Every weekday MacCentral brings readers the latest news and information from the world of Mac gaming but there are always a few stories that don’t make it on to our regular news pages, hence this retrospective, called the Week in Games. We also use it to link to other Mac game related content around the Web.
3D Crazy Eights released
Freeverse Software has released a downloadable shareware version of 3D Crazy Eights, its latest card game for the Mac. The game sports funny characters that talk to you, variable skill settings for easy or more challenging play, a full tutor mode to help you learn the game, and options for all of the most popular rule variations.
Active Lancer demo patched, updater released
Freeverse Software has updated its demo of Active Lancer to v1.0.1, and released a patch for the retail version as well. The new version fixes bugs and balances gameplay.
Aspyr offers free shipping on some orders
For the month of November, Aspyr Media is offering free shipping on orders over $10, shipping in the United States. The orders must be placed through Aspyr’s online store and ship through the U.S. Postal Service.
Big Box of Blox gets OS X makeover
Digital Eel and Cheapass Games, makers of Strange Adventures in Infinite Space and Dr. Blob’s Organism, have brought their “psychedelic puzzle game” Big Box of Blox to Mac OS X. It’s a $10 shareware game.
Creepy Mines update released
Danlab Games has released a new version of Creepy Mines, an arcade game. The new version, 1.41, fixes some bugs with Mac OS 9, specifically.
Diablo 1.10b patch fixes Panther problem
If you recently downloaded Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo II v1.10 update and discovered that it broke under Panther, visit Blizzard’s Web site for the latest update, 1.10b. It fixes the Panther problem and gets Mac OS X users back on their feet.
Dominions II: The Ascension Wars demo released
Shrapnel Games has released a demo version of Illwinter’s Dominions II: The Ascension Wars, a fantasy-based strategy game.
Hillbilly Whack! goes gold
Small Fry Studios has announced that Hillbilly Whack! Save Winnie May! has gone gold master. The game is billed as “classic gaming” and is modeled after console games of yore. The goal is to save Winnie May, who’s been kidnapped. It’ll be available for download in November.
Key Nine Online debuts — side scrolling MMORPG
UnFun Games has announced the launch of Key Nine Online, a new massively multiplayer online role playing game that features side-scrolling graphics in place of the 3D or isometrically displayed graphics most online RPGs prefer. The game officially launches on November 7th, but they’re giving players a head start. It’s available for Macs and PCs alike.
Wakeboarding Unleashed ships for GBA
Not directly Mac-game related, but we know that a lot of you game on other systems besides Macs — Aspyr Media announced that it’s shipping Wakeboarding Unleashed featuring Shaun Murray for Game Boy Advance. And if you’re not a GBA player, the Mac version is well along in development and should be released soon.
Elsewhere on the Web
MacGamer has another giveaway of Neverwinter Nights in the works. Inside Mac Games has posted a review of Europa Universalis II, a strategy game made by Paradox Entertainment and published for the Mac by Virtual Programming Ltd. The Gamesome Mac recently interviewed Mark Thomas, CEO and Technical Director of Coderus Ltd., the maker of MacDX, a developer’s tool used to port games to the Mac (Coderus has also ported a number of games to the Mac itself as well). Apple’s Games site has posted a feature on Total Immersion Racing, the upcoming auto racing game from Feral Interactive.
Closer to home
This week MacCentral covered news of Aspyr’s release of Medal of Honor Deluxe Edition, combining the original game and Spearhead. Feral Interactive announced plans to publish Worms 3D and Championship Manager 03/04, as well as updated the status of other projects in development. MacPlay will publish Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal, the long-awaited expansion pack for Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn. And Blizzard Entertainment has released Diablo II v1.10 (don’t forget to grab the 1.10b patch if you’re running Panther, mentioned above).
As always, we encourage you to drop us a line if you have questions, comments or suggestions.