Delta Force 2 info [16:14:29 EST] by - Rush
Tactical Planet is having a 5-day countdown to the release of Novalogic's Delta Force 2. They're now on day 2, and today that have an interview with the lead programmer, Daniele Gaetano.  Here's a snip on integrating polygons into the voxel engine:

[Tactical Planet] How difficult was it to incorporate polygon models with Voxel landscapes?

[Daniele Gaetano] Not very difficult. Since the two rendering methods are so different, we have to use the simple z-buffer to blend them together; any more advanced system just won't work on both polygon objects and voxel-based terrain. Having two totally separate rendering systems operating simultaneously in the game creates more work for me, but I think it's worth it for the combination of huge outdoor environments and detailed indoor environments it gives us.

It was the full boxed version, complete with game CD in its sealed jewel case, keyboard commands template (for both SO: Ranger Gold and the Mission 2000/SO2 demos), and the official 'Strategies & Secrets' strategy guidebook from Sybex, (a $19.95 value.)

The CD contains Spec Ops: Rangers Lead the Way, with the Ranger Team Bravo add-on pack, (which adds multi-player mode, and 3 new campaigns), and two demos of SO2, the street-to-street fighting of Mission 2000, (which is based on the SO2 engine), and the early demo of Spec Ops 2: U.S. Green Berets. (The SO2 demo released on the web last week is far superior to the version on the Gold CD, as its based on much newer code..) Also included was the game manual in CD-booklet form.

The strategy guide is very well done, with detailed sections and a great layout. It covers every aspect of the game, and contains many screenshots (sometimes with humorous captions; "a dead partner is a useless partner".) Of note (to me anyway ), is the mods section in the guidebook. They make mention of 3 of my SO1 mods, Deadbodies, Compass, & Ranger, all available (and more) in the SpecOps file section. Too bad they have my name spelled as 'Russian', and not Rushian. Ah well. :)

If you haven't yet played the Spec Ops series, this is a great way to experience the game to its fullest. 

Thanks to Ripcord (and Adam at LinnPR) for sending the game to me. A special thanks to the U.S. postal service for mangling the package, and crushing the box! (snicker)

Delta Force 2 info galore [16:14:09 EDT] by - Rush
If ya haven't already seen, Tactical Planet has lots of great info on Novalogic's upcoming (very soon now in fact) Delta Force 2. They've got 3 awesome new pics sent to them from Novalogic, a DF2 contest, and an interview with DF2 producer Wes Eckhart. Here's a snip from the interview on the much maligned Voxel terrain:

[Tactical Planet] How do you feel about all the criticism the game has come under, specifically about Voxels?

[Wes Eckhart] Hey, a fair amount of criticism is healthy. At least it shows people are interested in the game. But I think the comparison between voxel-based graphics and polygon-based graphics is a a tricky one. Voxels are not as smooth as polys, but they offer viewing distances and a level of detail that you simply can't achieve with any polygon-based engine. If you're trying to accurately model an outdoor environment down to individual blades of grass, voxel graphics are the only way to go. It's really like apples and oranges to compare Delta Force 2 to polygon-based games that take place mostly in corridors or dense fog that limit the viewing distance to a couple hundred feet or less.

I don't mind getting email, so please don't hesitate sending some to me; I'll get to it eventually!

Delta Force preview [14:53:13 EDT] by - Rush
Damn, the boys at SuppressiveFire.net are up on the news.. They posted word that CombatWorld has put up a Delta Force preview, broken down into Single Player, Multi Player, and a screenshots section (with new, never-before seen pics.) Here's the obligatory snip on the overall improvements in DF2:

Delta Force 1 had some great and some easy single player missions; in Delta Force 2 you'll find better AI and harder missions. I got to play the 1st of  2 missions and they were great. The Voxel engine is way improved, the terrain looks AWESOME, they now have great shading effects and stunning huge terrain. Also getting inside the buildings is great and looks awesome.

Nice little preview. Go look!

Spec Ops screen res update [02:14:47 EDT] by - Rush
More news from the guys over at SuppressiveFire.net. This time they have word on whether the Voodoo version of the game will support higher than 640x480 res. Here's the lowdown:

I fired off an Email to Zombie on why the Glide Version of Spec Ops 2 is locked at 640x480 rez. 

Here's the reply: We are working on getting the glide version up to 3.0 so it will support higher resolutions, [but] we ran into some pretty nasty problems in our first attempt and [had] to retreat to glide 2.

So, it goes without saying that I'm looking forward to the AoK demo. (And yeah, if I'm such a big fan then how come I don't already have it , as it was released a little while ago. Well, truth be told, I did kinda O.D. on AoE, so I was taking a break from RTS games.) Playing the AoK demo might just put me back into an RTS mood tho. (Which could be a 'bad thing' considering DF2, SO2 and SWAT3 are all very near, and I still haven't finished H&D yet!. Too many games, too little time!

Flashpoint interview [01:50:17 EDT] by - Rush
The guys over at SuppressiveFire.net have put up a small interview with Marek Spanel, producer of UbiSoft's Flashpoint. Here's the first question that let's us know just what Flashpoint will be like:

Suppressive Fire: As you probably know there are so many fans of 3D combat games that expect a lot and complain about certain features especially involving new releases coming out. There are far too many bugs and missing features in attempted realistic games. I know this might not be a brief question but maybe you have a brief answer. What does Flash Point give us that YOU think is missing in most 3D combat tactical games?

