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FreePlay Issue 14
F R E E P L A Y !
Multiplayer Internet Gaming Newsletter
Issue # 14 - Jan 27, 1997
Back Issues available at
http://www.leamark.com/freeplay
ftp://ftp.etext.org/pub/Zines/FreePlay
CompuServe - Library 15 of the Internet Fun Forum (GO INETFUN)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The FreePlay Newsletter Team members are:
Editor - Mark Shnayer <freeplay@snet.net>
Assist.Editor - Scott Grattan <scotti@gj.net>
Copy Editor - Jim Cooper <cooperj@flash.net>
Reporter - Position Open--Apply to <freeplay@snet.net>
Webmaster - Orog Ork <orogork@cs.tu-berlin>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Murphy's Law of Lag:
You will always freeze as soon as you need to avoid something.
Murphy's Second Law of Lag:
No matter how lagged you are, you can always be lagged more.
************************************************************************
SECTIONS
------------
Announcement - FreePlay now featured on CompuServe
Editorial - Just a couple of notes
Rambling On - By Scott Grattan
Gaming News - All the multiplayer news you can use
Hot Links - Bookmark these now!
Resources - To make multiplayer gaming a heck of a lot easier
Updates - Take old bugs out, put new ones in
Previews - The Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time Review
PBEM Games - Play By Email Games
Online Games - Multiplayer Internet Games you can play NOW
Humor - Something to make you laugh while you are gaming
Details - How to subscribe, back issues, legal junk
************************************************************************
Announcement - FreePlay newsletter featured at CompuServe
------------
I received an email a short time ago from one of the forum sysops on
CompuServe as follows:
"I just recently subscribed to your FreePlay Multiplayer Internet Gaming
Newsletter and I've really enjoyed what I've seen. I am a staff member
in the Internet Fun Forum (GO INETFUN) on CompuServe. Our forum is
devoted to directing people to and discussing fun things to do on the
Internet. Your newsletter is exactly the sort of content we are looking
for to offer in our Ratings & Reviews and our Online Games Sections."
I'm a soft touch when it comes to compliments! So, we worked out the
details. The FreePlay newsletter will be available in those two sections
(Ratings & Reviews, and Online Games) and will be available for download
as follows:
Members of CompuServe can download the FreePlay newsletter from Library
15 (Online Games) of the Internet Fun Forum (GO INETFUN).
************************************************************************
EDITORIAL - Just a couple of notes
---------
I have some things I am working on for next couple of issues and they
are rather long. Since this issue is already a big one, I will hold off
till the next issue. The editorials will be about multiplayer gaming,
the musical chairs the programmers at the various software companies are
playing, the coming "online game service" wars (TEN is already putting
down battle.net saying their service will provide better latency/ping
times for Diablo), and how this has all been made possible by the now
standard $19.95 per month unlimited Internet access (or if you are an AOL
member the unlimited busy signals; or if you a CompuServe member, sorry
no flat rate). It's already getting long just describing it :)
If you haven't checked out Engage (http://www.engage.com, mentioned in
the last issue), you should soon. Their beta testing will end around
March 15th. After that they go commercial: no more free beta-testing.
After our Assistant Editor Scott's review of Diablo, and after playing
the shareware version on my magazine game CD-ROM, and with my credit
cards paid off and burning a hole in my wallet... Well...
I bought the retail version of Diablo. (Grabbed the last one off the
shelf, hah!, almost knocked over some kid eyeballing it..."Mommy!!!")
I have discovered one thing. Don't play Diablo in multiplayer mode
online and plan on do anything else (like writing a newsletter) for a
while. "Yeah, that's the ticket, I'll just check out how good Diablo is
for playing over the Internet, then work on the newsletter." Yeah, right,
uh huh. Three hours later my wife is yelling "Did you finish the
newsletter yet? The Superbowl is almost on!". Oh shoot... But I'm almost
at level 5! Well... back to the newsletter... after Green Bay kicks some
butt... and I live in New England :)
************************************************************************
Rambling On - By Scott Grattan
-----------
Another two weeks have gone by again??? What the hell have I been doing
that I didn't notice that my column and reviews were due? Could it be
Diablo? SubSpace maybe? Planetary Raiders? Could it have been all of
the above...???
Ok, so maybe I'm getting a little melodramatic, but I'm building up for
a reason. No, really! I am! I just want to plead my innocence and say
that I'm cutting it this close to deadline is for one simple reason:
A virus...
OUCH!!! And this wasn't one of the little run-of-the-mill buggers
either! Anti-EXE, and it did some stuff that I couldn't fix no matter
what I did.
Removing it was easy enough, fixing the damage was impossible (for me
anyway, and I'm supposed to be some kind of computer tech!). The short
of it is this: I had to delete and re-install Windows '95, losing all my
settings. I know I could have backed it up, but I didn't have idea one
what files were corrupted (keyboard remapped and modem nowhere to be
found), and I was so frustrated that I justified my actions at the time.
I'm sure some of you out there can relate to the satisfaction of typing:
DELTREE WINDOWS
So, after a few days of scrambling to recover, and the rest of them
trying to remember what I had and what I really want/need back, I'm just
now getting to a point where I can function again. Moral of the story
is thus: backup stuff! And you want to know the best way to back things
up? My latest investment has been an incredible useful tool, and well
worth the small cost! Check out Iomega's ZIP drives! 'nuff said... on
to the gaming!
Despite my recent problems, I have found some time to spend online with
Diablo! (oh yeah, after deleting Windows, and getting back into Diablo,
I was informed by fellow gamers that your character is saved in the
\windows directory somewhere. So...my character was lost to the great
abyss..) I've managed to build another character that is to be feared,
and am still enjoying this game immensely. So much, in fact, that I
nearly neglected to work on my single player character! If you're just
jumping online (and from the people I've chatted with online, I know
there are a few), and not playing the single player mode, you're missing
out! There's a lot of things that happen in the game that you will not
see in MP (multi-player). There's an awesome storyline, and that's a big
part of gaming for me!
Since the release of Diablo, I haven't spent anywhere near as much time
as I had been in SubSpace (http://www.vie.com/subspace), but I was bored
a little the other night, and logged in. Much to my delight, v1.20 had
been released, and it's awesome!
Check out http://www.vie.com/subspace/team/rod/scen/scen.htm for the
first subspace scenario "Battle for Juno"
Phew! What a few weeks!
version 120.
BUG FIXES
Lost score bug. Hopefully nailed this one. Sorry for the pain it has
caused.
