft decided it would develop its own script and shop it to studios once satisfied.

That's a highly unusual move for a tech company such as Microsoft, which has published videogames but has never before gone into the business of producing films.

More (free trial subscription required)

Via Slashdot

More info:
Alex Garland on IMDb.com
Discussion >>

The specifications for the "Cell" chip were recently unveiled by engineers from Sony, IBM and Toshiba.

Dubbed a "super computer on a chip", it will have 8 "synergistic processing units" that allow speeds faster than 4 GHz (faster than Intel's current high-water mark of 3.8GHz), and will be capable of processing 256 billion calculations per second (256 gigaflops).

The Playstation 3, expected to be released next year, will have a Cell chip onboard, and a test of the chip is due for later this year on PC workstations optimized for animation and graphics tasks.

While the PlayStation 3 is likely to be the first mass-market product to use Cell, the chip's designers have said the flexible architecture means that Cell will be useful for a wide range of applications, from servers to cell phones. Initial devices are unlikely to be any smaller than a game console, however--the first version of the Cell will run hot enough to require a cooling fan, Kahle said.

More

More info:
Consortium reveals Cell details, claim 4GHz+ clock speeds
PlayStation 3 chip has split personality
Playstation 3 technology unveiled
Discussion >>

Blizzard have posted an employment notice on their site, looking for a Lead Game Designer to head the design team behind Diablo and Diablo II.

Listed as a Plus for the position is "Experience working on an RPG titles."
Link

More info:
Blizzard Entertainment: Diablo
Evil Avatar - Blizzard starting Diablo III?
GamersHell: Diablo 3 Rumor - A sequel is in development?
Joystiq: Rumor: Blizzard Begins Work on Diablo III
Discussion >>

LusasArts have made available a demo for Star Wars Republic Commando, their latest first-person / futuristic / tactical / shooter for the PC.

Enter the dark military side of the Star Wars universe as a squad leader of a Republic Special Operations unit. You are a Republic Commando. You must infiltrate deep behind enemy lines and lead your elite team on precision operations - lurking in the shadows, striking at will...

Star Wars Republic Commando will present a dramatic military-style action experience from the point-of-view of an elite squad member of a Republic Special Operations unit. Players will step into the role of a Commando performing precision operations deep behind enemy lines in this brutally realistic Star Wars combat experience.

Download it through Bittorrent here or direct download mirrors from 3DGamers. (421 Mb)

Star Wars Republic Commando Homepage
Discussion >>

Radeon owners may be pleased to know that a new build of the Omega Drivers (based on Catalyst 5.1) are now ready and available for download.

Sorry for the delay...

The Omega Drivers based on the official Catalyst 5.1 are ready, go ahead to the ATI Radeon section for the download and make sure you see the readme for the new changes and fixes.

The Omega Drivers are compatible with all ATI Radeon cards:
(it doesn't matter if they are DDR, SDR, PCI, PCI-E, AGP, Mobile, Retail, OEM or 3rd Party)

Radeon All In Wonder
Radeon 7x00/VE/LE
Radeon 8500/LE
Radeon 9x00/SE/Pro/XT/TX
Radeon xX00/SE/Pro/XT/PE
All Mobility Radeons (M6 and up)

Try them out for yourself: Windows 2k/XP mirrors here.
Windows 9X/ME mirros here.


Discussion >>

Risk Your Life: Path of the Emperor will be available for the public to play when it goes Open Beta tonight at 12am GMT (4pm PST).

This open beta will only be for a limited time before the game is launched officially, targeted for 1 March 2005.

Planetwide Games are also doing a promotion with the open beta; the chance to become a "RYL Founders Guild Member"

RYL Founders Guild Members will receive the chance of a lifetime to receive unique and special privileges when they choose from four different offer packages. Some benefits of becoming a RYL Founders Guild Member include locked-in, discounted “for life” subscription rates, MP3 Players, and additional months of game play for free.

Interested players for Open Beta can view a trailer of the game and download the “RYL: Path of the Emperor” game for Free at our home page http://www.RYL.net

The game has been in a closed beta phase for the past couple of months, with only a small amount of gamers given access; IGNIQ were there among the testers in the closed beta and we have exclusive previews of the game here.

More info:
IGNIQ Contest:Win a Free RYL Voucher
Discussion >>

A demo of Prince of Persia 2: Warrior WIthin is currently available for download.

This demo contains two maps, from the past and present mechanical tower, and has a big scary boss and new cinematics. Finish this demo to experience a glimpse of the rich and varied gameplay of Prince of Persia Warrior Within.

Download it from:

ftp.ubi.com
3DGamers
Worthplaying
Ausgamers

(297 Mb)

UPDATE: A second demo is also available. Grab it through Bittorrent here or here
(304 Mb)

Official Site Here

Discussion >>

James Caan and Robert Duvall will lend their voices to the upcoming game based on The Godfather.

