If you are anything of a final fantasy fan, here is some more info for u

The Vulcan Portal is a desktop application, which allows the download of episodic games, based on a pay-per-play basis. Additionally, the Portal utilizes real-time 3D and synthetic speech technologies, allowing users to define themselves as 3d talking people, move into the Portals in-built community, and begin communicating with over (currently) 3,000 registered Vulcan Software users via 3DVoiceMail, 3DVoiceNews, and the soon to be released, 3DVoiceChat.

Timekeepers Web Site
http://www.vulcan.co.uk/timekeepers/english/index.htm

First Prize: Free Admission to July 6 2002 Game Concepts & Design Certificate Course offered through St Lawrence College via irc.phaseburn.net IRC and the web.

Contest Background:

You are a high level employee at a game development company. Your parent company is suffering financially and you must produce a new and innovative game on a shoestring budget without alienating your audience or backers.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that "Flight Simulator" fans will now be able to to join the crowds at the annual EAA AirVenture fly-in and air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the air show, Microsoft has released a free add-on for "Flight Simulator 2002" that includes new detailed scenery of Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) and its surrounding area, plus a series of Flights that make it easy to fly in to aviation's biggest event.

The "Flight Simulator" team worked closely with the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) to recreate the look and feel of AirVenture through the use of highly detailed aerial photography and three-dimensional models of structures from Wittman Regional Airport. With the add-on, "Flight Simulator" fans will be able to experience the following:

Montreal, Quebec. June 25, 2002 – Strategy First is pleased to announce that Pro Train II: Saxony: Leipzig – Riesa - Dresden, a complete add-on for Microsoft’s® Train Simulator has shipped to retail stores nation wide.

Pro Train II takes you to the beautiful Saxony region of Germany where players will have the chance to ride the oldest “long track” in Europe. Get a taste of the authentic scenery that was painstakingly re-created to resemble Leipzig, Riesa and Dresden.

Players will have the opportunity to control the exciting new engines, such as the LET Henningsdorf BR143, AEG BR112, Adtranz BR101 and Woroschilowgrad BR232.

Other features include:

- 6 brand new scenarios

- Dynamic oncoming traffic and animated objects

- Realistic textures and original terrain

- Realistic driver’s cab interior for each engine

NEXON ASIA ONLINE ANNOUNCES ELANCIA’S OPEN BETA TEST

Nexon Asia Online today announced the open beta test for their latest massively multiplayer online game, Elancia. The unique anime style graphics and user-friendly interface in Elancia sets it apart from other MMORPG in the market today. Set in the mediaeval Japanese era, there are more than 10 different professions and four times as many different skills for players to choose from.

Bridging the gap between fantasy and reality, Elancia gives players the opportunity to play the role of a merchant or an adventurer and play an integral part in creating a virtual society. With various trade skills such as tailoring, blacksmithing, fishing and even cooking, players are able to experience a whole new aspect of game play.

Unique to Elancia is the ‘darkness’ aspect of the game itself. When night falls in Elancia, players will not be able to see their surroundings unless they have a light source, such as a torch or lantern, with them. This gives the players the authentic feel of night time adventures and exploration. Elancia also boast a comprehensive pet system where players are able to control and command their pets to do certain actions and even fight battles for them.

Elancia incorporate many different aspect of everyday life into the game. Players are able to run their own shops by having a merchant that will peddle their goods for them when they are not around. Unlike other MMORPG, eating is a must in Elancia. Fighting with and empty stomach will put players at a distinct disadvantage to those who keeps themselves properly nourished.

“What type of in game options will be available to uniquely identify your character from all of the other players?

”We aren't very likely to get a lot of people arguing with us about how an Eshlar can and cannot look. With that in mind, we can provide options above the traditional "human" character options... things like various skin textures, skin colors, body sizes, eyes, and head shapes.

