Computer Game Developers Conference

We're all quite exhausted after the recent Computer Game Developers Conference but I wanted to give everyone a brief review. I'll try to post more about the rest of the show later. Here is a quick breakdown of our tradeshow booth:

4 linked San Francisco Rush (Atari) arcade machines - This was a huge hit with people always waiting to play. Even the show staff would come by before and after hours to play. Every few hours we had a "rally" where the winners would get a Monster 3D and Monster Sound card from Diamond. If you have not had a chance to play yet, track it down in your local arcades and give it a try (green seats, can't miss 'em.) Lots of fun.

Mace (Atari) arcade game - Not released yet, this fighting game (with weapons) is really great with lots of cool characters and moves.

Stringer (Mango Grits) arcade/LBE game - One version of this was in an arcade cabinet with another in a motion seat platform. You fly over a valley landscape shooting missiles and guns at radio towers, buildings, and lots of other stuff. Very realistic looking and lots of special effects.

Multi-head demos - 3 screen versions of Quake, Flipper, and Stringer. This configuration to create a more immersive experience is being used in more LBE locations.

Torch (Newfire) internet gaming - A special Glide version of Torch brings fast 3D internet gaming and VRML to Voodoo Graphics owners. I'm still learning about this cool technology.

Datapath tools - This database/game development tool supports Glide and uses all the features of Voodoo Graphics. These guys are great and always put together great demos. More and more tool vendors are putting in support for Voodoo Graphics.

Formula 1 (Bizarre Creations/Psygnosis) - Although this game was shown at just about every 3D HW company's booth, the Voodoo Graphics Glide version continues to draw amazed crowds. I can't wait for you guys to get to play this too!

Mace (Atari) - The arcade perfect translation of their arcade game. On the PC, it currently runs at a higher resolution and at faster frame-rates (P166.) Since they use Glide in the arcade, the translation to PC only took a few days.

MDK (Shiny/Playmates) - We started the show with the D3D version but quickly switched to the WinGlide version Dave Perry dropped off the second day. Much faster :)

Terracide (Simis/Eidos) - The retail D3D version looks incredible. Lots of special effects like alpha, fog, and high color textures. We were running it full screen and in a window on Voodoo Rush.

Ground Effects (Angel Studios) - This new D3D game surprised a lot of people because noone had seen it before. A hovercraft racing game with perfect mipmapping and gorgeous textures. I'll try to get some screen shots posted.

Flying Nightmares 2 (Eidos) - One of the elusive sims certain people can't wait for :) Looks great but it's still a little ways off. But well worth the wait.

Quake on a MAC - Just what it says. Very fast. The MAC stuff is still in the works but we thought it important to show what gaming can look like on a MAC.

Outlaws (LucasArts) - Yes, the D3D patch does exist. They used the Jedi Knight D3D engine to add HW support to this game and it runs great. Don't know how they plan to release it yet.

Prey (3D Realms/GT Interactive) - Awesome. Incredible artwork made this HW only game draw lots of attention. They had it running in a non-interactive loop to avoid giving away too many of the cool features. Easily one of the most impressive looking Voodoo Graphics PC titles at the show. Look for lots more at E3 in June.

Moto Racer (Delphine/BMG) - Very fast D3D motorcycle game. We had it running full-screen and in a window for Voodoo Rush. The best motorcycle game I've seen for the PC (lots of cool tracks.)

pod (UBiSoft) - If you don't know this one by now, where have you been and what have you been playing :)

Sub Culture (Criterion) - A great game from the makers of Scorched Planet. For all the lovers of Flipper, this one is perfect. Very good use of the hardware features and a great game (kinda RPG/action, MW2 style missions and story.)

Time Warriors (Silmarils/Readysoft) - Not quite MACE but a fine 3D fighter. Good artwork too.

Think that covers it. We had lots more to show but we only had room for this many machines :)

Brian P Bruning