Marek Spanel: In Flash Point, you can play as a foot soldier. You can get in any of available vehicles (cars, tanks, helicopters boats). All rendered in one of the best 3D graphics you have ever seen with incredible scale and detail. You can command up to 12 units directly. You have a map, compass and watches to navigate during the mission, as in real world. The game is realistic in many aspects, but the main goal is to offer larger scale than just an infantry game while keeping much more details than a conventional simulation game. In fact there are not too many limits in the game. We hope to create the best campaign with a great storyline, but we really hope that people will use a full featured built-in mission editor to create and share their own missions and campaigns.

System Requirements: Pentium-200, 32 MB RAM, Windows 95; Windows 98. Direct3D support included.
Demo gameplay: Play a mission in Germany in which you must find Stinger missiles and eliminate terrorists.

Version 1.1 features optional mouse invert support, and a quieter footstep sound effect for you and your team. Note: there is no multi-player support in this version. 

Click here for instructions on how to add mouse invert support to the V1.1 demo, as there are no docs on it in the v1.1 demo exe archive.

Spec Ops 2 demo patch NOW [19:22:07 EDT] by - Rush
Go grab the SO2 v1.1 demo patch. (638 KB) Adds optional mouse invert support.

Spec Ops 2 demo patch soon [16:38:38 EDT] by - Rush
Good news folks. For those that already downloaded the first demo, there is a patch coming out (that I'm working on right now) that will add mouse invert. Stay tuned!

Murphy's Laws of Combat [10:30:04 EDT] by - Rush
I've put up Murphy's Laws of Combat in the articles section. Pretty funny stuff. Here are the first 3:

Murphy's Laws of Combat

1.	You are not a superman.
2.	If it's stupid but works, it's not stupid.
3.	Don't look conspicuous, it draws fire.

	Includes (optional) mouse invert!
	The footstep sound effect has also been scaled back a bit.

Stay tuned for more info..

New mission types will focus on rescuing captured civilians, infiltrating "an ancient ruined temple" and exploring "a complex labyrinth of tunnels." Additionally, many of the game's features have received upgrades -- new weapons, sharper graphics and enhanced speech and sound. Devil's Bridge is due out for release in January of 2000.

Check out pic 4! Awesome! :)

Spec Ops Q&A [20:22:33 EDT] by - Rush
SpecOpsNews.com has put up a Q&A with several members of the Zombie team that worked on Spec Ops 2. Questions range from how the levels were built, to gameplay tips. Here's a clip on the sound design:

How did you make the game sound so realistic?

Joe Zajonc: Great attention was paid to environmental cues. I asked myself a series of questions. What are a soldier's sensations in a combat situation, what noises might they be aware of, what noises might give them clues to their surroundings. I tried to approximate the psychological state maintained during combat. Also, recordings were made to capture actual weapons sounds and other sounds present in the game. And finally, with an engine that provided for location specific sounds, a level of realism was added.

Pretty short, but a stil good read.

Rogue Spear review #775 [03:21:19 EDT] by - Rush
The site that's never afraid to offer an opinion, EvilAvatar, has put up a review (and great screenshots) of Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear. Here's a bit on the mission design:

The first game won a lot of acclaim with the level design, and that tradition continues in Rogue Spear. Right off the bat, you know you’re in for some fun, tense missions in the environments you’ll play in. Museums, airliners, opera houses, Azerbaijani fortresses; oh yes, we’re gonna have a good time with the wetwork, my friends. The variety and excellence of mission locations keeps things fresh and interesting the whole game through. Pumping another boost into things are new features like "Lone Wolf" and "Terrorist Hunt", where, after finishing a campaign mission, you can play them over (without affecting the campaign) without the usual objectives. Basically, these modes use the mission map and allow the player to hog all the fun on their own, dealing with 30 terrorists. Very cool.

Good stuff. Check it out.

Spec Ops update [18:26:29 EDT] by - Rush
I saw a post from Zombie's Mark Long on the Spec Ops Forum that let's us know what's next for the Spec Ops line. Check it out:

We just shipped SO2 Last Monday. Should be in the stores the first week of NOV. I played the finished game all weekend (we're so focused on bug fixing in the last few weeks before going GM, we don't actually get to "play" the game). You are going to love this new team control that the Producer/Designer John Williamson designed! Pointing at a location and giving your team individual instructions, allows you to move like a real fire team in bounding overwatch moves. You can get into that tactical component in a way that I've never been happy with before. Let us know what you think.

Here's the details on what we're doing next: first comes the multiplayer add-on for SO2 in May 2000. SO2 has multiplayer built in - don't worry - but we want to expand the functionality and design the levels solely for multiplayer game mechanics. Next will be SPEC OPS: NAVY SEALS in OCT 2000. We're licensing the LithTech2 engine from Monolith for SO: NAVY SEALS - a shift in direction that will allow us to focus on level design and AI, instead of having to engineer support for every new card or API that comes out. And, more importantly I think, give players the ability finally to build their own levels.

Let us know what kind of missions you'd like to see. I am personally interested in designing some kick ass underwater demolition missions for SO: SEALS. We start level design in a few weeks - now is the time!

Mark Long
Zombie
mark@zombie.com

Awesome news there.. While the Viper engine was a great engine, moving to LithTech2 is also a smart move. And def send Mark your mission ideas for Spec Ops: Navy SEALs!!

SO2 demo FAQ [00:39:49 EDT] by - Rush
I have put up a FAQ for the Spec Ops 2 demo that (hopefully) answers any questions you have on it, especially the 'gray textures' and 'spinning game' problems. Check it out if you're having a problem with the demo.

Add more guys: Open the menu folder within your SO2 demo dir. Find the file called levelger1c.txt. At the bottom it says team size 4. Change the 4 to whatever you want. (Note I have only gone up to 12 and it will crash from time to time.)

