29/06/97 -
This is an updated version of this Windows 95/NT front end/menu system for GLQUAKE that lets you choose all the options you may like such as transparent water, shadows, mirrors etc. Download it here directly from BluesNews (46K).
28/06/97 -
The JETFIGHTER III 3Dfx Alpha update will be available for download ON or BEFORE
Wednesday July 2nd. Please check it out at www.missionstudios.com.
We are releasing this update to get your feedback and opinions. This 3Dfx Alpha
version of JetFighter III runs up to FIVE times faster than the un-accelerated
original version.
We hope to have the final JetFighter III 3Dfx update ready by the middle of
August. This will take us some time as we incorporate additional unique graphica
l effects including shockwaves, new texture maps, better explosions and smoke, and
more.
Requirements:
This 3Dfx patch requires the latest version of JetFighter III and a 3D card with
the 3Dfx Voodoo chipset. This 3Dfx update, when downloaded and applied, will
automatically update your JetFighter III program to the most recent version.
Send comments to: [email protected]
Harry Goeller
28/06/97 -
I am hosting the new 1.08 drivers from Diamond for the Monster on my site. the URL will change tomorrow to:
dave.ukonline.co.uk/3dfx/
If you could place the link on your page, I (and downloaders) would be very happy. I also have benchmarking and other software.
I am currently writing an on-line library of problems and solutions for 3Dfx users who are experiencing difficulties with their 3Dfx cards, and I would appreciate some help. Before the 27th, the page is web3.ukonline.co.uk/dave.kingdon/3dfx/
Thanks,
Dave Klingdon
27/06/97 -
This is not a guaranteed fix for the conflicts that have appeared, however it has been tested with confidence on two separate systems using the SoundBlaster AWE64 and AWE64 Gold (using latest rev 9 driver).
Here is the procedure that was used:
1. In Device Manager, open the properties for the Wavetable MIDI driver, choose Resources.
2. Deselect "Use Automatic Settings", then choose Configuration 0002.
3. This should give you a I/O Port Address of 0660-0663. If not, double-click the I/O Address and change it to 0660 manually.
4. Set the video display driver to VGA from the Settings tab in Display Properties.
5. [optional] Select the mouse cursor scheme of your preference in the Mouse Properties selection of the Control Panel.
6. Install the Stingray 128/3D drivers if this has not already been done.
Upon completion of the above procedure the two systems that have been tested have been able to use both animated cursors as well as Drag & Drop from Windows Explorer without the crashes that had previously been experienced. While this procedure has not been tested with an AWE32, it is expected to work as both devices use the same driver software.
Harvey Fong
Technical Support Manager
Hercules Computer Technology
Talking of the Stingray apparently there is a new model appearing soon (a month or so after this card's launch). The new card is supposed to have support for TV output amongst other things. Try this link for more info.
26/06/97 -
" Carmageddon - get it!!
Yesterday I got my copy of Carmageddon and I must truly say it's the money worth!! Unfortunately the German version is
the only with *robots* (and not like the British version with zombies). I tried the *gore* patch from FPS, but I couldn't get it
to work with my version. After mailing several people and asking them for a possible solution, Andy Ho send me a
message from Martin Mueller. Here's the quote: "
Hi Folks !
Being very annoyed with the way software is handled here in Germany regarding
violence and blood, I fiddled around with both the Carmageddon demo and the
german retail version.
Getting back the full glory you just have to copy a few files over some others.
First the demo:
1. In the "data"-directory there's a file called "boring.txt" and a file
"pedestrn.txt". Swap these two (or copy pedestrn.txt over boring.txt) to get
back the fleeing pedestrians instead of these dumb hovering dustbins.
2. The directory " data\sound back the screams etc.: swap "ksound.txt" with "sound.txt".
3. Getting back red smears when driving over peds is achieved by copying
"gibsmear.mat" over "robsmear.mat" in directory "data\material".
4. Gibs instead of sparks and screws when running over a ped can be restored
if you swap those files in "data\pixelmap" beginning with 'g' with their
non-'g' counterparts, i.e. swap "gbiggib2.pix" with "biggib2.pix ", and so on.