Hardrive access bug. Addressed it. let us know if it works with everyone.
false lockouts should now be fixed. Sorry bout that guys.
Banner bug (pallete) - fixed.
Multifire - If you didn't take advantage of it, now you never will.
Speed Zone - no more zone swapping, you bad people ;) Zone winners -
Finally fixed. (phew) Repels - still unreliable weapons (they are meant
to be) but will be more effective when they go off.
NEW FEATURES
o 2 new ships
o Terrier - fires twin guns. About as maneuverable as a leviathan.
Weasel - Can detect mines on radar. Fires EMP bombs which stop an enemy
from recharging. your EMP bombs can also affect YOU if you fire too close.
o ROCKET pickup. Hit F3 and off you go!!!
o Dissolve squad feature, menu option. (only the creator can dissolve a
squad)
o Super duper background graphics. These can be turned OFF in the
view/options menu.
o New fly under/over tiles + secret door tiles implemented. Expect the
maps to be updated with them in the next few days.
o In running zone flags now get dropped where a player lost connection.
o In warzone music now plays when a team has all flags and is about to
drop em.
o Bomb code improved. Fear the leviathan.
o SHIFT+PG/UP PG/DN now flips down the player list by a page.
o Oh yeah and we re did all the ship graphics again.
NEW PLAYER COMMANDS
?chat=XXXX where XXXX is the name of the chat channel.
To chat on that channel use the ; key.
EG: ?chat=rod
;hello
this sends the message "hello" to everybody on that chat channel.
?chat with no name removes you from a chat channel.
?log - logs all messages to a file. ?log XXXX specifies file name
?log again stops logging.
?kill - logs all death messages to your message area so you can hit esc to see them.
%killer - tells you who last killed you.
%killed - tells you who you last killed.
?status - tells you how much charge rate and other powerups you have.
remember 100% jav speed is faster than 100% warbird speed.
:#squadname:message here Sends a mesage to everyone in that squad across all zones.
#message As above but auto sends it to your squad.
Right SHIFT + Function keys now gives you extra macros! (menu option)
SHIFT+BKSPCE erases entire message.
The new graphics are very nice, and it's obvious that VIE is getting
this prettied up so they can start selling it. The rumors are flying,
but the predominant rumor is that it will cost $10 a month. I hope this
isn't the case, because as much as I like this game, it's not worth $120
a year to me. I can easily justify spending the $50 that Blizzard asks
for Diablo, but SubSpace just doesn't have that same appeal to me.
And last but not least, we come to another release that I've been
eagerly awaiting... Planetary Raiders (http://www.icigames.com/pr/)! I've
been wanting to test drive this ever since I came across their teasers a
few months ago. ICI is the same company that does Warbirds, a WWII
simulator enjoyed by hundreds of online flight sim nuts all over the
world. If you've ever gotten a WBer talking about this game, you'd know
you need a court order to shut them up. But if PR keeps along the same
lines, you'll need one to shut ME up! I'm an old Elite player (if you
know what it is, you know what I mean... if not.. FIND OUT!) from way
back when, and I've long dreamed about someone bringing Elite online.
Well, ICI is working on it, and have a great start from what I can tell!
They're in open beta right now, and it's not that hard to get it up and
going. A word of warning though, to log on they require you to
"subscribe", and somewhere in that process they ask for a credit card #.
It seemed like I was signing up for Warbirds, but it was necessary to get
into the ICI server to play PR. I'm still not sure if I'm going to be
charged the subscription fees, since it says that there will be no charge
for two months to betatest PR. If you're at all uncomfortable about
giving credit card information- online, contact them directly.
Well, time to get this thing sent to the editor! I don't have any
prepared reviews this time, but from what I can tell from the rough
draft of the newsletter, there's plenty to keep you occupied.
I will however throw in my own little contribution to the humor section,
in the form of a game you've got to see to believe. Redneck Rampage by
Interplay is hysterical, and worth the download time. I don't know if
you'll be seeing this one on any of the gaming magazine CD-ROM's, but it
wouldn't surprise me if none of them carry it. There were absolutely no
restrictions or age stipulations to download this thing from
(http://www.interplay.com/games/redneck.html), but I'm not sure if that
surprises me or not. Start it up, and you're welcomed by a fair
impression of a hillbilly salute, "Holy Shit!", with southern accent and
everything. The name of the game says it all, and the gameplay is very
Duke-like. The graphics are impressive, but you'll need a decent machine
to run them in highest resolution. If you're bored with Duke and/or
Quake, this is a funny diversion from your regular Doom/Duke/Quake clone.
Just don't take it too serious, or you just won't get the enjoyment out
of it that I'm sure Interplay is hoping for.
Until next time, GOOD GAMING!
************************************************************************
GAMING NEWS - All the multiplayer news you can use.
-----------
Blizzard Takes Online Gaming by Storm
by Marc Saltzman 2:42pm PST 16 Jan 97
----------------------------------------
Blizzard Entertainment's online gaming service Battle.Net, launched last
week, reached 60,000 registered players on Wednesday, surpassing Mplayer,
DWANGO, and the largest of the online gaming pack -
The Total Entertainment Network (TEN). The service, which offers
Blizzard's long-awaited role-playing game Diablo, is free. "This does
indeed make it tough for TEN, and other online gaming services that
charge fees," says John Robb, an analyst at Forrester Research. "They
will have to do a lot more for their money." Blizzard, publisher of the
hugely successful game series WarCraft, is the first gaming company to
provide its own Web service for a newly launched game. QuakeWorld, id's
online gaming service for Quake, came out months after Quake was released.
id says it has not been tracking how many users QuakeWorld has.
Direct competition from gaming company makers will force online gaming
services to add more features, such as news, and to create a stronger
community, says Robb. But TEN denies that Battle.Net is competition. "We
see them [Blizzard] as a partner, since we are providing Diablo on our
network soon," says Garth Chouteau, communications manager at TEN. The
company is working to make sure its multiplayer version of Diablo will
be the "best possible online experience out of all the Networks." Plans
include a unique TEN shell for players and lower latency during gameplay.
Mark Mooradian of Jupiter Communications says there is more than enough
online room for different types of services. "There is definitely a
place for both of them; everybody benefits, but the lowest latency
possible is still the main issue."
