THE "E3 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER" GC DISPATCH
The first of May is right around the corner, and that means that E3 isn't too far off.
Although the Gamecenter
offices are crazy with activity as everyone finalizes their appointments and party
schedules, we took the time
to examine what we think are going to be the best computer games of E3. That's right, we
went out and dug up new dirt and screen shots for Deus Ex, Black & White,
Dungeon Siege, Warcraft III, and Halo. And boy, did we get some great stuff,
including some world exclusive shots of Halo.
Check it out: http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYYEuo
We also visited with Electronic Arts to see what it takes to make a game for the
PlayStation2. Be sure to check out our PlayStation2 in Development feature:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYYouY
Take care!
William Harms
Executive Editor, CNET Gamecenter
[email protected]
Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this newsletter.
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WHAT'S NEW AT CNET GAMECENTER THIS WEEK
1. Exclusive! The Top 5 PC Games of E3
2. Exclusive! PS2 in Development: Snowboard SuperX
3. Exclusive! The Monsters of Vampire: The Masquerade
4. Previews: Homeworld: Cataclysm, Motocross Madness 2,
Star Trek: Voyager--Elite Force
5. Demo: Daikatana Demo Released
6. News: The Week in Review: April 24 to April 28
7. Strategy Guide: Dead or Alive 2
8. Dispatch Direct Downloads
9. Computer Game Reviews: StarLancer, MS Baseball 2001,
Last Call, F1 2000, Gunship, Tzar: The Burden of the Crown
10. Dreamcast: Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation reviewed
11. Nintendo 64: Army Men Air Combat, Army Men: Sarge's
Heroes 2 previewed
12. PlayStation: Legend of Mana previewed; Star Wars
Episode I: Jedi Power Battles, Galerians, Gauntlet
Legends, Jackie Chan Stuntmaster, Hot Shots Golf 2, Front
Mission 3, Championship Bass reviewed
13. Hardware: Sonix S-2000 Flat-Panel Speakers, Saitek
SP550 Stick and Pad reviewed
14. Behind the Scenes (for GC Dispatch readers only)
15. Subscribe and unsubscribe
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1. EXCLUSIVE! THE TOP 5 PC GAMES OF E3
There are going to be a lot of great computer games shown at this year's E3, and although
we're excited about them all, we think there are five games that are going to separate
themselves from the pack:
"In no particular order, we're predicting that Deus Ex, Halo, Dungeon Siege, Black
& White, and Warcraft III will be the top five PC games of the show. A bold statement,
indeed. To back it up, we went out and dug up exclusive screen shots, including world
exclusive shots of Halo and details on how that game is going to be demonstrated at E3.
And to help add a little spice to the mix, we're also offering up the five PC games we
wish were being shown at E3."
New details and screen shots? What more could you want?
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYYhuK
Don't forget about our other awesome features:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYYKuB
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2. EXCLUSIVE! PS2 IN DEVELOPMENT: SNOWBOARD SUPERX
Without a doubt, the PlayStation2 is an exceptionally advanced piece of hardware. So what
does it take to make a game for Sony's killer platform? We sent Marc Saltzman to find out:
"Gamecenter wanted to examine a behind-the-scenes peek at PlayStation2 development to
see what goes into creating games for a next-generation platform and the challenges and
obstacles designers face. Here's an in-depth look at EA's first scheduled PlayStation2
game, which is about to be launched in Japan and is due in the United States when Sony
ships the PS2 this fall. We'll first take a look at the game, then dive into its
development, the issues involved in programming for a new system, and the future
of the PlayStation2."
Get the rest of the feature here:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYYBum
And be sure to read all our other great features:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYYmuw
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3. EXCLUSIVE! THE MONSTERS OF VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE
Activision hooked us up with some art and information regarding some of the monsters that
will appear in
Vampire: The Masquerade. Man, does this game look sweet. Here's a snip:
"As Vampire: The Masquerade--Redemption enters the final leg of its development
cycle, the folks over at Activision and Nihilistic have leaked out some details regarding
the game's monsters. We've got full details regarding four of the fiends that you'll face
in the game, along with concept art and even a brief movie that shows the Werewolf's
attack."
Check out those monsters!
