Mac game publisher Aspyr Media offered some details about its forthcoming efforts in the latest issue of its e-newsletter, which reached subscribers today. As has been previously reported, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is now in duplication and should be on store shelves soon. But there’s more good news, too — both Bloodrayne and Tiger Woods are nearing completion, as well.
Aspyr’s release of BloodRayne is a conversion from the console world that features a half-human half-vampire creature called a “dhampir.” She has the ability to see in the dark and can replenish her own life energy by draining the blood of her foes, and can fight in a bloodlust that slows the world down around her while she still reacts quickly (similar to the “Bullet Time” mode employed by MacSoft’s Max Payne). Set in the 1930’s, Rayne is a member of a covert agency with a mandate to stop nefarious occult groups, and she must quell an effort by (who else?) Nazis.
BloodRayne was just announced a couple of weeks ago, so the news that the game is already at Final Candidate stage is surprising — Final Candidate is when the game is shaken down for any last minute problems and is sent out for final approval by everyone involved, just prior to its replication and release to stores. System requirements will call for Mac OS X 10.2 or later, a G4/733MHz or faster, 256MB RAM, 2GB hard drive space and Radeon or GeForce2 MX graphics acceleration with 32MB of video RAM or better.
If a blood-soaked, Mature-rated third person action game isn’t your style, Aspyr also noted that its conversion of the golf simulator Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 is nearing Final Candidate status. This game features 12 different real-world PGA Tour courses like Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and even the legendary “home of golf, ” St. Andrews Golf Links. You can practice your shots in the Skill Zone, and then compete as 15 different PGA Tour pros including Tiger Woods, Ty Tryon and others (you can create your own custom golfer if you prefer). Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 also sports a Career Mode that lets you struggle to the top yourself, and sports advanced rendering effects, weather and more.
System requirements for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 are expected to call for a G3/450MHz or better, Mac OS 9.x or higher (or Mac OS X 10.1 or higher), 256MB RAM, 850MB hard disk space and Radeon or GeForce2 MX or better video graphics acceleration with 32MB RAM or more.
In other news, Aspyr noted that its Spearhead expansion pack for Medal of Honor Allied Assault is now in Beta, an important step on the way to completion. That add-on provides new missions, new multiplayer maps, new weapons and new soldiers to Aspyr’s popular World War II-era first person shooter, released last year. Spearhead is anticipated for release in May, and system requirements will be consistent with the original game, which is required to play.
Spearhead isn’t the only game that’s gone beta lately, either. Aspyr also noted that SimCity 4 — the enormously anticipated city-building strategy game — has also gone beta. Anticipated for a May release, SimCity 4’s conversion is being handled by i5works, the same team that collaborated with Aspyr to produce the Mac conversion of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon, the team-based tactical action game. As previously noted by MacCentral, SimCity 4 will require Mac OS X 10.2 or higher, a PowerPC G3/500MHz or faster, 256MB RAM, 1GB of free hard disk space and Radeon or GeForce2 MX or better graphics acceleration with 32MB of video RAM or more.
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