Yet another Spec Ops 2 review [13:56:14 EST] by - Rush
Here's our 3^rd SO2 review of the day. 

Holt from PC Gameworld let me know that they too have posted a review of Zombie's Spec Ops 2. Here's how the game should be played:

The missions are not overly difficult, however things can get messy very quickly if you try to rush through the level. Patience is the key to success, with the basic idea being to walk slowly and always be on the lookout for land mines, snipers and the like. Listening for footsteps or shouts from the enemy is also essential. If an enemy sees you, he will shout exclamations of hatred, alerting enemies nearby in the process. This often results in a fatality on your behalf. In this respect, Spec Ops 2 bears some resemblance to Thief, as the game is not all about running around shooting people, but also includes a strong element of tact and patience.

And here's how they sum it up:

"Spec Ops 2 is a high quality game that succeeds in immersing the player in a realistic and exciting 3D world where a single gun shot can be fatal. Missions are interesting and plentiful, and there are enough environments to keep us all happy for many months to come. Overall, a tension filled game for the wanna-be commando that is a worthy successor to the original."

Great article.. check it out.

Another Spec Ops 2 review [11:45:23 EST] by - Rush
Today is turning out to be SO2 review day. There's another SO2 review over at GameOver.net. Even when being critical, its still done in a positive way. Here's a taste:

The game offers 3 difficulties; Private, NCO, and Officer. Just as in the first game, all are way too hard. Even at Private this game will be unusually difficult for a lot of players, which will do nothing but turn you on to this game and make you want to play it more. This game in some ways is like Rainbow Six, the baddies seem to be mostly placed around the corners camping, and just waiting for you to pop around the corner. In Spec Ops however, its usually 2 shots and not 1 that will kill you as in R6.

Good read. Give it a look.

Spec Ops 2 review [11:13:19 EST] by - Rush
A new day, a new sim review at SimHQ. This time up they've posted an in-depth, hard-hitting review of Zombie's Spec Ops 2, with over 45 screenshots! Here's a snip on the training missions:

The Training area simulates the JFK Special Warfare Center’s Q course, where all Green Beret hopefuls start their Special Forces training. Selecting the Training link allows to you select one of three difficulty levels, then presents you with a choice of four training missions: Firing Range, where you can practice marksmanship on a pop-up target range; Obstacle Course, a timed shoot and scoot type of course; Tire House, a "live fire" exercise pitting you against the Special Forces instructors; and the Shoot House, a close quarters battle scenario with you leading a team of operatives against the instructors. Completing these missions will help familiarize you with the challenges you’ll face in the combat missions, but more importantly will allow you to gain promotions for you and your teammates.

Again, there is a lot in this review that I either never saw, or don't agree with, but there are many valid points as well. The hard part (for you, the readers) is knowing which is which.

My Spec Ops 2 review, part 2 [01:46:12 EST] by - Rush
Well, I won't get to posting my SO2 review for a little while yet. I've decided to add a few more sections to it and I still need to grab some screenshots, plus I wasted most of my free time tonight trying to figure out why the search page links aren't working. I can see the problem, (the indices are wrong..), but dunno how to fix it. Maybe there's a fix to FP2000.. I also spent time tweaking some background stuff in the site, which you'll never notice, but it did cut into my time to work on the review. 

SWAT3 review [19:57:20 EST] by - Rush
Exxtreme3D has posted a review of SierraStudio's SWAT3: Close Quarters Battle, with some great shots of the game in action. Here's a bit on the randomness of the missions (something Spec Ops 2 does as well):

Playing a mission is sometimes frustrating because each time you play a mission, it’s totally different. The placement of each character is random, and they catch you at the weirdest places. The first time I lost a mission and replayed it, I died to a guy behind the steps. This caught me by surprise and taught me that I will have to be more careful. My renegade-solo-quake-style gameplay is not going to cut it in this game. Not only the enemies are randomly placed, the hostages are too. Some are found wounded on the ground in a room, some safely standing outside. Also, each time you find them, they say different things. Some of the hostages are very understanding, while some panic and run away (same thing with the terrorists).

Good review, but a bit short. Check it out anyway tho! :)  Thanks again to SuppressiveFire for the news.

SWAT3 cheat codes [19:19:17 EST] by - Rush
I saw by way of SuppressiveFire that SWAT3.com has scored some cheats to SWAT3 of course. Me, I'm still waiting on the demo, which word has it should be sometime by early December.. (Ha, not too firm of a date there, eh? :)

Private Wars update [18:17:41 EST] by - Rush
AVault is reporting that Private Wars may actually be split into 2 titles. Here's the whole thing:

It appears as though another soldier is about to sign on to active duty in the popular para-military simulation genre. When we first featured the 3D tactical combat game Private Wars in the summer of 1998, the genre had not yet exploded on the scene with Zombie's watershed title, Spec Ops. Under development at TS Group, a number of changes to Private Wars were reported in October, including news that a publishing deal would soon be announced. Although details are still incomplete, the Adrenaline Vault has learned that the title, which is entering in-house testing Dec. 3, could be split into two separate offerings, the first of which could be released in Quarter 1 2000. We will have more information as it is made available.

Things have been very quiet on the PW front lately, so this is pretty interesting news.

Spec Ops 2 review [18:12:11 EST] by - Rush
Gamers Depot has put up a review of Zombie's Spec Ops 2. It started off being a decent review, then just fell into sophomoric attempts at sarcasm and humor (or something).. Here's about the only thing worth snipping:

One of the things they excelled at was in how well the camouflage system worked. It works great! The problem is, is that the enemy's [it's "enemies" - Rush] blend so well in to the landscape it is almost impossible to see them! In fact the only way to have a chance in the game is by having a sniper in almost every missions, as he is the only one with an IR scope that can spot these bastards. I will admit most squads would probably have a sniper/scout covering them and finding the enemy first, but this was way over done.

Delta Force 2 review [17:59:28 EST] by - Rush
'Spoons' from SimHQ (now with even a newer look) let me know they've posted a review of NovaLogic's Delta Force 2. In typical fashion of SimHQ, this is a very informative review with lots of great screenshots. Here's a bit on choosing the right weapon for the job:

Your choice of weapon will depend greatly on the mission at hand. Several weapons are silenced, which makes them advantageous for some situations, while others have scopes, which obviously can work better in others. The new weapons didn't particularly impress me, and I can't help but wonder why the M4/shotgun was even modeled. In the real world, it's called "the Master Key," since it can blow open most doors. The doors in DF2 are usually ALREADY open, and its limited range and shot spread make it no more effective at taking down targets than the rifle that it's attached to. One other disappointment with the new gear is that camera doesn't work in the "out of the box" version of DF2...this had to be addressed in a patch.

Let's say Spoons calls it as he sees it. Great review. Check it out!™

Top Selling Games for the week of 11/7/99-11/13/99

1.Roller Coaster Tycoon Hasbro Interactive $29
2.Microsoft Age Of Empires II: Age of Kings Microsoft $46
3.Deer Hunter III GT Interactive $19
4.Delta Force 2 OPCode $32
5.Cabela's Big Game Hunter 3 Activision $19
6.Sim Theme Park Electronic Arts $32
7.Pokemon Studio Blue Mattel Interactive $24
8.Pokemon Studio Red Mattel Interactive $24
9.Starcraft Havas Interactive $33
10.Tonka Construction 2 Hasbro Interactive $29

Of note is that Novalogic's Delta Force 2 is at the #4 spot.. not bad. (Who the hell is OPCode?! Publisher? EA does distribution.. tho, guess that's not the publisher, and I thought NL published their own games anyway.. ) 

Also of note is that Age of Kings has slipped to #2. Gotta admit, AoK is a really great game, but I'm now almost done with the single player campaigns, and I'm a bit bored with it. Even tho the missions are much more varied this time out, its still basically the same game of "build your town, go forth and conquer, repeat", but against "different" opponents and with different scenery, but then again, most games are like that... Turns out the voice-over acting in the later campaigns is really cheesy too. The first 2 were ok, but the last 3 are pretty laughable..