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhuug
For all of our awesome previews, head on over to:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhAuE
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4. PREVIEWS: HOMEWORLD: CATACLYSM, MOTOCROSS MADNESS 2,
STAR TREK: VOYAGER--ELITE FORCE
We posted some great previews this week, such as Homeworld: Cataclysm and Motocross
Madness 2. And
somewhere along the way, we even managed to get some new shots of the Quake III-engine
powered Star Trek: Voyager--Elite Force. Here's a snip from the Homeworld preview:
"The single-player campaign in Homeworld concerned an orphaned humanity, struggling
to find its ancestral home. In multiplayer, Homeworld offered a multitude of ways to
eradicate your rivals. At its core, Homeworld did what gaming only rarely does: it
inspired the imagination. But it was also too damn short. Most players breezed through its
16 single-player missions in a matter of days, leaving them hungry for more. That hunger
is about to be satiated: Homeworld fans, prepare thyselves for a Cataclysm."
Read all about Homeworld: Cataclysm:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhguo
Or how about Motocross Madness 2:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhEuY
And when all else fails, check out the Star Trek:
Voyager--Elite Force shots:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhouh
For all of our awesome previews, head on over to:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhYuK
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5. DEMO: DAIKATANA
It's been a long time in the making, but Daikatana is finally done, and we have the demo.
The demo features
three single-player levels and multiplayer action.
Get the Daikatana demo:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhhuB
And to help remind folks how long this game has been in development, we even whipped up a
timeline of Daikatana's development:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhKum
Be sure to check out our other downloads:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhBuw
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6. NEWS: THE WEEK IN REVIEW: APRIL 24 TO APRIL 28
This week was full of huge announcements. First came word that Daikatana was finally done,
then the announcement of the GeForce2, and then Westwood dropped the bomb and announced
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2.
Get all the week's news:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYhmun
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7. STRATEGY GUIDE: DEAD OR ALIVE 2
This fighting game has taken the Dreamcast by storm and is easily one of the best games
released this year. Featuring a never-ending barrage of attacks, blocks, and
counter-attacks, Dead or Alive 2 takes the fighting genre to an entirely new level. The
single-player game is quite challenging, and that's why we've posted a strategy guide. Now
you have no excuses if you get your butt kicked.
Learn from the best:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKuuE
Check out all our awesome strategy guides:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKAuo
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8. DISPATCH DIRECT DOWNLOADS
Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (Electronic Arts) Now you can get the feel of
driving a brand-new
Porsche--or even a vintage model from the early days--in Electronic Arts' new Need for
Speed: Porsche Unleashed. Featuring the original 356 from the 1940s to the latest
innovation, the 2000 911 Porsche Turbo, Need for Speed lets you take one of these
masterpieces of German engineering out for a little Sunday test-drive.
(Pentium-200, Windows 95/98, 32MB RAM, 4MB 3D card; nfsdemos.zip, 30.1MB)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKguY
Submarine Titans (Mega Media)
Submarine Titans is a real-time strategy game that
puts players in command of one of three underwater civilizations in involved in a fierce
conflict. Players must collect and manage their resources to build the units
and structures necessary to defeat their foes, then deploy their units in battle. The full
game will feature more
than 70 unique units and structures, plus advanced 3D terrain that allows units to hide
behind or under features
such as caves and tunnels. (Pentium-200, Windows 95/98, 32MB RAM, 140MB disk space,
DirectX drivers; stdemo.exe, 62.9MB) http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKEuh
Star Wars: Force Commander (LucasArts)
At long last, LucasArts is giving players a chance
at the Battle of Hoth and beyond. Force Commander is a real-time strategy game set in the
classic Star Wars universe. Command the ground forces of the Rebel Alliance or the
Galactic Empire (with their lumbering AT-ATs) in the Galactic Civil War. (Pentium-266,
Windows 95/98, 64MB RAM, 8MB PCI or AGP Direct 3D graphics accelerator, DirectX drivers;
swfc.exe, 77.7MB)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKouK
Beetle Buggin' (Infogrames)
Choose your favorite from more than 50 incredibly detailed vehicles, and race to become
champion in each of five maddening events. Experience the thrill of breakneck speed as you
race against the competition in your powerful, souped-up VW. Enjoy the sun and sand while
racing your buggy on the beach, but watch out for the surf and don't get burned.
