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F R E E P L A Y !
Issue # 4 - Sept 2, 1996
Stop playing with yourself! (games that is)
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/4874
Sections
========
Editorial - Majordomo, changes to newsletter
Hot Links - Bookmark these now!
Gaming News - GT Interactive and Microstar Duke it out
3DO closes Beta Test for Meridian 59
Kesmai closes Beta test for Casino Poker
I'l have a Slurpee and a QUAKE(tm)
Accolade ships Deadlock
Updates - SubSpace, Beggars Backgammon
Previews - The Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time Review
Games - Sixteen Multiplayer games you can play now over the net
Humor - Something to make you laugh while you are gaming
Details - How to subscribe, back issues, disclaimer, legal junk
Editorial
=========
The FreePlay Newsletter is a FREE, I repeat, FREE newsletter.
I have had a lot of questions about this. There will never be a
charge or subscription fee. We MAY pick up sponsorship and post an
occasional ad in the newsletter, but I am not actively looking for
sponsors at this time.
We have located a host for the FreePlay Newsletter. The next issue
'should' be posted from the majordomo at that time.
If I get everything working right with the majordomo software then
the next issue will be sent out on Sept 9 instead of Sept 16, mostly
because I almost have it finished already.
There are some new sections I added and I moved some things around.
YOUR FEEDBACK is what will make this newsletter a success.
I have incorporated almost every suggestion I received into this
newsletter. You will notice there are many more Macintosh links and
play by email links. This is what some of my readers requested.
If I am not covering something you are interested
in and you think it fits in this newsletter send me some mail.
======================================================================
Hot Links
=========
Online Gaming Review
http://www.ogr.com
------------------
I have been in contact by e-mail with the editors of this site.
They are really nice people and their WWW site is a great
resource for the multiplayer (and other types) gamer.
They recently added a game console section too.
Stop by and let them know FreePlay sent you!
Quote from their 'about us' page:
Online Gaming Review was started in the fall of 1995 to provide a
comprehensive source of information to today's mature PC gamer.
Our main goal was to provide reviews of all the latest
games so gamers would get a clearer understanding of games in stores
-- without having to wait 3 months for a paper magazine to deliver a
similar view. However, we have grown into much more
than just that. With the most comprehensive and up-to-date gaming news
coverage on the Internet, in-depth feature articles, previews of hot
upcoming titles, and links to other gaming sites, thousands
of gamers are visiting OGR every day for the information they need.
Networkable Mac Games
http://www.ambrosiasw.com/netgames/
---------------------
This WWW page covers all there is to know about playing multiplayer
(and other type) Macintosh Internet Games, both free and not so free.
He's got it all covered in great detail(download sites, hardware
requirements, reviews).
=====================================================================
Gaming News
===========
GT Interactive and Microstar Duke it out
-------------------------------------------------------
Duke Nukem is caught in the middle of a possibly fierce and
ugly battle. Only this time, the fighting doesn't include pipe
bombs or Pig Cops. This particular conflict is between
GT Interactive and Microstar Software.
Multimedia Wire reports that GT, in an effort to protect its
acquired title Duke Nukem 3-D, is suing Microstar for allegedly
producing and selling unlicensed add-on levels. The lawsuit claims
that Microstar is generating revenue from the license
without GT's permission. MMWire says that Microstar denies any
knowledge of the lawsuit, adding that it filed a lawsuit
against GT last week. The topic of Microstar's lawsuit was not disclosed.
The rights to Duke Nukem 3-D became the property of GT when GT
bought FormGen, Duke's developer. The first-person action game,
of the same genre as the ever-popular Doom II, is currently one of
the top-selling games of the year.
id Software's QUAKE hits retail outlets worldwide
QUAKE and a Slurpee - Gamers can pick up QUAKE shareware at 7-Eleven
--------------------------------------------------------------------
MESQUITE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 30, 1996--id Software's Internet
gaming sensation QUAKE(TM) hit store shelves across the globe today.
