For The Latest News, Visit The VaultNetwork

02.26.98 15:08

Starting today, I will begin contributing news to the VaultNetwork metasite. The VaultNetwork is currently composed of the UOVault, the EQVault and the ACVault. Currently it maintains a large database of links to CRPG sites of all types as well as the news page I will help in updating. We hope to expand soon and make it the best resource for Computer Role Playing Games on the 'net. I hope you will support me there as you have on this page :) I'd like to thank everyone who has visited my page since its inception in 1996. Even though the RPG genre was declining in years past, it seems to be in the process of making a strong recovery as game publishers realize there is more to computer games than Doom and Warcraft :) Thanks for keeping the faith in the genre. I'd also like to encourage all RPG fans to try out such noncommercial aspects of our scene such as Multi User Dungeons ( of which my favorite is Luminous Horizons (luminous.wli.net 4000) ) as well as all the excellent shareware and freeware CRPGs that are out there due to the labor of love of people such as Scott Dudley, hard at work on The Legend of Talibah. These are people who created their projects because of their love for the genre and not to the whims of silly marketing folk and popular trends. Again, thanks to all who have visited over the years and I hope you will find the VaultNetwork to be your source for CRPG news. Don't stop sending me news and updates ;)

EverQuest Beta Information Page Up	02.24.98 17:00
The EverQuest site has a new page describing the beta test plan. There will be different phases, people will be picked for the first phases but everyone gets into the final phase apparently. Read the page for more info.

Next Generation Previews Gremlin's RPG Entry	02.23.98 19:13
There is a preview of the new crpg from Gremlin Interactive, currently titled as only 'RPG'. It is done in a first person 3D perspective and will feature 3D accleration (using the same engine featured in Actua Soccer). Characters will be motion captured and upto 50 will appear on screen at the same time. Gremlin hopes for a Christmas 98 release date.

Attic's The Lady, The Mage, And The Knight Site	02.23.98 17:56
Attic Software has their own The Lady, The Mage and The Knight preview on their products page which features larger screenshots and more descriptions of the features in the next game set in Arkania.

UO Vault Returns To Old Domain	02.23.98 16:11
The Ultima Online Vault, part of the Vault Network, is back to its old site at www.uovault.com. Vault Network.

Avault Examines Bethesda's Problems	02.23.98 14:09
The Adrenaline Vault has a good article on Bethesda Software and their recent problems, in which there is an overview of the situation as well as various interviews that make a very interesting read. I hope Bethesda doesn't go down because their products are all pretty decent.. but they never seem to get "there".

New Asheron's Call Screenshots	02.23.98 02:47
Check out the new screenshots of Asheron's Call, Microsoft's online RPG, at the Asheron's Call Vault, part of the Vault Network.

Age Of The Mystics Website	02.23.98 02:45
The Age of the Mystics game site (which is a great resource for Shareware CRPG fans) has moved to http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Horizon/7480

Starcraft To Arrive In Three Different Boxes	02.20.98 19:43
Yep, check out PCGamer for pictures of the human, zerg, and protoss boxes. I guess I'll be buying all three!.. not! PCGamer also reports that Steve Meretzky of Infocom fame has been hiblack to help out on their new Warcraft Adventure game. - from PCGamer

Septerra Core Snags German Publisher Deal	02.20.98 19:42
Septerra Core, the upcoming futuristic RPG from Valkyrie, has secublack a publishing deal with german publisher Topware. Plans include simultaneous releases of German and English versions. Release date is projected to be First Quarter of 1999. - from PCGamer

Fallout 2 Designer Interview, Gothica Preview On CGO	02.20.98 19:40
There is a brief interview with Fallout 2's lead designer Feargus Urquhart concerning Fallout 2 and the departure of key members from Interplay, as well as a preview of the upcoming RPG Gothica on the Computer Games Online site.

Microprose Reveals 1998 Schedule	02.20.98 17:52
Microprose has announced their release schedule for the year. Among the games are Agents of Justice (Summer), MechCommander (Summer), Mechwarrior 3 (Early 1999), Ultimate Civilization II (Spring). - from Operation 3dfx

Preview of Kings Quest 8 On GamesFirst	02.20.98 17:47
There is a new preview of Kings Quest 8 on Games First! The game, of which not much has been heard from lately, will be released in August of 1998 and feature 3d acceleration and some RPG elements, supposedly. - from Operation 3dfx

Ultima @ Scorched.Com Reviews Ultima Collection From Origin

02.20.98 17:45

Ultima @ Scorched.Com has a rather unflattering review of the Ultima Collection. Apparently, Ultima 2 is still missing parts of the program in order to function properly as well as configuration bugs on Akalabeth. The only previews are from U9 cutscenes and there is a possibility that the Ultima Collection will be included with Ultima 9. More indepth info in the full review as well as screenshots from the games included on the Ultima Collection on his site.

