Macintosh Game Joho (Past News)

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Past News of July, 2002

Listed below are past Mac game news in Japan and world-wide. Some of versions and links in the old articles may be outdated. Note: Links with * lead to Japanese pages.

7/19/02 (Fri)

Full-featured Unconventional Battle Breakout Arcade Game "pop-pop"

Ambrosia Software has released pop-pop. It is a full-featured battle Breakout arcade game with full of novelty and the theme of American pop-toon where player smashes bricks moving down the field and clears the level before the bricks reach the bottom line. The game contains two unique modes; Versus mode to fight against computer or human opponent by sending and returning obstructive bricks, and Puzzle mode to clear over 100 levels by smashing targets surrounded by other bricks. It features 7 humorous characters with different special powers, tricky puddle play using Charge and Magnet, and 7 different power-up/down items. The game also played via the network using proprietary online tracker. File size is 14.1 MB. Requires PowerPC G3 or better, Mac OS 8.6 or later (Mac OS X native). Shareware $25.

Game Updates and Releases (World-Wide)

-- BattleZone 0.7 (Sean Burke): Classic wireframe 3D tank battle arcade game only for Mac OS X. Version 0.7 includes many improvements. File size is 620 KB. Freeware.

-- BGBlitz 1.0.5 (Frank Berger Software): Full-featured Backgammon program played against an adivanced neural net AI. Version 1.0.5 improves the AI and improves the notation feature as well as includes other improvements and fixes. File size of Mac OS X version is 4.9 MB, Mac OS X version is 3.9 MB (more info). Shareware $23.

-- Cintos 3.0.2 (John Haney): Unique board game only for Mac OS X where 2 or 4 players moves pieces on colored board to capture opponents' pieces. Version 3.0.2 improves the interface as well as includes other improvements and fixes. File size is 555 KB (more info). Shareware $10.

-- Clan Lord v242 (Delta Tao Software): Online fantasy role playing game focused on collaboration and chatting. Both auto update and downloadable updater (more info) are available. Full retail version is available directly for $34.95 including 2 month free play.

-- Forma 2.0.5 (Degana): Enhanced Columns puzzle arcade game featuring various tricks and power-ups. Version 2.0.5 supports Mac OS X natively, improved the game, the graphics, and the interface as well as includes other improvements and fixes. File size is 4.8 MB. Shareware $13.95.

-- Goban v44 (Sen:te): Full-featured Mac OS X Go game supporting single play against GNU Go program and online play via Internet Go servers. Version v44 fixes some bugs. File size is 6.6 MB (more info). Freeware.

-- Jazz Jackrabbit 2 1.2.8 (Logicware): Mac OS X native updater of the full-featured parallax scrolling 2D high-paced action arcade game. Updater for full retail version is 827 KB, demo updater is 825 KB (more info).

-- MacPipes X 1.0.0 (Factor Software): Action puzzle arcade game like Pipe Dream (previous title: "MacPipes"). The new version now supports Mac OS X natively and include improvements in the interface and others. File size is 665 KB (more info). Shareware $7.50.

-- Nac Wat 3.0.1 (StilipitSoft): Enhanced strategic board game like Tic-Tac-Toe featuring various rules and options. Version 3.0.1 adds balloon help as well as includes other improvements and fixes. File size is 302 KB. Shareware $10.

-- Otto Matic 1.2.2 (Aspyr Media): Classic sci-fi style 3D action adventure game where player, as a intergalactic robot, explores and fights on alien planets to rescue abducted humans. Version 1.2.2 improves the performance. Updater size is 560 KB (more info). Also, the demo version has been updated with file size 23.5 MB (more info). Full version is available at retail stores in USA or directly for $34.95.

-- RedEagle 1.0.1 (Tyzoft): Simple 3D networkable robot shooting game. Version 1.0.1 adds a crosshair. File size is 2.2 MB. Shareware $10.

-- Stronghold 1.2 (MacSoft): Construction simulation and real time strategy game set in a medieval castle town where player constructs and manages a castle and defend in siege warfare Version 1.2 adds events and invasions option to Free Build Mode, improves Multiplayer Mode, and improves the interface as well as includes many other improvements and fixes. Updater size is 2.8 MB (more info). Full version is available at retail stores in USA.

