Welcome to this week's Gist List:
The
Matrix Game?
This weekend the Keanu Reeves' action/adventure The Matrix
dropped to second place at the box office. If you haven't seen it yet, go see it: I must
say that it was one of the most enjoyable and deep sci-fi movies I've seen in quite some
time. However, what some of you might not know is that two years ago 3D Realms was
approached to do a game based on the movie, which was then just about to start production
in Australia. Although 3D Realms has long had a policy of not working on licensed
products, it makes you wonder if someone out there is doing a Matrix game? You've got to
admit it would make one heck of a 3D action/adventure title if the product was done right
and complemented the film.
Videogames Stamp
Believe it or not, the U.S. Postal Service is going to be
making a stamp to celebrate the videogames of the 1980s. In the results of a national
survey released last week, videogames eclipsed even E.T. as a hallmark of the 1980s.
However, there's no word on exactly what the design of the stamp will look like – It
will be developed over the next few months. Let's just hope it's not a Pong screen-shot on
a stamp! If you have any ideas of what would make a good stamp, send them my way.
Dragon's Lair DVD?
Believe it or not, Dragon's Lair is still out there! Last week
I read an article that made mention of the fact Dragon's Lair is now one of the first
DVD-ROM games available for PCs. It seems that whenever a new platform arrives, Dragon's
Lair is right there. Although I certainly admire the tenacity of the game's publisher to
get it on any conceivable platform, there's one problem: Dragon's Lair wasn't a good game
10 years ago, and it still isn't a good one now. Could someone please put the gold master
to Dragon's Lair under lock and key? Heaven forbid we are going to see it be a DreamCast
launch title!
Game Comics
Although some mainstream comic strips sometimes make casual
references to gaming, I came across some really exciting comic strips on MPOG.com last
week that directly relate to gaming. From parodying Everquest to Ultima Online to Tiberian
Sun, the comics are witty, professional, and always relevant to gaming. One of my
favorites is this one which makes fun
of how some game companies mistreat those who run fan sites. This is a definite place to
bookmark! It's nice to see some tasteful humor related to the game industry.
Commandos Add-on Pack
One of the things that has always bugged me about add-on packs
is the need to have the original game to play them. I can't tell you what a hassle it was
to want to play a Quake II add-on pack and have to rummage around for twenty minutes to
find the original Quake II CD. Well, Eidos has broken the mold by releasing the Commandos
add-on pack as a stand-alone product – yet it still carries an add-on pack price. I'm
sure part of this philosophy has to do with the fact that Eidos is eager to expand the
Commandos fan-base and rightfully so – It's a pretty fun strategy game with some
minor quirks, but it sort of got lost in the shuffle last year. Let's hope the trend of
releasing add-on products that don't need the original game installed will continue.
Half-Life Add-on
Last week Valve and Sierra confirmed what we all were hoping
for: A Half-Life add-on pack. (As an adjunct to the last item, I wonder if it will require
the full game?). Although details are scarce, Valve did announce that you won't be playing
Gordon Freeman this time around. It was also announced that Gearbox Software will develop
the game. 'Who,' you say? Gearbox is a brand new developer in Texas, primarily composed of
individuals from the new defunct development house Rebel Boat Rocker. (Their game, Prax
War, was canceled by Electronic Arts a few months ago). It's surprising that Valve would
go with such an unproven developer for the add-on, but here's to hoping it will turn out
for the best – A well done Half-Life add-on has a huge amount of potential to
dominate at retail if the timing and quality is there.
The E3 Outlook:
Tiberian Sun
Last Friday I was shocked to receive an e-mail that stated
Tiberian Sun lead designer Erik Yeo had decided to leave Westwood Studios to pursue other
opportunities. After all, hearing that the lead on a project schedule to ship in just a
few months suddenly left a company is seldom a good sign for the game. However, all
indications are that Tiberian Sun is still on schedule for a June ship date, and from
those I've talked to who have played the game's first few missions, they say it is going
to deliver on its promises. Last year Tiberian Sun was in a very preliminary form at E3,
but this year Westwood plans to show actual missions and give us a taste of how the Nod
vs. GDI battle will progress during the game. It remains to be seen how Yeo's departure
will influence the product, but Westwood President Brett Sperry, who has had his hand in
all the C&C products, is apparently stepping up to ensure the game delivers. We can't
wait to see it at E3!
And that's The Gist of It.
Your Ideas?
Do you have a suggestion about something that should be added to next week's list?
Is there a game that gist doesn't cut it or one that does it gist
right? E-mail gistlist@gameslice.com
and we'll consider your suggestion.
Thanks for reading!
Geoff
Keighley
Editor-in-Chief
GameSlice