Gamers can pick up the low-cost shareware at computer stores, music outlets,
bookstores, mass merchandisers, video rental outlets and for the first
time ever, convenience mart 7-Eleven. id's agreement with Southland
Corp's chain of 7-Eleven stores calls for the stocking of QUAKE
shareware in an estimated 60% of the 5,100 7-Eleven stores nationwide.
3DO's Meridian 59 Set for October Release
http://www.3do.com/company/press_releases/betatrial.html
-----------------------------------------
(reviewed in FreePlay Issue #1)
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Aug. 26, 1996 -
The 3DO Company today announced that Meridian(TM) 59 has surpassed
25,000 player accounts with users from more than 65 countries since
the beta trial began five months ago. Meridian 59, the
world's first 3-D graphical multi-user dimension (MUD) game on the
Internet, is scheduled to be available worldwide in
October. Supporting the Meridian 59 launch efforts, 3DO plans to
unveil an advertising campaign that includes on-line and
print media, conduct retail promotions, and announce new business
partners. Having successfully completed its beta trial objectives and
in anticipation of the worldwide launch of Meridan 59, 3DO has
closed the beta trial to new users. Thousands of users will be able to
play simultaneously across the Internet in Meridian 59's
dynamic 3-D visual environment when the title ships in October.
Additional information on Meridian 59 is available on the
World Wide Web at www.3do.com.
Accolade Ships Deadlock -- New Planetary Conquest Strategy Game
First Product Release Under Company's New Online Gaming Strategy
------------------------------
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 1996--Accolade, a leading
publisher of interactive entertainment software, announced today that
Deadlock, a new planetary conquest strategy game that includes Internet
play, has begun shipping. Deadlock is the first of a series of games
that emphasizes online play.
In Deadlock, players take on the role of leader of a space colony.
Deadlock runs on personal computers and supports Windows NT, Windows 3.1
and Windows '95. It uses Smacker Video Technology, licensed from RAD
Software, to play back full motion video sequences.
Deadlock is currently available at an estimated street price of $59.95.
Casino Poker - http://www.kesmai.com/openbeta/poker/
-------------------------------------
(reviewed in Issue #1)
Thanks for playing! Poker open beta testing is
over. Thanks for all your help.
=====================================================================
Updates
=======
Beggar's Backgammon Terminal - http://home.ptd.net/~hacksaw/bbgt.html
----------------------------
Reviewed in Issue #2, has been updated to Version 2.0.
Beggar's Backgammon Terminal (BBGT) is a graphical client for accessing
FIBS, the First Internet Backgammon Server.
Version 2.0 is now available. This version is improved with smoother
text scrolling, better graphics (you can peek at a screen
shot of the new board), and the addition of 14 event triggered sounds.
Min Requirements: 486DX/25,4 meg RAM,VGA
Preferred Requirements: A Pentium PC,16 meg RAM,SVGA,Win 3.1 or higher
SubSpace
http://www.vie.com/sniper/
--------------------------
Review in Issue #2, SubSpace version v1.11 as of 08/30/96
now available in the Files Area!
Anti-lag code for new flag game. Lagged players will now have extreme
difficulty in disrupting the flag game.
Warzone flag game changed : players must now HOLD the final flags for
60 seconds before they can win the game.
"initializing game" bug fixed.
Firewall users and proxy problem solved. Please download the FUN-O-TRON
from the website and read the instructions.
=====================================================================
Previews - The Not ready for Prime Time Review
==============================================
TENN Play By E-Mail Web Page
http://www.ultranet.com/~tenny/tenntest.html
--------------------------------------------
TENN (tm) is a game. A multi-player computer simulation accessible to
anyone on the internet who has an electronic mail
account. TENN is a Play-By-Mail (PBM) game. This being the nineties,
it's worth noting that TENN is really a Play-By-Electronic-Mail, or
PBEM game. Apply for a test player position in TENN games. At this time,
the prototype game of TENN is underway. Additional positions are
available for alpha test players, however alpha test isn't expected
until at least January, 1997. HOWEVER, if you are signed up for alpha
play, you may be tapped for the current prototype game if we
need more players, and if you're interested.