Voila, there's Carmageddon demo how it's supposed to be.
For the retail version all I can say (I just saw it for a few minutes) is that
the file "boring.txt" is still there and swapping it with "pedestrn.txt" worked
fine. So I assume that by performing the same steps as for the demo you can
get the gory version of Carmageddon from the german retail as well.
Have fun and happy hunting,
Mav
22/06/97 -
"The folks at 3Dfx have worked a couple late nights recently resolving a difficulty with their drivers that was causing Mercenaries 3Dfx Edition to crash when using a Hercules Stingray card.
THEY HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM and we can now confidently support the Stingray with the 3Dfx Edition.
HOWEVER...you MUST upgrade your card's drivers to version 1.02 to play the 3Dfx Edition of Mercenaries. If you don't...the game will crash horribly when you go into combat (the drivers can't currently handle our particle system --- used for weather, missiles, and explosions.) But don't look for those drivers to be posted just yet. 3Dfx and Hercules are going through a QA cycle that will take a couple weeks. Luckily...our product build cycle will also take a couple weeks, so by the time our product hits the shelves, Hercules' new drivers should be available.
Just a word for the wise."
-- Dave Georgeson
Producer, Activision.
22/06/97 -
"..There's some screenshots of the game I've been working on (currently called DethKarz, but I'm sure that will change)." "The game is specifically for 3d cards, and currently for the 3dfx - have a look and see what you think!"
Zaph
21/06/97 -
21/06/97 -
".. all-new content, all-new
graphics, new helicopter types
- Dynamic Campaigns, two of them
- Comprehensive multi-position, multi-helicopter, multi-player (up to
8 players, any position, any helicopter)
- All-new 3D graphics system, with 3Dfx support built-in. Think
virtual cockpit, real-time multi-point lighting, 4 times the detail in
the terrain, 8 times in the objects...
- Choose from one of three helicopter types, Longbow, Blackhawk, and
Kiowa Warrior.
- Command up to eight helicopters, two real-time (you and wingie), six
more through mission planning."
21/06/97 -
20/06/97 -
NEED FOR SPEED 2 will also have 3DFX support.
20/06/97 -
Apocalypse 3DX 88%
Monster 3d 86%
Righteous 3D 91%
RV-Flash 89%
Stingray 128/3d 90%
20/06/97 -
20/06/97 -
14/06/97 -
TARANUS - Sony
This is a mutliplayer tank online sim. In the next revision which should be out in a week or so version .90 will have 3DFX support! The official site is BATTLEGROUND.STATION.SONY.COM and one unofficial site is www.mattplanet.com/Tanarus/ As it's still in beta it's free to play.
Thanks to Sam Choi for pointing that info to me. (When the patch is available it will be on the news page ;) )
11/06/97 -
UPCOMING GAMES
Check out http://www.pcgames.com/previews/indy/indy.html for info on INDYCAR II ..
and http://www.accolade.com/products/redline/index.htm for news about a game called REDLINE
11/06/97 -
RESIDENT EVIL
Resident Evel is coming to 3D PCs:
First on OGR: Virgin Interactive is bringing the hugely popular, dark, gory title Resident Evil to PC. A huge hit on the Sony Playstation, Resident Evil shares many similarities to the cult PC hit Alone in the Dark. Players must enter a secluded mansion where some unusual experiments have been going on. Through the game, players must combat zombies, bats, and other gruesome creatures all via a third-person perspective. Resident Evil will have support for 3D acceleration hardware, including Rendition, 3Dfx and Mystique. Expect more information about this title as it comes to OGR. Stay tuned! -DR [1412]
Thanks to Scott Peterson for posting this to the 3DFX newsgroups
06/06/97 -
GLIDE 2.31 FIX
Another Nick Pandher post regarding a new updated Glide runtime driver fix::
A small problem exists in the current Glide 2.31 runtime kit for Voodoo Graphics. The version number of GLIDE2X.DLL is wrong, also the GLIDE2X.OVL file is not the 2.31 version. We do apologize for this goof up.... The new kit can be identified by running the self extractor and looking for an (a) next to the version number. The download is at: http://www.3dfx.com/software/download_glidert.html - Nick Pandher - 3Dfx Interactive, Inc.