Electronic Arts To Release Dungeon Keeper Gold In March	02.20.98 17:40
It will include the original Dungeon Keeper, the Dungeon Keeper addon Deeper Dungeons, and the latest patch. - from Operation 3dfx

OGR Posts Screenshots of Age of Empires 2	02.20.98 17:39
Online Gaming Review has a special on Microsoft's Gamestock 98 where they showed off their upcoming lineup. Among the games previewed is the sequel to their real time strategy game Age of Empires and Asheron's Call, Microsoft's entry into the massively multiplayer online RPG arena.

Warren Spector Interviewed On Unreal News Australia	02.20.98 17:37
There is an interview of Warren Spector of Ion Storm concerning his new RPG "Shooter" based on the Unreal Engine from Epic Megagames. Some tidbits from the interview include the fact the game will focus on character interaction and growth and feature a unique approach to character development. - from VoodooExtreme

Baldur's Gate Official Site Updated	02.20.98 17:31
The Official Baldur's Gate website has been updated with a new version of the Frequently Asked Questions as well as new screenshots showing off the character portraits and scenery of the game. - from BGchronicles

Diablo II Preview At Gamepen	02.19.98 13:40
Gamepen has an indepth preview of Blizzard's upcoming Diablo II. It was also announced that Starcraft would begin manufacturing at the end of February. - from VaultNetwork and OGR

Baldur's Gate Interview On Gaming Nexus	02.19.98 01:51
The Gaming Nexus has a nice and long interview with with Ray Muzyka (Bioware) and Chris Parker (Interplay) concerning the new Forgotten Realms CRPG Baldur's Gate. The interview includes some screenshots and some cool info, so float over and read it.

Sith Dragon Reports On U9 Preview	02.18.98 19:50
Sith Dragon has written up a summary of the U9 preview on the Ultima Collection CD (just cutscenes apparently) and it has blown him totally away ;).

Updates On PsychoGamer	02.18.98 19:44
PsychoGamer has a number of interesting tidbits including news on Microsoft's Age of Empires 2, a demo for Interplay's Die by the Sword, and new pictures of BlackOps, an interesting looking futuristic online RPG from SplitMind.

New Diablo II Screenshot	02.18.98 19:33
There is a new screenshot of the Amazon character of the upcoming Diablo 2 from Blizzard at DiabloII.com.

PCGamer's Warcraft Adventures Preview	02.18.98 19:10
PCGamer has updated their preview of Warcraft Adventures, the new adventure game set in the Warcraft world from Blizzard, with a 12 meg movie of the game. The game should be released in the second quarter of 98.

Vault Network Grabs Exclusive Fallout 2 Screenshots	02.18.98 15:24
The Vault Network has exclusive pictures of Fallout 2. It shows that the sequel uses apparently the same engine as Fallout, I hope they fixed the inventory system.

Ultima IX Horizons Makes It Easier To Hear From Origin	02.18.98 15:12
The Ultima IX Horizons Message board now has a new section where you can see Origin Representatives responses for the latest official comments on Ultima 9. The representatives frequently visit the message board, so if you have some questions, be sure to post a message and maybe they'll get answeblack.

Ultima Collection Ships	02.17.98 13:59
OGR reports that the Ultima Collection has shipped. The collection includes Akalabeth and Ultima 1 to Ultima 8, but no Underworlds, or the other spinoffs. It also includes a 16 page book of all the cloth maps and a preview of Ultima IX (I hear its just an avi trailer and interview).

New Arkania RPG In The Works?

02.17.98 13:40

The Vault Network has an item about The Lady, The Mage, and The Knight from Larian Studios, apparently a new rpg set in the Arkania world. There are screenshots on Larian's site and it looks pretty good at the moment. Features will include 16-bit color graphics, realtime light sourcing, new dialog and object system, multiplayer, and realtime combat. Its nice to see that more companies are taking the Role Playing plunge.

Sith Dragon Tells All	02.17.98 13:34
Sith Dragon has more info up on Ultima IX from the Ultima IX Horizons Chatboard. Be sure to head on over for the latest in U9 news including tidbits on NPCs, Voodoo2 support, the E3 demo (i wish it was in LA this year), and the U9 preview on the Ultima Collection CD.