Diablo Burns Up battle.net
http://www.gamespot.com
--------------------------
Gamers logging on to Blizzard's free multiplayer server, battle.net, to
play Diablo are turning the new service into a gamer free-for-all. "As
of Sunday night we were at 80,000 visitors," a Blizzard spokesperson
told GameSpot today. And with battle.net attracting about 5,000 new
users a day, it will likely top the 100,000 mark by week's end. On the
heels of Diablo's success, Blizzard is readying StarCraft, its real-time
strategy game, for a full-scale battle.net release this summer.
ENGAGE Games announces a deal with CompuServe
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)
--Jan. 22, 1997--
----------------------------------------------
ENGAGE Games Online Wednesday announced a deal with CompuServe
Interactive (CSi), which makes the new on-line game community available
on the three leading commercial on-line services, as well as the
Internet.
ENGAGE will begin delivering its high-end multiplayer games and on-line
entertainment content to CSi's more than 3 million members in early 1997.
Among the initial offerings will be Interplay's "Descent Online" and
"Castles II," as well as on-line exclusive originals from Interworld,
"Rolemaster: Magestorm" and "Splatterball."
ENGAGE has already announced deals with AOL, Prodigy and Internet
providers Concentric Network and Earthlink Network. Other deals are also
soon to be announced.
ENGAGE recently announced its beta testing phase on America Online and
the Internet, allowing die-hard game fans a first look at such hits as
"Descent Online," "Castles II" and "Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness," as
well as on-line original exclusives "Rolemaster: Magestorm" and
"Splatterball." When ENGAGE launches its full service on March 15, it
will feature an impressive array of high-end multiplayer games, as well
as some less intense fare for non-gamer members of the family. ENGAGE
will offer several games at launch and then plans to add one or two
additional games each month.
First Annual GameCenter Awards
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/
04:43 p.m. Jan 20, 1997 EST
http://www.gameworld.com
http://www.merc.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=1189445-594
--------------------------------------------------------
C|Net's GAMECENTER.COM, the online source for gaming news, reviews,
features and downloads, has announced the winners of its First Annual
GameCenter Awards. The winners are as follows:
*** Game of the Year -- Quake (id Software)
*** Best Action Game -- Quake (id Software)
*** Best Sports Game -- NHL 97 (Electronic Arts)
*** Best Adventure Game -- Neverhood Chronicles (DreamWorks Interactive)
*** Best Fantasy/role playing Game -- Meridian 59 (Studio 3DO)
*** Best Strategy Game -- Civilization II (MicroProse)
*** Best Simulation Game -- NASCAR Racing 2 (Sierra On-Line)
In the hotly contested category of Game of the Year, GAMECENTER's
editors selected Quake (id Software), recognizing it for its multiplayer
options -- especially Internet play -- superb 3D environments, and true
physics. And, admits Editor Alice Hill, "It's the only game that has kept
my staff here playing until 10 p.m. on a Friday night."
(Freeplay: Note that SIX out of SEVEN awards went to multiplayer games!)
GT Interactive Signs Publishing Deal with 5D Games
--------------------------------------------------
GT Interactive announced it has signed a multi-title publishing
agreement with game developer 5D Games. The agreement gives GT
Interactive the interactive media, merchandising, and publishing rights
to 5D Games's upcoming game Millennium Four: The Right, along with its
sequel and three other future titles. Millennium is a space action/strategy
sim that will include a "serverless" multiplayer design allowing network
games to continue even if the player who started the game leaves.
Millennium is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of this year and
will be available for the PC and console platforms. 5D Games was founded
last July by several employees from Sierra On-Line's Papyrus division,
developers of the IndyCar and NASCAR racing simulation series.
Monolith Productions Announces Blood and Q Studios Acquisitions
Kirkland, Washington -January 22, 1997
http://www.blood.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
Monolith Productions today announced the recent acquisition of all the
rights to 3D action horror game Blood from 3D Realms. "Monolith believes
that Blood will be THE deathmatch game of choice in 1997. The horrific
nature of the game and quality of gameplay will give Blood the foundation
it needs to become a phenomenal hit," says Monolith CEO Jason Hall.
"This acquisition gives us the ability to give Blood the support and
attention it deserves," says Monolith Product Manager Matt Saettler.
While Monolith now owns all content and rights to Blood, the game will
still be published and distributed by GT Interactive. "GT is a great
publisher," says Hall, "they're one of the biggest and one of the best.
They've clearly shown the desire and ability to promote and support Blood.
We couldn't be happier with their efforts." A shareware release of Blood
is expected in March.
Spectrum HoloByte Upset with Acclaim
------------------------------------
Legal battle over the release of Magic titles continues. Spectrum player
-controllable artificial intelligence, true line-of-sight, native
Internet play and advanced gaming options, Dark Reign draws players into
an engaging sci-fi universe where armies duel for interplanetary
domination in more than 30 battles. Currently slated for a summer
release, the Windows 95 compatible title is being co-developed by
Activision, Inc. and Australis Microprogramming Pty., Ltd.
Women more interested in on-line video games than men
-----------------------------------------------------
Impulse Research, an independent research firm based in Los Angeles,
released survey results Tuesday reporting women are more interested in
playing on-line video games than men (59 percent of women who play
console video games want to play games on-line, compared with 49 percent
of men). The survey also says 61 percent of video game players want to
access the Internet and play on-line games on their video game consoles.
The survey results were released by Sega of America which, coincidentally,
markets a $199 modem that plugs into the Sega Saturn video game console
allowing complete access to the Internet displayed on a TV. On-line games
will be available from Sega in early 1997.
************************************************************************
HOT LINKS - Bookmark these now!
---------
Daniel's InfoZene
http://www.lofcom.com/forms/maillist.html (subscribe form)
----------------------------------------------------------
A general interest/public service ezine that carries Internet tips,
humor, recipes, as well as at least one PSA/advocacy for disabilities
article, and much more. Weekly distribution. To receive the latest issue
send blank email to <diz@lofcom.com> For more information send blank
email to < infozene-info@lofcom.com >.
To Subscribe visit < http://www.lofcom.com/forms/maillist.html >
or Send a message to <list-request@lofcom.com> as follows:
TO: list-request@lofcom.com
SUBJ:
TEXT: Subscribe daninfo your@email.address (Real First Last Name)
The Official Games-L Home Page
http://www.enter.net/~apearson/
-------------------------------
This is the official home page for the Games-L mailing/discussion list.
TO join the Games-L list you must send a mail message
to <listserv@brownvm.brown.edu> and in the body of the message, type
subscribe games-l. Or you can do this via the WWW at the following URL:
http://www.netspace.org/cgi-bin/lwgate/GAMES-L. This method is fairly
simple as well. The home page features Premier Games, Non-Premier Games,
Old Time Games, Utilities/Files, Cheat Codes, Walkthroughs, Rumors, Game
Reviews, Platform Reviews, Game Site Reviews.