Note this does not affect the new Orchid 2.00.17 drivers release a few days ago.
06/06/97 -
3DFX NEWSGROUPS CHANGE
Nick Pandher of 3DFX posted this re the re-organisation of the 3DFX newsgroups on the 3DFX server:
Just a warning that by the end of next week the newsgroups will be changing...
The following groups will be removed:
3dfx.game.titles
3dfx.d3d.drivers
3dfx.glide (we may keep this)
The following groups will be added:
3dfx.drivers.direct3d
3dfx.drivers.glide
3dfx.game.titles.support
3dfx.game.titles.released
3dfx.game.titles.upcoming
3dfx.game.titles.requests
3dfx.game.titles.announcements
3dfx.developer.glide (we may use the old 3dfx.glide)
3dfx.developer.direct3d
By that time we will hopefully also have the ability to reject any news posts that are being sent to more than one newsgroup (ie: crossposts).
As a reminder these groups are provided as a courtesy to end users. If you
require support for a product just remember that these groups are for user
to user support. On occasion 3Dfx and our OEM's do post to these groups,
however replies to posts cannot be guaranteed.
Also, for those of you who have problems with your newsreaders adding new
groups we will now maintain a web page for the newsgroup links at:
http://news.3dfx.com
- Nick Pandher - 3Dfx Interactive, Inc.
06/06/97 -
FORMULA 1 BETA 3 PATCH for CYRIX
If you are having trouble with Formula 1 running on your Cyrix Processor then download the new Formula 1 BETA 3 patch which should fix this.
06/06/97 -
MOTO RACER & POD NEW TRACKS !
Ok so you think Moto Racer on the 3DFX is probably the PC's best arcade racer?
Well if you do get some more by downloading these 2 new add on tracks for it released through a German Mag.
If you have problems downloading try this link to it on the Operation 3.D.F.X site.
06/06/97 -
TERRACIDE NEW DEMO
Well the demo of Terracide floating around recently appears to be one from a few months ago and Eidos are releasing a NEW better demo any day now (well it should have been there already but hey.. Check out Eidos' web site as it may be out by now ;) ...)
06/06/97 -
F1 RACING by UBISOFT
On the heels of Psygnosis' Formula 1, Ubisoft are developing a rival racer using the engine of POD called F1 RACING. This should mean it will be easy to give us eager 3DFX owners our own version :). Let us hope it doesn't just look good.
02/06/97 -
GLQUAKE MAX FRAMERATE BATCH FILE
You can download a new adapted version of Mark Rejhon's GLQuake launcher batch file
from here.
This version has been altered by Smits he has added extra settings for that max frame rate, screen shots etc.
Smits says:
"Hey, wrote a new GL Quake game selector menu with Mark Rejhon's
GLmenu.bat as the skeleton, and it has doubled the frame rate over
standalone GLQUAKE.EXE on at least one system - don't hold me to that
though :)
It's available at: http://www.netcom.com/~ericsmit/glbat.zip
This file let's you choose between different settings for the different
types of games you are playing:
1) Multiplayer - 512x384 (recommended)
2) Multiplayer - 640x480
3) Maximum frame rate low-res - 512x384
4) Maximum frame rate hi-res - 640x480
5) Single player - 512x384
6) Single player - 640x480
7) Watching a demo
8) Taking a screen shot
- Screen shot has transparent water, shadows, light blending etc. - Maximum Frame rate pulls no punches and has given me 10 more FPS than Mark's GLmenu, for a total of 59.6 - Multiplayer turns off the gun flash while firing so you are no longer blinded, along with making it the smoothest looking overall - Single player turns on the shadows for the full effect, while still maintaining a very high frame rate - Demo has the light blending and shadows, looks great and will still get you enough FPS for you demo addicts"
Smits
29/05/97 -
JETFIGHTER III 3DFX
...Update on the status of the JF3 3DFX patch...
"Mission Studios has a tentative release of late June or early July for the video patch.
For more information on the patch, you can contact Mission Studios at [email protected]. Thank You"
Tim Bumar
.. thanks to Christian Fenneberg for the info.
