AVault News (13-Dec/Fri)
Eugeny Ivanoff
How do you get European and U.S. motor racing fans to buy your company's
sports car? Simple. Have them drive it for 100 hours first - on a PlayStation.
Reuters has published an *interesting article* (1) about how this far-fetched
marketing ploy actually seems to be working.
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1) http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/4719469.htm
> 9:10am TDK Freebie!
TDK Mediactive has launched a special offer for the holidays. Anyone who
purchases Robotech: Battlecry or one of the new Shrek games can redeem a
mail-in offer to receive a second TDK title free. Qualifying customers pay
only $4.95 for shipping and handling - and can select to receive one of the
following games at no extra charge:
- Shrek
- PRYZM Chapter One
- Shrek: Extra Large
- Shrek: Super Party
- Casper: Spirit Dimensions
- Robotech: Battlecry
The promotion will run through Dec. 31. Visit *TDK online* (1) for more
details.
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1) http://www.tdk-mediactive-us.com/promo/
> 9:46am GameCube Zelda on March 24
Nintendo of America appears to have set a release date of March 24 for Legend
of Zelda: Wind Waker. *This link* (1) on web retailer GameStop contains box
art and screenshots in addition to expanded information. Looks like a strategy
guide will be readily available as well.
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1) http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=220082
> 1:57pm Nintendo in Talks on New Chip
Bloomberg reports that NEC and Nintendo have begun talks over the development
of a new chip for Nintendo's next generation gaming console. Microsoft and
Sony are already hinting at their next generation of products - so it's no
surprise that the world's second largest console maker would begin working on
its replacements for GameCube. NEC and Nintendo are reportedly co-developing a
new chip for a machine with superior graphical power. NEC and Nintendo have
already teamed up to bring game players GameCube - which has sold 6.7 million
units since its release in September 2001. Sony Computer Entertainment is
co-developing system chips with Toshiba and International Business Machines
chip that may be used for video games and digital televisions. Let's see if
the home of Mario and Link can avoid having to play catch up again.
Source: *Bloomberg* (1)
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1)
http://search.bloomberg.com/fgcgi.cgi?T=marketsquote99_relnews.ht&s=APfmtZRL2TkVDLCBO
> 8:03am Speedway Grand Prix Complete
Polish developer Techland told the Adrenaline Vault on Friday that it's
finished work on Speedway Grand Prix. The game was sent to replication on
December 5 and will apear in Poland before Christmas. Distributors for other
countries will release the game in early 2003. Players take the role of actual
Grand Prix competitors and participate in races on tracks based on this year's
Speedway Grand Prix. Here are four new screenshots:
*IMG* (1) *IMG* (2) *IMG* (3) *IMG* (4)
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1) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=fimsgp&num=1
2) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=fimsgp&num=2
3) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=fimsgp&num=3
4) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=fimsgp&num=4
> 8:17am Lionheart Trailer Released
Black Isle has released its Lionheart trailer. Grab the 10 meg download
*here* (1).
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1) http://ftp.interplay.com/pub/movies/lionheart-trailer.wmv
> 8:47am Unreal Tournament 2003 Patch Update
An *offcial post* (1) on Infogrames' forums by senior producer Kyle Peschel
contains a long list of fixes for Unreal Tournament 2003. Peschel mentions
that they're in the final stretch of development for the patch and that it
should be ready for release next week. One of the major features of the
upgrade will be demo recording and playback.
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1)
http://www.ina-community.com/forums/showthread.php?s=66acb559bb82eac01278e6a1c0a84d6d&threadid=242306
> 8:03am Global Star Signs Bowling Deal
Global Star has signed an agreement with developer Digital Fusion to release
an as-yet-unnamed bowling title for the PC. The game will feature multiple
characters and environments as well as online play. It's tentatively set for
release next summer. Here are two early environmental screenshots of the
upcoming game:
*IMG* (1) *IMG* (2)
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1) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=3dbowling&num=1
2) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=3dbowling&num=2
> 9:01am Sims Under Christmas Tree?
NPD Techworld's list of the top ten selling PC games Top 10 for Nov. 24-30:
- Sims Unleashed from Electronic Arts (EA)
- Sims Deluxe from EA
- Harry Potter 2 from EA
- Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 from Infogrames
- Backyard Hockey from Infogrames
- Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead from EA
- Age of Mythology from Microsoft
- Sims Vacation from EA
- Zoo Tycoon: Marine Mania from Microsoft
- Zoo Tycoon from Microsoft
> 9:39am Zoo Tycoon Theme Pack Available
Zoo Tycoon owners can now add new features to their parks as Microsoft Game
Studios and developer Blue Fang on Thursday released the Atlantis Theme Pack.
The free add-on contains the following Atlantean items:
- Gift shop
- Three undersea ruins
- New tank wall
- Two unique decorative fences
- A statue
- An urn
Blue Fang is also introducing a new animal to Zoo Tycoon - the barracuda. Both
the Atlantis Theme Pack and the barracuda can be downloaded by visiting *Zoo
Tycoon site* (1) at www.zootycoon.com* (1). The Pack requires players to
either have Zoo Tycoon: Marine Mania or the *10.9 update* (2) to Zoo Tycoon.
Related links:
- *Compare prices for Zoo Tycoon* (3)
- *Compare prices for Marine Mania * (4)
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1) http://www.zootycoon.com
2) http://www.microsoft.com/games/zootycoon/downloads.asp
3) http://avault.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=563742
4) http://avault.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid==591466
> 2:02pm Spellforce Website Goes Live
JoWood has launched a *new website* (1) for an upcoming game entitled
Spellforce. This title - which blends real time strategy and role-playing
elements - claims to have it all: Six races and over 30 enemy creatures in
addition to an assortment of spells and a persistent game world. Judge for
yourself.
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1) http://spellforce.jowood.de
> 2:30pm IGI 2 Multiplayer Details and Screenshots
Codemasters on Friday released new screenshots of the team-orientated LAN and
online multiplayer modes in IGI 2: Covert Strike. The new images from the
first-person shooter's multiplayer modes showcase the game's enhanced graphics
engine.
Five different multiplayer arenas will deliver objective-based combat for two
teams. The gameplay will pit operatives against terrorist groups from around
the globe - and include hacking data satellites and launching space shuttles
as well as bombing oil refineries and escorting convoys. IGI 2 will provide
support for at least 16 players online and 32 players on a LAN. The game will
also feature full chat functionality and provide support for two popular
client-matching applications: GameSpy and All-Seeing Eye.
Each player will have access to a cash reserve - although buying a new weapon
from the game's arsenal of 30 arms won't be the only way to spend the money.
Players will have the option to purchase a specialist kit and pay to re-enter
the match if killed. The cost for players to buy themselves back into the game
decreases over time to zero. This presents players with the tactical choice of
spending all their cash on a quick re-entry and buying little hardware - or
waiting for the time to expire and rejoining play tooled up. The location
where a player opts to be respawned adds a further tactical element not
present in Half-Life: Counter-Strike.
Players will also be able to access real-time satellite data of their
surroundings via the Map Computer. Using the device will enable players to
assess the lay of the land and zoom in to watch the action. IGI 2: Covert
Strike will ship in February.
*IMG* (1)
Find out more on *Codemaster's IGI 2 website* (2) - then *compare prices* (3)
using AVault Pricegrabber.
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1) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=igi2mp&num=1
2) http://www.codemasters.com/igi2/front.htm
3) http://avault.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=578787
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Source: http://www.avault.com/news/
=) Susi
* * * Cheats(*US*) http://SusiCheats.virtualave.net/