News from the Net From our reporter, Alex van Kaam Hi, and welcome to another Issue of SynTax Web News. As far as I can tell there is still no news on the release of Ultima IX in Europe, I for one have not seen it in the stores at all, there has been the release of a "Super" patch by Origin that fixes a lot of issues the game has, so maybe the release in Europe is close by now. There is a good message board posting at: http://boards.owo.com/w3t-bin/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board =tech&Number=4860&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5 about the new patch and what it all fixes. There have been a lot of interviews about Baldur's Gate II, and I for one am looking forward to it, so I figured I might as well just sum them all up and place a small extract of it: http://pc.ign.com/previews/13437.html Shadows of Amn, based on the 2nd edition AD&D rule set, will take place along the Sword Coast, just south of where the original game was set. Geographically speaking, Baldur's Gate II is going to have a large variety of locations for you to visit. Since the game takes place along the Sword Coast in the Forgotten Realms universe, you'll have a chance to explore cities and locales you would expect from the area: an Elven city embedded deep in the Tethir forests, the underground Drow city Underdark, an underwater Sahuagin town, and even the bustling metropolis of Athkatla, the capitol of Amn and one of the largest cities in the upcoming RPG. As Ohlen tells us, "With the city of Athkatla, we wanted to create the most detailed and believable fantasy city ever found in an RPG." But since your characters will attain extremely high levels during the game, you'll also have the chance to explore some more peculiar and dangerous areas like the Astral Plane and even the vile depths of Hell. In order to decrease travel times through the more tangible reaches of the Amn region, BioWare has increased character movement speed by 150%. Shadows of Amn will also include an annotated map feature that will allow you to write notes directly on your map, making for easier navigation around the gameworld since you can note points of interest. And in an effort to make it as simple as possible to determine where your next goals lie, your adventuring journal will now be split into three separate sections - main quests, side quests, and finished quests - making it easier to determine where to head next. Http://www.bgchronicles.com/ is THE site for news on BGII, and IceWind Dales (also by the same people), it's updated on a regular basis so check it out for the latest news and look at http://www.bgchronicles.com/content/wonder/wonder021500.shtml for some very very nice screenshots of the game. At http://www.bgchronicles.com/content/wonder/wonder030200_a.sh tml there is a nice interview with the co-lead designer of the game. At http://pc.ign.com/news/14546.html (IGN) they have a Developers journal about/from the Baldur's Gate II Team, it's more about the people than the game, but a fun read if you're interested: This week, Baldur's Gate II Assistant Producer Douglas Avery tells us a little bit about the hidden side of game development. Who's the guy who has to make sure everybody has what they need to get their jobs done? Our friend Douglas... You folks probably don't know me from Adam so here is what I do, in a nutshell. My job is to take care of the loose ends that Chris is too busy to handle and to just generally make his life a little easier. I also get to call Ben and pester him for stuff like screenshots for Marketing and P.R., website material, documents for Q.A., etc. I am currently taking care of the buglist, the Q.A. testing plan, helping out with audio and VO and a bunch of other stuff. Well, what's new? Hmmm. A lot of stuff, that is what. Right now we have Ben down here in our evil clutches and he is stuck agreeing with us and the changes we want made, at least until he gets back to Edmonton and the safety of a three thousand mile security blanket. That's okay though, we have cameras and voice recorders strategically placed so he can't back out later on. Today we have meetings scheduled with all the various departments that are involved in the making of BG2 on our end. Here is what we have planned for him....... And just to overdo it a bit, http://www.fgnonline.com/news/11761.html have posted news on BG III: PC: Ben Smedstad, producer on BioWare's upcoming Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, has given his opinion on Baldur's Gate III, and explained how the second episode in the series will significantly improve upon its predecessor. Click through for the scoop. "The RPG genre itself is starting its next evolution, the next big push," Smedstad said from BioWare's Canadian development headquarters. "It's been stagnant for