”Beyond the initial physical character customization, there are several ways that a player will distinguish themselves from others in the game, including, Family, Faction, Name, Physical Size & Shape, Avatar Skins, Attire, and Dyes & Color. What will make you unique is the combination in which you choose to use these features. Although, we will not allow players to import their own graphics, we will have options for players to create identifying looks. For example, a cool feature in DAoC is the unique guild emblem. We will do something similar for factions and family crests.”

http://atvault.ign.com/features/q&a/01.shtml

http://atvault.ign.com/features/q&a/

"According to Headfirst MD Mike Woodroffe, the developer has terminated its publishing deal with Ravensburger Interactive due to alleged breach of contract by the defunct German publisher, a breach presumably relating to the company's recent sale. Whatever the cause of the split though, the end result is that the game is now up for grabs once again, with Headfirst looking for a new publisher for their highly promising game. Meanwhile development work continues, with Call of Cthulhu now expected to emerge menacingly from its aeons long slumber some time early next year."

A readme.rtf file complete with helpful hints to get webmasters started
Rise of Nations logo in jpg format
Big Huge Games logo in jpg and tga format
Four interface icons in psd format
Four unit screenshots in jpg format
11 building screenshots in jpg format
49 development team headshots in jpg format
Eight unit animations in gif format

This system managed to excel in almost every aspect we looked at and also managed to deliver some new great features on top of the existing ones we have grown to expect. This unit is very highly recommended and although priced slightly above a few systems on the market it definitely offers the features and versatility to justify the price tag.

Let's dispense with the usual snappy beginnings and get right to the point. After all, this is a serious issue. What we are discussing is no less than the demise of a genre. A genre whose early years helped to define computer gaming, but one that has lately fallen --with a couple of notable exceptions-- into financial doldrums. The genre in question is turn-based strategy, and to believe some pundits you would think that these games are on their last leg.

Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest Adds New Epoch, Expanded Single-Player Campaign and Unique Units, Buildings, Special Powers, and More

Sydney, 12 June, 2002 - Sierra Entertainment, Inc., a studio of Vivendi Universal Games, today announced development of the first expansion to their award winning real-time strategy game, Empire Earth. In development by Mad Doc Software and due on store shelves for Spring 2002, Empire Earth(tm): The Art of Conquest(tm) expands the scope of Empire Earth further into the future, allowing for planetary conquest. The expansion pack offers a new Space Age Epoch that covers the time period from 2200 to 2300 A.D., Earth's near future, and adds three new single-player campaigns, unique units, buildings, special powers and more to Empire Earth. Players have conquered new lands before, but this time to continue the dominance of their civilisation, they must cross the boundaries of space.

Released late 2001, Empire Earth has become a worldwide hit, with over one million copies sold. The game has won numerous industry awards globally, including PC Game of the Year honours from GameSpy.com.

Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest includes three new single-player campaigns set in ancient Rome, the Pacific Theatre of World War II, and Asia in the 24th century. In addition, each of the 21 pre-designed civilisations in the game gains a unique special power, building, or unit. Examples include: the Kingdom of Italy's Metallurgy power, which allows them to pay building costs with gold or iron interchangeably; Great Britain's S.A.S. unit will be able to plant demolitions and swim across water; and the United States' market building will allow that civilisation to trade abundant resources for scarce ones.

In Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest, gamers can become the greatest conqueror of all time by creating, building, and leading a civilisation to transcend the ages - from the discovery of fire, to flight, to the next frontier: space.

Having completed the first four episodes, which featured the little Prince of Valhalla. Episode 5, The Servants Hall, takes us back in time to the period when the Prince's father Garamond was king, and all was well in the kingdom of Valhalla. Now you play the part of mentor to Garamond's younger brother, the insanely jealous Lord of Infinity, in his quest to murder King Garamond and take the throne.

Montreal, Quebec. June 10, 2002 – Strategy First is pleased to announce that Pro Train II: Saxony: Leipzig – Riesa - Dresden, a complete add-on for Microsoft’s® Train Simulator has gone gold.

Pro Train II takes you to the beautiful Saxony region of Germany where players will have the chance to ride the oldest “long track” in Europe. Get a taste of the authentic scenery that was painstakingly re-created to resemble Leipzig, Riesa and Dresden.

Players will have the opportunity to control the exciting new engines, such as the LET Henningsdorf BR143, AEG BR112, Adtranz BR101 and Woroschilowgrad BR232.

