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Triumph of the Mod
Salon.com has a cool article online today called "Triumph of the mod". In it, the article talks about how customizing computer games started. They talk with Tom Hall of Monkeystone (formerly of id, Ion Storm, & Apogee), as well as Scott Miller of Apogee/3D Realms and several others. They talk about some of the earliest known total conversions (such as the Smurf conversion for the Apple II Castle Wolfenstein game), up to Doom mods, and things such as Valve's Steam. Here's a bit of what Scott had to say about the early days of user modifications:
Scott Miller, now CEO of 3D Realms, first noticed that enthusiasts were creating levels for the original "Duke Nukem" (1990), developed when Miller was at Apogee. Not only were gamers creating mods for his company's games, they were even creating level editors to simplify the process for making them -- then distributing both to other gamers online. "This was a fascinating development," says Miller. "We just didn't expect players to take the time and effort to create their own development tools."
Check this article out, it's quite good stuff.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 2:05 PM
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Manhattan Project Spooging
Over the weekend, Gamespy posted their Manhattan Project preview, and it's so full of glowing remarks, you'd think we had paid them to say that. We didn't of course, but check out some of what they had to say:
I could say a lot about the great visuals -- fog effects, lighting effects, explosions, and other goodies. The fact is, however, this would be a great game even if those effects weren't up to current standards. Fortunately though, they are some of the best ever seen in a platform game.
Now here's my take -- buy this game as soon as it hits the shelves. There is nothing like it on the market, nor has there been since Duke Nukem 3D hit the PC. You might be put off by the fact that this is a platform game in homage to the original Duke Nukem 1 and 2 -- don't be. This is a full-blown 3D title with all the effects and eye-candy you'd expect in any current game. It also sports huge 3D environments, as well as top-notch sound (including Duke's trademark one-liners delivered by the one-and-only Jon St. John), and a killer soundtrack.
I guarantee that you don't have anything like this on your hard-drive, and quite possibly even your consoles. This one will go down as one of the best platform games ever, and possibly one of the best games of the year. If fast action, lots of blood and guts, and great visuals are your thing, I think you'll agree.
Head on over to Gamespy.com and check out all of what they had to say.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 3:15 PM
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More Manhattan Project
Avault also today published their hands on preview of Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project. They had a lot to say about it, here's a sampling:
The levels are also filled with unexpected challenges that keep the action fresh and moving at a nice clip. There is something new to do on each level, whether it is running across the top of a moving train while avoiding hazards or dashing down the streets of Chinatown while leaping over speeding cars.
From Uzi-sporting alligators to ten-foot tall roach beasts, more than 25 enemies populate the game. Also among the dead piled at Duke�s feet are Fem-Mechs -- female robots with deadly whips -- and classic Duke enemies like the PigCops.
Like Duke Nukem 3D before it, Manhattan Project gleefully wallows in Duke-style lechery, including one-liners that would make me blush if my mother were in the room and half-naked girls that can jiggle every polygon the artists gave them.
Fans needing a fix until Duke Nukem Forever appears will love the supercharged visuals and action, while old-school gamers despairing a dead genre will appreciate ARUSH and Sunstorm�s tribute to a timeless form of PC entertainment. Having run the press beta through its paces several times, I feel confident 3D Realms, Sunstorm and ARUSH have come up with a winner for action fans.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 3:15 PM
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Scott Miller Interview
Today, Avault has published an interview with Scott Miller. In the interview, Scott talks about Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, as well as Duke Nukem Forever. Here's the intro text from the interview about it:
Scott Miller of 3D Realms is able to convey a love for gaming as well as anyone in the industry -- it shines in interviews and even emails he exchanges with fans and the press. Although he spends his day doing what many would consider a dream job -- producing and playing games -- he also must deal with the inconsiderable pressures of business. The Adrenaline Vault interviewed Miller as his company oversees the final leg of production on the valueware title Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project and continues development on Duke Nukem Forever. What are his thoughts about Manhattan Project and when can we expect more on DNF? Read on.
There's lots of cool stuff in here, so head on over to Avault, and read the interview!
Posted by Joe Siegler at 3:15 PM
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More Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project Stuff
Yesterday, the Duke Nukem: Manhattan Official Web site was updated with some new materials. Topping the list is a gameplay trailer video you can download which shows plenty of in game coolness. The new multimedia section of the Manhattan Project web site is where to grab this and plenty of screenshot goodies. Also on this page are a few wallpaper images you can grab for your computer.
So head on over there to grab tons of Manhattan Project goodness.
Also available are some other screenshots over at Avault. In addition to the screenshots, Avault had this to say about the game..
The moment we received the nine-level press demo of Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, we were hooked. Coming from producer 3D Realms, developer Sunstorm Interactive, and publisher ARUSH Entertainment, Manhattan Project is a third-person platform game for the PC that promises fans a lot of fun and innovation.