Starbound II
http://anytime.cs.umass.edu/~jgrass/catfish/sbii/main.html
----------------------------------------------------------
Will be networkable with up to five other players.
This game is for the Macintosh only.
Quote from page:
In the distant future, six races discover the secret of the leap-drive
and begin to explore space. Each race has it's own advantages and
disadvantages, culture and science, and each is competing for the
resources of a few dozen worlds...
Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Succession Wars
http://www.nwcomputing.com/heroes2/
-----------------------------------
Coming in November '96, Heroes of Might and Magic, a
multiple award winning game, pushed the envelope for strategy games
with beautiful hand drawn graphics. In Heroes of Might and Magic II
all graphics have been upgraded and expanded. The computer has been
given a new AI full of improvements.
Players can now play up to 6 people instead of 4 via hot-seat, modem,
network, direct connect and INTERNET PLAY.
Players also have the option to view their opponent's moves or do
their own thing during the turn. Through the use of this new
multiplayer interface we have eliminated any player "down-time" and
significantly sped up the game play.
System Requirements:
IBM 486/33+,486/66 recommended,8MB RAM,2X CD-ROM,40 MB hd,SVGA
Macintosh System Requirements
68030 or greater / Power Macintosh (Power Macintosh Native)
8MB RAM, 2X CD-ROM, 40 MB hd,System 7.x
AutoDuel
http://www.vmaxx.com/AutoDuelOnline/AutoDuelOnline.html
-------------------------------------------------------
They are looking for beta testers to test this multiplayer internet
version of Car Wars.
Warning: Hardware requirements are rumored to be EXTENSIVE.
and...AutoDuel Online will require 3D hardware acceleration!
I emailed the beta tester email address to find out more.
They won't even take your application unless you own or plan to own
such hardware. AutoDuel Online is based on Car Wars by Steve Jackson
Games. The Car Wars fiction takes place 50 years in the future, where
the right of way goes to the biggest guns.
Choose your vehicle - complete with weapons, armor, power plant,
suspension, and body style - and take it to an AutoDuel Arena.
You'll come home an "ace" or you'll crash and burn. If you survive,
your abilities will improve, and you can accumulate money and prestige
to buy bigger and better cars and enjoy more elite privileges.
======================================================================
Games - Various Multiplayer games you can play now over the net
=====
If you have never been on IRC, now is as good a time to get on and
check it out. First you will need a software client. A good place to
start for windows users is the MIRC home page at
http://www.mirc.co.uk
Once you have the software, follow the links below for PokerBOt and
Risky Business
PokerBot
http://maelstrom.cc.mcgill.ca/poker/general.html
------------------------------------------------
PokerBot is an irc bot that moderates a poker game with 2 to 6 users.
It is based on standard 5-card draw poker.
Risky Buisness
http://calypso.cs.uregina.ca/Games/riskybus.html
------------------------------------------------
Risky Business is a high-speed trivia question and answer game where
up to 20 people can challenge other players on their
knowledge of people, places, events, and things. Unlike many organized
games, Risky Business can be played at any time of the day or night
against people from all over the world.
For those who think they have an encyclopediac knowledge of the world
around them, they should try regular Risky Business. For
those with a passion for music -- rock, jazz, classical, metal or
otherwise -- give Music Risky Business (#musicrb) a try. For
those who are interested in popular culture, try out Popular Risky
Business (#poprb), with questions drawn from the world of
music, literature, television, and movies. Finally, the last addition
to the line of Risky Business games is #Einstein, which aims to
be a game with more of an academic basis for its questions.
