MacCentral’s daily coverage includes breaking news from the world of Mac gaming, but there are always a few stories that don’t make it onto our regular news pages. Our Week in Games retrospective helps give that news equal footing.
Bloxter updated
Norbyte has released a new version of its 3D falling blocks game, Bloxter. The new version, 1.1.2, reminds players if the rotate or steering keys aren’t used in a game. Other changes and a bug fix have also been made. Bloxter costs US$19.95 to register and runs on Mac OS X.
Derelict offers Gauntlet-style gameplay
Looking for a classic 2D arcade shooter along the lines of Gauntlet? Check out Laughing Dragon Games’ Derelict, in which you’re the member of an interstellar salvage team trying to plumb the riches of a derelict spacecraft. Derelict costs $24.95 and is available for Mac OS X v10.3 or higher.
Rise of the Nile released
Evil Genius Games has released Rise of the Nile, and has released it through Hypernova Games’ Web site. It’s a puzzle game that features an Egyptian theme, in which you make flowers and grass bloom in the desert by creating closed loops of water. Rise of the Nile costs $19.95, sports more than 50 levels and different modes of gameplay.
Dominions II 2.12 patch makes dozens of changes
Illwinter Games and Shrapnel Games have released an update to the turn-based fantasy strategy game Dominions II: The Ascension Wars. The game makes dozens of changes in this release, including adding new features, game balance changes and bug fixes.
Splinter Cell at Final Candidate
It’s been a year since Aspyr Media first announced plans to publish Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell for the Macintosh. It’s a gripping stealth-oriented action title in which you play a covert U.S. government operative sent into hostile environments to spy, steal, destroy and assassinate. The company finally noted recently on its Project Status page that Splinter Cell has reached its Final Candidate development status, the point at which the game’s original developer and publisher shake it down for any existing bugs and sign off on it to go into production.
Temple Tantrum 1.1.1 released
Ground Zero Software has updated its arcade puzzler Temple Tantrum to 1.1.1. The new version improves player movement and control and makes other minor changes. Temple Tantrum is available for Mac OS X and “Classic” Mac OS versions back to 8.6, and costs $18 to register.
World of Warcraft standalone 0.9.1 beta patch released
If you’re part of Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft beta test program, be aware that the company has released a standalone beta patch to bring version 0.9.0 to 0.9.1. The new release corrects a problem that would have prevented the beta from auto-updating in the future, and you need to apply it before you can connect to the World of Warcraft servers and continue playing.
Elsewhere on the Web
MacGamer has posted a review of Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. Inside Mac Games has posted a preview of MTX: Mototrax, Aspyr’s upcoming dirtbike racing and stunt game.
Closer to home
It was a very quiet week on the gaming front in the Mac universe, but MacCentral’s game-related news headlines this past week included word from Aspyr that they’re developing Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII for the Mac.
As always, we encourage you to drop us a line if you have questions, comments or suggestions about MacCentral’s game coverage.