Every weekday MacCentral brings readers news from the Mac game world, but there are always a few stories that don’t make it onto our regular news pages. That’s why we have this retrospective, called the Week in Games.
All the Best MacGames 2004 released
Users who don’t have broadband Internet connections or who don’t want to be bothered with downloading the latest shareware and freeware games can buy Lazerworks’ All the Best MacGames 2004, a collection of 300 games on two CD-ROMs. The shareware games aren’t registered, so you’ll have to play for that separately. This series is specifically for Mac OS X.
Bloodrayne patch released
A beta patch for Aspyr Media’s Bloodrayne is available for download from Macgamefiles.com. The patch answers a frequent complaint of Bloodrayne players and reviewers by offering support for higher resolutions than 640 x 480.
Flagship Studios launches
Bill Roper and others at Blizzard North left Blizzard Entertainment to start their own company; now details are emerging about Flagship Studios. The new company is being a bit cagey about what exactly they’re developing and haven’t said if they’ll develop Mac versions of whatever it is, but the Web site is live.
GameSmith updated
Freeverse Software has updated their GameSmith online gaming service to squash “bot bashing,” which allowed users of single-player bot games to raise their ranks. Ranking for 3D Crazy Eights and 3D Gin Rummy has also been added. If you’re already using GameSmith-based games, you’ve already seen the changes implemented.
Jedi Knight II update released
Aspyr Media has posted an update to Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast. The new version fixes crashing issues and errors, adds a new option for one-button mouse users, and more. You can download the new update from Macgamefiles.com.
ToySight Web site goes live
Freeverse Software has launched the official Web site for ToySight Web site. ToySight is Freeverse’s forthcoming game that turns your iSight (and your image) part of a series of mini-games. The Web site includes details about the game, screenshots from some of the mini-games, and even movies showing ToySight in action. ToySight is expected for a release by the end of the year.
Trisection 1.1 released
Stick Software has released Trisection v1.1. The new version of the puzzle game in which users fit falling pieces into an existing matrix includes a new speed control and fixes “a rare crashing bug.”
Elsewhere on the Web
MacGamer looks at Active Lancer, Freeverse’s new scrolling arcade-style shooter. Inside Mac Games has posted a review of the Logitech Dual Action Gamepad. The Gamesome Mac has coverage of the recent Indie Games Conference in Eugene, Ore. Apple’s own Games site has posted a trailer of the shareware game Doulber Gold and a feature of The Sims: Superstar.
Closer to home
MacCentral noted that Dark Horizons: Lore is coming to the Mac; it’s a mech action game and it’ll soon have an open beta test. Feral Interactive finally announced that it’s bringing Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc to the Mac. MacPlay said that Activision Anthology will be on store shelves for Christmas. Aspyr plans to publish two compilation packs including previously released games at a budget price; those are coming in November. Aspyr also plans to publish Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness for the Mac. Mumbojumbo has released Chainz, a puzzle game you can play online (in a limited version) or download and pay for. A demo version of Freeverse Software’s Active Lancer is ready for download, a couple of days after the game officially started shipping. Aspyr released The Sims Livin’ Large Combo, which includes the original game and the Livin’ Large expansion pack. MacSoft plans to ship Halo: Combat Evolved for the Mac on December 3rd. Kutoka Interactive is offering a new Mia educational game that teaches kids French and Spanish.
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