SimHQ.com

October 31,=20 1997

- Microsoft has=20 release a trail version of CART Precision Racing. = It's 13.6MB=20 and requires DirectX5.

- PCME has an update on NovaLogic' F-22 Raptor. NovaLogic informed = PCME that=20 F-22 Raptor will master on Nov 5 and sould be in stores by = Nov 24 if=20 not earlier.

- PCME has posted their "Daily Shot" of Longbow 2 from Janes Combat = Simulations.

- PCME has a update along with exclusive screen shots = of Flying=20 Nightmares 2 by Eidos Interactive.

- "WW2 Bomber Sim = Wanted".=20 Seems like a lot of you are interested in this kind of a = sim. If you=20 are, head on over to Porta's Flight Sim homepage. He's asking = for your=20 help by filling out his petition=20 page which he wll submit to game developers. You can = also add=20 your ideas to the project. I will add his page to my "LINKS" = section=20 under User Sim Pages.

- Computer Gaming World's sim editor, Denny = Atkin,=20 whips out his crystal ball and gives his predictions for coming year.

- Combat = Simulations=20 has posted details on patch V3.3 for iF-22 from = Interactive=20 Magic.

- Microsoft has stated on the CART Precision = Racing=20 site that it will be in stores Nov 15. Any takers for a few = days=20 earlier like their other products.=20

October 30,=20 1997

- Operation 3Dfx has news that UbiSoft's F1 = Racing=20 Simulation will release Nov 17. They got this release date = from the=20 french magazine Joystick. I will update the "RELEASE = DATE".

-=20 PCGamer has an interview with the producer of the newly = announced=20 Nascar 3 from Papyrus / Sierra.

- News from Computer Games Online says Nascar driver = Bobby=20 Labonte will serve as Papyrus's corporate spokesperson.

- = Updated=20 the "RELEASE LIST" for 2 products, F22 Total Air War from = DID,=20 F/A-18 Hornet: Korea from Graphic Simulations, CART Racing, = and Pro=20 Pilot from Sierra.

- Computer Gaming World has a review of Janes' Fighters Anthology. They also have = some news on Wings of Destiny from GSI /=20 Psygnosis.

October 29,=20 1997

- I added a new site to my = "LINKS"=20 section. It's called Desk Top Simulators and it's in the Sim = Accessories.=20 Thanks Paul! :)

- Computer Games = Online=20 has 2 screen shots of F/A-18 Hornet: Korea = from Graphic=20 Simulations.

- Its the month for screen shots I = tell you.=20 Digital Image = Design=20 has added 15 new in-cockpit screen=20 shots from F22 Air Dominance Fighter.

- PCME has a = new "Daily Shot" of Longbow 2 from Janes Combat = Simulations.

- PCME has updated their preview of F/A-18 Hornet: Korea. They've = added some=20 new exclusive screen=20 shots.

October 28,=20 1997

- Added a site dedicated to = Grand Prix 2=20 from Microprose to the "LINKS" section under User Sim . Its = Pieter's=20 Grand Prix 2 Homepage. Great site for everything on this = sim.=20 Thanks Pieter.

- Updated the "RELEASE LIST". Changes = to=20 Longbow 2 from Janes, JetFighter III: platinum Edition from = Mission=20 Studios and CART Racing from Papyrus / Sierra..

- = Check these=20 shots from The Unofficial CART Precision Racing = Headquarters. He=20 entitles them the Flying Car Series. = :)

- Microsoft has=20 added a few new screen shots of CART Precision = Racing.

-=20 Check out PCME's "Daily Shot" of Janes' Longbow 2.

- Its raining = F/A-18! PCME also = has a preview of F/A-18 Hornet: Korea from Graphic=20 Simulations

- Combat Simulations has also added an = extensive=20 preview of DID's F22=20 Air Dominance Fighter. There are seven parts in all covering = all=20 aspects of F22 ADF.

- Combat Simulations has a preview of F/A-18 Hornet: Korea from Graphic = Simulations.=20

- News from PCGamer says that the producer for = Mechwarrior III=20 has resigned from his position at FASA=20 Interactive. The project has now been handed back to Microprose.

- Wishing on a new = Grand Prix=20 from Microprose? Better forget it. Hyperactive had a piece of news that Microprose will stopped selling = Grand Prix=20 2 on Dec 31/97. They also didn't renew the license from FUJI = FOCA.=20 Thanks to Cobra21 for letting me know.

- Graphic = Simulations=20 has updated their page on F/A-18 Hornet:=20 Korea. They've added numerous 3Dfx screen shots. If you = don't=20 have a 3Dfx card, look at the pics and you'll want to get = one now.=20 Looks = incredible!

