DescentWorld 8-23-99
Interceptor
The weekly newsletter from DescentWorld.com
http://www.DescentWorld.com
Vol. 1, No. 13
August 23, 1999
Greetings from the Internet's Descent information source!
Welcome to all of our new subscribers!
Thanks in advance for recommending our E-zine / newsletter to your friends
and associates. Our subscriber base continues to soar and we appreciate your
help!
............................................................................
With the Descent 3 $50,000 tournament this week, we have a ton of news to
give you! The latest on the Descent 3 Patch, FreeSpace 2 news and more! The
DescentWorld Newsletter, your complete Descent and FreeSpace source!
Interceptor - Webmaster
(Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this newsletter.)
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CONTENTS
1. Developer's Corner
2. Feature Story
3. Recent News
4. Contests & Tournaments
5. Reader Poll
6. Descent News
7. Reader Mail
8. FreeSpace News
9. Pilots License
10. How to subscribe / unsubscribe to our newsletter
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1. Developer's corner
This news comes from Tricord over at TricordNet
Cougar and Badboy, who can be found on the D3Edit forums frequently, have
developed a tool that converts DXF files to ORF (Outrage Room Files). This
means now that you can create your room geometry in any DXF-capable
3D-editor!
You can also set tons of options for the conversion, like default texture
and shrink/stretch the room as you wish.
If you wanted to use another 3D editor to build your level geometry, then
DXF->ORF is the tool for you. The homepage is at http://tricordnet.com/2orf
If you're tired of PXO stats, want to see your overall stats(including IPX,
HEAT.NET and other connections), or you're simply a stats maniac, then
D3Stats 1.1 may interest you. This program allows you to see your overall
stats for each of the game types you've played. i.e. CTF and Anarchy, for
example, are separated.
Also, you can see a list of every player you fought, showing how good(or
bad) you've done against him or her. For example, on my list, I had a
curious name, I think it was Thundercat, and curiously, my efficiency was
around 0%
Finally, you can have detailed stats on the progress you've made over days.
This allow you for example, to see if your efficiency goes down(or up) when
you use another ship.
You like it? Then, go to Camelot Systems, which URL is
http://camelot.warzone.com and grab it! Don't forget to e-mail me your
comments please.
Thanks for your attention! -Dark Knight
You can download it here:
http://www.DescentWorld.com/Files/Descent3/d3stats11.zip
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BRF (Briefing script) parsing source code from Outrage
The following source code is provided as a reference for parsing Descent 3
briefing files (.brf). Included is a class that can be used. This code
will not compile as is. To use the class, create an instance of CBriefParse
and then call CBriefParse::SetCallbacks() registering all your callback
functions. You can download it here:
http://www.outrage.com/specs/brf_parse.zip
While you are there, check out the rest of the info!
http://www.outrage.com/tech.htm
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Skin Texture FAQ
Biggyshake has released another new Skin and a Skin Texture FAQ for Descent
3. JMEaT and Biggyshake have several skins to choose from, and you can check
out their web site for the latest downloads.
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Corner/3773/d3pyroskins.html
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2. Feature Story
The DescentWorld Online Store
For the second week in a row the DescentWorld online store continues to
bring you the BEST in online gaming systems! If you are looking for a start
of the art system that will solve all of your online gaming problems, then
you should go to the DescentWorld Online Store today!
http://www.DescentWorld.com/store.html
This weeks specials: G-Force
The G-Force System comes with the BEST in internal peripherals that are
available today. Everything is tested and configured BEFORE we ship the
systems.
Here is a list of the hardware components:
AMD K6-2 350 WITH 3D NOW!