Move/Add Boxes, Cars: Go into the Geometry folder and open the files Levelger1c.doi to move/add boxes. Open Vehicles.doi to do the same but to cars.

Make the lights go out: Open the file levelger1c.lit to make the lights bright change the light color to whatever you want. To make them dark change them to a small number.

Fog: to change the amount of fog open the file Levels.mrf in the main SO2 dir. Go down to where it says Fog color and change to your liking.

Good work Crow! :)

Rogue Spear review #774 [20:24:38 EDT] by - Rush
I saw over at SimHQ that the Glide Underground has posted a review of Rogue Spear, with some screenshots as well.

Delta Force 2 news [20:16:49 EDT] by - Rush
NovaCentral has scored some great news on Delta Force 2, regarding frame rate increases, system requirements for a playable game, the Team FlagBall MP game, kevlar vests, and more. Check out the news page.

Game Designer Article [04:28:40 EDT] by - Rush
Ga-Source has put up a really interesting article called The Developers Dream with asks several game designers "what kind of game would you create if you had no monetary, technical, or hardware limitations what so ever?" 

Of interest to us at SpecForce is the part from John Williamson, Co-Producer/Designer for Spec Ops 2. Here's how John's starts off:

The easy dream game is one of unlimited pixels or polys or better physics. My dream game is one that tells a story well enough to actually be compelling. To suck the player in enough that they feel a sense of loss when an NPC is lost and force the player to make substantial moral and ethical choices in real world environments, not in a magical one..

While there are a wide variety of games that will follow a different path depending on whether you decide to support good or evil (Dark Forces II, most RPGs for example). More often than not, these moral choices provide the gameplayer simply with different weapons choices or slight variations on quests, not a true moral consequence. Well, not one as emotionally substantial as most movies or books.

Good read, check out the rest. 

Spec Ops GOLD PR [04:08:44 EDT] by - Rush
Avault has posted a PR for Ripcord's release of Spec Ops GOLD. Here's the entire thing:

Spec Ops: Ranger Gold Released
The series that created a genre is returning in Spec Ops 2: Green Berets, but gamers wanting to get a piece of the action before the sequel's November release can grab a new bundle from Ripcord Games. Just released, Spec Ops: Ranger Gold contains the acclaimed Spec Ops: Rangers Lead the Way and its add-on, Spec Ops: Ranger Team Bravo.

Also included is the official strategy guide and two demos of upcoming titles in the series, Spec Ops: Mission 2000 and Spec Ops II: Green Berets. Developed by Zombie Studios, the bundle is available at U.S. retail outlets for about $30. Ranger Gold requires a 200 MHz Pentium or faster running Windows 95 or 98, 24 MB RAM and a Direct3D compatible video card.

I should be receiving my press kit from Ripcord soon as well. Stay tuned..  And BTW, the recently released SO2 web demo is a much newer demo than is found on the GOLD CDs.

Site speed (or lack thereof!) [03:51:08 EDT] by - Rush
Sorry the site is still so slow, but I'm still getting a tremendous amount of people grabbing the Spec Ops 2 demo. I expect (hope!!) everything to be back to normal early Sunday evening.. Thanks for stopping by!

But stay tuned over the next few days for lots of Spec Ops related goodies..

The characters in SWAT 3 look particularly good. They ought to... all the motion capture was done using an LAPD SWAT officer. The graphics engine itself is based on the Gabriel Knight engine, rendering the upper and lower body separately. The difference is immediately apparent, since this technique allows SWAT members to lean sideways, peek around corners, and generally protect as much of their bodies as possible.

Great preview.. Def give it a look.

SO2 demo mirrors [23:33:05 EDT] by - Rush
Hey! I can update the page again! (barely!)  

Ripcord informs me that the "the final and only official ‘Spec Ops 2’ demo was put up on GameSpot.com this afternoon for download."

And the following mirrors:
http://www.3dgamers.com/3daction/Games/specops2/ 
http://www.3dfiles.com/games/specopsii.shtml 
http://www.fileplanet.com/index.asp?file=29171 

Yowsa!! [11:29:12 EDT] by - Rush
Ok, this is the perfect time for a Billy Wilson (VE) quote:
Due to the high demand for the Spec Ops 2 demo, the server is being worked over like a 2 dollar hooker at Mardi Gras!

I have uploaded the SO2 demo to 3Dfiles.com, so look for it there as well!

System Requirements: Pentium-200, 32 MB RAM, Windows 95; Windows 98. Direct3D support included.
Demo gameplay: Play a mission in Germany in which you must find Stinger missiles and eliminate terrorists.

Checkout.Com articles [18:36:07 EDT] by - Rush
CheckOut.com has posted 2 articles of interest to us tactical gamers.

Good stuff, check 'em out! Thanks to TP for the news..

SWAT3 Q&A [18:32:18 EDT] by - Rush
Tactical Planet is on fire today. They've also scored a Q&A of sorts with Rod Fung on SWAT3. Here, take a gander:

[Forum] On ejected bullet casings

[Rod Fung] Yes, we have various types of brass, and shotgun casings that eject from you firearm. Each is different depending on what you are using (example, your shotgun's 00 buck has red casings, your breaching rds are green. Magazines also drop and make unique sounds when you speed load. They also stay on the ground as do all brass casings. All gun sounds are realistic and captured from actual guns....for you benelli owners, you'll hear that unique compression of a spring when you tac and speed load your M1 Super 90. As for "silenced" guns....I’ve never seen or shot a completely quiet gun. "Silienced" and "Silencers" are Hollywood creations. What most people are referring to are suppressors (both intregal and external, wet, and dry). Those in the biz call them 'cans’.