New Role Playing Games Site	02.17.98 13:35
There's a new Role Playing Games site up called Alteblack Worlds. Check it out!

Everquest Preview On Adrenaline Vault	02.17.98 13:34
The Adrenaline Vault has posted a preview of Everquest, the online 3d accelerated RPG from Sony studios.

Gamespot Previews Firaxis' Latest	02.14.98 07:02
Gamespot has a preview of Alpha Centauri from Firaxis, the new company started by Sid Meier, Brian Reynolds and Jeff Bridges. It is much more like Civilization than Master of Orion and unfortunately the preview is mostly composed of cutscene or background screenshots.

A Bit Of Housecleaning

02.14.98 06:39

Fixed name for Simutronics (I spelled it wrong on the links page). Added link on misc/hints for GameFAQs, your one stop shop for gaming FAQs for all platforms and genres. Fixed link for Homeland, a shareware RPG in development (a new alpha was just released recently) and added a link to Empiriana, a new online RPG. I'm always on the look for new rpg sites to link to and even new reviews of RPGs (please! ;).. feel free to drop me an email.

3D Winbench 98 Exposed!	02.14.98 01:16
Tom of Tom's Hardware Guide has conducted tests that strongly suggest using 3D Winbench 98 as a benchmark for comparing 3D accelerators is probably not a good idea. Check out his article here. One of his findings is that the Nvidia Riva128 is actually faster in real world applications (games) than the new Intel i740.

Eidos Opens Final Fantasy VII Website	02.14.98 00:39
Eidos Interactive, publishers of the PC version of Final Fantasy VII, have opened their official webpage. Minimum system requirements are listed as P166 (recommened direct3d card), 32mb RAM, 4x CD-ROM, Direct X5, and recommended XG MIDI sound card. I guess the music will be in midi... who else makes XG boards besides Yamaha? - from Operation 3dfx

Interplay Announces Fallout 2	02.13.98 17:04
Fallout 2 has been officially announced by Interplay. It will take place 50 years after the original, with you being an descendant of the vault dwellers. You are on a task to find the vault and retrieve a Garden of Eden Creaton Kit. It will take place apparently in northern California and Nevada. Check out the full report from OGR. - from OGR

Ion Storm Heaps Praise On Unreal	02.12.98 20:59
Ion Storm, which recently licensed the Unreal Engine from Epic, praised the engine in a Next Generation article. Among the quotes are ones from Warren Spector and he drops some hints on his upcoming game 'Shooter', where you apparently play an assassin.

Blade Preview At Next-Generation	02.12.98 20:52
Next-Generation Online has a preview of Blade by Rebel Act Studios (Spain). Blade is described as a meeting between Quake and Diablo, featuring first person action with the medieval gore and simplified RPG system in Diablo. It will feature 60 weapons and 25 different enemies.

Empyria, "A Kindler Gentler online RPG"?	02.12.98 00:04
Computer Games Online has a preview of Lords of Empyria from the Realms Network. It is currently in beta testing and will cost 19.95$US/mo, which is more than UO, but without the initial 60.00$US retail purchase.

Gamespot Interviews Fallout Producer Tim Cain

02.11.98 22:17

Gamespot has an interview with former Interplay employee Tim Cain, producer of Fallout. Apparently there were also resignations on the same day from Leonard Boyarsky (art director) and Jason Anderson (art lead). Cain hopes to sign a development deal with a publishing house soon, with no restrictions and licenses (Fallout lost its GURPS license due to complaints by SJG it was too violent and graphic).

Early March Everquest Beta Sign-up	02.11.98 18:50
The Sony Everquest web page has been updated with news on the Beta Test Sign-Up. Applications for all phases of the Beta Test will be posted in early March to the Everquest web page. Gamespot also has a preview of Everquest up. - from Operation 3dfx

Screenshots of U9 Demonstrating Zooming Camera And Face Detail	02.11.98 15:21
Sith Dragon. Ultima IX. Screenshots. Dammit Origin, stop teasing us and finish the game!

Preview of Sir-Tech's Jagged Alliance II At OGR	02.11.98 14:10
Online Gaming Review has an excellent preview of Jagged Alliance II, the upcoming turn based squad level game from Sir-Tech. According to designers the game will feature more RPG elements such as NPC conversations and character generation but will not feature multiplay (argh, Deadly Games was great multi).