October 27,=20 1997

- PCGames = has a preview=20 of Microsoft's=20 CART Precision Racing.

- Good news for racing fans. I = got=20 this bit of news from Computer Games Online. Papyrus will be = releasing a=20 Nascar 3 for Christmas 98. Click here to check out the Nascar 3 details. I'll add it to the = "RELEASE=20 LIST".

- Bad news for you Su-27 fans. Seems that the = release=20 date for SSI's Su-27 Flanker 2.0 is now August 98. I emailed = SSI /=20 Mindscape about the date and when they would have info on = it. Here's=20 their response:

As far as = we know,=20 the August date is good.
You are asking for things = that are=20 too far away. We don't have the info=20 yet.

Sincerely,
Customer=20 Support

I updated the "RELEASE LIST". = My thanks=20 to Iceman who originally told me. I emailed them out of=20 disbelief.

- Janes Combat Simulations has AVI = files for=20 F-15 and Longbow 2. They're both 12MB each. I got this off = the=20 newsgroups.

- Mission Studios has a new=20 3Dfx patch for JetFighter III.

- Combat = Simulations=20 has a preview part III of Longbow 2 from Janes Combat = Simulations.

- Here's some more military sites; = General Dynamics = Land=20 Systems, CAE, Sonalysts, Northrop = Grumman,=20 and Naval=20 Technologies. All were added to the "LINKS" = section.

- I=20 was browsing around and came up to Sikorsky's = web site.=20 Nice page. I'll add it to my "LINKS" section.

- PCME has put = up todays=20 "Daily Shot" of Longbow 2 from Janes Combat = Simulations. This one shows one of the many new = aircrafts added=20 in the sim, a Sikorsky CH-53.

- Updated the "RELEASE = LIST".=20 NovaLogic's F22 Raptor should be out the week of Nov = 24th.

-=20 Computer = Games Online=20 has some tips on Interactive Magic's=20 iF-16.

October 26,=20 1997

- PCME has their "Daily Shot" of Janes' Longbow 2. Night shot this = time.

- My=20 ISP was down for a while, I apologize. I hope it doesn't = happen too=20 often. :( It could be because I went past = my=20 50MB/mon. limit.

- Operation 3Dfx has some preview screen shots of MiG Alley from Rowan = Software and=20 Empire Interactive.

- Congratulations to Jacques = Villeneuve=20 and Williams-Renault for winning the Formula One World = Championship.=20 :)

- Combat Simulations has a second=20 preview series on DID's F22 Air Dominance=20 Fighter.

October 25,=20 1997

- Combat = Simulations=20 has a preview of Interactive Magic's Air Warrior = III.

- I=20 decided to change back the name of Army Air Corps: 1942 to = WW2=20 flight sim (untitled), in the "FLIGHT" section and the = "RELEASE=20 LIST". I posted the question to Andy Hollis. Before he = replied, on=20 of the people at EA (marketing I guess) posted a reply = saying it was=20 definitely not the name. Andy Hollis of Janes Combat Sim. = also said=20 the same. Yes, it may be the name but I will leave it = untitled until=20 we know. One thing is for sure, the other guy's reply seemed = quite=20 agitated which leads me to think that the name is true and = he's=20 pissed off. Why would he reply that way.
I also asked A. = Hollis=20 about a possible Seal Team 2 and he did say it was = definitely being=20 disgussed. Lets hope.
About the possible Aegis-type naval = sim=20 that Sonalysts has submitted to Janes, here's his=20 response:

"Putting = in a=20 proposal and having the product be accepted, funded, = and=20 managed to completion are entirely different = things. =20 Assuming, of course, that any proposal was even=20 submitted. = ;-)"

Somehow, I doubt they would = say no since=20 most probably it would link up with 688 Hunter=20 Killer.

October 24,=20 1997

- Seems like quite a few of = you are=20 starting to receive "Special Offer" cards from EA about an = exclusive=20 offer on Longbow 2. This usually happens if you send in your = registration cards. Well, keep this in mind. Usually, EA = sends these=20 cards 2 or 3 weeks before launching the product. Well, they = did this=20 before so why would they change.
Hmmm, I guess this means = Longbow=20 2 will be shipping very soon and a release of the first or = second=20 week of Nov. is real good. = :)

- Once=20 again, don't forget about the PCME's "Daily Shot" of Janes'
Longbow = 2.

- Combat = Simulations=20 has a second preview of Janes's Longbow 2. =

- PCME has = another preview of GSI's Wings of Destiny, with = more screen=20 shots. Seems like Psygnosis is helping GSI instead of=20 Virgin.