Def 'sounds' awesome.. (ooh, bad pun!)

SWAT3 mini-preview [15:06:41 EDT] by - Rush
Stirling from Tactical Planet has put up his initial thoughts on SierraStudio's upcoming SWAT3, based on an "early build, beta, not even the final product" version of the game. Here's a clip on the game's AI:

Enemy AI - The enemy AI is great from the little I have seen so far. They are randomly placed each time you replay the mission (AWESOME!!!) and move around. You have to watch all angles at all times, because a baddie may just round the corner of the hall in front of you or behind you. Finally bad guys that act the way they are supposed to. Lots of great stuff to talk about, so look for some more tomorrow. First impressions though is that this will be the game to beat for 1999. You have to move slow and careful and be able to quickly and efficiently command your element's to win the mission, the one I played was not easy.

I'd say he liked it. Check out the rest of the article..

Delta Force 2 in stores! (not) [14:58:20 EDT] by - Rush
Just kidding, but today was the day DF2 was originally scheduled to be in stores!

Rogue Spear review [14:55:15 EDT] by - Rush
Gamers Depot has put up a pretty in-depth review (with screenshots) of Redstorm Entertainment's Rogue Spear. Here's a bit on the covert missions you'll find in the game:

The covert missions in the game are a perfect example of the necessity of great planning and strategy; sneaking around planting bugs or explosives while resisting the urge to wax a few terrorist scumbags is tough! Most people who played the original game remember the office building and mansion missions, where you had to either retrieve computer files or plant a bug; for those of us with itchy trigger fingers this was a rather complicated task. Personally, I considered those two missions to be some of the hardest from the original, and Redstorm doesn't let me down with their follow-ups in this game. They bring the covert missions back with a vengeance with some of the toughest (and most visually stunning, I might add) levels I have seen. The heartbeat sensor and overhead map will soon become extensions of your body, and if you're like me you'll soon be cursing the Redstorm team - in a good way, of course. :)

Spec Ops 2 screenshots [14:40:30 EDT] by - Rush
I have a feeling we're gonna see a lot of these in the next few days, but the guys over at EvilAvatar have put up 3 exclusive Spec Ops 2 screenshots. Nice pics, check 'em out.

Ship dates update [00:18:43 EDT] by - Rush
Cpl Buddha sent me an updated list of ship dates, according to the EB computer, where he works. Here they are:

SO2: 11-2
DF2: 11-3
SWAT3: 11-16
H&D Devils Bridge: 12-31

Delta Force 2 Q&A [18:46:07 EDT] by - Rush
The guys over at Delta-Force2.com posted a tiny Q&A with NovaLogic's PR man, Dan Bennett about playing DF2 over a LAN, or from behind a firewall, and about how 'hackable' DF2 will be. Too small to snip (a-hem!), so head on over for the goods.

SWAT3 preview [18:38:41 EDT] by - Rush
Holy busy news day Batman! Also from TP is the news that Daily Radar has posted a SWAT3 preview (and more killer screenshots). Here's a snip on the realism:

The game places a huge amount of emphasis on realism and attention to detail. Hand signals will have to be incorporated into your battle plan, as well as specific methods of approach and penetration. Real-world lessons like sneak approach and blitz assault will have to be learned if the lives of hostages are to be saved -- to say nothing of the lives of your operatives.

Another good article..

Spec Ops 2 shots [18:29:13 EDT] by - Rush
I noticed over at Tactical Planet that TeleFragged scored some new screens of Zombie's Spec Ops 2: U.S. Green Berets which went gold yesterday. Check em out!

Flashpoint update [18:11:33 EDT] by - Rush
Gamers Central has posted the latest word on UbiSoft's Flashpoint, basically, that its been delayed. Here's the scoop:

Flashpoint delayed but for good reason!

Things have become a little silent around Flash Point recently. Just now, we learned why. Publisher Ubi Soft and developer Bohemia Interactive apparently decided they wanted to make several improvements to make the game even better.

But in the meantime they've posted a pretty awesome MPEG (25MB) that showcases the game so far. Click the link above for more.

Rogue Spear designer diary update [18:05:17 EDT] by - Rush
Always a good read, RSE's Greg Stelmack has updated his designer diary, this time with info on the sound APIs used in Rogue Spear. Here's a tasty tidbit:

Rogue Spear uses DirectSound3D plus Creative Lab's EAX 2.0 extensions. DirectSound3D gives us 3D positional audio, assuming you have a decent 3D sound card. The software 3D algorithm is not very good, so older sound cards may not give the player a very good 3D effect. But a good, modern 3D sound card should give the player quite nice positional audio effects.

Good read, check it out.

Rogue Spear review [17:11:26 EDT] by - Rush
Maurice from CombatSim.com sent me the news that they have put up their review (with some awesome screensnaps) of RSE's R6:Rogue Spear. Here's a snip:

No matter how you slice it, this title is a step forward and shows great promise for future Rainbow Six titles. The graphics are richer and the AI is more sophisticated. The basics of the game interface have stayed the same with some great new additions that enhance not only the tactical side of the game but the immersion factor as well. Commands such as "cover" and the much requested "snipe" command have been added along with a bevy of new weapons to be used in single as well as multiplayer action.

I guess you can say they liked it. :) Check out the rest of the review..

Delta Force 2 preview [16:59:55 EDT] by - Rush
C|Net Gamecenter has popped up a preview, with a few new screenshots, of NovaLogic's upcoming Delta Force 2. We already know about the 40 missions, new weapons, and weather effects, so here's a snip on the other new features in the game:

Another addition is the Commander's Screen. As in Starsiege: Tribes, the Commander's Screen is an interface that allows players to set waypoints, give orders, and plan missions in the game. In the new moves department, players will have the ability to climb ladders and scale certain buildings. Other notable additions include in-mission game saves as well as a full-featured mission editor.