Nostromo's Doom and 3D Gaming Newsletter
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arcade/6893/ (Newsletter text)
http://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~chiry/doom/doom.html (HTML format)
http://people.delphi.com/~ron1701/nostromo.htm (Doom II Wads)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently, this newsletter is being posted on various 3D gaming related
newsgroups, sent via e-mail to the folks on the Newsletter subscription
list and posted on The Nostromo BBS.
NOTE: The 3D Gaming Newsletter is now available on the web! Contact
<Nostromo@sonic.net> for subscription requests or call The Nostromo BBS
(707) 838-6833.
Playing Wargames via the Internet
http://grognard.com/index.html
---------------------------------
Welcome to Web-Grognards - the site for wargames on the web! 'Grognard'
is also slang for someone who likes playing wargames. The purpose of Web
-Grognards is to provide a central location for the collection of
various conflict simulation game (i.e. wargame) information, including
(but not limited to) game errata, variants and reviews and relevant FTP
and web sites. The emphasis is on board wargames, but miniatures,
computer and card-based wargames are also covered. Web-Grognards has
information on hundreds of games and is a unique resource on the
Internet.
************************************************************************
RESOURCES - To make multiplayer gaming a heck of a lot easier
---------
3D Game-Menu (Dos\Win95\Win NT\Win3.11)
http://members.aol.com/maisonave/duke.htm
-----------------------------------------
3DGame-Menu is a mouse driven DOS menu (front end loader) with a windows
type interface for Duke Nukem 3D.
3DGame-Menu features an intuitive point-and-click interface for viewing,
running, extracting, and testing 3D game files. Now you can use
3DGame-Menu to access all map files you download from the Internet. If
you have a CD-ROM with 300, 500, or a 1,000 maps, there is no need to
fill up your hard-drive or your Duke3D directory with these maps. Use
3DGame-Menu to run the maps straight from the CD-ROM; Or set up a special
subdirectory for your 30 favorite Maps, and make your own personal Group
Episode.
This program is great for beginners as well as seasoned pros. For
beginners it offers the ability to run maps and episodes without having
to know all the special command prompts, DOS commands and Duke3D codes.
It also has a great Help database to answer many questions that new
Dukers ask. For the pros it offers the ability to modify the user.con
map files and midi files from a mouse-driven menu. It also allows access
to build, extract and edit art using the selected file or subdirectory.
This version of 3DGame-Menu also includes FAQs on maps, editart, CON and
episodes. Runs in Dos\Win95\Win NT\Win3.11
Advance Squad Leader Mailing List
---------------------------------
There is an ASL Mailing List on the Internet. It has over 500 subscribers
(and increasing) from all over the world, and here one can find local
opponents, discuss rules and tactics, bring up related questions, have
those questions answered by experienced players, get in touch with
fanzine editors and players from all over the world. To subscribe to the
list, send a message with subscribe advanced-sl {Your email address} in
the body to <majordomo@list.pitt.edu>. The actual list address is
<advanced-sl@list.pitt.edu>. The ASL Mailing List is run by Paul Ferraro
via a listserv program at the University of Pittsburgh. For help or
information, contact <owner-advanced-sl@list.pitt.edu>.
The List is also the source of the ASL Internet Ladder and the ASL
Record, the former being an ongoing ladder style competition and the
latter a collection of scenario results which is very useful in judging
balance. You can also find the complete backlogs of the Mailing List
starting from the very first days in the archives.
Dirty Little Helper - The Ultimate Cheats Database
Cheats for more than 900 PC Games
--------------------------------------------------
New Cheats:
Amok, Area 51, Bedlam, Biing, Cybergladiators, Destruction Derby 2, H2O,
Gubble Demo, Heroes of Might & Magic 2, NBA Live 97, Need for Speed SE,
Normality, Privateer 2, NFL Quarterback Club 97, Shattered Steel, Sonic
PC, Stargunner, Tomcat Alley, Tomb Raider, Tunnels and Trolls, Virtua
Squad, Wages of War, Zombie Wars.
Updated Cheats:
Actua Soccer, Alien Trilogy, Colonization, Command & Conquer, Desert
Strike, Jungle Strike, MetalTech: Earthsiege, Prince of Persia 2.
Walkthrus/Hints:
Ace Ventura, Amber: Journeys Beyond, Area 51, Championship Manager 2,
Cybergladiators, Discworld 2, Drowned God, Links LS, Meridian 59, Monty
Python/Holy Grail, Neverhood, Star Trek: Borg, Wizardry Nemesis FAQs:
Privateer 2, Trainer/Editors: Command & Conquer: Red Alert.
Savegames: Privateer 2, Wizardry Nemesis.
Game Wizard Files:
Al Qadim; Genie's Curse, Dark Sun 2, Doom, Doom 2, Elite 2: Frontier,
Eye of the Beholder, Eye of the Beholder 2, Heretic, Hexen, Land of Lore,
Master of Magic, Menzoberranzan, Mortal Kombat 3, Prince of Persia 2,
Raptor, Ravenloft, Sam & Max, Schleichfahrt, Shadowcaster, Thunderscape,
Warcraft, Worms: Reinforcement.
Download the base database at:
ftp://ftp.inf.tu-dresden.de/pub/ms-dos/games/utility/dlh/dlh30jan.zip
ftp://ftp.fidogate.com login:dlh file: dlh30jan.zip
If you have the December DLH, you only need the (smaller) update:
ftp://ftp.inf.tu-dresden.de/pub/ms-dos/games/utility/dlh/dlhu3jan.zip
ftp://ftp.fidogate.com login:dlh file: dlhu3jan.zip
The December module is also available at:
ftp://ftp.inf.tu-dresden.de/pub/ms-dos/games/utility/dlh/dlhm1296.zip
ftp://ftp.fidogate.com login:dlh file: dlhm1296.zip
And finally, if you like the DLH drop me a note and I will put you on
the mailing list to make sure that you will get your DLH fresh out of
the computer every month. Mail to: <uzs691@uni-bonn.de> Bernd
Wolffgramm.
Stargates Network Home - Kahn (Win95)
http://www.teleport.com/~nbright/home.html
------------------------------------------
Originally reported in Issue #8. Kahn has been updated.