28/05/97 -
POD NEW TRACK (LAKE)
You can download a new track for POD called LAKE. The level is said to be good so may be worth a download
23/05/97 -
FORMULA ONE BUG PATCH?
Apparently Bizare Creations/Psygnosis are working on a fix which is in final testing stages. Fixes for the slow/stuttering performance of this game (plus other problems) will be included. More news when it's known. Thanks to Iain for the update on this
21/05/97 -
FORMULA ONE MINI REVIEW
I have posted a review of Formula One (Psygnosis) by Jeremy Hart as it seems to be a fair, rounded review. Check it out on the reviews page.
18/05/97 -
COMMANCHE 3 - 3D UPDATE?
Well after we heard Commanche 3 uses techniques that cannot benifit from 3D acceleration it seems they are now looking into a possible update/patch.
15/05/97 -
FORMULA 1 FIX
Apparently Psygnosis' Formula 1 game (which requires a 3D accelertor to run !) which came out a day or two ago runs a slowly on some people systems.
Nick Pandher had this to day:
"Just for reference (first of all F1 isn't available everywhere)... "Those who have it should read this info:
"If you downloaded the Glide 2.3 runtime drivers, delete the GLIDE2X.DLL
"file in your Formula One directory. This will make sure that the latest
"GLIDE2X.DLL is used 2from your Windows \SYSTEM directory.
- Nick Pandher
- 3Dfx Interactive, Inc."
11/05/97 -
XWING vs TIE FIGHTER 3D SUPPORT
Check out the interview with XvT designer Larry Holland.
It seems LucasArts will now be producing a 3D accelerator patch but it may take 60-90 days. I think they may be too late with that one.
11/05/97 -
3DFX PETITION PAGE
John/Mosquito has a Voodoo petitions page.. You can sign up to submit your email to any requests for 3dfx games support.11/05/97 -
DESIGN A LOGO - WIN A FREE GAME!
Richard Houghton is offering a free game to anyone who comes up with the best design of a logo for his site! Check out his site dedicated to bringing you the latest 3DFX screenshots here09/05/97 -
D PERRY on MDK 3DFX
A new interview with D. Perry of Shiny regarding the 3DFX native version of MDK out soon can be seen on the Voodoo Extreme site.08/05/97 -
FLYING CORPS 3DFX PATCH
Flying Corps 3D patch should be with us in two weeks according to Steve O'Neill of 3Dfxtra! who asked Paul & Dave at Rowan Software.
07/05/97 -
TUROK FOR THE PC & 3DFX
This report was posted on Next Generation:
'According to Acclaim, PC owners will "almost definitely" be receiving at least one version of Turok. One version is expected to be nearly an exact conversion of the Nintendo 64 game, while another possible version will include new levels, network modes and more. It is extremely likely that 3Dfx enhanced versions of the game will be featured prominently.'
06/05/97 -
DIAMOND AND ORCHID BUYERS GUIDE (UK)
Steve O'Neill has a Diamond and Orchid 3dfx buyers guide for UK users at 3Dfxta!
06/05/97 -
ARMORGEDDON 3DFX UPDATE
Shawn Baird posted this info about ArmorGeddon and the 3dfx support progress...
"Just thought I'd post another little tidbit to let you all know how the
Armorgeddon 3DFX support is going. The 3DFX hardware is certainly amazing
and hasn't complained much about anything we've thrown it so far. We have
a very nice sky effect in place which gives the game a lot of atmosphere.
With the sky pretty much finished up, the next thing I'll be experimenting
with are some cool shield effects. Some shots of the sky were given out to
Blackbird (the first person to start running an unofficial web site for the
game) at "http://www.pixi.com/~rascal/agfirst.htm". What they don't do
justice to is the parallax effect given by the translucency. We'll be
sending him some more stuff as we get it in, so if you're interested check
by his page now and again. I'd like to thank him for running a better
looking site than our own. :) We're so focused on the game we don't have
much time to set up cool looking HTML stuff."
--
"Shawn L. Baird (Scarrow)
[email protected]"
06/05/97 -
MOTOR RACER DEMO?
