Strangely, with over half a dozen awards from each site, only one game was chosen by both which was GTA3 for the PS2. Go here for the Gamespy and Eurogamer list.

We are now in the final throws of map selection, so if you haven't submitted your map by now it is doubtful that it will be included in beta2, as we are trying to get this all together asap. However, any maps that you do submit will be considered for future releases so please go ahead and send a link to dasjuden@dayofdefeatmod.com.

Despite some rumors, Beta2 will not be released today. We still have some tweaking to do and several maps that have already been selected need some fixing as well. We want you all to have beta2, like yesterday, but we want to make sure it's an solid bug-free release.

* Talon's DEdit and Model Edit
* Extensive documentation
* Importers for 3dStudio Max and Maya

This release provides the latest level and model editing tools from the Talon engine - the powerful package behind AVP2's creation. Included are the world-building tool DEdit and the model editing utility ModelEdit. Monolith
has also included extensive documentation and samples as well as detailed walk-throughs on how to configure game objects for every multiplayer mode, and additionally, LithTech's Talon-based DEdit package offers exporters for a number of the most popular editing tools including some versions of 3D Studio Max and Maya.

Throughout the production process the AvP community has shown their intense passion for the series and, without perhaps knowing it, they have contributed numerous ideas and suggestions that made it into the final game. Since release, we've heard from countless fans salivating at the thought of creating their own content, and we are more than happy to oblige them now... this release of the AvP2 mod tools is part of an effort to support the fan base by offering the tools to create their own levels and keep them current with the code base Monolith is using to author its latest creations.

"And lo and behold the game is released, the graphics and gameplay are praised, but the story is attacked for being cliché ridden and seemingly 'tacked on as an afterthought'. Is this surprising when few games are treated to a proper synopsis or complete character profiles outlining their personalities, their motivations and how they will change, and what they will learn?"

"{UnknownPlayer} Why did you move from being a member of the community to working for Wolfpack? Did they ask you or did you apply for the job?
{Ashen_Temper} Actually, I had just got out of the Marine Corps and working at a software company in California when I heard about Shadowbane. After reading everything I could, I instantly knew this was the game for me.
{Ashen_Temper} I started running the "Shared Development Board" that all the fansites used giving WP a central place to talk.
{Ashen_Temper} After that, I moved up the ladder and became the Site Manager of the Shadowbane Vault (http://sbvault.ign.com/)
{Ashen_Temper} I talked to members of the WP staff quite often and Warden knew I would be moving back to Texas soon for personal reasons. I met them all at E3 (after a huge car wreck! ack!) and a few weeks later I was offered the job.
{Ashen_Temper} offered even =)
{UnknownPlayer} Hehe very cool
{Ashen_Temper} I think they did it so I'd quit hounding them with a ton of questions for SBV, though...
{UnknownPlayer} haha
{UnknownPlayer} We have seen this happen many different times with different community members
{Ashen_Temper} True, there is Lum, Tweety, Savant, G.Bob, even Vosx.
{Ashen_Temper} the list is quite lengthy, actually.
{UnknownPlayer} yup
{Ashen_Temper} I think I was the first of the corporate whores (thank G.Bob for that descriptive term =), though
{Rasputin} Yeah, I think so...
{Rasputin} GBob was second I do believe
{Ashen_Temper} Yes, funny how that worked out =)

"The game promises an epic 'seamless story' for the single-player experience; what is the premise of this plot? Please give us some detail on how you plan to improve upon what has gone before.

Chris Taylor: The area we wanted to improve upon, was the simplicity in which the traditional epic story is presented. There have been some amazing games that have done a great job of telling some very deep and compelling stories. Our goal was not to create something that takes the complexity of that story-telling deeper, but rather to preserve that sense of "epic" while finding ways to streamline it... to keep the action moving forward, and not let the story get between the player and the action. We also have found ways to provide additional back story in such a way that it is almost transparent to players who are not interested in that sort of thing."

"All of the fiction in the world means nothing in an MMORPG if there isn't something the players can do to affect some part of the story. That's where the dynamic part of the fiction comes in. The stories have factor(s) that the players can actually change or create based on their actions in the game. For instance, in the first scenario, two warring races were fighting for control of a fort. In the final week of the scenario, using special items from previous weeks, the players could ally themselves with one of the races and help that side win the fort. In the end, whichever side the players supported more won control of the fort, making the end of that chapter in the story different."