- I might do some changes to the "FLIGHT", = "NAVAL",=20 "LAND", "RACING" section. If you sim fans prefer that a new = page=20 (open new browser) is loaded when the product clicked on = instead of=20 loading into the main page (where this is), please email me = or use=20 ICQ to let me know.

- Added Fighter Duel 2.0 to the=20 "FLIGHT"section as well as updated the "RELEASE = LIST".

-=20 here's a new Fighter Duel web site called Fighter = Duel=20 Headquarters. FD 2.0 looks impressive. Seems like it = belongs to=20 the developer.

- PCME has a beta preview of Interactive=20 Magic's Air Warrior=20 III.

October 23,=20 1997

- Don't forget about PCME's "Daily Shot" of Janes' Longbow2.

- = Combat = SImulations=20 has a preview of SSI's Su-27 Flanker 2.0.

- OGR have = updated the=20 flight sim column called "Virtual Pilot". They talk about the 2 new = flight=20 sims from Interactive Magic, iF/A-18 and = iA-10.

-=20 Updated the "RELEASE LIST" showing Wings of Destiny from = GSI. I also=20 changed a lot of titles putting the developer name first and = then=20 the distributor name. Most people will recognize the = software by=20 developer name. I know their are exception but I indicated = the most=20 logical one.

- I updated the "FLIGHT" section = showing F-16=20 Agressor and Wings of Destiny under the name General = Simulations=20 instead of Virgin. I think most people will identify the = developer=20 more than the distributor. Although, I will put both on the = "RELEASE=20 LIST". I also added General Simulations to the "LINKS" = section but=20 with no link. No site yet.

- I have added Eagle=20 Interactive to the "LINKS" section. These are the people = who=20 developed Sabre Ace and next should be Phantom Ace. I have = placed=20 these products under their name instead of Virgin.

- = Combat = Simulations=20 has an updated preview of Joint Strike Fighter = from Eidos=20 Interactive.

- PCME has put up a preview, complete with screen shots, of = F-16=20 Aggressor and Wings of Destiny from General Simulations Inc. = These=20 sims will be published and distributed by Virgin. Both are = slated=20 for Spring 98 release.

- There's a new AVI file on Joint Strike Fighter from = Eidos=20 Interactive. It's 6.6MB in size. Looks pretty = good!

-=20 There's a preview of Burnout: Championship Drag = Racing from Bethesda = Softworks=20 over at Computer Games=20 Online.

October 22,=20 1997

- Updated the "Release = List".

-=20 OGR has a = review on Microsoft's Flight Simulator = 98.

-=20 Getzen over at Unofficial CART Precision Racing = Headquarters has=20 updated his "My Impression" page. He also just picked = up an 3Dfx=20 card and says he's getting 50% to 75% better framerate and = the=20 graphics look nicer. Alright Getzen, now lets see some new = screen=20 shots from the card. :)

- Su-27 = Flanker=20 On-line have added Screen Shot Set #3 to their screen = shot page=20 of Su-27 Flanker 2.0 from SSI. Geez, they look good but there are = olny 2. They=20 do show the great detail of the planes. From what I heard, = these=20 pictures were taken on a Pentium II - 300 with an expensive = ($2500)=20 OpenGL card for 3D animation and is running at a super high=20 resolution. I'm not sure but I think it was 1600x1200. Oh = well, at=20 least the possibility will be there. = :)

- Next-Generation has a preview of Interactive Magic's Air Warrior = 3.

- Don't=20 forget about PCME's=20 "Daily Shot" of Longbow 2 from Janes Combat = = Simulations.

October 21,=20 1997

- Gamecenter has a "Sneek Peek" at Sierra's Red Baron II.

- PCME has put = up their=20 "Daily Shot" of Janes' Longbow 2.

- Updated the = "RELEASE=20 LIST". NovaLogic's F-22 Raptor has moved to Nov 11/97 and I = also=20 showed the change in Flight Unlimited 2.

- Combat = Simulations=20 has a preview of F22 Air Dominance Fighter from = DID. Although = I did=20 mention this on Saturday, I was wrong, it was pointing to a = smaller,=20 earlier preview. The one above was put up today and is more=20 in-depth. My apologies!

- Flight Unlimited 2 from = Looking=20 Glass Technology has gone into beta and should be released = around=20 the last week of November.

- Also added Microsoft's=20 Fighter Ace to the "FLIGHT" section and added VR-1 with = their page=20 on Fighter Ace. VR-1=20 are the ones developing it for Microsoft.

- Added Air = Warrior=20 3, Air Warrior 2, Warbirds: Fighter Ops and Warbirds 2.0 = from=20 Interactive Magic in the "FLIGHT" section. Sorry if I didn't = include=20 it.