Other features include:

- 6 brand new scenarios

- Dynamic oncoming traffic and animated objects

- Realistic textures and original terrain

Wilco’s FSNAT (Flight Simulator New Animation Technology) will make it possible for Microsoft Flight Simulator creators to script highly detailed movements such as doors opening, car wheels turning, and luggage conveyor belts dynamically transferring their cargo to the luggage hold. Any human movement can be simulated as well, allowing gamers to see virtual pilots looking under the wheels of their aircraft, mechanics adjusting an engine, or passengers walking down a jetway. Movements can also be linked together to create extensive action sequences.

Developers will also be able to script lighting in different colors and with a broader range of effects, ranging from a red light on an ambulance to different intensities reflecting the gamer’s distance from the light source. Any object or movement inside or outside the aircraft can also be equipped with directional 3D sound, including the ambient noise of a truck on the tarmac or the landing gear moving into place.

All of these effects can be added without affecting the frame rate because Wilco’s technology is specifically designed to minimize processing requirements.

Montreal, Quebec. June 7, 2002, 2002 – Strategy First is pleased to announce that Pro Train II: Saxony: Leipzig – Reisa - Dresden, a complete add-on for Microsoft’s® Train Simulator has gone gold.

Pro Train II takes you to the beautiful Saxony region of Germany where players will have the chance to ride the oldest “long track” in Europe. Get a taste of the authentic scenery that was painstakingly re-created to resemble Leipzig, Riesa and Dresden.

Players will have the opportunity to control the exciting new engines, such as the LET Henningsdorf BR143, AEG BR112, Adtranz BR101 and Woroschilowgrad BR232.

Other features include:

- 6 brand new scenarios

- Dynamic oncoming traffic and animated objects

- Realistic textures and original terrain

- Realistic driver’s cab interior for each engine

At a suggested retail price of $19.99US, Pro Train II is distributed by Infogrames throughout the US and Canada.

Montreal, Quebec. June 6th, 2002 - Strategy First and Nival Interactive are delighted to announce a new publishing deal, whereby Strategy First retains the publishing rights for Etherlords II in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Strategy First is pleased to announce our partnership with Nival,” said Steve Wall, V.P. of Acquisitions for Strategy First. “Etherlords impressed everyone when it debuted last year, with its combination of stunning graphics and amazingly deep gameplay. Given such a strong foundation to build upon, Strategy First looks forward to nurturing the sequel into the franchise it deserves to be.”

"We are convinced that our partnership with Strategy First will ensure that Etherlords II will achieve its full potential”, said Serge Orlovsky, President of Nival Interactive. "Working together enables us to introduce the best of turn-based tactical gameplay to a larger audience of strategy gamers."

Etherlords II is the sequel to the innovative turn-based strategy game originally released in November 2001. Similar to Etherlords I, which was highly praised for its tactical depth and stunning graphics, Etherlords II promises to be even more spectacular, changing the emphasis of the game from simple exploration and resource gathering to a more enriching story-driven adventure.

Players control one of four races in a lavish 3D fantasy world, in which they will explore, and conquer territory, solve puzzles, and seek out enemies. Combat takes place in wonderfully detailed and expansive arenas and is based upon fantasy collectable card games in which the player must make tactical decisions on the types and combinations of spells and creatures to cast against their foes.

The sequel is based upon a new and enhanced narrative that lends itself to exploration and adventure. 4 new campaigns will offer 16 new creatures and over 30 new spells, including spells and creatures that can be wielded by all of the races. A simplified interface and a thorough tutorial system enhances gameplay as well as new abilities, such as sailing, tunneling, teleporting, and an artifact editor for creating customized spells. As Heroes develop their skills they will change in appearance, giving the game more of a role-playing aspect.

In addition, players will find a map editor that allows anyone to create their own maps and combine them into entire campaigns. Added modes for one-on-one and team-based multiplayer duels on a new game server featuring auto-rating and recording will make on-line tournaments more captivating than ever before.

Chronic Logic Announces Release of Triptych for PC

Chronic Logic announces the release of Triptych, a new fast-paced puzzle game from the creators of the bridge building game Pontifex.