And hey! I paid 37 bucks for DF2, not $32, but then again, I paid $39 for AoK, so I guess it evens out..

Yet another Spec Ops 2 review [10:40:20 EST] by - Rush
I missed this day-of, but GamesMania has posted their review of Zombie's Spec Ops 2. Again, they slap it for its attention to realism. Here's a clip:

There are fast and slow movement modes, and in many of these modes your character lowers his gun off screen (tip: don't use the side-step keys to strafe. There are specific strafing keys. Use those instead). For example, I've played with the configuration a lot but I don't think there's a way to keep your gun up while moving forward, unless you're firing. This is extremely aggravating when you've spotted an enemy and want to keep him in your sights while moving closer. This is further complicated by the game's default target reticule--a laser dot, which is too difficult to see over a distance. This can be changed to a crude yellow cross which is better for hitting things at a distance, but that doesn't solve the problem of lowering the weapon as you move. A prominent red targeting reticule on screen at all times would have resolved this.

Ha, those Quakers.. :) By the way: the "D" key lets you drop items..

Private Wars shots [03:26:28 EST] by - Rush
The boys over at SuppressiveFire have scored yet again with a link to some new Private Wars shots. Here's the link. (The site is in Russian, so scroll down for the pics..)

Spec Ops 2 review [03:12:18 EST] by - Rush
While over at e-gamez, I noticed they also had a Spec Ops 2 review posted (with 12 screenshots), giving it a 4 out of 5. Pretty short review, but here's a snip on the OICW weapon:

The game also uses a wide variety of weapons as do all the other games of this genre, but this game has something special. When I read the preview on this weapon at gamespot I was excited. What gun is this you ask? Its the OICW or Objective Individual Combat Weapon. This gun is a double-barreled rifle that fires standard 5.56mm rounds from the lower barrel, the same kind used by the Army's M16. The top barrel fires 20mm explosive smart rounds that virtually eliminate the effectiveness of enemy cover.

Delta Force 2 guide [03:05:27 EST] by - Rush
Rexer from Tactical Planet has posted his Delta Force 2 strategy guide. Here's what it covers:

Mission walkthroughs for approximately 10 quick missions 
Mission walkthroughs for 2 campaign missions (with 2 more coming later today) 
Tactics Section 
Weapons & Equipment Sections 

Be sure to check back for more..

SWAT3 review [02:59:37 EST] by - Rush
E-Gamez has posted a review of SierraStudio's SWAT3: CQB, giving it a 3.5 out of 5. To me, that's a rather low score. Hmm, here's how they summarize:

The game is not a game I would run out and buy, but if you have some extra cash lying about and faulty controls don't bother you, it's a game to get. I feel if Sierra would have used a control system like Rainbow 6 it would have been a perfect game. I just got tired of not being able to kill the enemy when I needed to.

Spec Ops 2 gives the player a larger arsenal to choose from than most offerings in this category. There are now eight different assault rifles, four submachine guns, two machine guns, two sniper rifles, three grenade launchers and an old standby, the twelve gauge shotgun. In addition to these weapons, you can use mines, satchel charges and four different types of grenades. A nice addition to the gameplay is the ability to pick items and weapons off dead soldiers. Whether they are enemies or your own squad members, sometimes it's necessary to scavenge in order to complete a mission's objectives since encumbrance is taken into account and ammunition overall is limited.

In Delta Force 2, as in the original, you're a member of the U.S. military's elite anti-terrorist detachment, Delta Force. It's a first-person action game, but it's based on reality; you use real-world weapons and tactics in real-world hotspots, capturing terrorist bases, rescuing hostages, destroying enemy structures and weapons.

Delta Force 2 will support cards that are truly 32 bit color polygon renderers, including TNT, TNT2 and ATI Rage Fury. 3D card support is provided through Direct 3D. DirectX 6 or greater is required. Note that only polygon-based objects in the game will be accelerated.

This updated demo supports multiplayer gameplay.

So if ya haven't yet tried the fun that is DF2, def grab the demo and check it out, even with MP now.. Thanks to SuppressiveFire for the news.

Another Delta Force 2 review [18:13:53 EST] by - Rush
I noticed by way of SimHQ that Avault has put up a review of Delta Force 2 along with some nice screenshots. Here again, we see DF2's "downfall":

As good as Delta Force 2 is at rendering objects far away, it is horrible at doing so up-close. The different types of surfaces used, such as sand, snow and grass look washed-out, much like a water-colored painting that had too much water and not enough color. Objects such as buildings, characters and vehicles fair much better, but still become very pixilated when viewed up-close. But unfortunately these downfalls are still not the worst of the lot. There is an underlying problem with the technology used in Delta Force 2, and that problem is power. The system resources and processing power it takes to run Delta Force 2 properly are insane. Using a PIII 500 with 256MB RAM and a Ultra TNT2 card with 32MB, I am unable to obtain an acceptable frame-rate in 1024x768 resolution and must therefore resort to 800x600. Using the newly added hardware acceleration feature does provide a speed improvement, but not one strong enough to move above the 800x600 plateau, and it doesn't provide hardly any visual improvements over software mode. On a lesser system, such as a PII 333 with a normal TNT card (Viper 550), I was unable to get the game working properly in hardware mode -- the screen kept flickering which caused me to revert to software rendering at 640x480. What's amazing though, is that because there is such little difference between the visuals in hardware and software mode, there wasn't much lost and thus the overall impact was minimal. Still, anyone looking into playing this title should be aware that the processor, memory and video capabilities of their machines had better be on the cutting edge if they want to play with an acceptable frame rate and at a decent resolution.

I have to say that I truly like DF2, but if ya can get over the somewhat blocky voxel terrain, ya still need a very powerful machine to run the game smoothly.. If this game ever gets an accelerated engine, look out! :)

Delta Force 2 review [17:08:22 EST] by - Rush
Wow, 2 news posts in one day!

Sharky's Extreme has posted their review of NovaLogic's Delta Force 2: Hardware Killer. :) Here's how they describe the gameplay:

Your character can be killed in one or two shots, so you won't be running around Doom style for long. There are no health packs to save your sweet patootie. But you still have the incredible running speed, endurance, immunity to recoil and champion long jump skills of a Quake character. The combination is fun, but when you're jumping six feet into the air while mowing down a herd of henchmen, the suspension of dis-belief hits the dirt long before you do. The control of Delta Force II is your standard first-person shooter controls plus the ability to crouch and lie flat. They react quickly and work and feel just fine. The mixture of Chuck Norris style guns blazing combat, long distance sniping coupled with solid control make the game play, on the surface of things, well done.

Pretty good review.. One thing struck me odd tho. In Skarky's DF2 preview they *liked* the Voxel engine, but in this one the hated it.. Same reviewer too! Go figure.. 

Voice-Over-Net and Hosted Games
We're aware of a problem with Voice-Over-Net that prevents the host of a NovaWorld game he or she has
created from speaking to or hearing from the other players in the game. We're looking into this issue.

New Multi-Player Game Types
You'll notice that a new kind of game, FlagBall, is now available on NovaWorld. Grab the flag in the middle of
the map and carry it to the flag-bay in enemy territory to score! You'll also be able to have four squads in some
team games when you create a public or password game on NovaWorld. We'll be rolling out four-squad support
in ongoing NovaWorld games, as well as games of Search & Destroy and Attack & Defend, in the near future.

