Every day MacCentral brings you fresh ‘n’ tasty headlines from the world of Macintosh gaming along with our other news. But there are always a few stories here and there that don’t make it into our daily news coverage. That’s why we created this weekly retrospective, called the Week in Games.
GameRanger 3.0 Preview 2 released
A new version of the client software for the Mac-only online gaming service GameRanger is available for download — 3.0 preview 2. GR 3.0 adds OS X support and a new, heavily revamped interface. The new build adds tons of enhancements and fixes, including initial support for Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.
Goodway flight planner released for X-Plane, OS-X
If you’re an X-Plane enthusiast and you’d like to do a more thorough job of planning your virtual trips, the Goodway flight planner is now available for you. Previously a Windows-only app, this new version is Mac OS X compatible. The Goodway flight planner can pre-program your X-Plane aircraft’s flight management system (FMS), GPS, NAV and ADF equipment with info from the flight plan.
Harpoon 3 updates released
Jesse Spears has released three new versions in rapid succession of the naval warfare simulator, Harpoon 3. Internet code has been fixed, improvements have been made to support Apple’s forthcoming Jaguar OS X release, and more.
Jeweltoy 1.2.1 released
Giles Williams has updated his frighteningly addictive freeware OS X puzzle game JewelToy to version 1.2.1. More alternate graphics have been included, bugs have been fixed, gameplay has been enhanced and other changes have been made too.
Sacrifice 1.0.1 released
Now that MacPlay is about to release Sacrifice as a $20 Value Series title, the company has finally released the “final” update to Sacrifice to make it a 1.0.1 version. Previously released as a beta patch, the new update adds multiplayer support as well as speed and stability improvements. Download it via Macgamefiles.com.
X-Plane 6.20 betas in circulation
No sooner had the popular flight sim X-Plane been updated to version 6.1 than the 6.2 versions started being released, in public beta version, of course. A couple of 6.2 beta releases have already been released, so check out the Web site for the latest version.
Elsewhere on the Web
Inside Mac Games takes a look at getting ‘hooked’ again on Ambrosia Software’s fishy arcade action game Bubble Trouble, now for OS X. This week’s Gamesome Mac QuickTime radio show interviewed Westlake Interactive programmer (and MacMAME project coordinator) Brad Oliver. MacGamer reviewed Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. Apple looks at Hulabee Entertainment, a new kids’ software developer from the founders of Humongous Entertainment.
Closer to home
MacCentral reported on Spiderweb’s Software of Avernum 3, the final installment of its epic role-playing game trilogy. Westlake added “The Chosen One”, a new as-yet-unannounced Mac game conversion, to its list of current projects. The Omni Group noted that it’s working on four announced Mac game conversions for MacPlay, plus another as-yet-unrevealed project. Maya Personal Learning Edition users get special deals on several learning products, including one to help game developers. Aspyr Media noted that Jedi Knight II hit its Alpha development milestone this week. Knowledge Adventure released Fisher-Price Little People Discovery Airport, a new game for toddlers and preschoolers, and it runs natively in OS X. If casino games are more your style, Tiger’s Eye Pub is now available for download. Disney Interactive is shipping its new Lilo and Stitch Adventure Junior Game for Mac and Windows, a tie-in for the new film. ATI reported a $2 million loss for Q3 but said it’ll do better in 2003 thanks to new product announcements. Dragon’s Lair 3D now has its own Web site. The new game is coming to PC and Mac this fall. MacPlay unveiled the lineup it has assembled for its Value Series, to debut next month. MacSoft shipped Beach Head 2002, a new casual game title featuring soldiers and vehicles that must be repelled on a beach landing. Contraband added a new secret project that’s coming to the Mac, as well.
As always, we encourage you to drop us a line if you have questions we didn’t answer or ideas for ways we can improve our game coverage here on MacCentral. Let us know also if you have a Mac game-related product or service you’d like our readers to know about.