Configs cannot be changed manually any longer; all changes are only be possible via GUI.

WHAT: Players of Microsoft's new PC game, Zoo Tycoon, can now try their hand at designing the perfect habitat for America's favorite zoo animal, Magnet, a polar bear from the Baltimore Zoo.

After weeks of ferocious competition, Magnet iced the competition to become Beast in Show, making him an instant star and the first four-legged honorary employee to join the ranks of Microsoft. Magnet will serve as a Tundra Trend Technician, providing insight into the world of Arctic habitats for all Zoo Tycoon players.

Beginning today, Zoo Tycoon players can download Magnet as well as other new items by visiting www.zootycoon.com. Adding excitement to gameplay, Magnet will swim, play and eat in his very own Arctic paradise. Players can read about Magnet and his penchant for eating fish while doing the backstroke, and create the ultimate polar bear habitat.

Zoo Tycoon is the newest sensation in the world of simulation games. Players are challenged to build and maintain the ultimate zoo, and success depends on the happiness of the animals and the zoo visitors.

In addition to Magnet, the following new items are now available for download:

Reindeer
Christmas tree farm scenario
Six new & improved buildings
An upgrade that improves game performance
WHEN: Thursday, December 20, 2001 -- Noon Pacific

"The multiplayer game is what really defines Return to Castle Wolfenstein. As revealed a while ago, Gray Matter actually spent their time developing the single player game, while a group called Nerve worked on multiplayer. When the ‘test’ was released, it was obvious why. RTCW multiplayer is like digital crack. Amazing really, given the scope of the multiplayer game when compared to that simplistic demo. Its only real fault is the lack of bot players - you will need to play on the Internet or a big LAN to get a good game, so make sure you have a decent connection."

The beta signup is scheduled for a 24-hour period on www.blizzard.com, beginning on Monday, January 7th at 11:00 p.m Pacific Standard Time (GMT -8). and ending on Tuesday, January 8th at 11:00 p.m Pacific Standard Time (GMT -8). Following the registration period, we will randomly select 5,000 testers based on a variety of system configurations and locations. Please note that multiple submissions will result in disqualification.

"The sheer volume of games we are publishing in the coming months and the desire to connect with our customers was reason enough for us to take a look
at developing a completely new site," said Steve Milburn, Director of Marketing.

The Strategy First website will include a central home page that will include the most up-to-date news on all of Strategy First's products and corporate initiatives. It will feature a GAMES page that will detail the story, features and system requirements of each individual product; a DOWNLOADS page that will offer readers the latest patches, demos, trailers, wallpapers and screenshots; a COMMUNITY page that will host the game forums; and a CORPORATE page that will give readers background information on the company and its partners.

"Our web team has done a fantastic job of developing a site that is easy to navigate, quick to load and nice to look at," said Adam Phillips, Product Manager. "It does a great job of reflecting an overall company image which is what we were looking for. Although we still intend on developing our individual game-themed sites, this allows us to centralize all of our content on one main location. The launch is the first step in a continuous effort to enhance our growing gaming community and players' overall experience with Strategy First titles."

Strategy First also plans to re-launch the Disciples II website (www.disciples2.com) with the latest news and progress reports, as well as material for the players, such as screenshots, wallpapers and of course the "Developer Corner". Disciples II, which is the first title to be released from Strategy First's roster in 2002, will hit store shelves in late
January. Fans of the original and those who are anxiously awaiting the sequel will be able to learn more about what has been going on in the development process over the past year and see some of the changes the game has undergone since its debut at last year's E3 Expo.

I don't know if this is common knowledge at this point or not, but apparently some security researchers discovered that Windows XP's universal plug and play features contain a huge security flaw: 'A Microsoft official acknowledged that the risk to consumers was unprecedented because the glitches allow hackers to seize control of all Windows XP operating system software without requiring a computer user to do anything except connect to the Internet. ... Microsoft made available on its Web site a free fix for both home and professional editions of Windows XP and forcefully urged consumers to install it immediately.