64 MEG SDRAM
44X UDMA2 CD-ROM
6.4 GIG UDMA2 HARD DRIVE
56K V90 FAX MODEM
16 BIT SOUND CARD
250 WATT ATX MID TOWER
16 MEG VIDEO CARD
SPEAKERS & MOUSE
WINDOWS KEYBOARD
PREINSTALLED SOFTWARE
3 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
$799
http://www.DescentWorld.com/store.html
G-Force Radical
Here is a list of the hardware components:
INTEL PII 400 CELERON
128 MEG SDRAM PC100
44X UDMA2 CD-ROM
10.1 GIG WD HARD DRIVE
56K V90 USR MODEM
128 PCI SOUND BLASTER
250 WATT ATX MID TOWER
16 MEG VOODOO 2
SPEAKERS & MOUSE
WINDOWS KEYBOARD
PREINSTALLED SOFTWARE
3 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
$1199
http://www.DescentWorld.com/store.html
G-Force Extreme
Here is a list of the hardware components:
INTEL PII 400 W/512 CACHE
128 MEG SDRAM PC100
44X UDMA2 CD-ROM
10.1 GIG WD HARD DRIVE
56K V90 USR MODEM
128 PCI SOUND BLASTER
250 WATT ATX MID TOWER
16 MEG AGP VOODOO 3
SPEAKERS & MOUSE
WINDOWS KEYBOARD
PREINSTALLED SOFTWARE
3 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
$1399
http://www.DescentWorld.com/store.html
We Benchmark ALL of our systems with WinBench 99. WinBench 99 is a
subsystem-level benchmark that measures the performance of a PC's graphics,
disk, processor, and video subsystems in a Windows environment. WinBench
99's tests can only run on Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT systems.
You can see how each one of these systems benchmarked and compare them to
your system. Once you do, you will see why you need to have one of these
systems!
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3. Recent News
ZappaFan sent us a email announcing The Descent 3 Fan Appreciation
Chat -AKA- The Descent 3 Love Fest! Here is the quote from ZappaFan:
WHEN: 10:00 Eastern Daylight Time, Wednesday, 8/25/99 (2-hrs max)
WHERE: #300baud on any EFNet IRC Server
There is going to be a Descent 3 chat unlike any of the previous
Interplay/Outrage chats. This one will be hosted by THE FANS of Descent 3
for the sole purpose of publicly expressing our appreciation to the
developers of Descent 3 for the awesome game we all love. Never before has a
game been released where the developers were so responsive to the input of
it's fan base. They asked, we responded, and they LISTENED. The game is a
testament to that fact. Now it is time for all of US to testify!
Come to the chat, and give your cyber-kudos to the Outrage crew! Feel free
to tell what you like best about the game, or to just give your appreciation
in your own unique way (or even not so unique way). The folks at Outrage
have really worked their butts off to produce this game. Their effort has
gone WAY beyond the 'doing my job to collect my paycheck' kind of work. This
has had to be a true labor of love, and we are the benefactors of that love.
Now it's time to give a little of that love back! They deserve a big ol' pat
on the back and this is our chance to do that, and let them know in a grand
way just how much we appreciate them. In addition to the current Outragers,
Matt Toschlog is also contacting Alan Pavlish and Jason Leighton about
attending. This is a positive feedback ONLY chat session. NO BUG REPORTS! No
'why won't Descent 3 work with my blah blah graphics card...' questions.
Issuers of those type of remarks will be summarily sacked! :)
HOW: Each person attending that wishes to speak will get a turn. Hopefully
everyone in the chat will get a turn to tell the Descent 3 developers how
wonderful they are and just how much they love this game! :) During this
time, we ask that everyone PLEASE be courteous, and do not do things that
interfere with each persons chance at talking, such as all the nickname
changes that happened during the previous chats. It will be much more fun
for everyone if each person gets the chance to say something without their
chat being trampled all over by people who have already spoken or are
waiting their turn. At the point where everyone has had their chance to say
something, if time allows, we'll turn loose the channel for some good ol'
fashion IRC anarchy. :)
#300baud Connection Instructions:
Connecting to #300baud is easy. I use the mIRC32 IRC chat client and have
found it to be pretty intuitive to use, so my instructions are for that
specifically. For your convenience I've uploaded the latest version of
mIRC32 to my web site:
http://www.wildcards.org/zappafan/files/mirc56t.exe
If you're really into it, I've even uploaded the latest version of the FAQ
Help File:
http://www.wildcards.org/zappafan/files/mfaq40hp.zip
Connecting to #300baud using mIRC32:
1. Start mIRC32. You'll get a dialogue box with an introduction button that
will give you instructions on connecting. You can at this time simply close
this dialogue box if you're going to follow my short instructions here.