Apparently the demo is due very soon. When it finally is available you can get it from the Motor Racer site.
06/05/97 -
DIAMOND AND ORCHID SUPPLIERS (US)
See here for a List of Diamond and Orchid 3dfx suppliers in the US.
01/05/97 -
DIAMOND PRICE DROP
Diamond have reduced the RRP on their Monster 3D to $199 from $249. For people in the US you can buy a Monster 3D now from NECX Direct for $157 - (sorry I don't have their details handy). Thanks to Tim for that snippet.
28/04/97 -
ARMORGEDDON
Is getting the 3DFX treatment.. in news.3dfx.com Scarrow (ArmorGeddon programmer) said:
"It is going pretty well (I had already experimented with Glide in the past a bit). Now it is pretty much figuring out how many layers of transluceny I can hog before it gets mad at me. There are some bugs to iron out and some basic cockpit functionality to still finish, but it looks pretty good. Working with the 3DFX makes life pretty enjoyable. Laters!"
-- Shawn L. Baird (Scarrow) [email protected]28/04/97 -
NASCAR 2 FOR VOODOO?
This bit of news is for the USA Voodoo owners really. Nascar 2 isn't in the top 20 UK chart, however the game is popular in the USA so here goes...
In a recent post on 3DFX's news server Brian P. Bruning said:"...it is possible that there will be a NASCAR2 port to Voodoo
Graphics. In fact, I'm feeling generous and will go as far to say that
it's not just possible, it's *probable*.
Brian P. Bruning
3Dfx Interactive Developer Relations Manager
27/04/97 -
WINDOWS 95 BACKGROUND TASK KILLER
KILLALL.ZIP. This program helps you to quickly stop ('kill') background tasks in Win95. This can help with various problems running Voodoo games (such as sound stuttering. jerky frame rate etc).
25/04/97 -
3D CARD ROUNDUP
Check out www.gamecenter.com for a 3D CARD REVIEW/ROUNDUP. Try here for a direct link to the page.
25/04/97 -
MECHWARRIOR 2: MERCS
This was posted in alt.games.mechwarrior2:
"For those interested parties out there, here's the new news on the
upcoming GOLD products:
First of all...they've been renamed to TITANIUM.
Second, the games will all be packaged in a single box. The contents of
that box will be:
|
a) MechWarrior 2 b) Ghost Bear's Legacy c) Mercenaries d) NetMech Enhanced e) MercNet Enhanced |
We're almost finalized on the game design specs, so I'll be posting particulars soon.
-- Dave Georgeson
Producer, Activision."
24/04/97 -
GLQUAKE - 2 RE-VISED LEVELS FOR TRANSPARENT WATER
See http://www.cdrom.com/pub/idgames2/newstuff/ Get glfortrs.zip & glthisis.zip which are two levels that have apparently been re-vised to work with transparent water option in GLQUAKE so there is no slowdown.
24/04/97 -
3DFX SCREEN SAVERS
See here for 3DFX Screensavers. I didn't add this link until now as had not checked this link out yet. I still haven't but here you go.
24/04/97 -
ARMORGEDDON - 3DFX
Here's a posting from the ArmorGeddon team:
"ArmorGeddon, the new Multi-Player Online tank combat game is now in open
beta. Check it out at http://armorgeddon.station.sony.com.
And, for you 3Dfxer's, we will have a 3Dfx rev up in 2 weeks.
ArmorGeddon Team."
24/04/97 -
SHINY's DAVE PERRY ABOUT 3DFX
In a recent article in Next Generation Dave Perry praised 3DFX:
"Due to the fact our latest version of MDK is using just about every feature on the 3Dfx card, the board's current drivers were having a problem. As soon as we pointed out these problems to the 3Dfx guys, they just busted their bollocks to get everything fixed and that has impressed the pants off me."
24/04/97 -
NEW 3DFX CARD - MAXI GAMER 3D FX
A French distributer GUILLEMOT has a new 3DFX Voodoo card called MAXI GAMER 3D FX. Also it seems they are going to be selling it together with a version of POD. [Note the link is to a French site].
24/04/97 -
HERCULES STINGRAY 128/3D REVIEW
Check out game center for a review.
