Shadowfactor Software (the developers of Battlefield Communicator), has closed a deal with Voxware to
license Voxware technology.
Battlefield communicator, real-time voice communication software, supports games like Diablo, StarCraft, and Quake II. Voxware technology is expected to be fully implimented in version 1.2 of Battlefield Communicator.
New features in verion 1.2 will be:
a serverless, peer to peer mode.
a whisper feature, where you can send your voice to a single player.
support for all features, including channels and whispers in both peer to peer and client/server sessions.
support for a global list of public servers so users can easily find BFC servers.
support for half-duplex cards ("listen only" mode)
configurable microphone clicks and more!
[Note: Voxware technology was reportedly being implimented into Blizzard Entertainment's upcoming title Diablo II. Whether Diablo II will still use Voxware technology is unknown.]
The sale of Blizzard Entertainment (along with several other software companies)
from Cendant Corporation to Havas SA was completed early yesterday afternoon for $800 million. Blizzard has assured us
that the sale will not affect its production of excellent games and everything will continue as normal.
==> Press Release
Brood War continues to amaze the critics. GamesMania has awarded it 9/10 Gs :-) "Brood War is here. And it�s good. Really good," said the astounded critics. Be sure to read the review if you are still unsure :)
(Note: GamesMania's Brood War
Strategy Guide was also updated yesterday with several additions and corrections).
Last weekend (between Friday and Sunday), Battle.net logged nearly 500,000 games of Brood War, breaking all previous records. Get the low-down on last weekends events from the Blizzard Press Release.
==> Blizzard Press Release
Zerg.com is giving out free e-mail addresses. There aren't too many
details on the page, but it looks like only forward aliases are available, so you need another valid e-mail account that is to be forwarded
to. Zerg.com is also hosting a StarCraft/Brood War links database to which you may add
your site if it isn't already listed. More information at Zerg.com ==> Zerg.com
(Source: StarCraft.org)
If you are looking for an extensive guide to each of the units in Brood War, look no further. Gamesmania whipped out an excellent Brood War Strategy Guide today.
Each unit page shows you an overview of the unit, it's special abilities, defensive use, offensive use, and how to counter that unit.
==> Gamesmania Brood War Strategy Guide
DarkMasters has just been released and is Blizzard's Map of the week. This .SCX (the Brood War equivalent to the .SCM) is
playable only with Brood War, so those without the expansion should avoid it. Also, this
is a trigger driven map.
From the depths of a dark asteroid that lies deep in uncharted space, they watch and wait.
Known only as the Dark Masters, they view all other beings as mere pawns to be manipulated
in their quest for galactic dominance. Should they succeed in their plan, all sentient
life in the universe will be forced into eternal servitude. Who will survive this galactic
epic? The story unfolds Monday nights on the Galactic Entertainment Network --
entertainment for the new GENeration!
Designed for 2-6 players with use-map settings
Trigger-driven map with special Victory Conditions and modified units
Computer Games Online has just released the top ten list for the week of December 20th to
December 26th, essentially Christmas week. Blizzard's expansion pack for Starcraft, Brood
War, came in at the number three spot, beating others such as Half-Life.
==> Top 10 List
Blizzard has released a press
release verifying many of our assumptions about a possible Starcraft: Brood War long term tournament.
There is over $20,000 in cash and prizes for the top players in this championship which is
scheduled to last between January 8th (beginning with the start of the Brood War regular ladder
season) and August 4th, 1999. A complete schedule of events, qualification requirements, prize
descriptions, and all other specifications can be found on Blizzard's Brood
War Ladder Tournament Page.
