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Daily News
By Gail Helmer

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Friday, January 10, 2003

PC News
IGI 2: Covert Strike Multiplayer Beta Test
As IGI 2: Covert Strike reaches its final stages of development, this public Multiplayer Beta Test provides gamers with an early taste of what to expect from the game’s multiplayer maps. The multiplayer gameplay is set to be a major highpoint in the game; Codemasters’ recent closed Beta Test was a massive success and attracted over 30,000 players, double the number anticipated.



IGI 2 Multiplayer

Delivering dynamic multi-objective team-based combat, gameplay pits IGI (Institute for Geotactical Intelligence) operatives against the Conspiracy terrorist group. This public Multiplayer Beta Test features the “Timberland” map and calls for stealth and weapon skills. In Timberland, the IGI operatives’ aim is to sabotage an old mineral plant that the Conspiracy is using as a cover to extract uranium for covert weapons manufacturing.

The style of the multiplayer gameplay reflects the stealth and tactical approach of the single-player game. Reconnaissance elements provide for a new style of FPS multiplayer gaming, blending stealth and surveillance with action and gunplay. Rather than solely relying on the small and tight, or open and empty, environments found in most multiplayer FPS titles, IGI 2: Covert Strike uses terrain in a dynamic way to make for exciting and tense gameplay.

The Multiplayer Beta Test code allows for 16 players online and 32 players on LAN, across the two teams, but has no upper limit, and features full in-game chat functionality.

Codemasters will publish IGI 2: Covert Strike on February 14 2003 for PC CD-ROM. The game’s web site hosting the public Multiplayer Beta Test, along with full instructions for use, is located at: www.codemasters.com/igi2

Source: Codemasters


IGI 2 Single Player Demo Release Date Announced
Get ready to experience covert action IGI style with launch of the single-player demo of Codemasters’ stunning stealth-based shooter. This standalone PC demo will be available to download from 2pm (GMT) Thursday 16th January 2003.

Also released for download with the demo will be the all-new IGI 2 video entitled “Scope”. The video will be available alongside the demo from Thursday 16th January 2003.

The IGI 2: Covert Strike playable demo calls for skilful stealth tactics but players also need to be sharp shooters when the need arises. The demo sees David Jones, our IGI (Institute for Geotactical Intelligence) agent, investigating the theft of an advanced nano-technology device by an organised crime syndicate.

The demo and video also showcase IGI 2: Covert Strike's incredible visuals, with detailed internal locations and massive outdoor environments with vistas rendered as far as the eye can see.

Download the Single Player Demo from 2pm Thursday 16th January 2003. Details on partner websites who will also be hosting the beta will be posted shortly.

Register here to be among the first to know when the Single player demo is available.


StarWraith 3D Demo Updated
StarWraith 3D Games has released an updated demo of Star Wraith 3: Shadows of Orion, bringing this space combat simulation sequel to version 1.082. This release includes "some major improvements to the multiplayer code" as well as some menu enhancements.

Game Website: StarWraith 3D
Source: 3D Gamers


Command & Conquer Renegade Retail Patches & Server v1.036
Westwood Studios has issued new patches for Command & Conquer Renegade, bringing the English and international editions of their 3D action game to version 1.036. This release updates a CTF script and fixes a couple of bugs, and as always it's accompanied by the corresponding dedicated Win32 server.

Game Website: C&C Renegade
Source: 3DGamers


Praetorians Demo
There is a playable demo of Praetorians, offering the opportunity to try out this upcoming 3D real-time strategy game by Pyro Studios. This version 1.07 demo contains one mission from Chapter V in the single-player campaign, called "Crossing the River Arar."

Game Website: www.praetoriansgame.com
Source: 3D Gamers


No Name War Details
AMC Creation releases new gameplay information on its upcoming real-time strategy game.

Game Website: No Name War
Source: Gamespot


New IL-2Sturmovik.com Forum Moderators
Catrix has announced who the new moderators will be for the IL-2Sturmovik.com forums:

And the winners are:
  • Tully_78th
  • EURO_Snoopy


More Details: www.IL-2Sturmovik.com


Blitzkrieg Screenshots






Game Website: Blitzkrieg


Military News
AH-1Z Super Cobra Completes Envelope Expansion Testing
The first AH-1Z Super Cobra test aircraft ended 2002 on a high note after completing the envelope expansion portion of the test program and achieving more than 400 flight test hours.

With envelope expansion finished, AH-1Z testers have completed the first major portion of flight testing on the Marine Corps’ newest attack helicopter.



AH-1Z Super Cobra

“In envelope expansion, we essentially determine how high and how fast the aircraft can go,” explained Vic DiSanto, systems engineer with the H-1 Integrated Test Team here. “We start at a hover and go from there.”

In between, DiSanto explained, test pilots and engineers check the aircraft’s performance against engineering estimates at various airspeeds, altitudes and G loadings. Once validated by these tests, the data will be used as the basis for the platform’s Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) manual – the operating manual developed for each aircraft.

During this first phase of flight testing, AH-1Z test pilots and engineers took the test aircraft to 220 kts, maneuvered to –0.3 to +3.5 Gs and reached a 16,000-foot altitude since its first flight in December 2000.

"Having accomplished 400 hours of envelope expansion test flying during the first 24 months of engineering and manufacturing development on this airframe exemplifies the dependability, reliability and maintainability in the design of the AH-1Z,” stated Lt. Col. Nic Hall, government flight test director for the H-1 integrated test team. “Especially so, considering the average AH-1W fleet utilization rate is 300 hours-per-year."

With these milestones accomplished, the aircraft turns next to external stores jettison testing, where the aircraft tests its capability to safely and effectively rid itself of anything attached to its six “hard points” in the event of an emergency or malfunction.

By the holiday break, Zulu One had already flown 7.5 hours testing Hellfire missile rack jettisons. The test articles being dropped were inert and ballasted to represent fully armed and capable missiles.

Additionally, the three AH-1Z test aircraft recently supported cockpit mapping for the Thales Top Owl helmet-mounted display.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts.

For more information about the Naval Air Systems Command, go to www.navair.navy.mil.


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