-- Vektor3 3.1.5 (Schubert it): Multi document/multi threading chess program only for Mac OS X. Full version size is 2.4 MB (more info), updater for retail version is 2.4 MB (more info). Shareware $10.

-- Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos 1.01b (Blizzard Entertainment): Latest installment of the popular real time fantasy strategy game series. Version 1.01b fixes a bug with Battle.net. Updater size is 6.1 MB (more info). Full version is available as hybrid CD-ROM at retail stores in USA or directly for $59.95.

7/8/02 (Mon)

Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Released

Blizzard Entertainment has released Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. It is the latest installment of the popular realtime fantasy strategy game series where player takes control of one of 4 unique races to conquer the world. The game contains the campaign of Human and Orc as well as new Night Elf and Undead, each of which is lead by Legendary Heroes. Also, it features full 3D maps for more tactical play, neutral units and buildings for more complex play, high resolution display support, a variety of items and spells, and full-featured Battle.net online play supporting cooperative play and observation mode. Requires PowerPC G3/400 or better (600 MB or faster recommended), RAM 128 MB or larger (256 MB or larger recommended), free HD 700 MB or larger, CD-ROM 4x or faster, ATI or nVidia 3D card/VRAM 16 MB or better (32 MB or better recommended), net connection 28.8 kbps or faster. The software has already been updated to version 1.01 with updater size 6.1 MB (more info). Available as hybrid CD-ROM at retail stores in USA or directly for $59.95 (regular version) or $79.95 (Collector's Edition). Also, CAPCOM* has released the English version with Japanese manual* that is available as hybrid CD-ROM at retail stores in Japan.

Game Demos (World-Wide)

-- realMYST (MacPlay): Enhanced real time 3D version of the popular adventure game Myst. Demo size is 91.9 MB (more info). Full retal version is available at retail stores in USA or directly for $29.99.

Game Updates and Releases (World-Wide)

-- Avalanche 1.0.1 (Dracosoft): Unique real time block-matching puzzle arcade game with simple rule like Macigame. Version 1.0.1 improves the program internally. File size of Classic version is 1.1 MB, Mac OS X version is 1.1 MB. Shareware $9.99.

-- Avernum 3 1.0.1 (SpiderWeb Software): Third installment of the epic fantasy role playing game series that is the enhanced version of Exile III: Ruined World. Version 1.0.1 fixes game-related bugs with items and others. Updater is 1.6 MB (more info). Also, full version is required with file size 11.6 MB, Shareware $25.

-- BOOM 1.3 (Factor Software): Bomberman-style 2D arcade game. Version 1.3 supports Mac OS X natively, adds stereo sounds, improves the screen, and improves the performance as well as includes other improvements and fixes. File size is 2.4 MB (more info). Shareware $15.

-- Burst 1.0.1 (Dracosoft): Puzzle game where player swaps pair of colored balloons to line up 3 matching ones. Version 1.0.1 changes the rules on the bonus as well as includes other improvements and fixes. File size of Classic version is 1.4 MB, Mac OS X version is 1.5 MB. Shareware $9.99.

-- Captain Bumper 1.14 (MacRun Software): 2D shooting arcade game featuring smooth high speed scrolling and cartoon-style animation. Version 1.14 supports iShock II force feedback and fixes some display issues as well as includes other improvements and fixes. Full version size is 18.0 MB (more info), updater from version 1.1x is 368 KB, updater from version 1.0x is 5.1 MB (more info). Shareware $25.

-- Clan Lord v240 (Delta Tao Software): Online fantasy role playing game focused on collaboration and chatting. Both auto update and downloadable updater (more info) are available. Full retail version is available directly for $34.95 including 2 month free play.

-- Dragon Alpha 1.1.2 (Dracosoft): 2D epic fantasy role playing game where player explores the world to defeats dragons. Version 1.1.2 improves the performance as well as includes other improvements and fixes. File size is 18.7 MB. Shareware $12.99.

-- GLHexen 2 1.1b3 (pOx): Unofficial Mac port updater for Hexen 2 PC version. Version 1.1b3 includes several improvements and fixes. File size for full retail version is 983 KB, for Mission Pack is 530 KB, for Demo version is 983 KB (more info). Public beta version.

