Far Cry Research Demo -- Posted by Ripster on Friday, March 12 2004
Check out Far Cry in the second extrodinary single-player demo titled "Research". Crytek Studios allows you to once again play as Jack Carver on a remote tropical island bent on stopping a mad scientist playing god.

If you like the weapon power of Serious Sam and the play of Dues Ex, then this game may be just for you.

Soldner: Secret Wars Trailer -- Posted by Ripster on Friday, March 12 2004
This is incredible trailer for Soldner: Secret Wars shows many aspects of this special-forces based title. Submit your email to enter a drawing for 50 Beta Keys for the Soldner Closed Beta that will begin March 19, 2004.

Battlefield 1942: Galactic Conquest .2 - RELEASING FRIDAY! -- Posted by Ripster on Friday, March 12 2004
A group of dedicated and largely talented individuals have produced yet another incredible modification for blockbuster Battlefield 1942. Based in the popular Star Wars Universe,Galactic Conquest .2 throws you into the epic struggle between imperials and the rebellion. Plunge through the perilous Death Star Trench as a X-wing pilot, battle it out in Cloud City and even fly the famous Millennium Falcon!

I have played around with this mod a little bit. It is pretty good. Great if you are a Star Wars fan. Check it out, maybe you will see Darth Ripster out there.

Steam Update - Let's Try This Again... -- Posted by Ripster on Thursday, March 11 2004
Steam Update - Let's Try This Again...March 10, 2004, 6:00 pm · Greg Coomer

The bug from yesterday's release has been fixed, so a new version of the release is going out tonight.This update is for all of the games currently on Steam. The specific changes are:

Changed HTTP download behavior to retry connections using old trickle download method if it can't download all files.

Fixed a crash bug when connecting to a dedicated server with an empty mapcycle.

Fixed a bug where MP3 volume wasn't working properly.

Fixed "STEAM UserID 0:0:1 is already in use on this server" message when connecting to LAN servers in offline mode.

Fixed memory leak in HLTV.

We've also fixed some issues in Steam: Fixed bug where the Internet connection speed ("rate") was being improperly set to the default value of 1500, causing poor network performance for many users.

Games are now marked as ready for offline play when they reach 99.99% of cache loaded rather than 100% (fixed offline play not working for some people)

Added a "Do you want to restart now?" dialog when language settings are changed Server admins should restart their servers to get updated.

We're all doomed again -- Posted by Ripster on Thursday, March 11 2004
Co-Op Mode for Doom 3 Xbox - AramoThe Xbox version of Doom 3 will feature a two-player co-op mode for the single-player campaign. Vicarious Visions CEO Karthik Bala disclosed this information in an interview with GamePro. Like the PC version in development with id Software, Doom 3 for the Xbox is expected in late 2004.

For those of you with Gamecubes -- Posted by Ripster on Thursday, March 11 2004
Warp Pipe 0.3.5 Released - Rhoam (fileplanet)Warp Pipe Technologies has announced the release of the latest version 0.3.5 of the Warp Pipe networking software that allows games for the Nintendo GameCube to be played over the Internet. Some of the currently supported games are Mario Kart: Double Dash!, 1080: Avalanche, and Kirby Air Ride. The Warp Pipe software is available for Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X, Linux and BSD operating systems

Steam update Recall -- Posted by Ripster on Wednesday, March 10 2004
This was the first release on the ninth.....

Steam Update ReleaseMarch 9, 2004, 6:28 pm · Erik Johnson There has been a Steam update tonight to address a few problems from last week's release.This update is for all of the games currently on Steam. The specific changes are: Changed HTTP download behavior to retry connections using old trickle download method if it can't download all files. Fixed a crash bug when connecting to a dedicated server with an empty mapcycle. Fixed a bug where MP3 volume wasn't working properly. Fixed "STEAM UserID 0:0:1 is already in use on this server" message when connecting to LAN servers in offline mode. Fixed memory leak in HLTV. Server admins will want to restart their server to get updated.

Then (surprise...surprise)about an hour Steam crew changes their minds.....

Update RecalledMarch 9, 2004, 7:31 pm · Erik Johnson There was a crash bug in the release that was planned for this evening.This update has been rolled back until we address it.