Good preview.. check it out.™

Spec Ops 2 gold! [16:46:00 EDT] by - Rush
Yep, according the U.S. publisher, Ripcord, Spec Ops 2 is indeed gold (which I knew, contrary to what I said in my last post , but was under NDA not to post about yet..) It is shipping from the manufacturer on November 8, for an in-store estimated date of Veteran's Day, November 11. Thanks to Rich LaPorte over at Gone Gold for forwarding me the the Ripcord PR.

Spec Ops 2 gold? [00:58:57 EDT] by - Rush
Several sites are reporting that Spec Ops 2 has gone gold, but that's news to me. I'm in direct contact with Zombie pretty much on a daily basis, and I haven't heard anything on it. Then again, they don't have to tell me everything. :) I've got the feelers out, and as soon as I hear something back, I'll let ya know.

"DF2 may appear in some stores by the end of October, but the release date we're [Novalogic] using now is November 1."

There ya go, straight from Novalogic.

Rogue Spear review [17:32:21 EDT] by - Rush
I saw over at SimHQ (with their nice new look), that GamesFirst has put up a review of RSE's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear, giving it a 4 out of 5. Here's a cut to the quick:

Ups: Improved version of Rainbow Six with atmospheric graphics, new gameplay features, better terrorist AI and the smartest multiplayer experience around.
Downs: Some graphics and gameplay glitches, awkward planning phase, spotty team AI.

Nice article. Give it a look.

EB ship dates [11:42:42 EDT] by - Rush
Cpl Buddha, who works for a local Electronics Boutique store (and runs the SO2 ranking site, F.U.B.A.R.), sent me email with the news that currently, the EB computer has the release dates of Spec Ops 2 at November 2nd, and Delta Force 2 at November 3rd..  Take it for what its worth. :)  Thanks for the heads up Buddha!

H&D: Devil's Bridge screenshot [02:19:19 EDT] by - Rush
John form GA-Source emailed me with the news that they have posted a new shot and some info of Illusion Softworks' upcoming mission pack for H&D, Devil's Bridge. Again, the object modeling and textures look outstanding. Check it out!

Win DF2 [01:19:38 EDT] by - Rush
Here's your chance to win a copy of Delta Force 2. Enter Novalogic's Lock N' Load DF1 tourney and ya could win. Check it:

Only three more LNL tournaments left! Each week the top three players will receive a FREE copy of Delta Force 2! Grab your guns and we'll see you there!

Rogue Spear review [02:44:48 EDT] by - Rush
GameSpot UK has put up a review (and a whole slew of screenshots) of Rainbow 6: Rogue Spear, giving it an 8 out of 10. Here's a snip on the gripping gameplay:

The missions are tense and absorbing. Better still, not all of them are about gunning down terrorists. One stealth mission kept me occupied for hours, because shooting or being spotted by a tango meant the mission was a failure - the object was to get in, place bugs, and get out without leaving a trace. It's a commendable style of mission that makes a refreshing change from killing the enemy and rescuing all the hostages.

TalonSoft news [18:24:10 EDT] by - Rush
GameSpot has popped up an article on Talonsoft's upcoming titles, 2 of which we've been looking at: Hidden & Dangerous Devil's Bridge, and Codename: Eagle. Here's the scoop on Devil's Bridge:

Hidden & Dangerous: Devil's Bridge
The expansion pack for the popular Hidden & Dangerous features nine new missions across three campaigns: Poland, Ardennes and Greece. The game takes place at the end of World War II and even extends through 1946, when British SAS agents launched hundreds of raids against Communists and Nazis holed up in Greece. Devil's Bridge adds a host of new weapons and enhancements to the original game's sharp graphics and sound effects. Look for this one in January.

When will SWAT 3 be released?
SWAT 3 is scheduled for a November 1999 release in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. French, German, Spanish, and Italian language versions will follow later this winter. Please contact your local software retailer for availability.

Where does the story unfold?
SWAT 3 is set against the backdrop of Los Angeles in the year 2005. The political and social climate is more volatile, and international terrorism has invaded America's borders.

- We've changed storyline and mission design slightly.
- New weapons were added.

Greg Stelmack has dropped some hints at the RSE forums that the upcoming RS patch is currently undergoing testing. It appears RSE has tracked down what has been hogging some bandwidth in multiplayer games: "We found a message that was being sent a lot more often than it needed to be (caused by a late bug fix). That will cut bandwidth usage down quite a bit, which is what is causing most people's lag."

Also, he says the patch will make a change to the "Ready to Continue" process at the end of a game. Instead of sending a chat message, the ready indicators have been brought over from the start screen and will change from red to green as each player hits their button.

And this part from Planetrainbowsix:

The server has an override. Clicking once sets their light, clicking a second time forces the game to continue. If you find a mean server who never gives you enough time to check the stats, go find a nice server. -- Greg

The patch is currently in testing.

Codename Eagle demo patch [21:17:04 EDT] by - Rush
Still haven't had time to look at the demo, but Refraction Games has released a patch for the recently released Codename Eagle demo. Here's the PR:

After the phenomenal success of the original Codename Eagle demo, we are happy to be able to bring you this new patch for the demo! The patch provides Voodoo1/2/3 support (using Glide), Load/Save function, an all new scoring system, as well as several in game tweaks and fixes. Grab it here or head over to the downloads section and download it there (4mb).

 Grab it if ya want it..

