Apogee's finger update
Harlan Hilman
apo...@fohnix.metronet.com. This is very similar to iD's he...@idsoftware.com,
and is accessed in the same way.
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Internet Finger Information
Written by Joe Siegler (apo...@metronet.com)
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WACKY WHEELS INFO Updated November 8, 1994 @ 17:30
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Wacky Wheels has been released! It is now available for ftp from our official
ftp site, whose info is in the "Misc Info" section of this document.
Wacky Wheels is shipping! The manuals and disks are all ready now, and we are
beginning to ship all the pre-orders for Wacky Wheels on Friday the 4th. We
expect the backlog to be cleared out by early next week, so any NEW orders for
Wacky Wheels at this point should go through pretty quickly.
We are looking into the problems with the USRobotics Sporster Modem. There is
a problem where some of them will not dial out w/o a really large interbyte
delay. The problem with the interbyte delay is that if you increase the
number, it will eventually slow the game down. That may or may not work for
you. If you are a USRSportster owner, try this string; it seems to work:
AT &F &M0 &I0 &K0 B0 &N6
If it doesn't, then unfortunately, there isn't anything else we can do at this
time. As I said, USR is looking into it; we have no workaround at this time.
If _you_ manage to get it working, E-Mail me, as I want to know about it!
Other Wacky Notes:
* We're received several messages about not being able to reconfigure the
joystick controls. This should be addressed in the next version.
* The PAS16 slowdown problem that's been around since Hocus Pocus has been
found and stomped on! This will be addressed in the next version.
* If you have a SB16/WaveBlaster combo, the reason you can't get MIDI music
working right is Creative Labs' fault. There is an undocumented feature
that is not in their developer information that we did not have access to
in order to get this working right. There is a fix floating around from
CLabs that will allow you to play it right. However, the information that
we gleaned from this will be implemented in the next version of Wacky
Wheels, and will also be included in stock code for all future games. We
will probably reissue Hocus Pocus again to correct this.
* If you want this fix for the SB16/WaveBlaster, you can get it from our FTP
site. The filename is WAVEPTCH.ZIP, and should be available in our site
within the next day or so.
* The problem with the engine dropout on the GUS has been found and fixed.
This too will also be in the next version of the game.
* The current version of the game is v1.1. There was a v1.0, but it was not
an official Apogee release. v1.0 of Wacky Wheels was released in the UK
only, on a cover disk. It does bear the Apogee name, but it is not an
"official" Apogee disk. While it's not illegal, Apogee strongly recommends
against using this version, since the game was not completed. The next
version will be v1.2. We do not know when this will be released; however
late November is a good guess at this time.
==============================================================================
BOPPIN INFO Updated November 8, 1994 @ 17:30
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The shareware episode of Boppin will be released on November 15th.
We're assembling final code, and will be shipping off the disk to be duped in
the next couple of days. I will be updating this to let you know when the ship
date for the registered versions is when we have that info.
Boppin is an adult puzzle game that is quite cool. Adult here doesn't mean
sexual themes, it means violence. :) The full registered version comes with
an editor, so you can make your own puzzles and pass 'em around. If you're a
fan of our older Paganitzu game, then you should like this.
The Boppin Slide Show has been released. It is available pretty much
everywhere by now. Filename is #1BOPPIX.ZIP.
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RISE OF THE TRIAD INFO Updated November 8, 1994 @ 17:30
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This game is still in beta testing, and still has some work left to do on
it. The game should be out sometime between now and Xmas, but a precise
date is unknown yet. We're targeting November, but that is an estimate at
this time. A new slide show for this was released on Wed the 19th of Oct.
The file is available at our anon ftp site. The filename is 1ROTPX2.ZIP.
We've been testing up to 11 player IPX support, and it's really wicked. The
game code has not yet been completed, but should be very shortly. Unless
we run into same fatal problems getting the game done, we should still make
late November/early December.
We're working really hard on making the battle levels really cool for all modes
of the game. Since we can have anywhere from 2 to 11 players in multi-player
games, we will have the battle levels staggered to match that. There will be
more battle levels geared towards the lower number of players, but we will have
levels for all! :)
Misc ROTT Notes:
* Current version of the ROTT FAQ is v2.0.