Fixed Weapon Emplacements
They're on the way -- we're gearing up to launch some new multi-player games that incorporate fixed machine
guns and grenade launchers. 

Some good fixes, but some things still need work...

Delta Force 2 update [15:12:46 EST] by - Rush
Seems there's another DF2 patch available via the game's auto updater, bringing the game up to 1.03.01. Hope this one works better than 1.02.25! :)  Here's the list of fixes:

Thanks to Delta-Force2.com for the list of fixes.

Delta Force 2 review [00:15:39 EST] by - Rush
PC.IGN has also slapped up a review of NovaLogic's Delta Force 2. Here's how they sum it up:

In short, Delta Force II is not worse than the original game, but it certainly does not add much at all to the franchise. Perhaps with better graphics, additional features and more polish, it could have been. Fans of the original game may get more of what they liked out of this sequel, but be sure to download the patch to repair some annoying quibbles, and above all else, play online for free at NovaWorld to get the most out of the game.

A lot of the missions, particularly in the Thai and Korean theaters, are simply too realistic, and yes, that is possible. Finishing a mission, even on the easiest of the three difficulties, can be extraordinarily hard, and no one wants a game they can’t play. While the difficulty can be blamed on a lot of factors (like being able to control the game, or not being able to control the game as the case may be) some of the problem lie in finding the enemies themselves. Trying to find an enemy soldier at night, especially in the jungle, even with the aide of night-vision goggles, is a very tedious and challenging process. The infrared scope of a sniper rifle is the only easier way to find enemies, because they’re so well camouflaged.

Some of the complaints in the article I've never seen (choppy gamplay? Not that I've ever seen.. Multiple shots to the head to kill an enemy. Nope, its one HEAD-SHOT, one kill for me..) They also mention "you can now lie prone or kneel, which is quite useful" Uh, Spec Ops always let you kneel or go prone. Its little things like that that make me wonder if the reviewer knows the game at all.. Also, you simply cannot run thru the levels like Rambo and expect to live. Buckle down soldier! :)

Another SWAT 3 review [23:35:06 EST] by - Rush
There's another SWAT3 review, this time over at GamesMania. Here's a snip on the great visuals:

As for the audio and visuals, SWAT 3 gets more applause. The environments are built around the idea of houses, businesses, and other real world locations (one of which is a nice inside joke--the LA Convention Centre, where E3 is held). In these places you'll find things you expect to find--magazines, phones, and other mundane objects. The 3D models are great--watching the people in your element move around is a joy. Order one to pick a lock or throw a light stick, you'll see him sling his rifle first before he does the work. Switching weapons takes the actual amount of time it would in real life. To go from your rifle to sidearm requires you to sling the rifle, and then draw the sidearm.

Very in-depth review.. give it a look.

Spec Ops 2 review [23:07:17 EST] by - Rush
Also from SimHQ, GamesFirst has put up a review of Zombie's Spec Ops 2: Green Berets. The review is fairly witty. Here, check it:

Once the game is installed you are ready for action. All that is left to do is choose how much you want to suffer (I mean your difficulty settings) and the location of your first campaign. Now if you’re a "green” Green Beret you had better plan on spending some time at the training center before rushing off to battle, or else your parents will get a depressing telegram from the Dept. of Defense informing them of your demise. There are training missions for just about everything. For those of you that think you're too good for training, that's OK. The training sessions are always available, so after you get “worked” a couple of times you can slink back to train when no one is watching.

Pretty good review overall. Check it out.

SWAT 3 review [23:00:24 EST] by - Rush
I saw over at SimHQ that CNN has put up a review of Sierra's SWAT3: Close Quarters Battle. Here's a bit on how SWAT3 differs from Rainbow Six:

The game's rhythm is similar to "Rainbow Six," with the exception of the planning interface. After receiving a detailed briefing on the mission, the player chooses which way to enter the game area –- if there is a choice –- then proceeds to sort out the gear and start playing. This is sure to appeal to R6 fans, who found that game's planning interface as a bit too tiresome and difficult to understand.

Good review, and nice pics.. Check it out.

Link down... [22:53:18 EST] by - Rush
In case ya didn't already know, some main link at Bell Atlantic was out for most of the day, thus the lack of news.. But apparently its back up now. Now for the news..

Spec Ops 2 patch update [00:16:11 EST] by - Rush
Zombie is putting the finishing touches on the latest SO2 patch. Here's the list of fixes:

The patch addresses some potential network problems. 

Stealth Mode setting. Use the "X" key to toggle it off and on. Buddies will not engage in Stealth Mode unless somebody gets hurt which will toggle Stealth Mode off. They seem less frantic that way. 

Fixed the knife for foreign language versions. 

Fixed the Antarctica 1 timer.

Fixed the music toggle key("M").

No word on the release date yet, but it should be pretty soon.

+ Fix the black screen/armpatch issues
+ Foreign keyboard issues
+ Gamespy support added (The new GameSpy will be out in a week or so)
+ Multihomed PC support added
+ Win2000 Registry support added

SWAT3 interview [16:31:22 EST] by - Rush
Continuing their "SWAT3 week", Tactical Planet has put up another interview, this time with the mission design team and Jeff Lane, Environmental Artist. Here's a snip on how the levels were modeled:

TP: How closely modeled are some levels after their real-life counterparts?

JL: Some of the levels are pretty reminiscent of a real location (such as the LAX control tower), but we mostly just wanted the environments to feel like the real thing. The are some serious technical limitations that come in to play, so we decided to use the real locations as more of a reference than a blueprint. Besides the technical reasons, there are design and gameplay considerations. Some aspects of real locations are neither fun, cool looking or tactically interesting. For these reasons, we tried to create the ambience of the environment and boil it down to the essentials. We visited a lot of these locations in person and shot many photographs in order to create the proper look.

Really good stuff.. check it out.

SWAT3 review [16:26:30 EST] by - Rush
"Death" from Quantum9 sent me email letting me know that they've put up a review of SierraStudio's SWAT3, which was recently released. As I can't seem to get the page to load, here's the quote Death sent me:

"SWAT 3 is the ultimate evolution of the SWAT Series by Sierra. The SWAT games started as a branch from the very detailed and fun Police Quest series. The First SWAT game I can think of was a Full Motion Video game from back in the days when CD-ROM was young and everyone just new that Motion Video was the future of gaming=) Ha!"

At least Spec Ops II looks decent. The game inexplicably prompts you to choose a resolution and color depth before each and every mission, but why not just save this information after the first time? Fortunately, its sharply detailed 3D engine runs well in high-resolution 32-bit color on a reasonably equipped machine. The lighting is very well done on most levels, including nice dusk and dawn effects. However, night missions are a bit of a problem, as you must rely on the game's night-vision mode to get around. This would be fine if enemy soldiers stood out at all, but they don't, unless they're perfectly silhouetted against the sky or a building. The all-green view of night vision makes it nearly impossible to spot bad guys, which definitely adds some tension not found in other games, yet this operative blindness often just feels overdone. In most cases, you must rely on the infrared scope of a sniper rifle to spot enemy troops. But because the field of vision is so limited with these scopes, you leave yourself extremely vulnerable to attack while you slowly scan the landscape for trouble.

Ok, so they didn't like the menus or the non-continuous story-line (which means ya can play any mission at any time, something the gamers wanted in SO1..), but to me, those are pretty minor things. The menus are functional, and ya don't spend a whole heck of a lot of time in there anyway. And if ya want continuous missions, play them in order. 

No full overhead map with all the enemies spelled out with big red X's (or O's if you're playing DF2, even showing you which way they're facing..) Aww, no overlay map, or arrow-indicator on the gamescreen telling you which way to go. (?!) What is this, a flight sim?? Ground troops use a GPS, which the game has. The reviewer also didn't like the way the gun dipped when you ran. Again, that's realism folks. You run full speed with your gun perfectly aimed.. betcha can't do it!