Eidos No Working Designs	02.11.98 14:02
Eidos will not be making any corrections (grammar or otherwise) to the english translation of Final Fantasy VII according to an Ultra GamePlayers article. People have complained about Barrett's seeming stereotypes in his speech as well as a generally awkward translation of the japanese text in the american playstation version. Eidos hopes to release the game in Summer 98.

Quest For Glory V News	02.11.98 13:59
According to the latest Quest for Glory V FACS newsletter (which is really short) there will be a chat with Lori Cole (designer) and Chance Thomas (composer) at TalkCity Computer Games room. Gamespot will also be having QFG5 contests.

Baldur's Gate Transcript Available	02.11.98 00:04
The transcript of the Baldur's Gate IRC chat held by Vault Network is now available on Baldur's Gate Chronicles. It is available unzipped here.

New Baldur's Gate Screenshots	02.10.98 23:16
There are two new Baldur's Gate screenshots up on VaultNetwork showing the actual city of Baldur's Gate.

Reminder: Bioware Chat Today	02.10.98 16:00
VaultNetwork's chat with Bioware is today on IRC. Jump on EFNet and into #vault at 6.00 p.m. Pacific time.

Screenshots of U9 Demonstrating Movable Camera	02.10.98 13:30
Sith Dragon. Ultima IX. Screenshots. Nuff said.

New Deathtrap Dungeon Screenshots At Voodooextreme	02.10.98 13:09
Eidos has kindly provided Voodooextreme with new screenshots of their upcoming game Deathtrap Dungeon, a medieval game much like Tomb Raider.

ION Storm To Use Epic's UnReal Engine For Spector's Next	02.10.98 13:07
In Business Wire, its reported ION Storm has licensed Epic Megagame's Unreal engine for use in Warren Spector's (of Ultima fame) next 3D "espionage" CRPG tentatively named 'Shooter' (late 1998 release by Eidos) as well as for other projects. ION Storm was founded by ex-id members and are also licensees of the Quake engine. - from Voodooextreme

OGR Selects Top 50 Games Of All Time	02.10.98 13:00
Online Gaming Review has posted their list of top 50 games of all time. Included are many classic RPGs, although surprisingly Bard's Tale II placed ahead of Ultima IV. Go see for yourself.

Limited Edition Might and Magic VI Box and Advertisements	02.09.98 22:50
Check out the box cover for Might and Magic 6 at this page. Actually, this page pretty much tells us there will be a limited edition version of MM6.. the box art says it includes versions of Might and Magic I through V, Mini-Strategy guide, Holographic CD-ROMs(!), and a chance to win custom lithography of Larry Elmore's cover art. Yum, holograms. - from Rob's of course

Sith is to Ultima 9 as Rob is to...

02.09.98 22:45

Rob's Might and Magic Page has lots of new interesting info about MM6 and HOMM3. Among the tidbits are news that Might and Magic 7 will use basically the same engines as Might and Magic 6, so it may be released quite soon (compablack to other sequels such as in the Ultima series, where they write a new engine everytime) after 6. Also New World Computing hopes to release Heroes of Might and Magic 3 in the fourth quarter of 1998.

Baldur's Gate Release Date Corrected	02.09.98 22:28
Apparently, contrary to the rumours of an August or even holiday season release, Interplay has made it clear that they are hoping for a summer release. Take your time Interplay, we don't want more DtUMs, just more Fallouts :)

Different Baldur's Gate Video?	02.09.98 22:21
The Baldur's Gate Chronicles has a different movie preview of Baldur's Gate up. Apparently, it is from the PCGames magazine.

Next-Generation Online Posts Ultima IX Preview	02.09.98 20:02
Next Generation Online has posted up their preview of Ultima IX (not the full text and interview movies from the magazine however) from where all those screenshots have come from.

Wheel of Time Gets Publisher Needs Level Designers	02.09.98 19:30
The weekly Wheel of Time update has been posted and it seems the publisher was very enthusiastic about the game and it looks like full speed ahead from here on. Congrats to Glen and be sure to check out their massive update. They're also looking for level designers, and if you think you've got the skills, visit their page for details. - from Voodooextreme

Ultima Gets Hiblack Hand

02.09.98 15:45

Gamespot reports that Lord British has hiblack Jeff Anderson to help him in overseeing the development of the Ultima series. Richard Garriot will still direct the direction of the Ultima series while Mr. Anderson manages the day to day activities. He formerly worked at Paramount as executive director of interactive entertainment. Check out the full article. - from Ultima @ scorched.com (which also has a new U9 pic)

VaultNetwork Chat With Bioware	02.09.98 12:25
The Vault Network will be hosting a chat with Ray Muzyka of Bioware concerning their upcoming AD&D FR RPG Baldur's Gate. It will be on EFnet #vault at 6.00 PM PST.