Marlon Brando will also be posthumously reprising his role as Vito Corleone through voice-overs he recorded before his death last year:

"Authenticity is the key," said David DeMartini, executive producer for the high-profile game title. "James Caan and Robert Duvall were there when the original 'Godfather' movie was filmed, and there is no substitute for that. Along with Marlon Brando, they are some of the most respected actors in Hollywood and bring tremendous star power to 'The Godfather' game."

Link

Gamespot, via Waxy.org

More info:
The Godfather Teaser Trailer
Discussion >>

With the release of the Source SDK (software developement kit) there was a lot of buzz within the modding community and end-users a like. Unfortunately many people have found the sdk to be a little daunting and have not got to grips with all it has to offer. Well, editlife have just launched their new website to diminish peoples' misunderstanding of the Source sdk. The site includes many features including: entity tutorials, brush tutorials, lighting tutorials and also an entity list.

After many months of hard work and late nights, we here at Edit Life are proud to present our site to you . Be sure to check all there we have here, including:

* Editing Forums
* Tutorials Section
* Entity List
* IRC Channel

Special thanks goes out to Raeven0 and Magic TMP for helping me along the way any many others for their support. Hope to see you al lin the forums and on IRC.

-Object

Have a look for yourself and get cracking on those mods. ;-}

Discussion >>

A press release from Sega Europe sets the specific street date of 25th of March for the The Matrix Online MMORPG.

The plot for the game was created by the Wachowski brothers, and will continue on where the movie trilogy left off:

Key features

· Devastating martial arts manoeuvres and sneak attacks with dozens of weapons, created through BULLET TIME™ effects that are intelligently generated based on player moves and tactics

· A full Rich World cityscape environment with traffic, living neighbourhoods, and breathtaking skylines immerses players in the most authentic Matrix MegaCity ever created (using Rich WorldTM technology)

· A robust mission system offers players maximum re-playability and depth

· Player-friendly and highly customisable skill/ability system that allows players to "download" the appropriate skills and abilities for their character each time they jack into the game

More info:
Official website
Sega EuropeDiscussion >>

Details about the artificial intelligence feature in S.T.AL.K.E.R. have been posted to HomeLAN Fed:

In real life all the living creatures require feed and rest. So as in our world the sense of hunger flogs a creature to seek food, and the acuter is hunger, the more aggressive the monster becomes. After satiation the animal either gets to rest – sleeps therefore, or sets off to inspect his territory. All the character types have their personal territorial preferences. Thus, for instance, rats prefer basements, ruins or dumps, while blind dogs adore roaming down valleys and forests. During the look-out there may be encountered an aggressor – a hostile creature or stalker. Then, depending on circumstances, the creature will decide whether to attack or clear out.

Read on

More info:
Official site
GSC Game World
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - 16 New MP Videos (28 Dec 2004)
Discussion >>

A New Zealand man was fined $2400 and had two of his computers destroyed - for the crime of selling the banned Playstation 2 game Manhunt:

Jones was caught by an undercover inspector selling copies on a website he ran.

The game was the first video game banned in New Zealand. In it the player takes on the role of a convicted murderer ordered by a demented film director to kill people in as gruesome a fashion.
Link

Via kotaku
Discussion >>

Dejobaan Games have released a free demo of their FPS Inago Rage.

The game lets players fight in 3D arenas they design themselves through a drag & drop interface:

In Inago Rage, players leap into the air to take on and destroy swarms of mechanical enemies. The demo includes nine levels, challenging players to fight within city streets, on the rooftops of skyscrapers, and above platforms in deep space. A storyline illustrated in graphic novel format introduces players to new challenges as they come.

Download the demo (18 MB)

More info:
Official website
Dejobaan Games
Discussion >>

3D Mark 03 Patch 360
"3DMark 2003 340 patch. Requires a full installation of 3DMark to be installed already."

3D Mark 03 v3.60
"3DMark 03, the video and cpu benchmark tool from Futuremark. Updated April 29, patched for DirectX 9.0a. v 3.60"

3D Mark 05 Patch 120
"This hotfix patch for 3DMark 05 fixes the following

- A possible exploit to inflate results in 3DMark05 version 1.0.0 has been fixed
- Updated Entech DLL
- One incorrect unit in the MS Excel importer has been fixed"

3D Mark 05 v1.20
"3DMark 05, the latest video and CPU benchmark tool from Futuremark. v1.20"

Discussion >>

We have a new trailer for Risk Your Life: Path of the Emperor, which is currently in closed beta testing.

The game is shaping up very nicely (it got a 4/5 rating in our recent review) and it's expected to go open beta to the public very shortly.

Download the trailer (WMV format, 12.36MB)

Added
Our second review of the closed beta by Dave is posted up now, check it out here.

More info:
IGNIQ Contest: Win a RYL voucher
RYL.net
Planetwide Games
Discussion >>

April 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005

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