What is Kahn Anyway? Kahn for Microsoft DOS and Microsoft Windows 95
turns your TCP/IP connection to the Internet into a virtual IPX protocol
network. Games that are built to allow network play will function across
the Internet as well!
Kahn 0.92 Released! Key Features:
*** Support for even more IPX games, including Win95 version of Red Alert.
*** Better Winsock Support (and we wouldn't even think of replacing your
system files).
*** NEW Chat, MDI based.
And of course, Much More!!!! Kahn Features:
*** Fastest Shareware Internet Connection.
*** Kahn gives you the fastest shareware gaming experience on Internet
today
*** An Unrestricted DOS Shareware License!
*** Try it as long as you like before you register (DOS version).
*** Compatible with IPX-based network games.
*** See our compatibility database for a list of tested software!
*** Designed with frame optimization to reduce network bandwidth up to 40%!
*** More efficient network traffic means smoother network game play.
*** Easy to Install and Use.
Also Netertainment has moved. If you haven't changed your Netertainment
IP address yet, just get the latest release of Kahn. The new IP address
for Netertainment is 207.49.231.254.
Win95 Games under NT 4.0
http://www.concentric.net/~Dstaines/nt40games/
----------------------------------------------
If you are running Windows NT on your system then you know how tough or
impossible it is to get Windows 95 games to work under NT 4.0. This is a
list of games that I have compiled based on information received from
personal experience, messages from visitors and developers themselves. It
is in no way intended to be used as a buying guide, but as a reference
base for games under NT 4.0.
************************************************************************
PREVIEWS - The Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time Review.
--------
Millennium Four: The Right
5D GAMES ANNOUNCES FIRST TITLE FOR 1997
January 13, 1997
---------------------------------------
In the fourth millennium, the Earth is dying.
In the fourth millennium, humanity has spread to the stars.
In the fourth millennium, the Aahnja have returned, to reclaim their
right.
5D Games, Inc. announced today that its first title, previously code
named G-Zero, will be called Millennium Four: The Right.
Millennium Four:The Right takes place in the thirty-sixth century. As
the Earth is dying from ecological abuse, humanity has colonized dozens
of star systems spread over one hundred light years. The expansion has
stopped, however, with the discovery of the Aahnja, a group of humans
taken from Earth fifteen thousand years earlier by a mysterious alien
race known only as Aahnk. The Aahnja were bred to be Aahnk mercenaries
with the promise of the rule of humanity in return. Now they have
returned to claim their right.
Millennium Four: The Right is a first-person perspective, 3D space
combat/action/strategy game that sets a new standard for graphics. The
player starts as a neutral trader just as tensions are escalating
between the human government, called the Centauri Cooperative, and the
Aahnja, backed by the rebel faction known as Brooks-Taylor FreeSpace. As
the player ferries cargo between space stations they meet characters that
invite them into both sides of the conflict. The player can choose to
help the Centauri, the Aahnja through the Brooks-Taylorites, or stay
neutral. If the player stays neutral, the game's AI plays out the story,
providing a dynamic backdrop for their trading activities. The game's
economic model allows prices to fluctuate based on current economic and
political conditions.
Supporting 5D Games's proprietary 3D graphics engine, as well as
Microsoft's Direct3D hardware acceleration standard, Millennium Four:
The Right offers stunning graphics at resolutions from 640x480 in 8-bit
color to a breathtaking 1280x1024 in 24-bit color. Combined with true 3D
sound, Millennium Four: The Right promises the most immersive gaming
experience ever. Millennium Four: The Right also offers full multiplayer
support using a unique, 'serverless' design, allowing multiplayer games
to continue even if the player who started the game leaves. Millennium
Four: The Right supports modem, LAN and Internet play for up to 32
players in three different modes: Single System MultiSlayer; Multiple
System MultiSlayer; and Full Game Universe, where players compete through
trade as the Centauri/Aahnja conflict escalates.
Millennium Four: The Right is scheduled for release in late 1997.
Additional information about Millennium Four: The Right will be posted
periodically on 5D Games's web site at http://www.5dgames.com. 5D Games,
Inc. was founded July 1, 1996 by five former employees of Papyrus Design
Group, Inc. and is dedicated to producing state-of-the-art 3D games for
the Windows 95 and Macintosh platforms. 5D Games, the 5D Games logo,
Aahnja, Aahnk, and MultiSlayer are trademarks of 5D Games, Inc.
For more information contact:
Todd Farrington
5D Games, Inc.
(617) 246-0939
Rick Genter
VP of R&D
5D Games, Inc.
rgenter@5dgames.com
http://www.5dgames.com
F/A 18 Hornet 3.0
http://www.graphsim.com/flightsimweb/Hornet30.html
--------------------------------------------------
Strap in for the ride of your life! This award-winning flight-simulation
utilizes cutting-edge 3-D polygon rendering technology resulting in truly
fluid, high-speed graphics even at SVGA resolutions as high as 1024 x 768.
Each of the 28 scenarios take you deep into a new conflict in the
Middle-East.
Fly against some of the hottest artificial intelligence ever seen in a
desktop simulation, or use Hornet 3.0's built-in networking to test your
skills against live opponents. Truly authentic avionics and flight
modeling provide months of excitement at a level far more rewarding and
enjoyable than the usual arcade style "flight simulators." A comprehensive
multi-media training guide is included on the CD.
Designed by an active-duty Naval aviator, F/A-18 Hornet's training guide
goes far beyond simply "getting off the ground." This feature is sure to
prove useful to any level of aviation buff! If you want to see what a
mission in Hornet 3.0 will look like, you can download one of three
QuickTime movies.
For the Macintosh there is a 50MB version at 640X480 pixels in MacBinary
;and a 9MB version at 320X240 pixels, and a 3MB version at 160X120 pixels,
both in BinHex.
For IBM compatibles, there are a 6MB version at 320X240 pixels and a 2MB
version at 160X120 pixels, both in ZIP format. These movies are all a
replay of the first mission, M201, in the Kuwait theater of operations.
The release date for Hornet 3.0 has been rescheduled for no later than
the end of the first quarter of 1997. More information on a specific
release date will be forthcoming, as will additional QT movies and
screenshots.
Hexen: Beyond Heretic
http://www.ravensoft.com/html/hexen2.htm
----------------------------------------
[FreePlay: Yippee! A Quake clone, but what a Quake clone it will be!
Screenshots available at above URL. The graphics are gorgeous.]
You thought that Korax was the last of the Serpent Riders. You were
wrong! Coming soon, the latest in the Heretic Cycle, Hexen II (working
title).