Ripsters' Rants -- Posted by Ripster on Friday, March 5 2004
Ya know, I really never rant in this section. Actually I have NEVER ranted. To tell you the truth, I don't really know why it actually got to be called Ripsters Rants. But with the "new" web page and design, I was asked to come back for the "second curtain call".

So, what's new? Well, I guess this clan is. We are kinda re-organized again...for the what? The 3rd or 4th time? But unlike most clans, we always come back.

We were here in the beginning. Back before sierra/valve thought about "STEAM". Hell, we were back playing this crazy game before they even thought about patches to the game.

This clan actually started out as some friends from Compaq just getting together and playing. Somehow it evolved into an organized event. I guess someone thought that the folks playing competively weren't any better than the "Compaq" -SIN- crew. Which, as it turns out, was fortunate for me. The first -SIN- server was called -SIN-Cathedral. At that time I was a HPB. Yes, I was a 56k'er. Cathedral just happened to be the best ping for me, so I played there a lot. One day I was approached from someone from -SIN- and was asked to join their clan. I was like.."What? A clan? What the heck is that and why do you want me?" Well, long story short, I joined them and what do you know, we rocked. We were among the greats. We kicked the crap outta most of the folks we played. Those were the times. When games were fun and there was a code of conduct. Now-a-days cheats are rampant, llamas are abound and admins are tarnished. But guess what? Here we go again.

Funny thing is, most of the folks are the same folks I have been playing with. Heck, even the "guy" that said he wouldn't be playing TFC any longer is back to playing. Why? Prolly due to us being more than friends. Heck, a lot of clans say they are friends. Unlike most clans, we actually are. Heck, the "old" Compaq crew are still alive and kicking and get together for bar-b-que and beers. Must be the reason I am still here. Friendships. Good Times. Laughter. Oh and making fun of our "token" tfc girl...Medusa.

Team Play Rantings -- Posted by Ripster on Friday, March 5 2004
Teamwork... Does that word ring a bell? Do you realize that playing a team-based multiplayer game like TFC does not mean that you only have to fight half the people on the server, but that such a game requires working as a team? With taking certain positions like Offense or Defense in agreement with the rest of your teammates? With Defense covering base entrances, choking points and flag areas, while the Offense tries to work with each other, complement each other? The quality of the game under the aspect of teamwork is not one bit better than it was two years ago. The skill level of many players is high, sometimes even amazing. But do they have any sense for teamwork? For positions? For roles in the team? Dream on.

Now you will ask what do I expect from the filthy pit of pub games, with all the lamers and newbies. I should know by now that TFC can only be played right in a clan environment. But could someone explain to me why even the clan people don't practice teamwork on the pubs? They should know all about positions and roles; about communication and teamwork. So why don't they use it? Okay, maybe many clans are solely using RW for communication and therefore no longer have bounded messages. Stupid (in case the RW server goes down), but at least understandable. But they should still be able to find their mm2- button.

And anything else? I know that trying to work with the team is often a difficult job on the pubs. But it will never be easy until the people who know what they are doing are doing their jobs on the servers. But before this sounds like this is only bashing clan members: The concept of teamwork should not be too difficult to grasp for anybody, not even a newbie.

I cannot expect a new or inexperienced player to know the maps, to choose his position effectively, to choose the appropriate class for his position or to handle situations too well. BUT I can expect anybody to try to work with his team. It is just common sense that in a CTF-game you have to protect the flag. It is common sense to help your teammates. It is common sense to keep focus on the objectives of the map. It is even more shameful for anyone playing TFC for a long time and not playing the game properly, wearing a clan tag or not. And please note that I won't even start talking about terms like sportsmanship or honor. I'm just talking about the basics of teamplay in TFC. If you don't follow the basics, you are just playing deathmatch with teams. That's not what TFC was created for, and it's not what TFC is about.

On a personal note: An experienced player who is just fooling around on a server without caring for his team or the objectives of the map is IMO just another lamer. Exceptions to this rule exist, but many cases don't qualify as such exceptions. Oh yes, I'm sure that a number of people will think I'm taking things too serious and will throw me the line "it's just a game". I respond by saying it loses it's flair as a game when people turn it into a mudhole.