- Next-Generation magazine has a preview of Interactive Magic's Air Warrior = 3.

- For you=20 Racing fans, Gamecenter has a review of Thrustmasters new driving setup called = Nascar Pro=20 Racing Wheel (for USA). For other countries, it will be = called=20 Formula 1 Driving Wheel. Gamecenter gives it a 4 on = 5.

- OK,=20 you may have noticed that I removed the "3D COMBAT" section. = The=20 reason is that I want to concentrate on sims. I moved Spec = Ops from=20 Zombie VR into the "LAND" section. There are plenty of = excellent=20 sites for 3D news like Blue's News. Voodoo Extreme also carries a lot of 3D=20 news.
Some of you have also expressed interest in = strategy sims=20 like Steel Panthers 3, for example. I'm not sure if I will = do it yet=20 but i'm looking into = it.

October 20,=20 1997

- More Longbow 2! Combat = Simulations also=20 has a preview of Longbow 2.

- Unofficial CART=20 Precision Racing Headquarters is now in the "LINKS" = section=20 under "User Sim Page". Great site with some never seen = before screen=20 shots and information. Thanks Getzen! Sorry it didn't = all fit=20 in the frame. :(

- Longbow 2 fans! = PCME has a = Part 1 - Beta Preview of Janes' Longbow 2. = They have=20 loads of new screen shots which are 3Dfx enhanced. All I can = say is=20 WOW! My thanks to Rod White at PCME for letting me know. =
Rod=20 also mentioned that they will be adding a Longbow 2 Screen = Shot page=20 that will be updated daily with new Longbow 2 screen shots = until=20 it's released. Once again, Thanks Rod!

- Sierra has = apparently=20 released SODA Off-Road Racing at a cost of $49.95. = Sierra has=20 also released Nascar Grand National Series Expansion = Pack for=20 Nascar 2. Cost is $29.95.

- Added the link to Voodoo = Extreme=20 in the "LINKS" section. For all your news, previews, and = reviews of=20 3Dfx (and others) enhanced games. They're also fun to read = because=20 of their sense of humor. Thanks Billy!

- Since I = mentioned=20 previews, the Nov. issue PCGamer also has previews of Joint = Strike=20 Fighter, and iPanzer'44. I know I mentioned this before just = a few=20 days ago but I wanted to refresh you memories.=20 :)
The Nov. issue of Computer Gaming = World has a=20 preview of Longbow 2.

- I have a tiny bit of news = about DID's=20 new tank sim due out in 98. It will be based on the British=20 Challenger II Main Battle Tank. Apparently, DID will take = tank sims=20 realism to new levels. Their sim will have photo-realistic = terrain,=20 buildings and vehicles. Tanks will leave tracks and and dust = as they=20 move. Their physic model is said to be incredible with each = bogey=20 wheel acting individually. If you have the Nov. issue of = PCGamer,=20 they have a short preview with a screenshot of the tank sim, = in the=20 F22 Air Dominance Fighter preview. Page 126.=20 :)

- Some of you have asked my if = Confirmed=20 Kill from Eidos Interactive, will support TCP/IP and/or IPX. = I=20 emailed Bryam Walker at Eidos and here's his reply:
"The = retail=20 version will support full LAN and modem options, but the = online=20 version will initially be TEN only."
Since I hear some = news of a=20 release next year and others say this year, I also asked = him, here's=20 his diplomatic response:
"Next year is right. = ;)"
Well,=20 at least I was right about next year! =20 :)

- Combat Simulations has their Part II=20 on "Military Strike Weapons". Here's Part I=20 if you haven't checked it out yet.

- I added an = excellent=20 A-10 reference page to the "User Sim Page" section. This = site tells=20 all about the A-10. Highly recommended for people interested = in this=20 aircraft. Thanks Blade for your permission. Maybe = I-Magic and=20 Eidos can use the page to help them with their sim. = ;-)

-=20 Added a "User Sim Pages" section to the=20 "LINKS".

October 19,=20 1997

- OK, here's my quick review = of the=20 Quake II demo. At first, I didn't think is was anything = great. Then=20 I realized that I didn't have it set for my 3Dfx card. Holy = moly!=20 What a difference! Night day! black white! whatever! It = looks=20 spectacular. I would almost say that this game isn't worth = playing=20 without a 3Dfx card but that wouldn't be fair for id = Software.=20 Folks, if you have a 3Dfx card, make sure you set it to 3Dfx = OpenGL=20 in the video option. By default, its set to Software. Your = pc does=20 all the work and its only 8 bit color. With 3Dfx OpenGL, its = 16 bit=20 color with all the funky stuff the 3Dfx can do. This one is = my "To=20 Buy" list.