Choose from one of four character classes to fight your way to the
depths of evil and destroy the last of the three Serpent Riders. Each
character class has its own set of unique abilities that are gained and
improved throughout the game using an experience system. With five
weapons per class, four of which can be powered up with the Tome of
Power, you'll have free reign of 36 death dealing weapons!
Hexen II uses the QUAKE technology to propel the player into a realistic
environment of fear and darkness. Lightning flickers through the clouds,
rain drops fall from the heavy skies, and torches flare in the depths of
the night. Run, swim, walk, fight andfly your way through 30 levels of
real areas and intriguing action... but be careful, there's more to this
game than quick reflexes! A sharp mind and cunning intelligence will be
needed to overcome the various puzzles, tricks, and traps that can be
encountered. Add these challenging puzzles to a large list of all new
creatures and you will have a game to be reckoned with. Be prepared...
Coming second quarter, 1997.
Virus
http://www.kidum.co.il/html/virus.html
--------------------------------------
Virus is a sophisticated multiplayer strategy game involving an imaginary
computer virus in a virtual environment. The action takes place inside
the player's virtual PC and from there it is spread over a virtual
international computer network to other computers. It systematically
destroys files around the world as well as in international communication
channels. The player moves in a 3-D environment to engage in strategic
warfare whose purpose is to eradicate the virus and keep the world safe
for networking.
This new game will employ advanced technology to create striking graphic
backdrops, and will require intense structured planning on the part of
the player. The 3-D landscape in which the game operates is not
predetermined. The structures of the virtual computers in the game will
be received as input and they will be constructed in real time. Kidum
Multimedia adapted its technology to allow the use of this game over the
Internet. The long awaited Virus demo is due to be released on this site
by the end of January. The demo will include two levels of the game. (No
hardware requirements available)
************************************************************************
PBEM GAMES - Play By Email Games
----------
ECTOOL. The chess play-by-email utility
http://www.redestb.es/personal/avalverde/ectool.html
----------------------------------------------------
The main features of ECTOOL are :
*** Record your email games with a graphics chess board
*** Send your moves by email with the inside SMTP client, with optional
ASCII board, time registers, signature, also can save a text file with a
"to:" line header for BBS connections
*** Send your reports and carbon copies of your game records to anywhere
*** Save a log of your mails, a copy of your messages in TEXT or PGN
format.
*** You can use the program like a mailer, but only for sending mail (now).
*** The unregistered version has all this features, without limits, so I
hope you prefer to register to save your souls. :)
Play By No-Mail Website (Win95, Mac)
http://www.mindspring.com/~mmcmain/
-----------------------------------
Do you want to play all of your favorite PBEM games LIVE on the internet?
Play By No-Mail, the new utility that lets owners of Play By Email games
use those games live over the internet.
Play your favorite PBeM Games over the IRC (Internet Relay Chat), using
this IRC based client. Play By No-Mail is in First Release as version
1.0!
Verified supported games are:
*** Flight Commander 2
*** 5th Fleet
*** World At War series
*** Battleground Series
*** Steel Panthers
*** Steel Panthers 2
*** Wooden Ships and Iron Men
*** Panthers In the Shadows
*** Age Of Rifles
*** Advanced Civilization
The PBNM archive contains an unregistered version which is fully
functional as an IRC program, but only accepts 10 transmissions from
your opponent before it quits. Once you have evaluated the program and
decide you want to purchase it, you can register the software on the
Internet at BMT Micro. They will send you a registration key that makes
your PBNM fully functional.
************************************************************************
ONLINE GAMES - Multiplayer Internet Games you can play NOW
------------
FURCADIA! (Win31/95/NT)
http://www.realtime.net/furcadia/
---------------------------------
[Thanks to rolach@caldwell.org (rolach) for pointing this one out to me!]
FURCADIA! is the magical world where the Beasts have learned to walk
upon two legs and speak.
FURCADIA! is the multiplayer online game with 3D rendered animated
graphics, magnificent music, whimsical games, a friendly atmosphere, and
an exciting setting for role-play and adventure. F U R C A D I A ! Let
your imagination soar...
If you're running Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or NT you can download our
Furcadia client and try out the alpha version for free! Macintosh users
running Soft Windows can try it too, though it's likely to be a bit slow.
(We hope to have a Macintosh native version someday, but we don't know
when that will be.)
Gameshows.com
http://www.gameshows.com
------------------------
Ms. Julann Griffin, creator of TV's Jeopardy!, and a founder of BJP
Interactive, will this week debut STRIKE A MATCH on the gameshows.com
network on the WWW.
STRIKE A MATCH is a word-matching game that is deceptively simple and
extremely compelling. It is an ongoing production, with two new shows
being produced every week.
STRIKE A MATCH is the first in a series of online game shows produced
BJP Interactive and has received great acclaim from tens of thousands of
loyal players on America Online, where it debuted in the 4th Q of 1995.
BJP Interactive online game technology allows players to match wits in
head-to-head, real-time gaming. Enjoy beta-testing our games!
Gameworld (any JAVA capable WWW browser)
http://www.gameworld.com
----------------------------------------
Way back in Issue #8,October 21,1996, I gave this site a short 3 line
review. I just checked back to see what if any changes there have been.
Since then, they have worked quite hard to get their WWW pages and games
updated and improved.
Gameworld is a club where friends gather to enjoy the finest multiplayer
role-playing and strategic games in the world. As an Internet Gaming
Network, Gameworld offers immediate play without downloading or
installing software.
The Realms of GAIA is a visually stunning live role-playing world of
daring adventures, twisting plots, and political intrigue. A player
serving as Game Master plays the monsters, creating a rich world
populated with live talking intelligent monsters who may deceive you
while pursuing their own goals, or outwit you in battle! Realms of GAIA
will soon make its debut here at Gameworld. Stay tuned!
With the help of state-of-the-art Java technology, Gameworld is able to
offer the finest in online interactive gaming: Live Role-playing and
Strategy games. Using just a web browser, members from all over the
world are able to join each other live online to enjoy intricate,
fascinating role-playing and strategy games. A human player serves as a
referee while all players share graphically rich, three-dimensional
views of the game board. Advanced chat features allow players to talk
and interact with each other. The computer handles all of the computations
and bookkeeping, freeing players to enjoy the game and each other.
ICI Beta Testing Planetary Raiders
http://www.icigames.com/pr/publicbeta.html
------------------------------------------
Interactive Creations Inc. is currently conducting a public beta test of
its new MEGAplayer game, Planetary Raiders.