Triptych takes classic puzzle game elements and incorporates a dynamic physics engine to give an experience that differs from the standard puzzle game. Blocks are pulled down by gravity as you move them around and give them rotational velocity to align them properly. Touch three blocks of the same color together and they become energized and now have the ability to energize other blocks of the same color. This can cause huge chain reactions that will build up your bonus so that you can rack up points. Smash blocks together to get them to bounce off each other and make them go where you want them (or in some cases, where you don’t want them). The game board is a living body of blocks that moves on its own, and your ability to manipulate it will be the key to success. As you go up levels by keeping the blocks below the end line, you will have less time to place the blocks, so you’ll have to think fast to survive. Triptych offers levels of difficulty suited for all types of gamers.

For those of you who want to try your luck on the courts this summer, US OPEN 2002 will give you access to the most prestigious tennis courts in the world.

An easily mastered simulation for a broad audience

For the casual as well as the passionate fan, US OPEN 2002 combines responsive gameplay and stunningly realistic settings.

Playing US OPEN 2002 is like playing a match and watching it live on TV all at the same time (slow motion replays, umpire announcements, realistic player behaviour, crowd noise…)

With over 10 game modes (including 4 hidden ones), US OPEN 2002 offers a broad palette of pleasures, from the most classic to the most innovative. For example, the Career mode lets a player create a player profile (male or female) and take on the greatest players on the professional circuit. Taking part in training sessions and winning at singles and doubles will improve the player’s abilities as he strives for perfection and attempts to reach the top of his circuit.

The player created can then be reused in the other game modes. A password will be provided at the end of each career to enable the player to compare his performance with hundreds of others on the game’s official website.

Certain modes take full advantage of the Multiplayer mode (such as the ‘Challenge’ mode which allows the player to create his own tournaments) while others are pure arcade style (as in the ‘Two against one’ and ‘Race’ modes in which the player must defeat as many opponents in a row as possible in one-game or one-point matches).

In most modes, the player can unlock bonuses related to his performance (new modes, court types, locations, players, kit and videos).

Stunning realism

Authentic courts…
Thanks to the help of the teams at Roland Garros and the US Open, who provided exact plans of their stadiums, the development team was able to faithfully produce accurate models of the most famous courts at Roland Garros and the US Open, as well as 6 other courts with different surfaces (grass, synthetic, etc.).

This attention to detail can also be found in the game’s sound effects. Sound banks from the F.T.F. were used in order to recreate the proper match atmosphere: from the umpire’s appeals for quiet to the ringing of mobile phones in the crowds.

10 professional players

US OPEN 2002 includes 10 professional players, men and women, who play against each other at singles and doubles (and even at mixed doubles!). Their appearance and playing styles have been reproduced in detail; from their strengths and weaknesses to their abilities on different surfaces.
Characteristics:

A true tennis simulation
► 2 official licences: Roland Garros and US Open, with 6 faithfully recreated courts

► 4 main types of shots available (lob, top spin, normal, slice) as well as side spin

► Ball behaviour tailored for different surface types

► Realistic player behaviour based on their playing styles and preferred surfaces

► Over 500 animations created with motion capture

► Artificial Intelligence developed with the co-operation of a professional trainer

► F.T.F sound banks used for background sound effects + Dolby Surround Sound™

Rich and varied content
► 12 courts and 4 different surfaces + different locations + 3 training courts + 2 hidden courts (sand and ice)

►10 professional players (including 4 women) with playing styles modelled on their temperament and faithfully recreated physical appearances

► The possibility of playing a man against a woman in singles or doubles

► Arcade and simulator modes:

- Arcade: play successive opponents in singles or doubles

- Exhibition: singles, doubles, or two against one

- Challenge: create your own tournament

- Career: create a player and aim to reach the highest level after 10 seasons. Compare performances on the Internet

- Race: defeat as many opponents in a row as possible in one-game or one-point matches

- Training

► Numerous bonuses (hidden modes, locations, kits, players, courts...) to be unlocked in all game modes

► Up to 4 players in Multi Tap and 2 on PC (LAN)