- Yikes! I just noticed that the "News = from=20 previous weeks" at the bottom wasn't working. It's working = now.=20 Sorry about that. :-(

- Quake II=20 test demo is out! Check out Voodoo = Extreme,=20 they have many sites posted to where it's available. BTW, = this site=20 is dedicated to 3Dfx news, a must for any 3Dfx owner. id = Software=20 also has the demo. It's 12MB, 3 levels and is single = player=20 only.

- Added the "LINKS" section. Still more work = needed=20 there. I will probably add more sites later.

- Computer Games = Online=20 has a preview of Microsoft's CART Precision=20 Racing.

- Just a note, my email address has changed. = Click on=20 "EMAIL" to send me an email to my new address. My old one is = from=20 work and I no longer access it from home. Our server at work = uses MS=20 Exchange and I didn't want to have 2 mail programs...one is=20 enough. I just wanted to say this in case you've sent = me an=20 email lately and I haven't replied. I will be monitoring = both email=20 addresses at work=20 though.

October 18,=20 1997

- BTW, Janes Combat = Simulations' new WW2=20 flight sim MIGHT be called Army Air Corps: 1942. Just = thought i'd=20 let you know.

- If you're interested in CART = Precision Racing=20 from MS, checkout the Unofficial CART Precision Racing = Headquarters. This=20 guys a beta tester and has some screenshots and info not = shown on=20 Microsoft's page.

- Wanna beta test CART Precision = Racing=20 from Microsoft? On October 20th, head on over to PCGamer special page. Sometime during the = day, a=20 link will be placed on this page but check it often because = only 230=20 gamers will be allowed.
OGR also has this program but there's only = space for=20 10 gamers. Go to they're news page on Oct 20th for the special = link.

-=20 The Unofficial F1=20 Racing Sim page has a new AVI of UbiSoft's F1 Racing = Simulation=20 to which this site is dedicated to. These guys are = up-to-date on=20 news for this sim. Great page!

- For you people into=20 Warbirds, Interactive Magic has an open public beta = for the=20 upcoming Warbirds: Fighter Ops. Click here to go directly to the page.

- = PCGamer = has some new screenshots of id Software's Quake II. = They also=20 have the rest of the shots that they've been showing, 35 now = in=20 all.

- UbiSoft has updated their site for F1 = Racing=20 Simulation. Their showing more information and a few = new=20 screenshots. Access it through the "RACING" = section.

- Combat = Simulations=20 has a preview of F22 Air Dominance Fighter from = Digital Image=20 Design.

- I added the counter but I don't know if = I want=20 to keep it. It takes up too much room. Maybe i'll redesign = my page=20 slightly. :-)

- Updated the "RELEASE LIST". Folks, = there are=20 only 5 serious flight combat sims left for Christmas = holidays!=20 Fighter Squadron just fell into 98. Didn't I tell you this = would=20 happen... My next prediction, F22 ADF goes next. I hope i'm=20 wrong.

- Disappointed with Sabre Ace? Well, Empire = Interactive=20 will release MiG Alley in Q1 98. EGS has a preview on it.=20

October 17,=20 1997

- Combat = Simulations=20 has part 1 of an article on Modern Strike Weapons.

- = There has=20 been a lot of chatter about Sabre Ace. Just to warn you = die-hard sim=20 fans, this one is almost all arcade, like NL's F-22 = Lightning 2, I=20 guess. Just thought i'd warn you to save your money. Let's = hope=20 Phantom Ace and maybe Eagle Ace will be much more = realistic..... if=20 they come out at all. After this quiet unsuccessful release, = who=20 knows. ;-)

- Patch V1.2 for iF-16 from I-Magic/DI is=20 available at Digital=20 Integration's site. Here's what the patches = features:

"Frame rate increase of approximately = 15% to=20 20%!
We have optimised every last = shred of=20 F-16 to wring as much speed as possible from the game = running=20 on any Pentium-class processor. =
Feature-rich=20 "check six" view implemented.
The "check six" = view aids=20 situational awareness by allowing virtual pilots to = look 180=20 degrees to the rear. F-16 implements this = realistically as=20 either a 'left-shoulder' or 'right-shoulder' view, in = either=20 'quick' or 'sticky' mode. Full details are contained = in an=20 accompanying Readme file. = "

- PCGamer has a preview of Anachronox.

- Of the = topic, if=20 you're looking for speakers, get a pair of Cambridge = SoundWorks=20 MicroWorks. I highly recommend them but my neighbours = don't. =20 ;-) They're a little expensive but they're worth it. I might = even=20 use them for watching movies. The satellites are 12W and the = subwoofer is 43W. Check out their site.