21/04/97 -
POD STUTTERING SOUND?
Vince Fisher posted this fix for anyone who has sound stuttering problem in POD:
"I solved this on my machine by disabling the cd from playing during
races."
"Edit the file script1.txt which is in pod2_0\data\binary\resson\
so that the first lines are as follows :
|
pod cd sounds nb_loops:0 nb_elements:0 |
"Unfortunately you will not be able to listen to the music , but that is usually the first thing to get turned off in most games anyway!"
"An additional note. If you happen to choose the smallest install option, the script1.txt isn't on the harddrive. In this case, just copy the file from the CDROM to the appropriate HD directory and perform the editing mentioned above. Works like a charm."
20/04/97 -
SEGA TO BUY 700,000 SHARES IN 3DFX
News was broken a few days ago that Sega is rumoured to be buying 700,000 shares in 3DFX -about 3% and may be using 3DFX technology in a coming console
20/04/97 -
COCKPIT PROBLEM? NO!
Is there a cockpit problem with Voodoo? This question is asked time and time again, so here is what Brian Bruning of 3DFX posted yesterday when asked why
Descent 2 and Formula 1 had no cockpit and when Flying Corps was said to have a problem with cockpits:
"...We at 3Dfx Interactive have addressed the alleged "cockpit" problem many
times here in this newsgroup and in other public places. The reason I
don't spend a lot of time on this topic is because it has no merit - and
every time I have to respond to it means I have less time getting game
developers to make their games work on Voodoo Graphics.
D2 will have a cockpit in the next release from us. And it's *faster* than the current version.
Formula 1 from Psygnosis is a Playstation conversion which does not have a cockpit. There's no plans to add a cockpit to this game just like there are no plans to add pit crews.
The delay with Flying Corpes is a matter of finding the proper method of texture caching to maintain the speed and quality they desire. There is no issue with cockpits.
I don't think the people here who know me would ever suggest that I (or anyone else at 3Dfx) would shy away from answering any valid question or concern a consumer has..."
Brian P. Bruning 3Dfx Interactive Developer Relations Manager
19/04/97 -
MDK SOUND FIX ?
If any of you have problems with sound in the 3DFX version of MDK then try this:
1. Edit your win.ini file using notepad and add a [3dfx] section called [3dfx] (don't forget the [] )
if you don't have it already.
2. under the [3dfx] section type this:
SST_SWAP_EN_WAIT_ON_VSYNC=0
17/04/97 -
POWERVR renaming PCX2 chip to 3Dx!
Sad huh? In what seems like a desparate bid to get potential 3DFX Voodoo buyers to get the new PowerVR PCX2 chip by confusing them with a name change to 3Dx (very similar to 3DFX?) PowerPR seem to have shown that they really do think 3DFX is the card to beat and if they can't beat it they will try to join it :) They also are now offering 3DFX Voodoo card owners to trade in for a PowerVR 2 for �79! Fantastic eh [not] ? Sell your Voodoo for a card which at best is only as good as the Voodoo with less available software for �79!!! I guess the one new customer they get from this will be very happy with his purchase
17/04/97 -
VOODOO AND NASCAR
Have a look at Next Generation's special article on the arcade NASCAR running on Voodoo for Voodoo Nascar racing in the arcades.
Here's a quote:
"The Silicon Motor Speedway is an exciting new arcade
experience that focuses on multiplayer racing. The heart
of these centers will be a bank of several racing simulators which
are essentially complete NASCAR racing vehicles mounted upon
hydraulics systems that are controlled by PCs."
"The game itself is running upon high-end PCs using 3Dfx Voodoo graphics accelerators and boasts an incredibly smooth framerate and nice detail levels. The game really has to be seen in action to be appreciated."
16/04/97 -
GLQUAKE BENCHMARK
Mark Rejhon [email protected] has posted a benchmark batch file for GLQuake if you want to test out your performance.
16/04/97 -
ALIEN QUAKE 1.0
UPDATE 2: It seems 20th C Fox might be interested in the Alien Quake team to do something for them commercially :)
15/04/97 -
VOODOO CARDS WIN CGW AWARD.