In order to participate in the beta test, you must be an ICI subscriber.
There is no hourly charge to play the beta version of Planetary Raiders
(ICI's MEGAplayer games normally cost $2/hour to play). There is a$10.00
(U.S) minimum monthly subscription charge. However, testers who cancel
their accounts within the first 20 days of signing up will not be
charged anything. Potential testers can visit this page for instructions
and software.
The $10.00 minimum charge is credited against game play. Accordingly,
you can use that time to play ICI's other MEGAplayer game, WarBirds (PC
Games magazine's best online game of 1996). Also, if you delete your
account within the first 20 days (and withoutplaying more than 5 hours
of WarBirds), you will not be charged anything.
You cannot, however, recover your persona after deleting an account.
Igames (Win95/NT)
http://www.igames.com
---------------------
Originally mentioned in Issue #12, they have moved from
http://www.eden.com/~springer.
Welcome to Igames and get ready to join one of our growing Internet
Multiplayer Gaming Communities. Become an Igames Beta tester. Full
version of Igames Player contains: Chat Room, Hearts, Backgammon,
Cribbage & Spades. They are both multiplayer-capable online and
single-player offline. Igames is developing Multiplayer Gaming
Communities around all the major game genres: action/adventure, role
playing, card and board games, arcade.
Requirements:
Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0
486 processor or better
14.4 modem or better
Internet connectivity.
Internet Park (Java capable browser, Win95,Mac)
http://www.alphacom.net/fabien/indexPark.html
-----------------------------------------------
Internet Park is the most interesting and friendly place to play word
games on the net. No need to download and install software, simply enter
the Park and play. Internet Park gives you an intimate and familial
environment to enjoy games similar to Scrabble and Boggle and to chat
with other players.
*** Live Boggle - Play five minute Boggle games live with other players
*** Diehard Boggle - You have two weeks to find all the possible words
in a boggle board.
*** ReadyMix is a game similar to Scrabble. It takes a little effort to
learn but it is worth it. For several users, it is the best game of the
kind on the Internet. ReadyMix is really a great game.
Packs Home Page (Win95)
http://www.wpc.com/packs/
-------------------------
PACKS is a chat program, but it isn't like other chat programs. It is a
virtual 3d environment where other people appear as people. The area is
full of rooms, hallways and doors. There are also secret and hard to
reach areas. When we decided to create PACKS, we wanted to make the best
chat program ever. The IRC has too much lag, too many bots, channel
take-overs etc. Some of the major online services have silly rules that
are enforced in a poor fashion.
Are you sick of antagonists breaking up your online conversations? Not
anymore. In PACKS, you shoot other players. So, for the most part,
majority rules. When necessary, Law & Order are enforced by armor-clad,
machine gun-toting PACKOPS.
Requirements:
Microsoft Windows 95
486 66Mhz with 8Meg RAM.
Sandbox Entertainment Network
New Final Bell Stock Simulation Begins January 13
http://www.finalbell.com
-------------------------------------------------
Originally reviewed in Issue #10, the contest has ended and they started
another one.
What would you do with $100,000? Here's your chance to find out. Enter
the second running of USA Today's Final Bell. This free, easy-to-play
Stock Market simulation starts Monday, January 13 and runs through
March 14.
There has never been a Stock Market simulation like USA Today's Final
Bell. Where else can you create your own portfolio with access to the
New York, NASDAQ and American Stock Exchange quotes, learn the
intricacies of trading, link to professional investment advice and
compete for over $10,000 in prizes -- with absolutely no risk?
The people who know investing (eSchwab, NETworth, NetProphet, Quicken,
Investor Insight and PC Quote), along with Microsoft, are proud sponsors
of this exciting and innovative concept.
Please join us for Round Two of USA Today's Final Bell and apply what
you learn to your real portfolio.
Souls in the System (Mac)
http://www.starplay.com/souls.html (WWW page)
http://www.starplay.com/souls.html#anchor4037750 (5.7 Mb download)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Souls in the System employs a fast 60 frame-per-second animation engine.
The photorealistic sprites and explosion effects glide over a mechanized
terrain with unbelievably smooth motion.
Souls in the System is a sophisticated arcade game featuring the
smoothest animation and most detailed physics modeling of any top-view
game created for the Macintosh. With a host of features like full
networking and an integrated level editor, Souls in the System takes the
arcade game genre to a new level.
As a sequel to ShadowWraith, Souls in the System continues a tradition
of blending intricate levels with pulse-pounding action. To make your
way through the thirty plus levels, you'll need the perfect combination
of strategy and lightning quick reflexes.
The Interactive DEMO is available to download now! FEATURES:
*** NETWORK PLAY...Head to Head with just one copy!
*** Over 25 ultra-detailed single and multi-player levels
*** Photo-realistic 60 frame-per-second animation
*** Up to six player LocalTalk and Ethernet play
*** Head to head and cooperative network combat
*** Includes a comprehensive level editor
*** Playback your games with the built-in film recorder
*** Spectacular CD soundtrack (plays in your home stereo too!)
*** Four channels of stereo panning sound effects
System Requirements:
Power Macintosh 66 MHz 601 or higher
12 MB built-in RAM
QuickTime 2.5 or higher
Sound Manager 3.2 or higher
System 7 or higher
Underlight - Lyra Studios (Win95, Directx3.0)
http://www.lyrastudios.com
---------------------------------------------
Mass-Multiplay is here now! Los Angeles-based new media developer LYRA,
LLC has created proprietary technology that enables thousands of users
to interact together in the same real-time, first-person, 3D environment.
The key enabling features of the technology are:
*** Speed. LYRA environments are extremely fast--up to 10 or even 100
times faster than competing technologies.
*** No Throughput Barriers. LYRA is extremely resilient to the
throughput problems of the Internet.
*** Optimal performance requires only 66% of a 14.4 modem's bandwidth!
*** Users connected at 28.8 or faster enjoy no special advantages over
those connected at lower speeds.
*** Truly Multiplayer. LYRA can accommodate thousands of users
simultaneously in a single environment, versus 16 users typically
allowed by conventional multiuser network games and environments.
*** Persistent Environment. LYRA environments are true virtual worlds
that do not shut down, but instead evolve like the real world, based on
users' activities.
*** Real-time 3D. Because it was designed specifically for the Internet,
LYRA delivers fast and fluid real-time 3d interaction among users. Users
can jump, run, chat, look up and down, and fight in 3d with missile
weapons with no perceptible delays.