- CGW also = has some strategy tips on I-Magic's iF-22

- = Computer = Gaming=20 World has a preview of Janes' Longbow 2. I scanned it = fast but=20 what caught my attention was this;
"Oh = well, they=20 had to leave something for Longbow 3. = "
Uh!=20 OK. I guess we'll wait and see. Geez, LB2 isn't out yet and = they're=20 talking LB3.

- Bethesda Softworks have updated their site = to=20 include Burnout. They put up some info on it as = well as=20 screenshots.

- OGR once again has updated their "Monster of the Week" for Sierra's = Half-Life.=20 This time its for a monster called "Barnacle".

- OGR has a review=20 of iF-16 from I-Magic.

- There's a demo=20 of Joint Strike Fighter from Eidos=20 Interactive over at OGR. You can also download the demo at Avault. The demo is 20Mb and is time = limited to 4=20 minutes. = :-(

October 16,=20 1997

- Linked up SSI's = Su-27 Flanker Squadron Commander's Edition = in the=20 "FLIGHT" section. SSI added this recently released product = to their=20 site.

- Sabre Ace from Virgin Interactive has released and should = be in=20 stores soon.

- Gamepen also has a review of Fighters Anthology.

- Computer Games = Online=20 have a review of Fighters Anthology from Janes Combat = Simulations. They gave it a 4 stars on 5!=20

October 15,=20 1997

- Updated the "Release List". = JSF from=20 Eidos Interactive has changed to the new year.

- = This page=20 is going to move soon, probably tomorrow or Friday. I will = have a=20 page up here to show the way. I will also have a new email. = I didn't=20 want to keep it at work anymore. They'll think I do nothing = at=20 night, which isn't true....look at my page. ;-)

- Combat = Simulations=20 has a review of iF-16 from I-Magic. They=20 gave it 90%.

- I picked up the new November 97 issue = of PC=20 Gamer. They have a fairly long preview of F22 Air Dominance = Fighter=20 from DID. Six full pages complete with screenshots that = aren't seen=20 on their web site. They also mention DID's tank sim and = civil flight=20 sim. Judging from the screenshot, i'd say they were using = the=20 roughly the same graphics engine as F22 plus they have nice = trees!=20 Their civil sim should use the same engine and be based on = Laminar=20 Research's X-Plane
A preview of Joint Strike Fighter from = Eidos=20 Interactive and I-Magic's iPanzer'44 are also included. =

-=20 Big News! I found this bit of info over at Combat = Simulations.=20 Looks like the frame rate problem plaguing iF-16 from = I-Magic/DI may=20 be over, plus 3Dfx support!
"DI is about to release a = patch for=20 F16 (UK and US version) that will address the check six view = and=20 frame rate issues. Will it kill any bugs? We are trying to = find out.=20 Watch for a later patch for 3dfx!!"

- OGR has a preview of Microsoft's CART Precision = Racing.

- PCME has a = review of iF-16 from Interactive=20 Magic. They gave it=20 84%.

October 14,=20 1997

- Interactive Magic has updated their web = site to show=20 their new Persian Gulf Campaign. This Campaign can = only be=20 ordered directly from I-Magic. For those of you who took = advantage=20 of their promotion, I-Magic will be sending you the PG = CD-ROM to you=20 homes for free.

- Looks like Eidos=20 Interactive will be releasing an A-10 sim. I got this = info while=20 I was reading the interview with Bryan Walker. I'll add it = to the=20 "Release List" and the "FLIGHT" section.

- There's a = 55MB=20 movie (that's zipped!) of Prey from 3D = Realms over at PreyStation.

- Rumors about Quake 2 = from id = Software are=20 surfacing. Seems that the demo might be available soon but = it might=20 not have multi-player support. This info was seen on Blue's = News, the=20 best source for any 3D news.

- Combat = Simulation=20 has an interview with Bryan Walker of Eidos=20 Interactive about his helicopter sim, Team = Apache.

- OGR has got = news = that SODA=20 Off-Road from Sierra will have 3Dfx support but only 2 = months=20 after release.

- There are some new screenshots from Unreal over at OGR.

- = Adrenaline = Vault has a=20 review of Flight Simulator 98 from Microsoft.

-=20 Gamespot has a preview of Flight Unlimited II from Looking=20 Glass.

October 13,=20 1997

- Interactive Magic has released a demo of = iF-16. You=20 can download it from OGR. Click here. iF-16=20 demo

- Combat Simulations has finally updated = their site.=20 They have an interview with the producer of Armoured = Fist 2 from=20 NovaLogic.

- PCME have added a review=20 of NovaLogic's=20 Armoured Fist 2. They gave it
a 91% !