Basically, I can refute practically everything in this review. Is the game perfect? Nope, but it seems that this review in particular just wanted to paint the game in a negative light.

I think the overall gist is that maybe Spec Ops 2 is too realistic for its own good, and some more-casual gamers are just having too difficult a time with it. Me, I like it all.. gimme more!

Delta Force 2 review [16:57:31 EST] by - Rush
The folks over at GameCenter have put up a review of NovaLogic's Delta Force 2. (Ha, shouldn't there be a sub-title for any worthy sequel? Like, DF2: Killer Hardware Required. :)  Anyhoo, let's just say they weren't too kind, giving it a "bottom line" of "A second-rate Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear/Starsiege: Tribes" which we tactical gamers know isn't the truth at all.  Here's a snip on the Voxel engine:

The main advantage of a voxel engine is its extreme rendering range, giving snipers a paradise on earth. But consider the drawbacks. Voxels are slow and chunky, and are not supported by the widespread 3D acceleration that has revolutionized gaming. NovaLogic uses accelerator cards for the few polygons in Delta Force 2 (buildings, trees, and character models), but this has no perceptible impact on frame rate. To get a frame rate on par with that in other first-person shooters, Delta Force 2 requires a blazing processor and a boatload of RAM. And even then it doesn't move smoothly.

They should get reviewers with a clue.. Or perhaps they were going for the shock factor hoping to ignite their forums..

SWAT3 goodies [16:32:36 EST] by - Rush
Its SWAT3 week over at Tactical Planet (day 2 in fact..)

Delta Force 2 patch removed [19:28:57 EST] by - Rush
I noticed over at Delta-Force2.com that NovaLogic has removed the 1.02.25 patch as it did seem to cause more problems than it fixed!

More SWAT3 screenshots [19:18:04 EST] by - Rush
Continuing with the SWAT3 maddness, SuppressiveFire has slapped up 9 new SWAT3 screenshots. Check 'em out here.

SWAT3 interview/in stores! [19:10:22 EST] by - Rush
There's an interview with SierraStudio's Rod Fung over at Tactical Planet, where they rap about SWAT3 of course. Here's a snip to get ya in the mood:

TP: What was the coolest part about working with the LA SWAT team?

RF: I would have to say that working with the various members of D-platoon was great. They were extremely open with us, allowing us pretty much unlimited access. Another great part of working with SWAT was that we were invited to the various training exercises and events, most of which are closed to the general public. We saw a lot of interesting stuff.

TP: How does SWAT3 differ from Rogue Spear?

RF: SWAT 3 is a very dynamic game with a state of the art engine and AI system. There is not another game like it.

I just checked with my local Electronics Botique and they have SWAT3 in stock and selling for $44.99! Also coming soon should be the SWAT3 demo, which I'm def waiting for!!

Spec Ops 2 review [17:38:17 EST] by - Rush
John from GA-Source sent me email letting me know that GA-Strategy has put up a very in-depth review of Zombie VR Studio's Spec Ops II: U.S. Green Berets. Here's a snip on how much damage you can take in the game:

Another "realistic" aspect of this game is that a couple of bullets will kill you. This is the same in Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear. Unlike Unreal Tournament or Quake III Arena, you don't have the ability of being shot up 10 times while only losing 20% of your health. Most of the time, it will take only one or two shots to kill you. And if the shots are not direct hits (sometimes they hit your side, or feet, or arms: places that wouldn't normally kill you) it might take a couple more. For reviving yourself , you have a medkit that is comprised of "Blood Plasma". Again, another logical (somewhat) reason for why a medkit could restore you to full health.

+ New Campaigns and Missions: 9 new and exciting missions spread across 3 huge campaigns!

+ Upgraded Graphics and Sound: Explore a true 3D universe with stunning graphics and environmental audio, including moving objects and vehicles.

+ New Mission Settings: Guide your squad through real WWII locations like northern Greece, Poland, and the besieged town of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.

+ New Weapons and vehicles: Equip your troops with the best vehicles and weapons available during WWII, including jeeps and Tommy guns.  All weapons and vehicles are thoroughly researched and are historically accurate!

Great info.. check out the rest..

Spec Ops 2 screen res modes [22:37:11 EST] by - Rush
The guys over at SuppressiveFire have posted that 3dfx card owners will soon be able to play SO2 in higher than 640x480. Here's the goods:

We are working on that, we have it running at 800x600 for the V2 and V3 (and it looks great), but we need to clean up some code for the text display.

SWAT3 shots [22:25:01 EST] by - Rush
The boys over at TacSim have 2 more new shots of SierraStudio's SWAT3 for your viewing pleasure. SWAT3 should be in stores very soon!

Hidden & Dangerous v1.3 patch [21:59:00 EST] by - Rush
More news from Tactical Planet.. Illusion Softworks' has finally released the v1.3 patch for Hidden & Dangerous. Here's the list of fixes:

1. Improved AI of allied soldiers.
Status: Improved Follow mode, Move on command, and overall AI of allied soldiers. 

2. Improved AI of enemy soldiers.
Status: Improved covering after being shot. Walking by pre-programmed path. Smarter grenade throwing. Overall enemy intelligence improved. 

3. Killing by the knife through the wall.
Status: Fixed. 

4. Vehicles.
Status: Vehicles sky launch bug fixed. Vehicles falling under terrain fixed. 

5. Hardware fixes.
Status: PIII compatibility problem fixed. Running HD on low memory cards improved. 

Please note: If you are experiencing display or other problems, we recommend that you check that you have the latest drivers installed for the hardware in your PC, these should be available to download from the web sites of the manufactures of your hardware.

Delta Force 2 review [19:18:26 EST] by - Rush
While at Delta-Force2.com, I saw that GameSpy has put up their own review of Delta Force 2 as well. Here's how they start it off:

Video-games are about having a good time. Just about every game player worth his salt knows that while mind-blowing graphics add a lot to a gaming experience, they are not the be-all-end-all if a game has other strengths in gameplay, replay value or storyline. This was the case for the original Delta Force, a title in which players adopted the role of an elite soldier in America's premier counter-terrorist insertion strike team. Running on the Voxel-based 3D engine and offering sub-par graphics, the original survived under extreme conditions much like its characters. Why? Simply because of the thrills and fun it offered to its players. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, Delta Force 2 is in this same category.

Yet another Delta Force 2 update [18:59:12 EST] by - Rush
NovaLogic has put up yet another update to DF2, bringing it to version 1.02.25. Here's what it fixes:

-Video Camera working in single player.
-Mouse scroll wheel support added.
-Option to disable VON.
-Numberpad re-mapping allowed.

Use the in-game auto-updater, grab it from 3DFiles, or directly from NovaLogic's DF2 updates page.

NOTE: Delta-Force2.com is reporting that some users have been experiencing problems with custom maps, and even your current location in the single-player campaign after installing this upgrade, so use caution!

Hidden & Dangerous news galore [18:54:27 EST] by - Rush
The guys over at Tactical Planet have scored lots of great news on Illusion Softworks' Hidden & Dangerous add-on pack, Devil's Bridge.

Great news.. 

SWAT3 shots [17:36:09 EST] by - Rush
The boys over at TacSim have 5 new shots of SierraStudio's SWAT3 for your viewing pleasure. They look awesome as usual. Go check 'em out!

Spec Ops goodies [10:36:28 EST] by - Rush
I've got some Spec Ops goodies coming up (*cough*contest*cough*).

Stay tuned..