* We are not accepting pre-orders at this time.
* There will be a CD-ROM version of the fully registered version.
* To play this on an IPX network, there will be one computer needed to act
as the "ROTT Server". In other words, you'll need one more computer over
the number of players (if 5 are playing, you'll need 6 computers).
* We are not accepting any applications to beta test this game.
* v1.0 will be released with modem and network play.
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APOGEE RELATED FAQ INFO Updated November 8, 1994 @ 17:30
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Here are the current Apogee related FAQ's, and info about them. If there's a
FAQ out there that I'm not aware of, please let me know. You can now get them
at our regular site. FTP info for the faqs is:
Site -> ftp.uml.edu
Dir -> msdos/Games/Apogee/faq
Subject Version Author
------- ------- ------
Apogee 2.1 Sam Stoddard (s...@kepler.unh.edu)
Rise of the Triad 2.0 Rylan Hilman (rhi...@oasis.rain.com)
==============================================================================
MISCELLEANOUS NOTES Updated November 3, 1994 @ 13:00
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* In the future, if you try and get this finger connection, and get problems
fingering apo...@metronet.com, try using apo...@fohnix.metronet.com.
* Two updates were released on November 1st. Blake Stone v3.0 is now released,
as is Alien Carnage v1.0.
* Blake Stone v3.0 has only one new thing. A new price. $29.95. Nothing
else is new about the game. Only new ordering screens bearing new price.
* Alien Carnage is replacing Halloween Harry in our product line. The game
is the same, it just has a new name, and a lower price ($19.95).
* All our shareware is available for anon ftp at our official site:
ftp.uml.edu in the directory msdos/Games/Apogee.
* Apogee has a mailing list! Send E-Mail to "apo...@metronet.com" for
more information.
* Drop me (Joe Siegler) a line if there's something you'd like to see in here.
Also, if you like this service, please let me know about it. I'm eager to
hear what some of you think of the finger plan that I've set up for our
customer's information.
* Doom isn't an Apogee game. :)
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INFO ABOUT APOGEE & 3D REALMS Updated November 4, 1994 @ 12:15
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(This is a copy of a press release that was released on November 4th)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOTE: With the exception of Rise of the Triad and XenoPhage, there is no more
information available except what is in this document. These games are
not even in beta testing yet, and are in early to mid stages of
development, depending on which title you're talking about. Grab the
slide shows for Rise of the Triad or XenoPhage if you want more info.
11/4/94
NEWS FROM APOGEE
================
We expect 1995 will be Apogee's most exciting year ever. We know the past year
has been disappointing for our fans and that except for Raptor and Wacky
Wheels, we don't have much to brag about. You've had to endure EGA games in
1993 and frankly some of our latest releases left much to be desired. No more.
Our new rededication to high quality, exciting action games with cutting-edge
technology will finally bloom in 1995.
We are focusing our resources on cream-of-the-crop games with something new to
offer in terms of technology or gameplay and we've got a lineup that we think
will excite you.
APOGEE SOFTWARE
===============
Here's a rundown of Apogee games that will be released in 1995/96:
* Rise of the Triad -- Technically a late 1994 release, this internally
developed game has an incredible variety and high-action playability. Sure,
the 3D engine is not the most advanced on the market, but we still feel like
this will be one of 1995's biggest shareware hits because of all the cool
features the game *does* have. The game has had favorable previews in
Computer Gaming World, Computer Player, Computer Game Review, Game Bytes,
and PC Gamer. The game supports modem and 11 player IPX networks.
Release: Dec 1994.
* Stargunner -- A more arcadish shooter than Raptor, with a focus on non-stop
play, awesome power-ups and over 100 enemy types. This game plays in 320 by
240 resolution for greater detail. The action scrolls right-ward, rather
than upward a la Raptor. Much of the cool graphics are 3D rendered.
* Xenophage -- Two fighting games enter the arena, and if one must fall it
won't be Xenophage. This game has features no other PC fighting game has,
such as full screen scrolling and zooming (scaling of backgrounds and
fighters), characters half the size of the screen, realistic shearing
/diminishing shadow effects, animating/interactive backdrops, high-res VGA
mode for Pentiums, modem and network support, and more. In this game, you
will encounter the most bizarre alien fighters, each from a different planet
(including Earthling's).