" Hardware Achievement of the Year: (TIE) Diamond's MONSTER 3D & Orchid's RIGHTEOUS 3D"
See link above for more
12/04/97 -
ALIEN QUAKE 1.0
UPDATE: Alien Quake and Alien Quake TC have now been removed as 20TH CENTURY FOX asked the authors to do so. It is no longer available
SHOTS OF COMING GAMES
Check out Dean's 3DFX page for Screenshots of new coming games for Voodoo.TERRACIDE
See here for Screenshots of Terracide. Basically it looks like Descent 2 but better :).MORE POWERPR
Sorry I haven't been around for a few days so I am a bit behind here. Thanks to Jean for pointing out a bit of news regarding the heated PowerVR benchmark arguments (many call them PowerPR). Recently benchmarks were released that showed the new PCX2 PowerVR chip (available in a few months in 3D cards) supposedly slightly beat the Voodoo (using a PPRO200 which the PowerVR seems to need to produce good scores). Apparently the 'independent' tests weren't quite as independent as first thought and also remember the first drivers that used to check to see if a D3DTEST benchmark was being run then change behaviour accordingly? Read on.. check out Jeans article on his page.Also for more on this check out Next Generation
WEBSITE MERGER
Voodoo Heaven and the Monster 3D web sites for Voodoo have closed and are opening a new joint page the URL is: http://www.hardware.3dreview.com/3dfx/NEW LOW PRICE FOR OR3D IN UK
For UK users SCAN INTERNATIONAL are selling Orchid Righteous 3D cards with complete boxed package for �129+VAT (again please note they have nothing to do with me).GLQUAKE - WATER101 - TRANSPARENT WATER SPEED UP TOOL!
* NEW * GLQuake VIS utility has been released. This helps the frame rate with transparent water. Read about it at the link above and download it from here.04/04/97 -
ALIEN QUAKE 1.0
UPDATE: THIS HAS NOW BEEN REMOVED AS 20TH CENTURY FOX ASKED THE AUTHORS TO DO SO.
04/04/97 -
ED3D - GLQUAKE MAP EDITOR FOR 3DFX
GLQuake users can edit maps etc and preview them on their 3DFX with ED3D (download latest Alpha Test 20).
30/03/97 -GLQUAKE HELP
For you GLQuake players out there Mark Rejhon has posted a batch file that will allow you to choose all sorts of options for GLQuake before you play.
The menu in the batch file supports the following: - 512x384 resolution for screaming framerates. - 640x480 resolution for sharper picture. - Option to lock framerate to max of 30fps for better consistency. - Ability to enable/disable vsync setting.
It even has built-in idiot-resistant error checking: - Making sure that the batch file itself was installed properly. - Making sure that there is enough memory for environment variables.
Easy instructions to save the batch file to disk:
1. Click here to download glmenu.bat (Fixed -thanks to Greg Hilton for mentioning it)
2. It will display in your browser. Select "Save As" under the File
menu.
3. Save the file as 'GLMENU.BAT' in your \QUAKE directory.
4. Now you can simply run "GLMENU" instead of "GLQUAKE" to run it! "
FLIGHT SIMS
There are two links to two flight sims coming out for 3DFX cards (and other 3D cards). One is TEAM APACHE and the other is FLYING NIGHTMARES II - both from EIDOS INTERACTIVE.
26/03/97 -
MORE FLYING CORPS...
Steve Gathercol reminded me about Flying Corps - apparently the 3D patch has been held back a little as they are not only doing a Direct3D version but also now a 3DFX Voodoo specific version - yeah !
26/03/97 -
FLASH 3DFX VOODOO CARD �129+VAT in the UK
Yep it's true a 3dfx card for around �150 inc. Here's one contact address (nothing to do with me btw):
Direction Technology.
Tel: 44 (0)1483-454400
52 Chertsey Street, Guildford, Surrey
GU1 4HD, England
24/03/97 -
POD for 3DFX Mini review.