Zombie releases Spec Ops patch 1 [00:25:29 EST] by - Rush
Zombie has put up the Spec Ops 2 patch 1, now including a readme. Here's the goods:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Spec Ops 2 Patch 1 11-10-99 3:pm 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
This patches fixes:
- Occasional crashed caused by excessive buddy commands 
- some tweaks to the AI 
- fixes the crash bug on the Korea Deathmatch level 
- several typographical errors, spelling and mission names 
- improved audio 
- the ability to invert the mouse (see below) 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Files 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
This patch contains 2 files: 

levels.mrf 
beret.exe 

Simply unzip these files into the root directory that you have installed 
Spec Ops 2: Green Berets into. Typically this will be: 

program files/zombie studios/specops us army green berets 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Mouse Invert 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
This patch also gives the user the option to INVERT their mouse. 

To accomplish this, edit your levels.mrf file with a text editor add the line 
InvertMouse 

(note that the I and M are capitalized) 

save the levels.mrf file as a DOS text file (NOT a rich text file or word doc) 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Other tech support questions 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
For more traditional tech support questions (the game won't run with my mouse, 
My LAN can't connect, etc.) connect Ripcord Tech Support. 

CONTACTING RIPCORD
---------------------------
Technical Support: 425.889.7099 VOX
425.828.8715 FAX
Operators available: Mon-Fri 9-5 P.S.T. 

Technical support via e-mail: tech@ripcordgames.com 
Snail mail address: Ripcord Games Technical Support
10809 120th Ave. NE
Kirkland, WA 98033
Online: http://www.ripcordgames.com/

Get the D3D version here, or the Voodoo version here.

Rogue Spear review [00:08:46 EST] by - Rush
Haven't seen one of these in awhile, but Wargoblin just emailed me letting me know that "Exxtreme3D just kicked up a review on Rainbow Six: Rouge Spear. Here's a blurb:"

The realism in the game far surpassed any of the other games I've played. When I was playing this game, I could almost feel that I was actually one of the people infiltrating the base. This game made its best efforts to try and put real life into the game (not the events, but the physics and stuff). If you shot a gun that was too loud, the enemy could hear it. If you threw a grenade, you could hear the AI shouting, "Grenade!" This made the situation of killing an enemy even harder.

SWAT3 box shot [22:45:11 EST] by - Rush
Tactical Planet scored a box shot of SierraStudio's upcoming game, SWAT3. Check it out here. The game recently went gold, and should be on store shelves somewhere from Nov 16-23 (can't seem to pin down a date on this one..)

[Update 23:13]: SpaceMarine sent me email saying that where he works at a computer store up in Canada, the release date is slated for Nov 22. (Anyone that works in a computer store in the US have any info for me? :)

The graphics are so much more in-depth in the sequel. First, there's a lot taller grass that you can crawl through virtually undetected. The water looks crystal clear and is easily negotiated through. The buildings are very detailed and even full villages are included. Walking over the hill and seeing a nuclear warhead on a launch pad is also something to look at in awe. I was waiting and praying that thing would not launch as I got closer to destroying it. Explosions are a work of fine art and very nicely done. The textures and layout of the maps are also very well done this time around.

Ripcord Games President Lou Viveros sent word that it appears the Zombie servers got a bit overloaded and went down on Friday night for Spec Ops 2. New servers are going up over the weekend at Ripcord and should be up and running by early next week. Also by mid next week the Mplayer multiplayer lobby and servers should be running also. Finally, anyone interested in setting up an SO2 server will receive some neat Ripcord stuff. Contact Eric at ecarsten@ripcordgames.com for details on going about having one setup. Ripcord apologizes for the bumpy take-off and notes that they will level off very soon. We'd like to thank all of the early purchasers of Spec Ops 2 and appreciate everyone's patience!

Rogue Spear strat guide [13:58:08 EST] by - Rush
Gamecenter has put up a Rogue Spear strategy guide giving basic hints to all 18 missions in the game. Good stuff if ya need a little help getting past that tough spot in a mission..

Spec Ops 2 review [13:17:22 EST] by - Rush
DailyRadar has put up a review (with some cool screenshots) of Zombie's Spec Ops 2: U.S. Green Berets. Here's what they liked about it:

Sound effects and speech are good, with bone jarring weapon reports. Troops can be personalized with names. The mission time limits, so unrealistic in the original, have been removed. Both good guys and bad guys leave tracks in the snow and dirt. Madly rushing through the field is realistically discouraged. The weapons selection is vast compared to the original, and there are plenty of missions, though sometimes the actions needed to satisfy completion goals are a mystery. As before, some parts of the environment are interactive, so a player can blow away trees or pick up enemy weapons.

Two good reviews. Do check 'em out!

Spec Ops 2 Voodoo3 update [17:56:06 EST] by - Rush
John from Zombie let me know they have identified the problem with some Voodoo3 cards, and a fix. Here's the goods:

We have finally been able to replicate the problem that several people have reported regarding the Voodoo3 cards.

Specifically - reports of a missing .dll - and reports of a completely blank screen.

If they had a Voodoo2 card installed and replaced it with a Voodoo3, but did not correctly update the Voodoo3 drivers, they would get a blank screen, even though they could hear the game running the background.

If they re-install (or correctly install) the Voodoo3 drivers, this problem goes away and the game runs fine.

Give it a try!

Spec Ops 2 mission walkthrus [17:46:07 EST] by - Rush
CPL. Buddha from F.U.B.A.R. has let me know that he's put up some walkthrus for the first 2 Thailand missions, plus some general hints and tips. Check out the site.

Delta Force 2 preview [19:11:47 EST] by - Rush
I'd swear I posted this before, but NGNetwork has put up a review of NovaLogic's Delta Force 2, giving it an 80% overall. Here's a snip on the missions:

There are many different environments that you will find yourself in. These include night time raids, rainy rescues, snowy assaults, and desert attacks. The missions vary from stealing confidential papers from terrorists, to rescuing hostages and stopping shipments. The wide variety allows for an almost new experience with every mission. And if playing the pre-defined missions isn't enough for you, DF2 ships with it's own Mission Editor for creating your own Special Ops missions.

Spec Ops 2 FAQ [18:55:11 EST] by - Rush
Zombie has updated their SO2 'patches' page with a troubleshooting FAQ (which looks a lot like my FAQ, but with more info :), covering Ranger Gold, and the Spec Ops 2 demo and retail versions. The FAQ also covers gameplay hints and tips. All kinds of great info in here. Check it out, even if you're not having any trouble (like me..)

Delta Force 2 interview [14:15:26 EST] by - Rush
I saw over at Delta-Force2.com that NovaCentral has posted an interview with DF2 Producer Wes Eckhart. Here's an interesting tidbit:

What popular suggested features/items will gamers NOT find in DF2?

The most frequently requested feature we didn’t work into DF2 is the ability to drive vehicles. We just didn’t feel that fit within the scope of a game about Delta Force. The fact is, even if a Delta Force squad came across a mint-condition Humvee with the engine running and the air conditioning going full blast, it’s extremely unlikely they’d deviate from their original plan and drive it to the objective. They’re approaching the objective across country and on foot for reasons of stealth and surprise -- piling the squad into a big, loud vehicle would tend to eliminate those advantages.

Pretty good stuff.. check out the rest.

Veterans Day editorial [13:52:06 EST] by - Rush
Johnny Tips from Wewp! sent me email with word of an editorial they posted about Veterans Day (or Remembrance Day in Canada.)

Delta Force 2 256 color mode? [12:29:20 EST] by - Rush
I'm hearing unconfirmed reports that NovaLogic is working on a 256-color mode for the game to speed it up. That's great news for many people who can't play in 32-bit color mode. Stay tuned and we'll see what develops. (Of course, the rumor could be false too, so don't get your hopes up yet! :)

Delta Force 2 give-away [12:01:22 EST] by - Rush
SuppressiveFire has posted word that Avault is giving away 20 copies of Delta Force 2 (and tee-shirts!) on November 19th. Click here to enter!