a while, but now it's starting up again and it's great to see these other games out there help push the front. I personally would love to be a part of that for many years to come, on whatever title or whatever project I happen to be on. I can't say for certain, because I don't make all the decisions about what's coming up in the near future, but, if there's a Baldur's Gate product in the future, you'll probably see me working on it." When asked if a release of Baldur's Gate III in the future was likely, Smedstad responded, "Yes, if Baldur's Gate II does well financially, and people enjoy it and want to buy it, then we'd be silly not to do another one." BioWare is not sitting back and daydreaming of the future though, as Smedstad promises that the new Shadows of Amn title will surpass the numerous benchmarks set by the original Baldur's Gate. "We want to make a game that we ourselves are playing -- none of us would be satisfied with sticking a 'II' on a Baldur's Gate box and calling it Baldur's Gate II," he said. "We couldn't do that -- we'd feel sick to our stomachs. Baldur's Gate was a great first step, a great launching post, and a great beginning. But it's a launching pad, it's not the penultimate game of all time -- it's a good start for us to learn, to move and bring the genre to the next level. The next one's going to be even better than this one! It's just a constant learning curve, and with the feedback of the fans and with our experience as it grows, we're gonna keep on hopefully expanding great RPGs that everybody can enjoy." Now onto Pool of Radiance, there is more and more info being released about this game, so check out the following stuff: http://www.poolofradiance.com/diary.htm holds a Q and A about the most common questions: Straight from the producers: The latest Pool of Radiance Q&A Q) We've only gotten a basic outline of the storyline so far. How do you bring the characters into the game? Could you tell us what players should expect to see unfold in the first few minutes of play? A) Trouble is a-brewin' in the port city of New Phlan and the original Pool of Radiance is now exuding a mysterious wave of undeath. Elminster appears and sends an advanced guard to deal with the source of the problem, coming from somewhere in Myth Drannor, and sends with them the pool-destroying artifacts called the "Gauntlets of Moander".; The player's characters, all first level, are asked to guard the old site of the pool and at this time can play through the tutorial; learning how to move, attack, interact with the environment, and so on. Soon, however, the easy task of guarding goes awry as a portal opens and screams for help (from the adventuring party) are heard. The characters answer the call for help and jump into the portal, only to find themselves the only ones alive and alone in the Ruins of Myth Drannor. Q) Myth Drannor is a pretty harsh world, especially for a group of low level adventurers. How do you develop a game world that can hold the attention of 1st level adventurers and 16th level characters? A) We picked Myth Drannor as the site of the game because it is one of the most dangerous places in the Realms as well as one of the most rich with ancient artifacts, treasures, and power. The first portion of the story has been crafted to allow first-level players to advance in level quickly and find lots of cool armor, weapons, and items. From there, the players can take their characters on a variety of missions, some critical, some non-critical, that will lead them further into the mystery of the Pool. One neat aspect of the game is that not all of the missions are necessary to complete in order to finish the game, and characters do not have to be at 16th level in order to complete the game. After solving the main story- line of the game players can return to the city and complete unfinished side missions, as well as meet NPCs that are not in the Single-Player Game. Http://pc.ign.com/news/14533.html has an interview with the makers of the game but it sure looks a lot like the Q&A page.....but maybe there are some items discused here that are not on the Q&A page Http://www.3dgaming.net/stuff/quickie/13100.shtml has a "quicky" about Pool of Radiance: It's recently become a trend to try and capture the pen and paper role-playing experience on the PC. Baldur's Gate started this newest movement in computer RPGs with its captivating story line and great gameplay that was based on the AD&D Forgotten Realms universe. Following that was an expansion pack for the game, titled "Tales of the Sword Coast." Soon after Planescape:Torment was released, and soon enough games like Icewind Dale, Neverwinter Nights, and even Baldur's Gate 2 will be coming out. But all of these games share a common theme; each is published by Interplay (or Interplay's subdivision, Black Isle). Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor is determined to show Interplay just how PC RPGs set in the AD&D universe are really done, but what hope do they have of accomplishing this? Will gamers shun their products to the deep pits of, um, some place with really deep pits? A lot of gamers aren't familiar with SSI's "Gold Box" role-playing games, which were AD&D RPGs that came out more than a decade ago (that's a long time). For various reasons including peanut butter, beans, and an unsuccessful attempt to create a hit RPG series, SSI dropped out of the RPG market for a while. but now they're making their triumphant return with "Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor." The premise to the game should be pretty familiar to anyone who has played Baldur's Gate. Since SSI doesn't want to create a game destined to be shunned as a clone and purchased only years down the road in your local computer store's bargain bin, they're taking some measures to make sure their game will stand out above BG. First off, it will use the shiny updated AD&D 3rd edition ruleset, where as BG 2 still has plans to use the 2nd edition ruleset. Also, the game's engine will be fully 3D, that means both backgrounds and creatures - something even Baldur's Gate 2 won't feature. Stormfront promises both smooth 3D animation for the characters and enemies as well as interactive 3D environments. The engine is also being designed to allow for large monsters to occupy the screen, and some of the bigger creatures are sure to scare the Dwarven ale right out of you. Although the game will take place in Forgotten Realms, it will take you through areas such as "Myth Drannor," one of the more perilous areas of Forgotten Realms. Combine that with the promise of large on screen monsters, and you can expect to have more than just the Dwarven ale frightened out of you. As if all of this so far wasn't enough, the game's developer Stormfront is going to ensure the environment is completely interactive too. That means you can bar doors to hold back potential threats, or even hop up on tables to dance for money. Wait. no. oh, you can hop up on tables to get a hit bonus while attacking people. Just don't be surprised if a surly dwarf pokes at your feet with a sword and asks you to dance. Yeah. By including those kinds of options, Stormfront hopes to bring in as much of the AD&D pen and paper experience as possible. You will control a party of four adventurers, and up to two additional NPCs can join your group. One interesting thing about Pool of Radiance is that the NPCs will have heard of your progress and what items you've attained throughout your journeys; this knowledge can be used in bargaining or even how you're treated by the NPCs you encounter. The game's basic story line involves a "Pool of Radiance" emitting a wave of power that turns everything it touches into the undead. And you guessed it, it's you're job to figure out what's causing it! Your journeys are centered on this main story line, but there will be a series of completely non-linear quests. A lot of the quests will give insight to the story line, but some are present only to beef up your abilities. All of this combined with a strong publisher and what looks like a successful adaptation of the Forgotten Realms universe to the PC (and not using the BioWare Infinity engine at that) should make Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor a game worth buying when it's released. Then again, with competition like Icewind Dale, Baldur's Gate 2, and even Neverwinter Nights, it remains to be seen how gamers will react to what at first looks like a clone. Another one of those highly awaited games is Wizardry 8, the official homepage is at: http://www.wizardry8.com/ which is a nice page indeed, has a traveller's guide: THE TRAVELLER'S GUIDE TO ARNIKA Arnika is the natural destination for any traveler visiting the planet Dominus. Arnika is home to the Higardi, this world's most civilized, advanced race. In normal times, the city is a busy, peaceful commercial center. Yet these are not normal times. Rumors of the coming Ascension have attracted all manner of strangers to Dominus. At first the Higardi welcomed the new arrivals with open arms, even allowing the inquisitive Mook to set up a research station within their city. Then the Dark Savant arrived in his Black Ship. The Savant immediately cut off Arnika's port, shooting down any ship that tried to land. He sent his army of Savant Troopers into the city, searching frantically for some unnamed artifact. And he erected a massive tower on the edge of town, a tower designed to intimidate the population into submitting to his rule. Arnika is now only a shadow of what it once was. Its City Hall lies in ruins, its spaceport has been closed, and much