Last week, further news was released regarding the recently announced establishment of the first USA-based development studio under the Codemasters banner. Among the first development projects undertaken by the new studio will be two titles previously in development at the location under its previous owner, Sierra On- Line and Havas Interactive. One of those titles is Navy SEALs, a first-person 3D military simulation based on the exploits of SEAL legend Richard Marcinko.

Codename Eagle demo review [02:05:32 EDT] by - Rush
PCArena has put up an article (with screenshots) of their impressions of Refraction Games' recently released Codename: Eagle. Here's a hefty snip:

Anyway, without giving up too much of the story (Editor's Note : Cuz he probably didn't read up like I told him to!) the demo puts you in a covert mission of sorts. You're to blow up a launch facility on the enemy's compound. On the way there, you're going to meet resistance. Sounds pretty straight forward right? Not quite. Codename Eagle also allows for the use of vehicles to get to your destination. Fancy a joyride on a bike? Touring in style in armored vehicles? Well, Codename Eagle has it all for you!

With Hidden & Dangerous (which was also published by Take 2) fresh in our minds, I would say it's the perfect blend of that and Half-Life. Gameplay isn't your typical run and gun nor tactical strategy but it's a interesting mix nonetheless. No, you'll have to sneak about - around that pillbox or casually walk up to that unsuspecting guard before slitting his thorax or you'll end up eating lead. What? Can't blow that gate? Use the bolt cutters - and whatever else you might find along the way which incidentally includes an armored vest.

Hey, I am 'officially' opening the F.U.B.A.R. Spec Ops II page and was wondering if you could post something. Here is a list of what I plan to offer:

1) Over 42 different awards, badges, berets and ribbons players can compete for (that number will grow to around 50 by games release)

2) Special Co-op squad where players create a ‘character’ to play in F.U.B.A.R. Co-op games. Choices may include (but are not limited to*) machine gunners, rifleman, sniper, demolitions, airborne infantry, Rangers and Special Forces. (*Final requirements will be determined by the actual game.)

3) Team ladder, rankings and awards

4) Deathmatch rankings and awards

5) Special competitions for teams and individual players such as Best Ranger and Soldier of the month.

6) Walkthroughs, weapons and tactics (both single player and multiplayer)

7) Private F.U.B.A.R. chat room and message board for discussion of Spec Ops II

8) Players who participated in the Spec Ops I F.U.B.A.R. community may have their prior service records carried over to Spec Ops II.

9) Players who register for deathmatch rankings and the Co-op squad by October 15th will gain one rank and a commendation award. Teams who register by the same date will receive a unit citation.

Also to help launch the site, I have posted 22 exclusive screen shots of Spec Ops II. These shots show off the awesome power of the great outdoors as done by the Viper engine.

Rogue Spear does nothing to dispel that tension. The graphics, always an ambiance enhancer, are top-notch. The game supports 1,200-by-1,064 resolution, and the accelerated engine must be seen to be believed: Rain patters softly on wooden roofs; your teammates' eyes blink behind their protective goggles; and frag grenades flash brilliantly, their blasts throwing terrorists to snow-packed ground.

Good review and screenshots. Check it out.

A definite advantage of the voxel engine is that it enables long distance vistas and the terrain looks rich and realistic with new lighting and shading effects that change as you move. Water has been drastically improved over the first game and swimming is a tad more realistic too, partially due to the inclusion of a breathing device that means you can't stay under the water indefinitely. News just in is that Delta Force 2 is going to incorporate an air drop delivery for your troops on some levels, giving you a birds-eye view of the landscape rather than just joining the game in the LZ. Levels have been made even bigger, allowing for much more exploration and planning.

Codename Eagle demo update [20:05:32 EDT] by - Rush
GA-Source has posted word of some possible trouble with the Codename: Eagle demo that was released yesterday. Here's the skinny:

This Codename Eagle demo currently does not run on Voodoo3 based cards. A patch will be released to rectify this shortly. Any Voodoo2 users should download these DirectX6 drivers (ftp://ftp.diamondmm.com/pub/display/monster/monster3d2/Mnstr2207.exe) for their card - 3DFX's reference DX6 drivers do not seem to work correctly with Codename Eagle at this time.

Now that the demo of Codename Eagle has finally been released, we can only say that we are overwhelmed at the response we have recieved from net users! The GameDepot has awarded the CE Demo the must download award ahead of several other top quality games, so we are more than happy about that. Thanks also go to GA-Source for hosting the demo and the large coverage of the game that they have given us.

I'm still downloading the demo.. haven't tried it yet. Hopefully it'll work fine with my TNT. :) I'm really disappointed with the Voodoo cards these days. Glad I went to non-3Dfx for my last video card. I'm sorta looking at the new nVida GeForce or the Glaze3D, but not quite ready to upgrade yet...

Rogue Spear German version 'fixes' [04:51:37 EDT] by - Rush
VE has posted word (that they got from PlanetRainbowSix) of how to get the German version of Rogue Spear to display blood and such. Here's the low-down:

There is a way to make the game playable like the US-version (with blood, and the tango-bodies still lies on the bottom). For someone who has the German-version: 

1. Go to www.mplayer.com 
2. Visit the roguespear-lobby 
3. Download the game-upgrade 
4. Look under "options" in the R6-menu for "blood/blut"

Off Topic: HALO [04:43:43 EDT] by - Rush
I've been casually scoping out Bungie's work in progress: HALO, and I have to say, the game looks pretty damn awesome! Dunno how tactical its gonna be, but it sure looks pretty, with rendering such as we haven't seen before.   Of course, its got aliens, so it won't be in the 'realistic' category... Still, I'll def be keeping an eye on this one.