2. The Options dialogue box should pop up next. Simply fill in the personal
information, including a nickname you'd like to use in chat (and an
alternate in case the nickname you choose is already taken on the chat
channel when you join).
3. Select an EFNet server from the pull-down menu. There should be many from
which to choose, from Europe, Canada and the USA. Choose one geographically
near you.
4. Hit the 'Connect to IRC Server!' button.
5. If the server you choose does not respond, does not let you connect (for
whatever reason), or is very slow, you may click the left-most button on the
top menu (looks like a little chain link) to disconnect. Under 'File' select
'Options' [alt+O] and choose a different EFNet server near you.
6. Once you are connected to the server, enter '/join #300baud ' from the
command line. You can alternately use the 'add channel' button to add
'#300baud' to the list of channels that show up in the list. After that, you
can simply select it and hit the 'Join' button!
7. You should now find yourself in the friendly confines of #300baud!
If you don't like mIRC32, you'll find other IRC Chat clients available for
download at: ftp://papa.indstate.edu/winsock-l/Windows95/IRC/
ZappaFan
(can't ya just feel the love already?)
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Expect the 1.1 Patch mid Week, In Time for Vegas - Bama (Descent 3 Net)
A lot of us have had concerns about playing in the Tournament with out the
new 1.1 patch. Well I have been assured it will be made available Wednesday
or Thursday and it will also be available at the Tournament and LAN Party.
The 1.1 patch is not compatible with version 1 so he who does not use it
will not be able to find a game on PXO.
As you may know my pet peeve is the Afterburner bug in version 1 and the
AW's who insist on using it while telling you it's lag. Give me a break,
this boy did not come to town on a load of watermelons. Yeppers I'm leading
up to something. The Bama Police caught one of our better known and very
good pilots using it last night in an Apparition game on PXO. While he
professed in a very defensive way that he was not using and for me to get a
life, it was very clear to me that he was using.
Folks I play way to much D3 and I have seen most everything that can happen.
I know lag and loss when I see it, and when I have a ping of 120 with NO
packet loss and this guy is flying faster in the PyroGX than I can in the
Phoenix 3-cording, well? what do you think?. He also would do small
telliporting surges and loose control of his Pyro and bump into things, all
signs of using the AB bug. I know, I know, this will be gone with the patch
and into history. When you think you know someone and have respect for that
person, then he pulls this kind of thing. Well, it just hacks me off. I
have never been known to NOT speak my mine, and I have probably made some
people mad. You can bet I'm not changing at my age so for you who don't
like it live with it. As for AGES please rethink what you were doing using
the AB bug. Everyone has a bad day now and again but cheating is not the
answer.
OK I'm done!
Thanks Bama! - Interceptor
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ZappaFan sent me a email saying that Wildcards.org has redone their website.
I have to say that Zonerie has been keeping busy! http://www.wildcards.org/
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New Kali 2 Beta
Kali released a new beta version of their Kali 2 program. The new fixes are:
Added support for:
-Darkstone
-Fixed DirectPlay and custom games bug.
-Can now choose whether TCP search results go to a popup window or to main
chat window.
-Rewrote mail (now appears as an index in the main tree list on the left).