of its population has fled in terror. At times, Savant Troopers wander the streets. Still, the brave few who remain in the city offer what help they can to the weary traveler. A Q&A page: Q: When will Wizardry 8 be released? A: When it's ready. That's all we'll say until we can be much more specific. Q: Who will be publishing the game? A: Sir-Tech Canada is in negotiations with several interested parties. When a deal becomes official, we'll announce it here. Q: I've heard a rumor that . . . A: And it's just that, a rumor. Q: What are the system requirements for Wizardry 8? A: Our tentative system requirements are: Windows 95, 98, or 2000; a Pentium II 233 or better; 64 MB of RAM; 4x CD drive; and a soundcard. A 3D accelerator with 8 MB of texture memory or more is required (though there may be a software-only version). System requirements are subject to change. There are some nice screenshots, and I am placing the URL here: http://www.wizardry8.com/index-screenshots.html so that Sue can d/l them and put them in the image section...... I hope :-) Staying with the "old" games CGO have put up a preview of M&M VIII at http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=/articles/025/188 /mm8_preview4.html When you start Might and Magic VIII, you can create a character from one of seven classes, two of which are carryovers from previous games (Cleric and Knight). While you cannot create a Dragon, they may join the party later. What follows is a list of all of the new character classes that can join your party. Necromancer The Necromancer is the Dark magic specialist, the master of undead. Though the Necromancer has no special abilities to speak of, and is limited in his choice of weapons and armor, he alone wields the full power of Dark magic and is easily the most powerful pure spell user. Dark Elf Cleric Dark Elves are half warrior and half wizard. They have a few special abilities (sneaking and hiding as examples), and some spell ability in the elemental schools. They cannot learn Dark magic, however, and are limited to chain armor and cannot wield spears or axes. Troll Trolls are brute fighters of exceptional endurance. Trolls can use all weapons (though they tend to prefer maces and other blunt instruments) and leather armor, however they have no special or spell casting abilities. Though their secondary skill selection is weak, they are exceptionally skilled at Regeneration. Vampire Necromancer Vampires combine limited Dark magic use with their undead strength and stamina to perform both magic and melee roles effectively. On top of that, they have an interesting selection of special abilities. On the down side, they are limited in their choice of weapons and armor, and suffer certain specific penalties for being undead. Minotaur The Minotaur is a powerful melee combatant. Though the minotaur cannot match the troll's endurance, he can certainly make up for that lack with strength and cunning. Minotaurs specialize in using spears, blunt weapons, and (of course) axes. They can use any armor, but cannot wear helmets. It is rumored that some spell casting minotaurs exist. If true, these would be formidable foes. Dragon Vampire The Dragon is the king of beasts. Dragons have the capacity to cast elemental spells, fight in melee with their huge claws and fangs, breathe a devastating breath weapon, fly, and repel even the sharpest weapons with their scales. Dragons cannot use armor or weapons. Dragons cannot be chosen as an initial player character. Staying with M&M, but this time Crusaders of M&M, GameSpot UK have posted an article on this game at: http://www.gamespot.co.uk/pc.gamespot/rpg/cmm_uk/preview.html The Might & Magic name is one that inspires respect among the gaming community. It began as a first-person roleplaying game, which is still going strong on its eighth incarnation. This has spawned the turn-based series Heroes Of Might & Magic, now on its way to its fourth instalment. Crusaders Of Might & Magic, the latest offspring, is a third-person, adventure/roleplaying game hybrid, combining slash 'em-up action with a few easy-to- understand spells. The game came in too late to give it a full review - I've spent about a day with it. You play Drake, a chap who has been fighting the Legion of Evil for most of his life. It's up to you to push him around the landscape, slashing skeletons and black knights, picking up assorted weapons and potions, all in the quest to rid the Stronghold of the occupying evil forces. The pattern of the game is set fairly early on. The map is dotted with tiny settlements of two or three buildings, so Drake explores these, takes what he finds, gleans the occasional nugget of info from the natives and then moves on. There are battles but in the early levels it doesn't feel like there are enough of them, action being