Delta Force 2 preview [00:52:38 EDT] by - Rush
I noticed over at Delta-Force2.com that Sharky's Extreme has posted a preview of Delta Force 2, based on the DF2 beta demo. Bucking the "voxels suck" trend, they actually like the voxel engine. Here's a snip:

Let's talk voxels. Some of us here at Sharky Extreme really love voxels. Just mention the word, and for some twisted Pavlovian reason we start drooling. Voxels, much like polygons, are a way of drawing 3D graphics. A single voxel is a point in space with x, y, and z coordinates, color, and a translucency level. In game play, they have the advantage over polygons of allowing vast and "organic" land. The disadvantages of voxels are that they don't use your 3D hardware acceleration and can be really ugly sometimes, especially up close.

But when you consider the concept of Delta Force II, an outdoors squad tactics FPS, the trade-offs are worthwhile. Who cares if they look a bit ugly up close when you can pick them off from the grassy knoll?

I agree completely! :) Check out the preview.. One of the better DF2 previews I've seen. Def nice work..

Rogue Spear review [00:15:18 EDT] by - Rush
GamesDomain has put up a pretty nice review (and screenshots) of Redstorm Entertainment's R6: Rogue Spear. Quite the honest review. Here's a sample:

Those who demand a completely overhauled graphics engine in their game sequels can forget about buying Rogue Spear. The new game features the same stuff under the hood as its predecessor. While Red Storm's designers have smoothed out virtually all of Rainbow Six's rough edges, even the finest cosmetic surgery can't hide the basic fact that this is essentially two-year-old tech. If you're rating by the "Cool! Look at that!" quotient, recent titles such as Kingpin and Drakan blow this one away.

Building on the success of classics such as the Tomb Raider series and the N64's GoldenEye, Codename: Eagle promises to bring the next level of 3D-action adventure gaming to the PC. With its balanced blend of pure action, strategy and adventuring, the game should appeal to a wide-ranging audience and together with some truly unique features, Codename: Eagle hopes to set a new standard in this highly competitive genre.

Looks promising.. Here's a bit more:

SWAT3 'quickie' [23:45:44 EDT] by - Rush
A bit late, but hey, I have a life too.. :) AGN has posted a 'quickie' on SierraStudio's SWAT3. Here's a taste:

A new genre that is rising in popularity has been the squad based tactical shooter. Not only is it a mouthful to say aloud, but it also offers first person shooting games with real depth and strategy - something unheard of not all too long ago. Rainbow Six was one of the founders of this fine genre, and SWAT 3 is going to do its best to expand upon the type of gameplay first seen in Rainbow Six. How does it plan to do this? First off, everything is done on a smaller scale. You aren't storming international embassies with the intent to kill all the bad guys and save the good guys. Instead, you are a member of the Los Angeles SWAT Team, and you deal with more domestic disturbances - often trying to apprehend the bad guy instead of sending a lethal bullet through his neck.

Good little preview.. 

DF2 interview [15:14:27 EDT] by - Rush
I saw over on SimHQ that AGN has put up a real video interview with Wes Eckhart, producer of Novalogic's upcoming Delta Force 2. They talk about the frame rates of the demo, voxels of course, integrating polygon objects with a voxel engine, DF2 gameplay and more.. Good interview (once they actually get to it..)

(Side note: Ok, I dunno about you guys, but these real video interviews are kinda annoying. It takes a good 5-8 mins for the damn interview to even start while I have to listen to the "VJ's" talk about their hair. And the commercials are beat too. Just give me a plain text interview any day!   Save yourself some time and skip to the 8 min mark, and play it from there...)

More Navy SEALs info [15:08:32 EDT] by - Rush
A bit more info on Navy SEALs has surfaced, which re-affirms that the game is back in production. Here's a snip from the PR:

Codemasters USA Continues with Navy Seals & Realm Games
Further news was released today regarding the recently announced establishment of the first USA-based development studio under the Codemasters banner. Codemasters, a UK-based leading European developer and publisher of computer and video games, set- up its studio in Oakhurst, California near Yosemite National Park last week, and today announced that among the first development projects undertaken by the new studio will be two titles previously in development at the location under its previous owner, Sierra On- Line and Havas Interactive.

Management and maintenance of The Realm, the pioneering fantasy-based massively multiplayer online persistent world which was launched by developers in the Oakhurst facility in late 1996 when the studio was a part of Sierra, will be continued under Codemasters' ownership.

Additionally, the studio will continue with development of a squad- based tactical simulation game based on the exploits of the elite fighting group, the Navy SEALs. Development of the SEALs title, which will draw heavily on the experiences of noted former SEAL and best-selling author Richard Marcinko, was suspended when the Yosemite Entertainment studio was closed earlier this year.

For the whole thing, click here.

War in Europe mod [04:48:21 EDT] by - Rush
Not something I usually post, but news surfaces of a Half-Life mod called War In Europe, that attempts to re-create World War II battles. Here's the PR:

EXPERIENCE THE BATTLES OF WORLD WAR 2, WITH THE POWER AND TECHONOLGY BEHIND THE HALF LIFE ENGINE ON OCTOBER 9, 1999 Philadelphia, PA, October 2, 1999 -
In association with Border Lines Studio, the War in Europe team today made the official announcement regarding the release date of the first public beta version of their project. Scheduled to be released at 10 pm est., on the evening of October 9th 1999, War in Europe stands as the first ever multiplayer World War 2 mod released to date utilizing the Half Life engine. In production for over 4 months, War In Europe attempts to re-create the fury and action found in the battles of World War 2, and the subsequent films released, including the most recent blockbuster, Saving Private Ryan. Featuring 10 accurately modeled weapons of the war, and 2 maps, including D-Day, players are given the opportunity to take the role of both Axis and Allies soldiers in the classic battles of the period.