SImcity 2000 Network Edition -
http://www.maxis.com/shopping/product.cgi?ProductName=simcity2000_network_edition
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incorporating all of the exciting aspects of the original,
SimCity 2000 Network Edition allows players to team up through LAN,
modem, or Internet play to determine the most efficient way to design
and build a city. Not only do players have to deal with the opinions of their
resident Sims, they also have to contend with the actions of competing
players. While each player ultimately competes to own the most land,
they also must work collectively to decide the important aspects of
city management that are necessary for prosperity. Innovative features
such as resource trading, collective voting on all city ordinances and
a chat facility that provides for town meetings enhance the unique
social element of this game. SimCity 2000 cities can also be imported
to further expand the depth of gameplay.
Rqmts: Windows 95, 486/33+,SVGA, 8mb Ram,2x Cd Rom
Destiny
http://www.imagicgames.com/destinyad.html
-----------------------------------------
DESTINY World Domination From the Stone Age to Space Age
For the die-hard Civilization fans or those who just love a great
strategy game, Destiny is the definitive, 3-D 'god' game, with a
difference. Providing you with more options than Civilization from
MicroProse�, Destiny gives you more choices and discoveries from the
Stone Age to the Space Age.
The definitive, 3-D 'God' game, operating under Windows 95
Play the computer or compete with a friend via local area network or
modem.
Play traditional top down 2-D maps or in a real 3-D world
Play a full campaign, a mini scenario or multiple scenarios
Real time or turn-based play.
NetPoker
http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~johns/netpoker/
-------------------------------------------------------
Netpoker is different from most other internet poker programs
because it allows you to actually compete interactively
against human opponents. This is not Vid-poker.
It's Hold'em, with intelligent opponents, raises, bluffs,
and all the rest.
Netpoker is a Java applet. Requires a JAVA capable browser.
Lands of the Crown
http://www.on-line.co.uk/crown/lotc.html
-------------------------------------------------------------
Uses JAVA as telnet client. I can't seem to figure out how to
force line feeds in the telnet java applet. Maybe you can.
Quote from home page:
Lands of the Crown is a multi-player fantasty game world, where
players join one of three cities and
engage in knightly combat to advance both their city and themselves.
Each player may rise through the ranks of the military and royalty
by performing noble quests and acts of honourable courage.
Lands of the Crown uses Java and thus can only be played using a
browser that supports Java, for the time being.
WebChess
http://www.willamette.edu/~tjones/chessmain.html
------------------------------------------------
WebChess is a Web site that allows 2 individuals to play chess over the
Web. You can come and join in a game, wait for an opponent, or just
watch the other games being played.
Rqmts: ANY Web browser
Marathon 2: Durandal - http://www.bungie.com/m295demo.html
----------------------------------------------------------
(coming Sept 6...)
The popular Mac Doom clone now for Win95.
From the Marathon 2 homepage: "Fresh from your triumph on the
starship Marathon, you are seized by the rogue computer Durandal
to do his bidding in a distant part of the galaxy. Within the ruins
of an ancient civilization, you must seek the remnants of a
lost clan and uncover their long-buried secrets. Battle opponents
ancient and terrible, with sophisticated weapons and devious strategies,
all the while struggling to escape the alien nightmare....
The Marathon 2 Preview for Windows95 is a fully-functional four-level demo.
It includes 3 solo/cooperative play levels and 1 network play level for play
by yourself or with a friend over a network or modem.
Welcome to the MultiWar Home Page!
http://www.scvnet.com/~andy/MultiWar.html
-----------------------------------------
MultiWar for Windows is currently in alpha testing.
It is fairly stable but lacks many features that will be found in the
final release.
Firestorm
http://www.XCF.Berkeley.EDU/Firestorm/
--------------------------------------
Firestorm is a fast paced, multiplayer arcade game where players
battle to the death. Bombs are the weapon of choice. When
strategically placed, these bombs allow a player to reak havoc on its
oponents. Players can pick up items which allow them to remotely
detonate their bombs, kick bombs, or even turn their bombs into heat
seeking missiles! In addition, players can pick up other items such as
invincibility stars, speed boots, slow potions, and many other
objects! Players can also become infected with viruses and annoy their
oponents by infecting them as well.