Download:
Full Version 1.99b program ftp://ftp.kali.net/pub/kali/beta/kali199b.exe
1.99 to 1.99b patch ftp://ftp.kali.net/pub/kali/beta/p199-199b.exe
1.99a to 1.99b patch ftp://ftp.kali.net/pub/kali/beta/p199a-199b.exe
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4. Contests & Tournaments
Interplay and Peter Telep bring you the Descent: Equinox Contest.
This contest will be dedicated to Robert Berzins of Interplay Productions.
Peter Telep continues to support the Descent community with book after book
and contest after contest. Check out Peters web site for the up to the
minute information about this contest and others.
http://www.earth-netone.com/descentequinoxcontest.htm
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5. Reader Poll
Have something you want to know? Want to have it set up as a poll? It's
easy! Send a email to Inter...@DescentWorld.com?subject=poll telling me
what you would like to see!
Fill our this weeks Poll here:
http://www.descentworld.com/forums.shtml
You can find the ONLINE version of this newsletter and the archives at:
http://www.descentworld.com/forums.shtml
Results of last weeks poll:
What is the size of your monitor?
13" 0 votes 0 %
14" 1 vote 7.69 %
15" 1 vote 7.69 %
17" 8 votes 61.54 %
19" 2 votes 15.38 %
Other 1 vote 7.69 %
TOTAL 13 votes 100.00 %
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6. Descent News
Monday, August 23, 1999 4:29 PM
The following is from Craig Derrick - Producer at Outrage Entertainment
Goodbye.
As some of you may know I have decided after three years to leave Outrage.
My time here has been a pleasant one and I've enjoyed all the aspects that
went into developing Descent 3. The experience and friendships that I've
made here will be with me forever.
In the next few weeks I will be moving from Michigan to Florida to work as
the Producer on an unannounced Playstation 2 title. I can't talk about the
company nor the title yet, but it shouldn't be too difficult for anyone to
figure it out.
I'm very excited about this new direction for myself and hope that all of
the people I've met over the years associated with the Descent world stay in
touch. I'm still planning on going to Vegas for the Descent 3 Tournament and
will be in town for a few weeks so drop me an email at
cder...@ameritech.net.
So long, and thanks for all the fish!
-C-
We will miss Craig and wish him luck in all his endeavors!
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Interplay Films, a division of Interplay Entertainment, is developing seven
of the company's most popular video game titles. Beyond that, they are
working on a number of other non-game related productions for TV and the big
screen, according to Variety. Among the known video game oriented projects
are:
Redneck Rampage, Fallout, Carmaggedon and Earthworm Jim. The one that is of
interest is Descent!
Descent
Based on the combat flight simulator game. The film was originally developed
as a two-hour TV movie for the NBC TV network. Now planned for a theatrical
release, the film has a script by Steven DeSouza.
http://www.cinescape.com/insider/indexnew.html
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FGN (Future Games Network)
The Future Games Network is one of the latest places to review Descent 3.
Check out the 4-page review at:
http://www.fgn.com/features/review_desc3-1.htm
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Sup interviewed!
Josh "Sup" Vaughn has been interviewed by Mike "Eagle" Dorner of
Descent4.net. It's a good interview talking about the DBB and how it began,
it's a good read so check it out! http://www.descent4.net/interviews/Sup/
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PTMC Defender Interviewed!
I received an email this week telling me that Master Level Designer PTMC
Defender was interviewed by Vertigo Extreme. The interview is about his new
and upcoming MOD Alpha Strike, he talks about the new features that will
included in his full version.
http://www.vertigoextreme.com/interviews/ptmc.shtml
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7. Reader Mail
Here is a email from one of our readers:
Hey Interceptor!
"I read your newsletter weekly. Most of the time I find information that I
can't find anywhere else. How do you get so much news each week?!?!"
-Blind Luck via the Internet
Hello Blind Luck!