Delta Force 2 review [11:46:34 EST] by - Rush
Speedy3D has put up a review of NovaLogic's Delta Force 2. Here's a bit on the 'new' gameplay:

In order to get the most out of it you have to play as though you were one of the squad in real life. Keeping low to the ground, taking out guards with close quarter knife engagements and stealthily planting bombs on the sides of boats and under tanks without being noticed. The AI could still do with some work, sometimes you can be standing right next to them out in the open and they won't even know your there, others they spot you without even raising your head and it can be frustrating.

A bit on the fluffy side, but not a bad review.. :)  Thanks Tactical Planet.

Delta Force 2 reviews a'plenty [19:13:11 EST] by - Rush
The onslaught of DF2 reviews have begun. Here we go!

All are excellent reviews.. Def check 'em out!

Delta Force Developer Notes page updated [18:54:57 EST] by - Rush
The NovaLogic Developer Notes page has been updated regarding DF2 and 3D cards. Here's the new part:

More on Delta Force 2 and 3D Cards
A new question has arisen regarding Delta Force 2 and the 3D hardware it supports via Direct3D: If DF2 requires a 3D card with 32-bit color (and hence a 32-bit Z-buffer), why does it work with cards based on Nvidia's TNT chipset, which only has 24-bit color and a 24-bit Z-buffer?

It's a good question, but the answer's pretty simple. Delta Force 2 doesn't communicate directly with a 3D accelerator card's hardware; it communicates with the card via Direct3D. So the game is only concerned with the card's feature set as supported by Direct3D. Since Direct3D reports that the TNT has a 32-bit Z-buffer, the card meets the requirements for Delta Force 2, so the game will make it possible to select the hardware mode for this card.

Ahh, the TNT vs. 3Dfx chipset saga continues.. :)

Spec Ops 2 (retail) patch [17:37:49 EST] by - Rush
Zombie has released the first patch for Spec Ops 2. (633KB) Grab it here!

Instructions for adding the patch can be found here.

I'm working on getting a list of fixes.. Stay tuned.

SWAT3 preview [05:55:50 EST] by - Rush
I saw over at the Planet of all things Tactical that BetaBites has put up a nice preview of SierraStudio's upcoming game, SWAT3, with plenty o' screenshots to go along with it. Here's something that looked interesting:

You are going to see comparisons of SWAT 3 to Rainbow Six and Rogue Spear for they are all action/tactical simulation games. The big difference between SWAT 3 and the the two Red Storm Entertainment games (both of which are great games), is that SWAT 3 lacks a strategic planning step, and is a law enforcement group. Thus, in SWAT 3, you don't just breach, clear and shoot. There is a certain duty or code behind the SWAT team to avoid killing, and to get your suspects to surrender without violence.

I have official word from the man upstairs (well, close--Sierra) that the game will be going gold TOMORROW (Wednesday). This comes straight from an insider at Sierra--time to break out the party hats!!

As for the demo, we have not gotten a confirmed date on that, however, I wouldn't expect it before the game ships (approx. 2 weeks from gold date I think).

I'm anxiously looking forward to this one...

Delta Force 2 stand-alone patch [18:33:17 EST] by - Rush
NovaLogic has finally released the stand-alone patch for Delta Force 2 (3.2 MB). Grab it if you were unable to use the game's auto-update thingy. (Which *I* have no problem with.. :)

3Dfiles also has it online.

Spec Ops 2 on Dreamcast [18:15:04 EST] by - Rush
My god, this has got to be the busiest news day in SpecForce history!

I saw over at SuppressiveFire that Ripcord has plans to release Spec Ops 2 (and Legend Of The Blade Masters) on the Dreamcast console system. No other details yet, but I'll fire some email off to my contact at Ripcord to get more info.. 

And in other console news, EBWorld has a pre-order up for the Playstation version of Spec Ops, to be released on 02/16/00. Not sure which version of Spec Ops tho..

Spec Ops 2 short take [14:20:25 EST] by - Rush
GoneGold has put up a "short take" on Zombie's Spec Ops 2. They say "For fans of the first offering, I'm sure this is a must have. For me, it's more of a wait and see." Fair enuf!  

Truthfully, ya gotta play a game for awhile before ya make up your mind on it.. 

Spec Ops 2 in stores! [14:03:59 EST] by - Rush
Crow T. Robot sent word that he's spotted Spec Ops 2 at his local EB store in Michigan.. I'll call my local EB store a bit later today to see if they have it. I'm expecting they will! :)

[Update 17:20] I just called my local EB store on the east coast, and sure enuf, Spec Ops 2 is in stock, and selling for $42.99.

Rogue Spear ex-pack info [15:59:53 EST] by - Rush
Man the news is flowing today.. :) I saw over at BluesNews that GameProWorld has posted some preliminary info on the Rogue Spear expansion pack: Urban Operations. Here's a healthy chunk:

"This add-on pack to Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear is a counter-terrorist team's worst nightmare: an urban setting," states the product sheet for expansion, slated for release in the first half of 2000. "RAINBOW now faces its most dangerous missions ever with every stray bullet putting innocent lives at risk. Due to the public nature of these missions, the secrecy of the RAINBOW organization is also at stake as the team fights against the most deadly terrorists the world has ever seen. Luckily, John Clark & newly appointed intelligence officer Kevin Sweeney will guide the team through these intense situations. Experience the most dangerous missions RAINBOW has ever faced…once again, the world depends on you."

Sounds quite cool.. There are also some concept sketches to check out..

Spec Ops 3 info [13:05:09 EST] by - Rush
As I posted awhile ago, Zombie is indeed working on Spec Ops 3. GameSpot has posted an article on Zombie's work-in-progress. Here's the meat of the article:

According to Zombie, Spec Ops 3 has been in development for about two months. The game will retain the "buddy system" feel that made the previous Spec Ops games so popular but will forgo using US Army Rangers in favor of the more popular Navy Seals. This will undoubtedly open up more gameplay options, since Seals are known for being adept at land, sea, and air operations. One Zombie producer we talked to mentioned levels that will consist of HALO (high-altitude, low-open) jumps, underwater insertion into enemy territory, and other flashy military maneuvers.

Other tasty bits include the fact that SO3 will be using the LithTech engine, and the tentative ship date is November 2000.

Carl Schnurr interview [12:32:21 EST] by - Rush
The latest Combat Reporter Live has a real-audio interview with RSE's Carl Schnurr, producer of Rogue Spear, "covering everything there is to know about Rogue Spear." Good stuff, check it out.

Delta Force 2 Developer Notes update [12:05:55 EST] by - Rush
While at Delta-Force2.com, I also noticed that the NovaLogic Delta Force 2 Developers Notes page has been updated with a few interesting tidbits. 

I guess this is where NL will keep us up to date on what the patches fix. How hard could it be to chuck a "Readme" in with the updates??

Delta Force 2 custom maps [11:50:18 EST] by - Rush
The guys over at Delta-Force2.com have put up a files section for user-created maps for NovaLogic's Delta Force 2. They've got 11 online so far, with more coming every day.. Check it out if you're looking for new DF2 maps.

Another Spec Ops 2 release PR [11:45:06 EST] by - Rush
Yowsa! The news doesn't stop. Computer Games Online has also posted a PR on the release of Zombie's Spec Ops 2. Small PR, so here's the whole thing again:

Ripcord Games announced the retail release of Spec Ops II: US Army Green Berets, the sequel to Spec Ops: Rangers Lead the Way. Developed by Zombie Studios the sequel offers a new 3D engine, improved AI, and enhanced multiplayer and tactical team-combat.