Dune 2000 Preview At Gamespot	02.09.98 12:12
Gamespot has a preview of the remake of the RTS that started it all, Dune 2000 based on Frank Herbert's sci-fi novels.

Ultima IX: Ascension Everywhere	02.09.98 12:03
Even Quakeheads are getting in the act as blackwood's 3d news has snagged full sized pictures of U9. Sith Dragon doesn't stop also, with a grip of new U9 info and screenshots and confirms with Bob White that the recent screenshots have been 3d accelerated.

Alien Earth Available Soon	02.09.98 11:52
Alien Earth from Beam Software/Playmates Interactive should be available for purchase soon. It is a futuristic Action/RPG-lite where the human race has been enslaved by aliens and you are the key to their freedom.

More Ultima IX: Ascension News	02.05.98 12:44
Our favorite U:IX infoman, Sith Dragon has done it again and dug up more information on Ultima 9. This time the topic is combat, interface, and physics.

Asheron's Call Vault Opens	02.05.98 12:42
The Vault Network announces the official opening of their third Vault, the ACVault. It deals with Microsoft's upcoming massively Online RPG which may or may not be entering beta soon.

Microprose's Magic The Gathering Expansion Out	02.04.98 17:09
OGR reports Microprose's Magic The Gathering addon Duels of the Planeswalkers should be hitting stores today. It consists of 80 new cards, new interface, and a better deck builder. - from OGR

NEXT Generation Ultima IX Screenshots	02.04.98 16:32
Sith Dragon has scanned images from the latest issue of Next-Generation, showing the new perspective used in Ultima IX. Definately a must see. - from Vault Network

New Wheel Of Time Screenshots	02.04.98 02:51
The Wheel of Time news page has been updated with many new screenshots including some monsters in action. Congrats to the WoT team, they look great! - from Voodooextreme!

Descent To Undermountain Reviewed	02.03.98 17:19
Online Gaming Review, voted best PC Games site by TEN members, has put up an indepth review of Interplay's Descent To Undermountain CRPG.

Forsaken? Revenant? From The Horse's Mouth	02.03.98 17:17
The website for Cinematix/Eidos' RPG formerly known as Forsaken, now called Revenant, is up. It is a Diablo like game, featuring polygon characters and hand drawn art for backgrounds done by Den Beauvais, known for his covers for Dragon magazine.

PCGamer Previews Final Fantasy VII	02.03.98 17:07
PCGamer has put up their preview of Square/Eidos' Final Fantasy VII for the PC. This preview features all new screenshots not seen on their sister site, UGPOnline. - from Voodooextreme

Changes And Movements	02.03.98 00:00
As you may have noticed, there is a new page design up. The new layout is a work in progress and any comments are welcome. Also, I am considering moving the page to another, faster server. Stay tuned for details.

Diamond's Smashing VooDoo 2 Software Bundle	02.02.98 00:00
NEXT-Generation Online has an article on Diamond MultiMedia's Monster 3d II release strategy. It is revealed that bundled with their 3dfx Voodoo 2 (8mb) video card will be a full version of Heavy Gear, 3 level demos of Shadows the Empire, Tie fighter and Jedi Knight, AND a demo of Final Fantasy VII PC!! The board is expected to retail around 250$.

Quest For Glory 5 F.A.C.S. #8	02.02.98 00:00
The latest Quest for Glory 5 Newsletter is out and available here.

Keep Track Of Noncommercial RPGs In Development	02.02.98 00:00
Mikko Mattila runs a webpage that features an up to date list of upcoming noncommercial RPGs he can find info on with links. Check it out here.

OGR Previews Alien Earth RPG	02.02.98 00:00
Online Gaming Review has a cool preview of an upcoming futuristic RPG named Alien Earth from Beam Software/Playmates Interactive. The article mentions it should be available in February.

Ultima XI NEXT Generation Article Summary	02.02.98 00:00
Sith Dragon's Page has a summary of the upcoming Next Generation magazine's Ultima IX Preview. Go read the article!

EverQuest Chat Logs on EQVault	02.02.98 00:00
The EverQuest Vault has a summary of a chat session with the makers of Everquest, and there are many good tidbits there.

News from January 1998

Games are the registeblack trademarks and property of the companies that produced them. Not noting this should not be viewed as a challange to that status. Cblackit is given to the source of the pictures and are copyrighted by those sources.

counter provided by netdigits

© Quantum Mechanics, 1998