One portion of VERY dedicated staff at DescentWorld goes to every single
website that is on the Internet that covers anything that is Descent or
FreeSpace related. There are plenty of GOOD websites out there! Here is a
partial list:
Descent 3 Center http://d3.center.cc/
The D3Edit homepage http://www.d3edit.tricordnet.com/
The Descent Bulletin Board http://www.descentbb.net
Descent 2 COM http://www.descent2.com/
Descent 3D http://www.descent3d.com/
DeepSpace http://www.e-reality.com/descent3/
Descent 3 Net http://www.descent3.net/
Descent 3 org http://www.descent3.org/
Descent 4 Net http://www.descent4.net/
Ellusion Design Online http://descent-3.com/ellusion/
Eyerate Descenters http://eyerate.2y.net/ubbdir/Ultimate.cgi
Freespace 2 http://www.freespace2.com/
GTXD Excalibur http://gtxdexcalibur.simplenet.com/
KoolBears http://www.koolbear.com/
Moon's Descendarium http://www.gamesdomain.co.uk/moonglow/index2.html
Outrage http://www.outrage.com/
The PyroPort http://www.pyroport.com/
The D3K website http://d3k.descent3.net/
TNet http://www.tricordnet.com/
Vertigo Extreme http://www.vertigoextreme.com/
Volition, Inc http://www.volition-inc.com/
WarpCore http://www.warpcore.org/fcgi-bin/wcmain.cgi
ZappaFan's Descent Hangout http://www.wildcards.org/zappafan
Another portion of our staff talks with the game programmers and the people
that make things happen every single day. The good thing about the Descent
Community is that we all work together to promote the games that we love to
play. There is no other gaming community on the planet that can say that!
With this many people working to get you the news that you need, you can
never lose!
Thanks for the question and catch you online! - Interceptor
Email your questions to Inter...@DescentWorld.com?subject=Question
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8. FreeSpace News
As promised, freespace2.com will be releasing weekly FreeSpace 2 MP3's from
now until the game ships. FS2_Revelation_Chapter_I.MP3 (Part 1 of 3)
Revelation is currently the last song in the game.
Composer notes: I used Biblical names to keep in tune with the original
"Exodus" subtitle, which was dropped, and for inspiration.
Plus let's face it, some of the books have awfully cool names. : ) All
scores composed and produced by Dan Wentz/Volition 1999.
http://www.DescentWorld.com/Files/Freespace2/
MP3/FS2_Revelation_Chapter_I.MP3
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Tane "Zer0" Piper posted a preview of FreeSpace 2 on Game Forces website:
http://www.gforces.net/previews/action/freespace2/
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Interview with Lisa Bucek on Freespace 2 - from Speedy 3D
There is a 4-page review at Speedy 3D about the next release from
Volition-Inc "FreeSpace 2. It is a glimpse into what is in the works so
check it out at:
http://www.speedy3d.com/interviews/lisa_bucek_fp2/index.shtml
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9. DescentWorld "Official" Pilots License
The BEST place on the Internet to find other pilots!
With over 100 registered pilots to date, this is your single, best and ONLY
source for finding other Pilots on the Internet!
To get your Official Flying License from DescentWorld, you need to create an
account to become a Licensed Pilot. Click on the link below and get your
license today before it's too late! http://www.descentworld.com and click on
the Pilots License.
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10. How to subscribe/unsubscribe to our newsletter:
You are receiving this DescentWorld Newsletter because we have received a
subscription request for your email address, or because
someone you know has sent it to you. To SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE to this or
other newsletters, please visit us at this link:
http://www.DescentWorld.com/forums.shtml
*A technical note for our readers*
If you get an error page when you click links in this newsletter, please try
copying the entire link (including the ".html") and then pasting it into
your browser's URL field. There are a variety of email clients in use by our
subscribers, and because each client handles links differently, broken links
sometimes occur. We are working on solving this issue and appreciate your
patience.
--
Tim Favreau
A.K.A. Interceptor
ICQ 1133660
http://www.DescentWorld.com