(Pentium-266, Windows 95/98, 32MB RAM, 8MB D3D or Glide-compatible 3D accelerator card,
DirectX drivers; bbuggindemo.exe, 49.3MB)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKYuB
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9. COMPUTER GAME REVIEWS: STARLANCER, MS BASEBALL 2001,
LAST CALL, F1 2000, GUNSHIP, TZAR:THE BURDEN OF THE CROWN
StarLancer (5/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKhum
MS Baseball 2001 (5/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKKuw
Last Call (4/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKBun
F1 2000 (8/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYKmuP
Gunship (5/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBuuo
Tzar: The Burden of the Crown (7/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBAuY
Didn't find the review you were looking for? Check here:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBguh
Looking for hints on how to play these and other new games? Check out our extensive tips
and cheats section!
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBEuK
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10. DREAMCAST: TOMB RAIDER: THE LAST REVELATION REVIEWED
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (4/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBouB
Check out Gamecenter's Dreamcast Page:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBYum
Looking for hints on how to play these and other favorite
games? Pop into Tips and Cheats:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBhuw
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11. NINTENDO 64: ARMY MEN AIR COMBAT, ARMY MEN: SARGE'S
HEROES 2 PREVIEWED
Army Men Air Combat previewed
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBKun
Army Men: Sarge's Heroes 2 previewed
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBBuP
Check out our N64 Page:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYBmuu
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12. PLAYSTATION: LEGEND OF MANA PREVIEWED; STAR WARS EPISODE I: JEDI POWER BATTLES,
GALERIANS, GAUNTLET LEGENDS, JACKIE CHAN STUNTMASTER, HOT SHOTS GOLD 2, FRONT MISSION 3,
CHAMPIONSHIP BASS REVIEWED
Legend of Mana previewed
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmuuY
Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles (3/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmAuh
Galerians (7/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmguK
Gauntlet Legends (3/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmEuB
Jackie Chan Stuntmaster (7/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmoum
Hot Shots Golf 2 (9/10) Editor's Choice!
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmYuw
Front Mission 3 (8/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmhun
Championship Bass (6/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmKuP
Check out Gamecenter's PlayStation Resource Center:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmBuu
Looking for hints on how to play these and other favorite games? Pop into Tips and Cheats:
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBYmmuA
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13. HARDWARE: SONIX S-2000 FLAT-PANEL SPEAKERS, SAITEK SP550 STICK AND PAD REVIEWED
Sonix S-2000 Flat-Panel Speakers (8/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBhuuuw
Saitek SP550 Stick and Pad (4/10)
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBhuAun
And for all the hardware reviews, be sure to check our
hardware section!
http://1.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin1/flo?x=dAhBmmKuoEwBhuguP
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14. BEHIND THE SCENES (FOR GC DISPATCH READERS ONLY)
Man, what a week. With E3 looming so near, the office has been chaos as all our various
departments--copy, art, production, and editorial--try to nail down our final game plan
for the show. Compound that with the fact that I'm going on vacation next week, and you've
got all the makings for five crazy and stress-filled days.
Of course, getting the inside word on the ins and outs of the gaming industry more than
makes up for any job-related stress. I got to see the new Command & Conquer: Red Alert
2 first-hand last night, and boy does it look sweet. Graphically it looks like a
dumbed-down Tiberian Sun, but the action is awesome. All the weapons have been beefed up,
and the entire game looks like nonstop carnage--I can't wait to play it.
I also managed to squeeze in some quality time with Deus Ex this week, and it's shaping up
nicely. The interface
will be familiar to anyone who has played any of Warren Spector's other games and it
manages--so far, anyway--to strike a nice balance between action and role-playing. Look
for a preview on this game soon.
Well, I'm off the wilds of Nebraska. Michael will be filling in next week.
See you on the flipside!
Billy
[email protected]
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15. SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE
Hey, don't keep this to yourself. There are thousands of gamers out there without a clue
who desperately need your help. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee--in fact for
nothing at all--you can keep struggling gamers
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To subscribe to the Gamecenter Dispatch or another free CNET Dispatch:
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To unsubscribe from this or any CNET Dispatch:
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And that's it. See you next Friday!
Copyright 2000 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.
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