Firestorm can support up to 4 players with any combination of human
and computer controlled players. In addition, a fifth player, the
Grim Reaper, will appear to destory you if the game takes too long!
There are many versions available for many platforms.
Some of the versions include X11 (HP, Sun, DEC, SGI, FreeBSD, Linux),
Macintosh, Windows 95, and NeXTStep. Have fun playing!!!
Pirates - The Quest for The Seas (Play By Email)
http://www.mountainside.com/
--------------------------------
PIRATES - The Quest For The Seas!
The hot new multiplayer strategy game for Windows is here!
PIRATES can be played by up to six people either over the Internet
(via E-Mail) or on the same computer. The shareware version can be
downloaded for free, but some of the game's features are disabled.
You can order the full version of PIRATES for only $19.95!
PIRATES version 1.0.1 beta is now available for downloading!
Play By Email Titan
http://www.uwm.edu/~bruno/titan/pbem.shtml
=======================-------------------
Titan is a multiplayer (2-6) boardgame produced by The Avalon Hill Game
Company (currently $35). It is billed as a Fantasy Monster Slugathon.
The game consists of two levels of play. Players move legions on one
large map recruiting minions to fight with. When two opposing legions
meet on this board the battle is fought out on a different board
representing the type of terrain the legions were in on the main board.
Each player is represented by a special character (a Titan). When that
character is killed the player is eliminated. Play continues until only
one or zero players are left.
If you don't know how to play, you should try to find a friend who has
a copy of the game (Titan is a popular game amoung board/wargamers).
Barring that you should be able to buy a copy of the game at a local game or
hobby store. You can also order a copy direct from The Avalon Hill Game
Company. Titan sells for $35. Note that you will be buying a boardgame,
not a computer game.
Got all that? Good!
Check http://www.uwm.edu/~bruno/titan/handout.shtml
for the play by email FAQ to get hooked up with other internet players.
Air Warrior for Macintosh
http://freeplay.kesmai.com/openbeta/macaw/
-------------------------------------------
Air Warrior is in Beta Test.
It features Real time, multiplayer online play.
Adjustable levels of play to suit both beginners and veteran flyers
Choice of 27 different WWI, WWII, and Korean War fighters and bombers
The most comprehensive viewing system of any air combat simulator
Supports 3 different monitor resolutions
Minimum System Requirements
System 7 or higher, Minimum: LCIII with 8 megs memory or better
Recommended: Power Mac with 16 megs of memory,4500 free RAM,
Monitor capable of 640 x 480 resolution at 256 colors,14.4 kbs modem,
Joysticks or mouse (we recommend both),Standard Mac array,
All ADB (Apple Desktop Bus)
Iron Wolves
http://www.on-line.co.uk/iw.html
--------------------------------
Iron Wolves is a graphical 3D multiplayer real-time WWII Submarine
simulator. Currently in Free test Iron Wolves is a
developing naval sim in which you will be able to command a U-Boat,
Corvette, Destroyer or Merchantman.
We are now running version 1.04 which is much advanced from the earlier
version you may have downloaded.
It includes a new 256 color version which greatly improves the graphics at
this mode.
There's a Periscope gradicule, depth charge damage arc and a 'turn
periscope' gadget to save you having to drag the view as well as a
host of little refinements.
If you have a version before 1.0 will certainly notice the difference.
Chaos Overlords
http://www.nwcomputing.com/chaos/chaos.html
-------------------------------------------
This demo of Chaos Overlords contains only one scenario, Kill 'em All.
The object of this scenario is to eliminate all the other Overlords.
In the demo, you have only one year (52 turns) to do this.
The multi-player features in the demo will work with another demo
(IBM or Mac), but WILL NOT work with the release version of Chaos
Overlords. The Save Game feature is also disabled in the demo version.
Quote from the unoffical FAQ:
Chaos Overlords is a strategic game of futuristic gang combat.
It was developed by Stick Man Games and released in May
1996 by New World Computing for the Macintosh and Windows 95 platforms.
