Each week MacCentral brings you the latest news and info from the world of Mac gaming, but occasionally there are stories that don’t make our main news page. That’s why we’ve created this retrospective, called The Week In Games.
Andromeda Online seeks beta testers
The makers of Andromeda Online are seeking beta testers for a beta test scheduled for late April. Andromeda Online is a forthcoming space fleet combat game that runs on Mac OS X, Linux and Windows.
Black & White 1.1.3 released
Feral Interactive has released a new version of Black & White, the highly anticipated “god” game. The new 1.1.3 version sports support for additional screen resolutions, new creatures, support for custom player symbols and tattoos, support for full-screen anti-aliasing on supported ATI hardware, and more. Also, a separate Village Banter patch is available.
Civilization 3 1.17g available
If you’re playing MacSoft’s Civilization III, you might be interested in a new patch entitled 1.17g. This new patch replaces 1.17f, released recently. The 1.17g patch fixes “some serious stability issues” in the 1.17f patch which was carried over from the PC version, according to Westlake programmer Brad Oliver. You can download the 1.17g patch from Infogrames’ support site.
Descent 3 update fixes Nvidia problems
It’s an oldie but a goodie: GraphSim Entertainment’s Mac conversion of Descent 3 is still being supported in the form of a new version labeled 1.4.2. The new build corrects problems the previous versions had with supporting graphics chips from Nvidia — now standard issue on many Power Mac G4s and new iMacs.
‘Freidland’ Napoleonic wargame released
By Design, Inc. has released a new Napoleonic Era-wargame for the Macintosh entitled “Freidland.” This game uses the Waterloo Campaign engine and covers the battle between Napoleon and the Russian armies in June of 1807. Wargame fans can experience battalion level conflict, command their units as groups, play either side and much more. With modest system requirements that ask for a 68040-based Mac or better, Freidland costs $24.95.
Galactic Patrol for OS X now in beta
MonkeyByte.com has announced that they have gone Beta with the Mac OS X conversion of their 3D action game Galactic Patrol. The game is a 3D homage to the classic arcade hits of the 80’s. It’s already out for older Mac OS versions and Windows too.
Harpoon 3.4.3 released
Jesse Spears has released the first OS X version of Harpoon 3, his naval warfare simulator, that is a full non-beta version. There are several bug fixes and updates in the new build.
Lineage 2 announced
NCSoft, makers of massively multiplayer online role playing game Lineage: The Blood Pledge have announced a new game coming next year entitled Lineage 2: The Chaotic Chronicle. It’s billed as a separate 3D world based on the fiction and gameplay from the original game. The original Lineage is currently available to Mac OS X users as a free beta version. No word yet on whether Mac support is planned for the new game.
Oudo puzzle game released
Oudo has been released on Gameniche.com. It’s billed as a Go-like strategy game where players capture stones on an ever-changing game board that’s randomly generated in each round. There are over 95 levels of game play.
WarBirds III update released
iEntertainment Network has released a new monthly build to WarBirds III, its online aircraft combat game. A new plane has been added, existing models have been updated, and various bug fixes, enhancements and tweaks have been made. Separate updates for OS 9 and OS X are available for download from the WarBirds Web site.
WingNuts 1.1 released, game controllers supported on OS X
Freeverse Software has released version 1.1 of WingNuts, their superb Mac homage to the classic arcade game Time Pilot. The new version adds support for most HID compliant USB game controllers under Mac OS X. Other changes have been made too.
Elsewhere on the Web
MacGamer.com has previewed Abducted, a new horror sci-fi 3D game in development at Contraband Entertainment. Inside Mac Games has posted a review of Survivor, the MacSoft-published interactive game based on the popular television show. Meanwhile Apple takes a look at card, casino and board games you can add to your Mac.
Closer to home
Nvidia Corp. raised $8,000 in a charity auction for several of its GeForce4 Ti video cards. TQworld has released a new version of Tranquility optimized for OS X; it’s an offbeat 3D game that you have to try in order to understand. e.p.i.c. interactive has released Carbon updates to several of its game and promises another one, too. Aspyr Media told Your Mac Life listeners on Wednesday that it will bring to the Mac Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, a very popular 3D action game set in World War II. MacPlay has released a multiplayer patch beta version of Sacrifice. PlayStation fan mag PSM gave the nod to the new iMac in their latest issue. GameRanger updated its Age of Empires II plug-in, enabling online play for the new version released a week ago.
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