- Updated = the=20 "Release List". Some titles slipping....its starting! = Looking Glass'=20 Flight Unlimited II has slipped a month and Eidos = Interactive's=20 Flying Nightmares 2 slips into the new year. However, Joint = Strike=20 Fighter from Eidos makes it back into this year...but I = still say=20 its next year. I also added Sierra's CART Racing which is an = old=20 product with a new name. Heavy Gear has also been changed = since I=20 don't think it will make it for an Oct 29th release.=20

October 12,=20 1997

- Updated the = "Release=20 List".

- Microprose has finally added new screenshots of Falcon 4. They're on a = roll!=20 :-) I guess they finally realized that they should = update the=20 F4 page more often.

- There's an exclusive preview of NovaLogic's F-22=20 Raptor over at PCME.=20 Looks pretty good but will there be 3Dfx support? No! I have = heard a=20 rumor that there might be a possibility. The same holds true = for=20 NovaLogic's Armoured Fist 2.

- According to PC Games, = Microsoft was so pleased with the public beta turn out for = Age of=20 Empires, its planning on doing the same for CART Precision = Racing.=20 The program should start around Oct 29. I'll keep you racers = posted=20 on this.

- I received an email from Sierra about one = of their=20 products which has been renamed. It seems that Indycar = Racing 2 is=20 now being called CART Racing. Here's the email:

At the = end of this=20 month Papyrus is re-launching one of the best = open-wheel sims=20 of all time, its IndyCar Racing II, as CART Racing. = This=20 release includes for the first time the spectacular = Rendition=20 version, an all new strategy guide valued at $19.95, = and an=20 attractive = price.

They obviously feel that CART = Precision=20 Racing from Microsoft is a huge threat and want to rename = their=20 product to confuse consumers.

- Computer Games = Online=20 has a small review of Janes Online Gaming = Center.

-=20 Microsoft has=20 released a setup patch for Flight Simulator 98. You can download it from Microsoft's FS98 news = page.=20

October 11,=20 1997

- Operation 3Dfx has some screenshots of NovaLogic's upcoming F-22 Raptor. This sim = is=20 supposed to be much more realistic than their previous F-22=20 Lightning = II.

October 10,=20 1997

- PMCE has preview of Activision's Heavy Gear. The preview was = based on an=20 alpha demo they received which had 2 levels.

- Next-Generation has a preview of CART Precision Racing from Microsoft. They=20 added 19 screenshots from=20 it!

October 9,=20 1997

- Interactive Magic has released patch V3.2 for iF-22. This patch fixes the = cloud=20 altitiude problem and enables the use of the Persian Gulf = theater=20 which has mastered and will ship in 2 weeks. The theater = will only=20 be available directly from Interactive Magic for North = America. A=20 boxed version will be available for Europe. If you took = advantage of=20 their promotion, you should be receiving it for free by=20 mail.

- Computer=20 Games Online has put up a preview of iPanzer'44 from Interactive=20 Magic. This sim will be 3D enhanced and support 16-bit=20 color.
On roughly the same note, Interactive Magic also = has a 3D=20 patch in the works for their iM1A2 Abrams sim.=20

October 8,=20 1997

- OGR has posted another "monster of the week" from Sierra's = Half-Life.=20 This time its the Houndeye, the third one so far. You can = also see=20 the first two monsters.

- PCME has some screenshots from Bethesda's Burnout: Championship Drag=20 Racing.

- Just noticed (but already knew) that = Digital Image=20 Design has announced F22 Air Dominance Fighter will be = released sometime in Dec 97.

- Jedi Knight: Dark = Forces II=20 from LucasArts=20 has been released. Stores should be getting it before the = weekend.=20

- Made some slight changes to the "Release List". = Now I have=20 indicated what has changed on the last update.

- SSI has = released=20 Su-27 Flanker: Commander's Edition and Silent Hunter: = Commander's=20 Edition. These are basically the same products as before but = they=20 include the add-ons and patches. They're also at a cheaper = price.=20 :-)

- Next-Generation has added more Quicktime = movies. This time it's for Epic MegaGames' = Unreal.=20

- Microprose have finally updated their Designer's Notes on Falcon 4.0,
8 = months=20 later!

October 7,=20 1997

- Adrenaline Vault has some info on Activision's Heavy Gear. They also have = some new=20 screenshots and an interview with the producer.

- = There's an=20 unofficial=20 site dedicated to UbiSoft's F1 Racing Simulation. This site = has all=20 the news, screenshots, sounds, and demos for this = sim.

-=20 Apparently, Armoured Fist II from NovaLogic has been=20 released.

- Updated the "Release List" due to a = number of=20 changes by a few products, too many to mention. Some were = just=20 slight = adjustments.