The setting is a grim cyberpunk city of the year 2050 divided into an
8x8 grid of 64 sectors. Six human and/or computer-controlled AI
overlords attempt to gain control over the mostly-lawless city, sector
by sector, with some variation depending on the game's scenario
objectives.
Suggested WWW pages to visit before you download this game
FAQ - http://www.panix.com/~rwebb/chaos/chaosfaq.html
Chaos Overlords Challenge Board -http://www.wizweb.com/arena/chaosOverlords/
The Official EFNET #CO Home Page - http://www.3Sheep.COM/people/cmp/chaos/
Welcome to The Chessmaster Network
http://www.chessmaster.com/
---------------------------
If you like to play Chess online then you are in for a treat.
Chessmaster Online is in beta test.
This is the Chessmaster software all chess players know and
love( or hate) brought up to online multiplayer standards.
CM Online does not currently run using AOL,MSN, CompuServe, GNN,
Recommend: Win95, 486 DX 66 or better, 8MB RAM or greater, mouse,
14.4+modem, SVGA.
CM Online runs only on the MINDSCAPE game server.
======================================================================
Humor
=====
Posted with permission from Corey Lewis <Corey.Lewis@DALSEMI.COM>
Top Ten New Games That Maxis is Considering to Produce
10. Sim Vaporware - (to win you must spend months developing a game,
while at the same time relentlessly advertising it, only to pull
the plug when customer anticipation is peaked)
9. Sim NFL - (must get through 10 seasons without being busted for drugs,
wife beating, solicitation of prostitutes, steroid abuse, DWI, or child
molestation --- reportedly is going to be a very tough game.)
8. Sim Widget (become the world's largest and most powerful widget mogul.)
7. Sim Televangelest (speaks for itself)
6. Sim Solid Waste Treatment Facility (Dive in to this one and experience life
at its most pungent)
5. Sim Park Ranger - (Yes, you too can live the exciting life of a Forest Park
Ranger. Experience the surge of adreneline as you ticket people for
unlicensed fishing and for cutting trees for camp firewood.)
4. Sim Homeless - (Prowl the streets, and never worry about paying rent.
Make decisions such as should I eat the Beets and Corn soup at the
shelter? Or should I search the dumpster behind the Pizza Hut?)
3. Sim Porn Video Director - (see #7 above)
2. Sim Junk Yard - (organize ad campaigns to bring in loyal customers so they
will see that your junk is better than the competition. Bonus points for
recycling and separating plastics, glass, and aluminum.)
1. Sim City 2000 *Ghetto Edition* - (create the inner-city hell of your
dreams. Gang shootings, turf wars, crack houses, goverment project
housing facilities...all this and more. May be a "Crip" and "Blood"
option for added replay value.)
======================================================================
Details,details,details...
==========================
All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks
of their respective holders. Mention of a product in this
publication does not necessarily imply endorsement of the
product.
How to subscribe:
Send email to freeplay@hotmail.com with SUBSCRIBE in the SUBJECT line.
How to write to FreePlay:
Send your suggestions, comments, contributions to freeplay@hotmail.com
How to get back issues:
Back issues can be found at
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/4874
If possible get them there to preserve the sanity of the editor.
You may request them thru email to freeplay@hotmail.com only if you
do not have www access of any kind.
One issue per email request please.
Disclaimer:
All opinions stated in this newsletter are strictly my own.
Who the heck else would want them?
Quotes from homepages were used only to inform the readers of this
newsletter and do not serve any other purpose, commercial or otherwise.
All URL's mentioned in this newsletter were working at the time they
were reviewed.
This document is copyright 1996 by Mark Shnayer.
Re-distribution of it by any means is both permitted and encouraged
provided that such action is for strictly non-commercial purposes,
the content remains whole, unedited and otherwise unmodified and
this statement remains intact.
Though not strictly required, you are asked to inform the author of any such
distribution.
Please send requests for permission to publish this
commercially to freeplay@hotmail.com