During development of the game, Zombie enlisted the support of the US Army's First Special Forces Group, based at Ft. Lewis, WA. The developers used motion capture of real Green Berets in action and audio capture of actual weapons fire which was incorporated into the game.

Using the new Zombie Viper 2 Engine, Spec Ops II features real-time virtual environments like jungles in Thailand to research bunkers in Pakistan and multi-storied warehouses in Germany. Other features include dynamic lighting effects and multiple light sources, single and multiplayer missions via LAN or internet for up to 16 players.

So, the obvious thing is that Spec Ops 2 is in stores! Move out soldier, and grab a copy today!

Spec Ops 2 on MPlayer [11:36:47 EST] by - Rush
Computer Games Online has posted that Ripcord is joining up with MPlayer for Spec Ops 2 online action. Here's the whole thing:

Ripcord Games and Mplayer.com announced today that Spec Ops II: US Army Green Berets will be available on Mplayer for multiplayer action. Both companies are also teaming up to put together a schedule of online events and contests, which include giveaways and prizes for the best Green Beret players.

The sequel to Spec Ops: Rangers Lead the Way, Spec Ops II: US Army Green Berets is a strategy-action game featuring 30 military combat missions, using tactics and equipment used by the U.S. Armed services. The game offers a new 3D engine, improved AI, and enhanced multiplayer and tactical team combat gameplay, according to Ripcord.

Spec Ops 2 release PR [11:25:19 EST] by - Rush
Ripcord Games has put up a small PR on the release of Spec Ops 2: US Army Green Berets. Check it:

Press Release:
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - November 8, 1999 - Ripcord Games today released Spec Ops[TM] II: US Army Green Berets, the much-anticipated sequel to their best-selling Spec Ops: Rangers Lead the Way. Developed by Zombie Studios, creators of the previous Ranger product, the sequel offers a new 3D engine, improved AI, and enhanced multiplayer and tactical team-combat.

Thanks to GoneGold, who is also reporting that the price will be $44.95.

Rogue Spear review [11:15:27 EST] by - Rush
Haven't seen one of these in awhile, but PCArena has kicked up a review of Redstorm Entertainment's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear, with 9 screenshots at the end. Here's a bit on the new sniper team members:

Two new team members from the Rainbow 6 novel are now part of the sniper team. Snipers add a new edge to the mission, snuffing out the bad guys when they least expect it. They are your trump card and provide an offensive/defensive arc in tight situations. But hey, if you’ve got them, so do they bad guys. So watch where you’re going, because all you’ll hear is a shot and then someone’s dead. A classic sniper scenario was the storming of a hijacked airline. That mission has got to be one of the finer points of Rogue Spear. Two snipers deployed, I take in the recon team to sweep the plane, there’s a baddie holding a hostage at gunpoint outside the plane. One mistake and BLAM! I storm the plane, flashbangs fly, terrorists die and the pleasing words came “Sniper Red, sights are hot!” “Target acquired!”

Thanks to SimHQ for the news.

Spec Ops 2 launch party info [02:21:16 EST] by - Rush
SpecOpsNews.com has posted 2 news items on the Spec Ops 2 release party (that I was invited to, but couldn't attend), that was held Nov. 4th in San Fran. Looks like I missed a pretty fun time!

GREAT stuff.. do check them out!

New SWAT3 movies [01:51:23 EST] by - Rush
SierraStudios has updated their SWAT3 page with 3 new movies of the game in action. Very slick stuff. 

New Delta Force 2 review [01:42:33 EST] by - Rush
Also while at Delta-Force2.com I noticed that PCArena has put up a review of NovaLogic's Delta Force 2, complete with 12 cool screenshots. Here's a bit about moving over the various terrain:

While on terrain, the different terrain conditions affect your gameplay too. Say you're knee deep in snow; obviously you're not going to be running as fast as you're on dry land. The same applies to small ponds and lakes too. It would take a little more time to wade across so keep those in mind. Also, jumping from atop hills and mountains making like Michael Jordan in Space Jam isn't going to cut it no more. Apparently, certain real-world physics do apply now as you will get hurt jumping from hilly areas.

All in all, a good read.

New Delta Force 2 update [01:36:27 EST] by - Rush
There's yet another patch for Delta Force 2, bringing the game up to v1.02.16. Use the game's auto-update deal to grab it. Here's what's new:

-VON section within Commanders screen.
-Enable/Disable text messages from players.
-Choose to receive waypoints from other players.

Thanks Delta-Force2.com.

Too much AoK! [01:30:00 EST] by - Rush
Ok, I'm guilty of spending some more time with Age Of Kings.. Quite captivating, and at the moment I'm getting my ass kicked in the scenario I'm currently playing. I'm severely handicapped as far as resources go, and on top of that, I'm fighting battles on 3 fronts simultaneously! Ouch! Truth be told, I'm not good at playing these RTS games, but I do like them.

Lots of games feature shell casings and bullet holes though, so nothing really new, huh? WRONG! Throwing grenades (which come in many varieties) will leave not only the accustomed scorched flesh, but also scorched ground! Vehicles can be destroyed, leaving insurance nightmares and unhappy enemies. My favorite environmental issue is that almost every single light source (barring the sun) can be destroyed, plunging your world into darkness and granting you precious cover to roam around in. Sadly, you cannot raze buildings or villages, and destroying massive amounts of foliage is also out of the question because Agent Orange is just too heavy. 

Delta Force patch [22:51:18 EST] by - Rush
This hardly qualifies for a full post, but NovaLogic has put out another patch for DF2 that you can get by hitting the "auto update" menu option, bringing the game up to v1.02.03.  Thanks Voodoo Extreme.

[Update 23:17] The boys over at SuppressiveFire are reporting that the cheat codes don't work anymore (maybe just in MP tho?) after the patch, so be warned.

Delta Force review [22:45:05 EST] by - Rush
Next up is a review of Delta Force 2 over at CGO, with great screenshots along with it. Let's just say they smack it around a bit. Here's a snip from when they weren't being so critical:

The missions themselves range from the mundane "kill 'em all" type to fairly interesting tasks like freeing hostages, preventing a chemical warhead from going off, or stealing patrol boats. You can sometimes parachute into a battle, which is pretty nifty, and once you even have to jump from a helicopter onto a moving train. Like in the original Delta Force, though, stealth is not an option. Oh, the briefing might say you should avoid contact, but generally that won't be possible. No, this is pure Rambo here, with you killing 20, 30, or maybe 40 bad guys in each mission.

Good article overall tho.. Check it out.

SWAT3 screenies [22:37:31 EST] by - Rush
I took the afternoon off (playing AoK if you must know :), so time to catch up on the news...

First up is that Tactical Planet has put up 3 new SWAT 3 shots. Awesome as usual.

Delta Force developer notes [12:59:40 EST] by - Rush
I noticed at Delta-Force2.com that NovaLogic has put up a Developers Notes page, that covers the ever-hot topic of 3Dfx support, how to use Voice Over Net (and that it'll be getting a GUI soon), and a small bit on IP hosting.

Off Topic: Age of Kings (again) [06:00:10 EST] by - Rush
Well, I "broke down" and bought Microsoft's Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. The AoK demo def rekindled my interest in the RTS genre, and the Age series in particular. It was "only" $39.95 at EB. Had it been priced at $49.95 (which is what I was expecting), I wouldn't have purchased it, but rather waited till it dropped in price. But now I'm literally playing 3 games at once: Spec Ops 2, Age of Kings, and Delta Force 2! I'll play a mission in SO2, then a few rounds of AoK, then a mission in DF2... Its nuts!