October 6,=20 1997

- Janes Combat Simulations have updated = their Longbow=20 2 page. Check out this page for new info, Real Video, and = some of=20 the most incredible screenshots.
To see Longbow2, click = on the=20 "Flight" link on my page, then click on Longbow 2 under = Janes Combat=20 Sim.

- There are some new screenshots of Su-27 Flanker 2.0 from = SSI = over at
Su-27 = Flanker=20 Online. OUCH! All I can say is "Eagle Dynamics/SSI take = your=20 time!!"

- Next-Generation magazine has some Quicktime movies of Daikatana.

- GT = Interactive=20 to acquire Microprose. Read the Press Release.
Computer Games Online has an interview with the senior vice president = of GT=20 Interactive about the acquisition.

- Rumor has it = that SSI's = Su-27 Flanker=20 2.0 will begin beta in Dec 97 or Jan 98. There is also news = of a=20 MiG-29 add-on disk for it too.=20

October 5,=20 1997

- Updated the "Release List" = once again,=20 this time for the delay of Spec Ops from Zombie VR. Thanks = to Terry=20 once again for the news.
We're into the stretch for = Christmas so=20 a lot of companies will know soon if they'll make it or not. = I=20 expect at least a half dozen titles to be delayed till the = first=20 quarter 98.

- Computer Gaming World has a preview of Joint Strike Fighter from Innerloop, published=20 by Eidos=20 Interactive. I believe Innerloop/Eidos calls it JSF = instead of=20 its full name.

- Computer Games Online has a review on Warbirds 2.0 from Interactive=20 Magic.

October 4,=20 1997

- I won't be putting updates = till mid to=20 late Sunday since I'll be gone for part of the weekend. My=20 apologies. = :-(

October 3,=20 1997

- I picked up the new Computer = Gaming=20 World magazine today. Flipping through it I couldn't = help=20 noticing the number of flight simulator ads. This is the = most i've=20 seen so far. Here's what I saw:
Sabre Ace, Falcon 4, = Flight=20 Simulator 98, Joint Strike Fighter, Flight Unlimited II, F22 = Raptor,=20 Red Baron II, Longbow 2, Flying Corps Gold, F/A-18: Korea,=20 Jetfighter III: Platinum Edition, and Sierra Pro Pilot. =
That's a=20 heck of a bunch! I'm sure that's double from last year and = it looks=20 like 98 will be the same.=20 :-)

October 2,=20 1997

- One more bit of news on the = 3D front.=20 Sierra's Half-Life=20 has been delayed till Q1 98. The demo will be available 30 = days=20 before its release.
I updated the "Release List" showing = the=20 changes for this product.

- Armoured Fist 2 from NovaLogic has gone=20 into mastering.

- More 3D news, The demo for Jedi = Knight from=20 LucasArts is now=20 available.

- PCME has an interview with the producer of Sin from Ritual = Entertainment.=20 They also have a few screeshots.

- I received an = email from=20 LucasArts (so did everyone else!), saying that there will be = a demo=20 of Jedi Knight available today. Here's the email:
"LucasArts has announced that the playable demo of = JEDI=20 KNIGHT: DARK FORCES II is expected to be available for = download on=20 Thursday, Oct. 2, 1997 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. = The demo=20 is approximately 20MB and includes one single and one = multiplayer=20 level. This demo requires Windows 95 and a minimum Pentium = 90-based=20 computer. It also requires DirectX 5.0 (available on the = LucasArts=20 Web site)."

- Gamepen = has a preview of Sierra's Red Baron II. They = also have a=20 review of MS Flight Simulator 98.

- = Microsoft has added=20 a new AVI demo of Cart Precision Racing. = Geez, they=20 even added rain and an animated pit crew! It was posted on = their=20 site on Sept 29 and is 14MB.

- Computer Gaming = Online=20 has a review of Flight Simulator 98 from = Microsoft. They=20 gave it 4 on 5 = stars.

October 1,=20 1997

- I updated the "Release List" = again=20 changing the release date of Sierra's Red Baron to mid = November. My=20 thanks to the person who gave me this info. ;-)

- I = found out=20 some info that Janes=20 Combat Simulations are developing an Expansion Pack for = 688i=20 Hunter Killer. The Pack will include the Typhoon-class = sub as=20 well as more ships. It will also feature a new campaign = that's under=20 ice.
I added the Expansion Pack to the Naval section and = the=20 "Release List". I took a guess and figured that it would be = out=20 before Christmas. =20 :-)

SimHQ.com Privacy Statement
Copyright =A9 1997-2002 SimHQ.com. All rights=20 reserved.=20