* Crazy Baby -- A very sophisticated side scrolling game for the PC, with up
to 3 layers of parallax scrolling. The story is simple: You play a baby in
diapers who has played one too many violent video games. You snap and go on
a wild killing spree. End of story. Drawn with a Disney style animation and
look, the baby packs a machine gun and a bad attitude. Magazine editors who
have seen the early demos of this game have nearly choked themselves laughing
so hard. We're sure it'll be a big hit.
* Fumes -- A racing game fully rendered using 3D modeling software. It's a top
down (from an angle) perspective contest, with tons of bells and whistles,
including modem and network support. Gather weapons for your car, add a new
engine or tires, jump through the air on ramps, and listen to the cool rock
and roll digital soundtrack. You can even leave tire marks on the tracks or
pot holes where you blew your competition off the track with a bomb. This game
is a 180 degree turn from Wacky Wheels and the modem and network code will
keep you playing for hours. Bound to be the coolest racing game on the PC.
* Crystal Carnage -- This high action combat game features an engine never
before seen on the PC. If anyone has played Atari's arcade game, Assault,
they'll recognize the engine in this game, in which the entire playfield
rotates 360 degrees and scales in and out. You play as a female heroin
reminiscent of the characters from the film Heavy Metal. The game supports
modem play with a friend.
3D REALMS ENTERTAINMENT
=======================
3D Realms is a new label that Apogee will use to release only the most cutting
edge 3D games on the market. If a game is released by 3D Realms, you can bet
it will show-off leading-edge 3D technology. We have five games currently in
production.
* Velocity Brawl (working title) -- A full six degrees of freedom engine by
the lead programming responsible for MS Flight Simulator 5.0. Super high
speed action and amazing realism and special effects. Think "3D Raptor" as
you fly through the world at 25-30 frames per second on a 486/33 with local
bus. A fully texture mapped flying game without all the bothersome
simulation aspects. You will fly over canyons, cities, rivers, lakes, lava,
deserts and more. You can enter twisting and winding tunnels under the
planet's surface as well. Release: 2nd Qtr 95.
NOTE: The following four games use 3D Realms' "Build" engine, which is similar
to id's DOOM engine, but with many advancements. These include looking up &
down, reflective floors, mirrors, true rooms above rooms, multi-colored
lighting (DOOM only had white lights), moving vehicles, translucent sprites
(for ghosts, explosions, windows, etc.), rotating sprites, high-res mode for
Pentiums, user-modifiable parameters, underwater swimming, and much more. Of
course, these games will have modem and network play.
These games have already been previewed very favorably in magazines such as PC
Magazine, Strategy Plus, PC Home, Compute and Electronic Entertainment.
* Blood -- A horror game in which the player can become a raging beast that
needs to kill to stay alive. This will be a gut level game designed to
terrorize and surprise the player. No corner and no dark room will be safe.
* Duke Nukem 3D -- Picks up where Duke II left off, where Duke heads back to
Earth only to find it has been captured. Duke lands on a space station in
the first episode, then proceeds to Los Angeles. Cool effects include being
able to blow up buildings with the most powerful weapons, fly in a jetpack,
or board a subway system.
* Ruins: Return of the Gods -- When exploring in Egypt, you uncover the real
truth of the pyramids. This action game places a lot of emphasis on
exploration and puzzle solving. The maps can only be described as HUGE.
A high action game set in an immense world.
* Shadow Warrior -- In Japan, a cult of demonic believers have seen the sign
that their mystical leader, after a 1000 years of imprisonment, has finally
come back to lead them. Before all hell breaks lose you must infiltrate
their fortress and kick cult butt (as a Ninja, of course). Plenty of cool
Ninja weapons, magic and mystical enemies to fight.
IN CLOSING
==========
The coming year will be Apogee's proudest. It's the result of a new commitment
to quality and cutting-edge technologies, and over a year of restructuring and
repositioning Apogee. We hope you will like what you see. Gone are the days
of EGA games, small scale games, or games that just suck!
Sincerely,
Scott Miller, President, Apogee Software
George Broussard, President, 3D Realms