But, its amazing how much games can change between the "1" and "2" versions.. The visuals of AoK are very good, and make AoE look like some 8-bit Atari game. :)  I'm playing at 1280x1024, and the terrain graphics and buildings look absolutely fantastic. Some of the units get a bit small at that res, but you can see much more of the surrounding terrain, so to me its worth it. And the whole presentation of AoK is quite nice as well, borrowing a bit from Myth, IMHO. Gone are the rendered AVI intros for each campaign. Now we get a "pencil stills" and narrated introductions for each mission. I can't decide which I like better tho. I like having an 'intro' to each mission, and the narration is done in 'authentic' accents of the particular campaign; Scottish for the William Wallace training campaign, French for the Joan of Arc campaign, etc. But, the stills are a bit boring when compared to a nice rendered AVI. Its a minor point tho. :)

The game's opening AVI intro is quite awesome tho, with 2 kings playing chess, and as each moves his chess piece, you see corresponding units move into position on a real battlefield, and then erupting into a full-scale battle. Nice concept, and very well done.

Delta Force 2 review [16:01:56 EST] by - Rush
AndOne from SuppressiveFire (the site with the world's smallest font, but hey, ya know its not the size that counts) sends word that they have stopped playing Delta Force 2 long enough to post a review. Check out their main page for it as the link seems broken at the moment.

SWAT 3 screens [15:54:22 EST] by - Rush
While I was at Avault, I noticed they also slapped up some cool-looking SWAT3 shots (of course going for the babe-factor by putting up the pic of the chick in the towel on their news page.. :) Nice hi res 1024x768 shots. Go check 'em out.

NovaLogic keeps busy [15:46:10 EST] by - Rush
Avault slapped up a tiny blurb on just what NovaLogic is doing now that Delta Force 2 has shipped in the U.S. Here's what they said:

Now that Delta Force 2 has hit stores and gamers are hitting the missions, what can users expect from NovaLogic in the way of follow-up support? We posed this question to NovaLogic PR this morning, and were told that the development team is busy ramping up NovaWorld for full DF2 functionality. NovaWorld is the multiplayer service that supports each of the company’s titles and, according to NovaLogic PR, “presents new challenges with each game.”

We were also told a small update might be available via the game's auto-update function by Saturday; everyone who logs onto NovaWorld should get it automatically. The downloadable version generally follows a business day or two after that.

DF2 is a single-player and online title that offers more than 45 new squad-based, special forces missions based on the U.S. Army's elite and secretive counter-terrorist and hostage-rescue unit, Delta Force.

Lack of updates.. [15:40:10 EST] by - Rush
Ack, sorry for the lack of news, but my ISP wasn't letting me hit any sites! Least of all mine to update the page. :)

And now, time for the news..

Also, according to the Electronics Boutique computer, SO2 will be in stores (at EB at least) on November 9th!

Delta Force 2 in stores [15:32:48 EST] by - Rush
Delta Force 2 is in stores! (At least on the East Coast) Go grab it now!!

Codename: Eagle masters [11:46:21 EST] by - Rush
The guys over at Refraction Games have announced that their game Codename: Eagle is finished. Here's the info:

It's been almost 2 weeks since the release of the demo, and we are very happy to announce that Codename Eagle has been completed, and the final master copy is now in the hands of our publisher, Take 2 and will be released in the UK on the 11th of November, with the rest of Europe getting the game around the 15th of this month. The US release is being handled by Talonsoft and is scheduled for a late January 2000 release.

Work on Battlefield 1942 is now well underway, and the game is turning out to be even better than our own initial expectations had us believe. Screenshots and further information will be posted in the near future, so watch this space.

SWAT3 screens [11:20:16 EST] by - Rush
The gang over at BetaBites have posted 9 new screenshots of SierraStudio's SWAT3. Great stuff, go look! :)

Delta Force 2 madness [11:08:25 EST] by - Rush
Continuing with their countdown to the release of NovaLogic's Delta Force 2, (which should be today if you're in the U.S.), Tactical Planet has posted 4 new DF2 screenshots (3 on the main page, and 1 in the 'pic of the day' section), with 3 more slated for later today. They've also posted NovaLogic's official PR for the release of DF2. And finally, they have a quick Q&A with Keith Rust, Art Director on the project. 

Another SWAT3 interview [02:34:06 EST] by - Rush
PC.IGN has put up a tasty interview with Rod Fung, producer of SierraStudio's SWAT3. And of course what interview would be complete without some nice screenshots, so you'll see some of those too. :)  Anyway, cutting to the quick, here's Rod's answer of just how SWAT3 'stacks up' to the likes of Rainbow Six and H&D:

IGNPC: What advantages does SWAT 3 possess over high-quality competition titles such as Rainbow Six, Rogue Spear and Hidden and Dangerous?

RF: Realism and attention to detail are a real high priority in this game, there's no doubt about that. From the start of its design, which actually started about six months before we even knew about Rainbow Six - a lot of people think we're cloning that game or something, but we were really surprised to discover that Rainbow Six came out. We're pretty happy it's done well - it has really set the genre up.

But to get back to our game the focus was upon realism and attention to detail. From the start, no matter what other companies did with their products, we really did want to simulate a close-quarter battle akin to the experience of a SWAT officer making entry, and that's really what we did.

Finally, the biggest change is the commander's screen. From here, you can look at your waypoints, change them if you want, look at positions of enemies (if available) and check up on the status of your team-mates. There are different tabs you can cycle through to get the desired information. If in a multiplayer game, you will be able to switch your weapons in mid-game by clicking on the Weapons tab, and then requesting what you need. You will get your desired weapons, but only if your armory is intact. The Commander's Screen is an extremely useful tool, so don't overlook it.

Suffice to say, I'll be getting this one the day its released! (Tomorrow hopefully!!)

Misc. news [21:05:58 EST] by - Rush
The boys over at SuppressiveFire have posted a few great items of interest. 

Improvements is SAS and Enemy's AI 
Bug fixs in level design 
More 3d cards supported 
Support for Pentium 3 
Support for RogerWilco 
RELEASE Date: December 

Yet more Delta Force 2 pics [18:02:17 EST] by - Rush
Tactical Planet has posted 3 more (2 on the main page, and one in the 'pic of the day') awesome shots of Delta Force 2. What more need be said. :)

SWAT3 preview [17:59:12 EST] by - Rush
GameSpot UK has put up a nice little "hand's on" (plus nice pics of course) of SierraStudio's SWAT3: CQB. Here's a bit on the atmospherics:

SWAT 3 has much more photo-realistic scenery than Red Storm's Rainbow Six, and detailing is very precise - gun flashes, entry and exit holes for bullets and the use of mag lights on guns to light up dark rooms adds to a pretty realistic atmosphere. When you shoot someone their blood will stain the floor and you'll actually be able to track them by it.

The demo will be released about a week after the full version has been released. The game is set for a gold date of November 8, and should ship around two weeks after that.

That's great news, cuz frankly without seeing a demo first, there's no way I'd buy the game. (Of course if Sierra would send me a review copy...)

Another DF2 interview [15:16:18 EST] by - Rush
Continuing their Delta Force 2 countdown, Tactical Planet has posted yet another interview with the DF2 development team. This time it's with the Audio Director, Tom Hays, about sound production, 'natch. Here's a 'soundbite' from the interview:

[Tactical Planet] What type of ambient sounds are used in the game and how were these sampled?

[Tom Hays] We have ambient sounds scattered throughout the missions appropriate to the region the player is in. We're pretty proud of our system for playing background sounds, because it avoids the repetitive, flat looping you'll find in a lot of other games. Sources include both commercial and custom recordings we made in the field. Our field recording rig is fairly elaborate; it includes mics by AKG, Sennheiser and Shure, a Tascam DA-P1 DAT recorder, Rycote mounting gear, and custom cases and cables. We use Digidesign Pro Tools for editing and sound design.

'Sounds' good to me! Great interview. Give it a read..