replaced by near-aimless bimbling. The skilled skeletons ranged against you are handy enough with their swords and axes, but I found that I had to play on the highest difficulty level to get any real pleasure from the game, which doesn't bode well for its longevity. This is a shame because Drake seems to have some fun attack combos at his disposal and it would be great to have more chances to use them. This version didn't support my 3D card (Neon 250 PowerVR series 2), but the software graphics moved swiftly when dealing with the polygon-based characters. There was too much fog and not enough detail in the landscapes, however, and this was where I seemed to spend a lot of my time. It was much better at interiors: here the walls of Celestia's Citadel are covered in detailed, renaissance-style artworks. Mythic Entertainment have announced at: http://www.mythicgames.com/ a game called Dark Age of Camelot, read the news blurb: Adventuring in the Age of Legends Dark Age of Camelot is a massively multi-player online role- playing game conceived and being developed by Mythic Entertainment. Set in the Kingdom of Albion in the years immediately following the death of King Arthur, players of the game enter a world in chaos, where Arthur's peace has been shattered and dark forces threaten the Kingdom. Unlike traditional role-playing games in which a player's greatest challenge is fighting computer-controlled monsters, players in Camelot will come face-to-face with their greatest challenge yet, other players. In Camelot, players must choose to be members of one of the three Realms that are striving for mastery in this chaotic world: The Britons, the Celts, or the Norse. The Britons are the former kingdom of Albion, once ruled by the great King Arthur. The Celts are from the wild and magical western island of Hibernia. The Norse are the large barbarians from the lands to the north of Albion. Building upon the foundation laid by such great games as EverQuest, Asheron' s Call, and Ultima Online, the game features 3D-accelerated graphics with movable camera, multiple class and race combinations, and has built in and balanced team Player vs. Player (PvP). Unlike its predecessors, in Camelot, PvP conflict is an integral part of a player's experience in the world, not an afterthought. Dark Age of Camelot is scheduled to go live in the Spring of 2001. The game's development will be chronicled on the Camelot Vault, part of IGN's Vault Network. Now on a totally different note: http://www.darkbasic.co.uk/home.html, which is a game programing tool, kinda like STOS I think, and wasn't that called AMOS for the Amiga....in that case check the Q&A out. One of the person from AMOS is behind DarkBASIC Q> Haven't I heard the name Lee Bamber before? A> It's entirely possible. He was one of the last remaining AMOS programmers for the Amiga in the UK, and produced a great number of shareware and licenseware games. Recently, he was the culprit responsible for most of the C&C/TGF tutorials and games, including Zeb and Lobotomy. After several years working in secret for LEGO, he's returned to the world of games and game creation. Q> What's so special about DarkBASIC, it's just another game making tool, right? A> Wrong. DarkBASIC has been designed to eliminate the restrictions your PC has presented you with in the past. If your previous tool was complicated and frustrating like 'C', you'll find programming DB simple and enjoyable. If your tools capabilities were limited, you'll find DB providing more power than you can handle. If your tool was incapable of producing commercial quality games, you'll find DB providing you with fast full screen 3D action as standard! Whatever it was that stopped you creating awesome games on your PC has been eliminated by DarkBASIC! Q> A person buys DarkBasic when it's released. Later, a new, improved version is released. What would be a possible upgrade plan for customers in this situation? A> A good question. As a registered user of DarkBASIC, you'll be provided with patches, additional help, examples, tools and sample games freely downloadable from our website. We do have plans for add-on DB products and a professional V2 revision down the line, but our focus at the moment is on helping users get the most out of what they have. So to answer the question officially, we have no upgrade policy at the moment. Unofficially, we'll be releasing quite a lot of free stuff, including upgrades! You can download a free version and some demos, so why not give it a try, been a long time something like this hit the market. Now to totally change the subject check out: http://www.station- x.com/star/news.htm for your latest ST news :-) and no, they also have no record on the shuttles lost in Voyager, no wonder they are on rations on the ship!!! Have a good 2 months Alex - o -