While the team behind War In Europe feels the version to be released provides a high level of game play value, it should be noted that the version is still a beta. It is hoped, that with the exposure of this release, the project will attract a greater level of attention among both the World War 2 and half-life community, including that of both artists and level designers. The assistance of skin artists and level designers is always welcome, and following the methods of the Counter Strike team, subsequent betas will include updated and new maps. For further information on the Mod, as well as information on submitting maps, helping with skinning and server listings head on over to: www.planethalflife.com/borderline/mods/wie

[Update 21:12]: GA-Source has a bit more info on the demo:

The demo (30Mbs) will be singleplayer only and feature one full mission. In the demo
you will be able jump with a parachute, drive a motorbike, use an armored car and an
airplane. 

There are 5 weapons available:
Knife
Handgun
Rifle
Grenades
Machine gun

Spec Ops 2 website update [19:33:24 EDT] by - Rush
Zombie's official Spec Ops 2 website has been updated with a slightly new look, and a few news screens and info. SO2 should be shipping in November.

SWAT3 Interview [17:43:35 EDT] by - Rush
I noticed over at VE that Checkoutgames.com has put up an interview with Rod Fung, producer of SierraStudio's upcoming game, SWAT3. Here's a snip on how SWAT3 compares to other tactical games:

Since the success of Rainbow Six, there has been an explosion of "first-person strategy" games. Was SWAT 3 inspired by that game, or was this a move the series was already planning? How much of an impact did other games on the market have on SWAT 3's eventual direction?

To be absolutely honest, SWAT 3 was in the works before we even knew about Rainbow Six. I can't recall the exact timing but we were probably in development about six months before we read of what Red Storm was making. I'm glad that Rainbow Six proved to be popular and has sold well. It's helped define this new genre of tactical simulation-type games. SWAT 3's game design has not been influenced [by] other game titles in the genre. Our goal from the start was to create a game that is as authentic as possible, [and] we have gone to great lengths to simulate a real close-quarter battle tactical experience.

Good interview, check it out..

Rogue Spear review [11:25:17 EDT] by - Rush
Spoons from SimHQ sent me email letting me know that they have put up their review of Redstorm Entertainment's Rainbow 6: Rogue Spear. They cover such topics as installation, manual, plot, configuration, gameplay, AI, and more. Here's a snip on the training missions:

Two of my favorites, the dual "Terrorist Hunt" training missions, have essentially carried over from the Rainbow Six: Eagle Watch expansion pack, and pit your team(s) against 30 tangos in either a "killhouse" or "large city street" environment. These are extremely challenging and great fun. A very nice change over the previous games is that instead of being armed with the standard gear and only given one operative, the player can now choose what weapons and tools to bring along, as well as what operatives and teams to use for these missions.

Private Wars will allow you, the player, to head a private merc. group who works for the highest bidder. You'll be in charge of everything, from getting them equipped, to changing their wet diapers. Unlike most 3D-shooters, you are not out to save the world and be a hero. You want one thing: money.

Rogue Spear review [18:21:07 EDT] by - Rush
CGO has put up a review of RSE's Rogue Spear, giving it 5 out of 5 stars. Here's a snip on the mission planning:

One of the groundbreaking features of the Rainbow Six series is its mixture of shooter action with careful tactical planning (through the use of the pre-action Mission Planner). Rogue Spear perfects the concept, offering a plethora of mission planning options. Experienced Rainbow Six players will feel right at home, but with the addition of several new commands such as "Cover" and "Snipe" (more on snipers later), entirely new worlds of mission strategies have opened up.

Picking up where the first game left off, Rogue Spear’s story unfolds in a tense and deliberate manner. It seems a Russian mobster by the name of Maxim Kutkin is no longer content with running the illicit affairs of the Russian Mafia and has teamed with the Middle Eastern terrorist Samed Vezirzade in an effort to inflict serious damage upon the West. As one would expect, those plans include the production and use of nuclear weapons. What follows is a thrilling game of cat and mouse as Rainbow fights to defuse the situation and, once again, save the world.

Sounds awesome to me.. :)

Rogue Spear review [19:48:11 EDT] by - Rush
Missed this yesterday, but GameSpot has slapped up a review of Rogue Spear. Here's a snip on the new operatives and mission types:

The game introduces several new operatives, including a number of characters from the Rainbow Six novel and a few additional leader-types (so you don't have to worry quite so much about losing Chavez any more). Rogue Spear also offers 18 missions, two more than Rainbow Six. Once you complete a mission, you have the option of trying it again in two great new game modes: Lone Wolf, which challenges you to traverse the map alone, with randomly placed tangos on the alert, and Terrorist Hunt, which lets you wander the map in an effort to liquidate each and every bad guy.

They give it an 8.0 overall.

Rogue Spear 'hands-on' [19:14:18 EDT] by - Rush
GameSpotUK has posted a small 'hands-on' (ahem) on a beta version of RSE's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear. Here's a bit on the new movement modes:

The game now allows you to move while crouched, which adds an extra element of stealth and protection, and it's needed considering the impressive response speed of opposing terrorists. You will also be able to peer around corners, exposing as little of your body as possible for the shortest possible amount of time.

Good little article.. check it out!™ :)

Rogue Spear stat keeper [19:10:13 EDT] by - Rush
Rogue Stats v1.0 has been released. Its a program that anyone can use to keep stats on multiplayer games. Grab it here.