Well I must I was quite impressed with POD for 3DFX however the installation was not straight forward as the setup program detected my Virge card and even when I tried to override it I still got the basic version POD (non 3DFX). This is ok as I realised I had to copy WPOD3DFX.EXE over to my new POD2_0 directory and make a shortcut. If you didn't realise this you could be playing normal POD and think 'yuk' :{
With a friend we played the split screen mode and had a great couple of hours racing in a championship, tweeking our cars in between each race sometimes to disasterous effect and sometimes producing a stonking win! Great fun and recommended if you like racing games especially for multiplayer as you can play split screen, internet, direct link, or networked!
13/03/97 -
UPCOMING 3DFX GAMES...
3DFX has updated their forthcoming games list supporting 3DFX Voodoo cards (via Direct3D or native support).Well after PC Format (UK) magazine's review of 3D cards at the end 1996 I sent them an email complaining about the poor quality of their review (as many others did too). I pointed out various errors or inaccuracies and backed up my points with FACTS. In this month's issue (Feb 1997) in the letters page they chose to print my email. However they managed to completely ignore all the important points (they all obviously hit home ;) ) and instead chose to print a very small snippet with a childish reply to 'put me down'.
UPDATE 25/03/97 - By the way recently I have noticed quite a few people who say they have stopped buying PCF due to their poor hardware reviews! Also apparently in the latest issue (April? 1997) they have done a U-turn and apologised as they now say 3DFX Voodoo is the best 3D card! OK, so PCFormat where is my apology then ??? See below for more info on this (pcf-5.txt)
Here is my original letter to their review.
Here is what they printed (conveniently) edited.
Here is a list of people with their comments from comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.video
showing that not only I felt this way
PC Format completely seemed to miss these posts somehow (maybe they are as incompetent at reading news as they are at hardware reviews?).
or try this reply
UPDATE 25/03/97 Here's some postings from people who also think PCF hardware reviews and info stinks and also some comments about PCF's recent U-turn on 3dfx Voodoo etc...
Ok back to more interesting things...
Those of you who have a problem when a 3DFX game crashes causing all further attempts to run a DOS session full screen to make the 3DFX kick in again and show a blank screen listen.. there is a fix. Download S3FIX.EXE from 3DFX's site and unzip it. Copy the PASS.EXE file to your windows directory. Then make a short cut to C:\WINDOWS\PASS.EXE on your desktop. Next time you can't get to your DOS run the shortcut to PASS.EXE and that should do it. Robbie Diehl posted a fix and I have asked his permission to post it on here.. if I get the ok I will - er got no reply oh hum.
News server service from 3DFX
Frank Grayson suggested this link to ATARI for pictures of San Fransisco Rush Extreme Racing ! (arcade game using Voodoo chipset -- go look!)
Also Frank emailed me with some information regarding ATSFLIP.EXE which is the 3D Studio mesh viewer util found on in the demos on the Monster 3D CD and the Orchid Righteous CD. Frank will post some images on his site and he will write a small help file for those interested. Check out his page at: http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~fgrayson/index.html
Also now using the PC PLAYER new DIRECT3D BENCHMARK (see the files section) I get 47.1 (default settings-gouraud etc, no zbuffer) and 40.3 (default with zbuffer).
"...even the current deoptimized build of Unreal is flying at warp-speed on the 3DFX.."
"Also before anyone jumps to any conclusions, our software renderer is still faster than any of the 3D cards that can't perform up to the speed of the 3DFX. The high level of performance of the 3DFX cards continue to be the minimum standard for Unreal..." They seem to like the 3DFX don't you think ;) ?
Here's an update on this from Orchid's Danny Sanchez who was away for the two weeks when Orchid released these drivers. He is not happy and will fix things it seems. UPDATE 16/03/97 - Danny has announced The Righteous 3D Quality Bulletin you can read if you have problems with lockups on Orchid Righteous 3D cards.
HEY! If you want to cheat a little and see 6 more cars in the POD 3DFX demo then you can d/l a small program to let you do it. Check out Joakim's page
Check out WOLF 3-DFX new arcade games running on Taito's 3dfx hardware
If you are having problems getting MW2 to run and are running DirectX 3.0 then copy the file DPLAY.DLL from your MW2's CD, DirectX directory, to your Win95 System directory.