For those who have no idea what a "lamer" is: A lamer is somebody intentionally interrupting, hindering or affecting the game in a negative way. Examples from TFC: Killing teammates, blocking passages or doors with sentries, constantly shooting at teammates, intentionally spreading infections, hiding with the enemy flag somewhere at the map, etc. I guess we all have met such behaviour on way too many occasions. Those people's intention is to provoke, to ruin the game for others. They get off when people start swearing and shouting at them. They want to draw attention with their actions. Either they've joined a server with the intention to piss people off, or they are frustrated by the way the game runs for them (some people just can't cope with losing). Not much one can do against lamers. Unless there's an admin nearby to warn the lamer and, if necessary, kick him options are few. Just one word of advice: Regardless what these idiots do and how much they annoy you, refrain from sinking to their level and responding with lame actions yourself, however understandable that would be. Often the best idea is switching to another server....which is really sad. Sad that you start out to have fun but due to all the crap on the server, you have to leave. Or worse, are put off by it and it now pains you to even go pub. Just do your part, all I ask. Stick in there and cooperate. Win or lose, it will be a much more enjoyable game.

Netiquette -- Posted by Ripster on Friday, March 5 2004
Ya know, this is something I posted a while back. I ran across it again and started reading it. I was thinking how wonderful if folks read it again and started playing like professionals instead of as...er bad people. So here it goes again.

Netiquette for Team Fortress

There are lots of things that newbies do to annoy veterans on servers. So this is a list to help out all NEWBIES-

Discard after you load up with equipment so that someone who needs the ammo gets it.

- Don't flood with multiple line messages - we all know how to do it and you are stupid.

- Don't block exits when you are typing away, this will annoy whoever is trying to get past you.

- Don't keep asking "how do i ...?". People on servers are usually there to play a game.. Want some answers read the f@$#ing manual. Most questions can be answered if you get off your own butt and look it up. Plus there's the bonus of finding something else along the way.

- When travelling into your own base and you are approaching a defender shoot at the wall to let them know you are not a spy, if you don't do this and get shot do not attack the other player... YOU are in the wrong.

- Don't cheat.... losers cheat, cheating is not hard or clever, plus everyone will think you are a llama.

- Join the team with the least players when connecting unless the smaller team is WAY ahead of the other team. If someone asks you to change after you arrive please do so, players already on the server know the ebb and flow of battle and will know who needs an extra player.

- Don't shoot your own team - go have a toss instead.

There are a few things which are pretty lame which a lot of people do on public servers which are OK in clan matches:

- Inhabiting an enemy's spawn room......sitting in a spawn room and killing players as they respawn is pretty pointless.

Worse is the ultra-camp, when a group of enemy players will sit in a room and build a nice defense including sentry guns. Well is a classic example of where this happens.

LPB snipers - what can i say? Definitely the best class for a LPB to play. Wouldn't it be nice if they stopped being pansies and changed to a less wussy class :)

Bruckheimer Prince of Persia Film -- Posted by Ripster on Friday, March 5 2004
Bruckheimer Prince of Persia Film - Aramo (fileplanet)Having recently acquired the rights to develop a film trilogy based on American McGee's Oz, Jerry Bruckheimer is also looking into creating a movie based on Ubisoft's Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Carribean) would like the series creator Jordan Mechner pen the script of the film, according to a Variety report. The deal has not been finalized.

Scientific-Atlanta Plans New Console -- Posted by Ripster on Friday, March 5 2004
Scientific-Atlanta Plans New Console - Rhoam (fileplanet)Reuters is reporting that Scientific-Atlanta is planning on developing a set-top box that will offer high-performance video game capabilities comparable to those offered by technology companies such as Microsoft and Sony, who currently dominate the $10 billion dollar U.S. console market. It is unlikely however, that the set-top box would compete for retail space with the current giants of the industry. It is much more likely that Scientific-Atlanta will offer the set-tops to be supplied by cable television providers. This type of integrated technology device could not only offer games on demand, but also video recording capabilities similar to that of the popular Tivo device and allow cable providers to offer interactive entertainment subscriptions and video-on-demand as weapon in their war against satellite television providers such as DirecTV

Oh Boy..Another card -- Posted by Ripster on Friday, March 5 2004
NVIDIA's GDDR-3 Power - Prophet (fileplanet)NVIDIA today announced that it will offer graphics card products based on Graphics Double Data Rate 3 (GDDR-3) memory later this month. This new memory technology allows for lower power and higher clock speed board designs - nVIDIA is using the GeForce FX graphics processing units (GPUs) with this technology. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 Ultra GPU-based graphics boards with 128MB of GDDR-3 will be available in mid-March from leading add-in card venders worldwide, including Albatron, ASUS Computer International, BFG Technologies, eVGA.com Corporation, Gainward, Gigabyte Technology, Leadtek Research, Palit Microsystems, Point of View, PNY Technologies, Sparkle Computer, and XFX.

