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FIRST IN STRATEGY ARTICLE SERIES
(2 May 2003, 20:50 | RoN) The first in a series of strategy articles surrounding Rise of Nations has been posted on fansite Rise of Nations Alliance. The French-language article is one-page in length and entitled "The Rush with Horse Archers" written by `Cobra` and `Warrior_t_Nick`.
A rough translation is possible to obtain via Google`s Language Tools. - DanQ
ACSR DAILY: MAY 1ST, 2003
(2 May 2003, 00:10 | Misc) The May 1st, 2003 edition of Apolyton Civilization Site Radio (ACSR) show "ACSR Daily" is now available for broadcasting live on-demand. Encoded in RealAudio format, the total length of the clip is 8m:03s.
This installment features a new theme being used in association with "ACSR Daily" broadcasts. For more information, see ACSR`s `Frequently Asked Questions` page. - DanQ
ACSR PRODUCTION RESUMPTION
(1 May 2003, 23:52 | Misc) After a seven-and-a-half-month hiatus, Apolyton Civilization Site Radio (ACSR) is officially back on the air. As during the previous production block, there will be two primary shows available for listening to live on demand in RealAudio streaming 16kbps format. "ACSR Daily", ACSR`s flagship show, airs audio versions of news items published Monday-Friday and "ACSR Weekend" will combine Saturday and Sunday published news items into one broadcast.
The first broadcast for "ACSR Daily" is for news published on May 1st, and "ACSR Weekend"`s first broadcast will be for the weekend beginning May 3rd. - DanQ
AN `EDITOR`S CHOICE AWARD` WINNER
(1 May 2003, 22:59 | GalCiv) As first disclosed on its official website, Galactic Civilizations has earned an "Editor's Choice Award" from the Computer Gaming World staff in their June, 2003 issue that has just hit newsstands. The 4.5/5 star review concludes by stating that not only is the game essential for any real strategy game fan but also that gamers should [f]orget the stinging disappointment of [Master of Orion III as] this is the best space 4X game in years.
If anyone can provide additional excerpts from the full write-up, please email the Apolyton News Department. - DanQ
LIMITED TO `CULT` FOLLOWERS
(1 May 2003, 22:53 | MoO3) GameRankings (GR) has taken a brief aside from its referring site visitors to other gaming network reviews of Master of Orion III to publish their own. Written by a GR staffer who goes only by the name "George", is far from pleased with what he sees. Only a 20% score is given.
[MoO3] is, more or less, an intergalactic government simulator that makes you President, Congress, police force, environmental protection manager, and so on. And unlike games such as Sim City that make these various tasks approachable, you could play [this] for the span of your entire natural life, and still not have the slightest clue how to play effectively.
George describes MoO3 as being clearly developed for those who already have an affinity for the turn-based strategy genre of computer games and is therefore not at all the place to begin your experience with games of this genre. Speaking of himself, he admits that I don`t have the slightest "experience" in the genre, but what mere exposure to it I have had has left a sour taste in my mouth. In his colourful conclusion the said GR reviewer says:
[I]f the gods meant you to play this game, you have already bought it, and most likely did so on release date, foaming at the mouth in the way of a rabid dog. If not, then you should steer clear, as this cult ain`t taking any new converts – the initiation rituals are too foreign and intense. - DanQ
BRIGGS TALKS TO `MSNBC`
(1 May 2003, 21:24 | Civ3) MSNBC reporter Tom Luftus recently filed a story with the news network entitled "Virtual Nation Building" with the byline Iraq recovery could provide inspiration for strategy games. Firaxis Games President Jeff Briggs is one of the individuals interviewed for the piece talking about the Civilization series in relation to the background behind the story.
[R]eal world events has Briggs thinking about updating the [Civ] series. Among the features: An increased role for the media and a more true-to-life world governing body. In this more realistic setting Civilization’s United Nations component would be less kumbaya, more realpolitik. More powerful members would have the power to veto or go off and wage unilateral action. [..] But will such a game matter when it’s released, two or three years down the road? Briggs is not so sure... [..]
"I’m sure there will be a rash of games about Iraq[",] said Firaxis’ Briggs. ["]But we’ve seen that resistance to the United States is futile in the military sense. A lot of people may be trying to simulate that experience, but it’s not going to be fun[".]
Firaxis produced Civilization III, released in the fourth quarter of 2001, and its expansion pack Play The World released approximately a year thereafter. - DanQ