Required Hardware: To enter the Underlight you will need
Windows 95
Pentium 90 or faster
16 Megs of RAM
Mouse
14.4 or faster Internet connection (SLIP, PPP, or frame relay).
Weekend Warrior (Win95,Mac)
http://www.bungie.com/products/weekendwarrior/weekendwarrior.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Weekend Warrior puts a uniquely entertaining spin on the fully 3D action
game. Sort of a bizarre hybrid of "Smash TV" and "American Gladiators",
Weekend Warrior is a gameshow where you assume the identity of an
ordinary, everyday character and enter a challenging 3D arena. Cash and
prizes can be yours by escaping traps, completing missions and pummeling
other contestants into submission.
Each of the characters has their own strengths and weaknesses and
carries an appropriate weapon: the Butcher has his mighty Pork Shoulder;
the Punk Rocker wields a Guitar; and the Cowboy, a Hobby Horse. A
smart-aleck host and his goofy sidekick provide humorous running
commentary on the action.
Eight multi-room, multi-elevation arenas are packed with traps, puzzles,
hostile contestants and prizes. Including the Old West Town, Space
Station, Haunted House and Topiary Maze, some arenas have time limits,
some have missions and others simply have to be survived.
FEATURES:
*** Lifelike physics model.
*** Completely free camera control: 1st person, overhead, over the
shoulder, etc.
*** The whole range of true 3D effects: texture mapping, spectacular
shading, alpha transparencies, mip mapping, Gouraud shading.
*** Networkable for up to six players.
*** Soundtracks appropriate for each arena.
Bungie's Weekend Warrior demo (9.6 MB) is now available...but WAIT! Only
those who dare have the hardware should even bother downloading.
PC Requirements:
Pentium (or Power Macintosh; see below)
3D hardware supporting QuickDraw 3D
Windows 95 with DirectX or MacOS
8 MB free RAM
CD-ROM drive
Macintosh Requirements:
a fast Power Macintosh (recommend 180 MHz up)
3D hardware supporting QuickDraw 3D (ATI XClaim VR board; 2 or 4 MB)
8 MB free RAM
CD-ROM drive
WebHearts (any JAVA capable browser,Win95,Mac)
http://okapi.dws.acs.cmu.edu/fred/webhearts.html
------------------------------------------------
WebHearts is a Java applet that lets you play the Hearts card game
against other people on the Internet. Because WebHearts is written in
Java, anyone with a Java-enabled web browser can play it -- this
includes Macintoshes, PCs running Windows NT and 95, Silicon Graphics
Indy's, and various UNIX workstations.
Hearts is a four-player card game where the object is to score the least
amount of points. It is very engaging and involves enough strategy to
keep the game interesting, but not so much strategy to make it difficult
to learn. For everything you could ever want to know about Hearts,
including detailed rules, strategy, and variations, consult the rules of
Hearts page.
WebSpades (any JAVA capable browser,Win95,Mac)
http://okapi.dws.acs.cmu.edu/fred/webspades.html
------------------------------------------------
WebSpades is a Java applet that lets you play the Spades card game
against other people on the Internet.
Because WebSpades is written in Java, anyone with a Java-enabled web
browser can play it -- this includes Macintoshes, PCs running Windows NT
and 95, Silicon Graphics Indys, and various Unix workstations.
Spades is a four-player (two-team) bidding card game. It is very
engaging and involves enough strategy to keep the game interesting, but
not so much strategy to make it difficult to learn.
For everything you could ever want to know about Spades, including
detailed rules, strategy, and variations, consult the rules of Spades
page.
************************************************************************
HUMOR - Something to make you laugh while you are gaming
-----
From the Big Book of Jokes
http://www.unm.edu/~rooster/fun.html
------------------------------------
Once you start playing with software you quickly become aware that each
software package has a revision code attached to it. It is obvious that
this revision code gives the sequence of changes to the product, but in
reality there's substantially more information available through the
revision code than that. This article provides a guide for interpreting
the meaning of the revision codes and what they actually signify.
1.0: Also known as "one point uh-oh", or "barely out of beta". We had
to release because the lab guys had reached a point of exhaustion and the
marketing guys were in a cold sweat of terror. We're praying that you'll
find it more functional than, say, a computer virus and that its
operation has some resemblance to that specified in the marketing copy.
1.1: We fixed all the killer bugs ...
1.2: Uh, we introduced a few new bugs fixing the killer bugs and so we
had to fix them, too.
2.0: We did the product we really wanted to do to begin with. Mind you,
it's really not what the customer needs yet, but we're working on it.
2.1: Well, not surprisingly, we broke some things in making major
changes so we had to fix them. But we did a really good job of testing
this time, so we don't think we introduced any new bugs while we were
fixing these bugs.
2.2: Uh, sorry, one slipped through. One lousy typo error and you won't
believe how much trouble it caused!
2.3: Some jerk found a deep-seated bug that's been there since 1.0 and
wouldn't stop nagging until we fixed it!!
3.0: Hey, we finally think we've got it right! Most of the customers are
really happy with this.
3.1: Of course, we did break a few little things.
4.0: More features. It's doubled in size now, by the way, and you'll
need to get more memory and a faster processor ...
4.1: Just one or two bugs this time... Honest!
5.0: We really need to go on to a new product, but we have an installed
base out there to protect. We're cutting the staffing after this.
6.0: We had to fix a few things we broke in 5.0. Not very many, but
it's been so long since we looked at this thing we might as well call it
a major upgrade. Oh, yeah, we added a few flashy cosmetic features so we
could justify the major upgrade number.
6.1: Since I'm leaving the company and I'm the last guy left in the lab
who works on the product, I wanted to make sure that all the changes
I've made are incorporated before I go. I added some cute demos, too,
since I was getting pretty bored back here in my dark little corner (I
kept complaining about the lighting but they wouldn't do anything).
They're talking about obsolescence planning but they'll try to keep
selling it for as long as there's a buck or two to be made. I'm leaving
the bits in as good a shape as I can in case somebody has to tweak them,
but it'll be sheer luck if no one loses them.
************************************************************************
DETAILS - How to subscribe, back issues, legal junk
-------
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Compuserve - Library 15 of the Internet Fun Forum (GO INETFUN)."
If possible get them there to preserve the sanity of the editor.
You may request them thru email to freeplay@snet.net only if you do
not have www access of any kind. One issue per email request please.
This document is copyright 1997 by Mark Shnayer.
Re-distribution of the TEXT version of this newsletter by any means is
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