JDOOM -- Posted by Ripster on Thursday, March 4 2004
This is a package of both Doom I shareware and Doomsday Engine software that allows you to play Doom in a very high quality way. Besides better graphics it boosts customizable controls, mouse look, and enhanced menus in this badass classic!

On a side note, this has options for all of your old favorites. Doom, ultimate doom, doom 2, heretic, hexen, hexen 2, etc.Give it a try if you are bored.

Man Hunt Gets R Rating -- Posted by Ripster on Thursday, March 4 2004
Man Hunt Gets R Rating - Rhoam (fileplanet)CBC News is reporting that the Ontario Fil Review Board has put an “R” rating on a video game for the very first time. The “R” rating mean that retailers of Man Hunt will not be able to sell the video game to anyone under the age of 18. Jim Watson, Consumer Affairs Minister, states that Man Hunt is particularly violent and shows characters tracking down and killing other characters. Man Hunt had previously seen controversy when it was banned from New Zealand for being too violent

Lifeline Ships -- Posted by Ripster on Wednesday, March 3 2004
Lifeline Ships - Prophet (fileplanet)Konami announced today that it has shipped Lifeline for the PlayStation 2 to retail outlets nationwide. Lifeline is an action-adventure game that makes use of a USB headset to issue commands - the first voice controlled action-adventure game for any console to be exact. The game is set in a futuristic space station hotel where players find themselves trapped in the structure's control room after a massive attack. The only sign of life is the mysterious woman named Rio - voiced by Kristen Miller of syndicated TV hit She Spies - with whom players must use verbal communication to solve the mystery of the attack and save themselves. Players can use 5,000 words and 100,000 to interact with the game using a USB headset microphone. Lifeline is rated M for mature and is available for an SRP of $39.99.

IT GlobalSecure Offers SecurePlay -- Posted by Ripster on Tuesday, March 2 2004
IT GlobalSecure Offers SecurePlay - Rhoam (fileplanet)Security software developer IT GlobalSecure has developed a software technology aimed at foiling online cheaters and game hackers. The SecurePlay software technology was developed by Cheryl S. Campbell and former National Security Agency programmer Steven B. Davis to combat the rising trend in cheating in online games. Every online game, from pay to play titles such as Star Wars Galaxies to friendly games of Hearts at the Microsoft Gaming Zone have had to content with cheaters and game hackers, but IT GlobalSecure has developed a software technology that can ruin even the best of cheating attempts through an innovative and unobtrusive encryption system. The SecurePlay technology is designed to allow publishers and developers of online, wireless and offline games a method for rapidly integrating anti-cheat software without the need to develop in-house.

NYU Offers Gaming Course -- Posted by Ripster on Tuesday, March 2 2004
NYU Offers Gaming Course - Rhoam (fileplanet)The School of Continuing and Professional Studies at New York University is offering a non-credit course dubbed “Camp Game” to 80 students ranging from high school seniors to college seniors. The course is designed to educate students about the gaming industry by creating a game over the course of the four week program. “Camp Game” is taught by three faculty members with real world experience in the gaming industry and consists of five, eight hour days each week culminating in a tour of Trauma Studios where students will be encouraged to apply for internships

Doomed News -- Posted by Ripster on Tuesday, March 2 2004
NVIDIA gets DOOM 3 Nod - ProphetNVIDIA passed along word that id Software has recommended the GeForce FX graphics processing unit for its upcoming action game, DOOM 3. This week a number of the company's add-in card and system builder partners have begun to display a special sticker on their retail packaging and company Web sites to promote this recommendation to consumers, says NVIDIA. This new sticker and a few details and screens from DOOM 3 can be found http://www.nvidia.com/object/nzone_doom3_home.html

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! -- Posted by Ripster on Thursday, February 12 2004
Clan -SIN- has reformed and is bigger and better! Be on the lookout for these up and comers, for they DO have your number!