There's also another preview out, this time from Gamespot. Check out some of what Gamespot has to say:
Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project promises to be more than just another in the long line of Duke Nukem-licensed games. It's a good-looking modern update of the genre.
The controls are straightforward. You can use a gamepad, but the keyboard works just fine. You move right and left with the corresponding arrow keys, aim up with the up arrow, and crouch with the down arrow. You jump and fire with the Ctrl and Alt keys. It's the kind of simplicity that's been missing from PC games lately, as developers seem to be focusing more and more on huge, big-budget extravaganzas rather than on games that are just enjoyable diversions.
NOTE: The dukenukemmp.com site does not exist anymore. However, the information that was on that site has been replicated on our own site, you can visit this page to see that same information.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 12:00 PM
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Max Payne Level Editing Tips
Also over the weekend, we were told about an article that appears over at gamespy.com's GDC 2002 conference. The article (entitled "Payneless level design") talks about a Max Payne level design session headed by Aki Maata, one of Max's level designers. In gamespy's words, Aki "shared some advice on the creation of maps, as well as some of the things the developers learned throughout the course of developing Max Payne".
If you're into Max Payne level editing, you should check this out, it'll be worth your time.
Also, while you're at it, check out our Max Payne editing tutorials over at http://www.maxpayne.com/tutorials/index.html.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 2:45 PM
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More Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project Previews
Monday morning has brought us a few more Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project previews. Seems like everyone who had a chance to preview the game is digging it. Won't hold you up talking about 'em, let's get to 'em.
First up is one from FBI Reviewss. Here's a bit of what they had to say..
The whole game is a breath of fresh air, I can't remember the last time I played a side-scroller on the PC, and it's about time someone made one.
This is a damn fine game. I had fun playing this game. I predict a majority of the people who play this game will have fun too.
The second is from PlanetDuke. Some of their remarks..
But after only five minutes of play I was surprised by how fun this game is, and was unable to stop playing and get around to this preview until I had completed all three episodes.
Manhattan Project brings back memories from both the side-scroller games (Duke Nukem I and II) and Duke Nukem 3D.
So, all in all, this game looks great! the graphics are amazing; high-quality textures, glowing green GLOPP, fire, smoke, and more...
And finally, we have one from XGR.com. Some of their remarks..
DN:MP is a lot of fun...how much you ask? I have to stop playing so I can make news posts, eat, sleep, and do other life things
"Overall: 91% Addictive gameplay; Duke attitude; innovative game style"
"It just has a lot of what a lot of games totally miss out on when they are
shooting for the latest and greatest - a very high dose of old time fun"
Posted by Joe Siegler at 2:45 PM
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Max Payne Tutorials Updated
The Max Payne tutorials have been updated again! Here's part of the email sent to us by Remedy detailing what's changed/new in this version:
We finally decided to put two original level files online for the modders to download and investigate freely.
For these (and other downloads) I have created a new page called downloads under the MaxED section of the tutorials. In this configuration, the level files are zipped and placed in the MaxED downloads folder. There are two of them and some 8 MB in size each.
You can see the Max Payne tutorials by visiting this location: http://www.maxpayne.com/tutorials.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 11:05 AM
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Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project Previews
We have a couple of Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project previews available for you today. Don't know what Manhattan Project is? Check out the official site at this page.
The first preview is from HomeLAN. Their preview includes screenshots, quick remarks, and some cool quotes. Here's a sample:
After adjusting to the fact that I was playing a side scrolling game that doesn�t even require a mouse to play, I felt myself going back to 1996 and playing Duke Nukem 3D for the first time. The mutant animals, the babes, the humor, and the Duke 'tude..it was all there in this title.
If you are expecting DN: MP to be another first person shooter, however, you may be in for a shock as the game is in fact a 3D side scrolling title. However, since the first two Duke Nukem games were also side scrollers the new game is a bit of a return to his roots.
The second preview is from elited.net. Their preview has pretty much the same type of things in the other preview. Check out a bit of what elited.net had to say..
The fact that the developers were able to make a game style from the old days still fun and enthralling says a lot, not only about them but also Duke Nukem.
Duke Nukem begins the game with his Golden Eagle Pistol and picks up stronger ammunition along the hunt for Morphix. Weapons include a Golden Eagle Pistol, Shotgun, Assault Rifle, Pipe Bomb, G.L.O.P.P. Ray, Pulse Cannon, Pneumatic Rocket-Propelled Grenade Launcher and the Mighty Boot kick which are utilized by Duke in fending off the scum.
The gameplay is fun and exciting and gamers will find that they can adapt to the controls easily. DNMP looks as well as it plays...
Posted by Joe Siegler at 5:20 PM
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