-- GLQuake 1.1b3 (pOx): Unofficial OpenGL updater for 3D first person shooting Quake based on its open source. Version 1.1b3 includes several improvements and fixes. File size for full retail version is 491 KB, GLQuakeWorld is 441 KB, for Nehara add-on (MacNehara) is 560 KB (more info). Maybe freeware.

-- Harpoon3 3.5.2 (SpearSoft): The newest version of popular modern naval war simulation game. Version 3.5.2 fixes some bugs. Updater size of Mac OS version is 1.1 MB, Mac OS X version is 1.2 MB (more info). Full retail version is available directly for $40.

-- JewelToy 1.3.0 (Giles Williams): Puzzle game only for Mac OS X where player swaps pair of gems to make 3 identical ones in a line. Version 1.3.0 adds Japanese and French localizations, supports custom background pictures, and improves drawing performance using OpenGL as well as includes other improvements and fixes. File size is 3.6 MB. Freeware (GPL).

-- Khufu 0.9b2 (Z Sculpt Entertainment): Unique high-quality column-style puzzle arcade game with the theme of Pyramid. Version 0.9b2 supports Mac OS X natively and adds new music tracks as well as includes many improvements and fixes. File size is 4.5 MB. Beta shareware $14.95.

-- Owari 1.0 (DanLab Games): Mancala-type african ancient board game. File size is 8.0 MB. Shareware 10 Euro ($10 for online registration).

-- Same-X 2.0 (Thumpbunny): MaciGame/SameGame-like puzzle game ony for Mac OS X where player finds and removes groups of atoms of the same kind Version 2.0 now supports theme plug-ins and adds several themes as well as includes other improvements and fixes. File size is 1.8 MB. Freeware.

-- Ultranium2 2.4 (jadeware): Enhanced Breakout arcade game only for Mac OS X featuring powerful items and tricky levels. File size is 13.4 MB. Shareware $19.

-- WarBirds III 070202 (iEntertainment Networks): Latest version of the online WWII flight simulator. Version 070202 adds scene recording feature and fixes bugs. Updater from version 061302 is 8.9 MB (more info). Also, full version 061302 is required with file size 125.4 MB (more info). Public beta version.

Game Updates and Releases (Japanese)

-- Kitsune-goshi 1.0.3* (Kiyoshi Takeuchi*): Unique puzzle game where player moves on the grid to rearrange all 4 x 4 panels in order. Version 1.0.3 adds sounds, improves the operation, and improves the internal program. File size of PPC version is 572 KB* (more info*), 68K version is 379 KB* (more info*). Freeware. Japanese software.

-- Shichiyoseki 1.0.1* (Kiyoshi Takeuchi*): Simple and unique board puzzle game where player rearranges 7 stones in order. Version 1.0.1 adds start/end button and improves the internal program. File size of PPC version is 613 KB* (more info*), 68K version is 417 KB* (more info*). Freeware. Japanese software.

-- Jutai Tunnel 1.0.0* (Kiyoshi Takeuchi*): Unique memory arcade game where player guesses colors of the cars passing a tunnel. File size of PPC version is 571 KB* (more info*), 68K version is 377 KB* (more info*). Freeware. Japanese software.

7/3/02 (Wed)

Epic 3D Sci-Fi Fantasy Role Palying Adventure "down"

Jelly and Fantasoft has released down. It is an epic 3D sci-fi fantasy role playing action adventure game where player explores three mystic parallel worlds and search for three crimson pulsars that ties the cores of the worlds. The game consists of as many as 16 chapters and features 7 different regions such as mountains and dungeons, a lot of fantastic characters including dwarves and beasts, a variety of items/weapons including pulsars and shooters, and unique skills such as possession and matter melting. The screen is drawn by high-quality OpenGL 3D rendering with beautiful lighting and special effects. Requires PowerPC G3 or better, Mac OS 9 or later (Mac OS X natively supported), RAM 64 MB or larger, free HD 600 MB or larger, OpenGL 3D card. Available directly for $25 as downloadable software or $30 as CD-ROM. Also, a demo version is available with file size 88.8 MB (more info).