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In a weekend post to Ryan Gordon's status page, this OS X/Linux guru working for Epic attempts to clarify statements made in an IRC chat last week regarding demo and boxed versions of Unreal Tournament 2004.

Gordon points out that while the Mac box (courtesy of MacSoft) will be separate from the Windows and Linux version, it will be coming around the same timeframe. He expects the difference between the demos and dedicated servers to be even less. Here's his full post with more:

For those that missed the irc chat last night, here's some basic truths,
and other stuff that wasn't explicitly covered:

- UT2004 for x86 Linux will be in the retail box, like ut2003.
- UT2004 for amd64 Linux will be in the retail box, too.
- UT2004 for MacOS X will be a seperate product, published through MacSoft, but will be (near) simultaneous release.
- Demos will be available for all these platforms at roughly the same time as win32...but there might be a few hours of stagger time; I'm one guy doing all these ports. :)
- Same deal for dedicated servers.
- There's a Linux penguin on the retail box this time.
- The demo is coming out in "two weeks".

In a semi-related note, Epic's Mark Rein has announced the five maps to be included in the game's demo on Beyond Unreal. Head on over if you're curious.

Ryan Gordon .plan

IMG News: Unreal Tournament 2004 Demo Soon

BeyondUnreal: Epic Announces UT2004 Maps

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IMG has posted a preview of The Sims: Makin' Magic, the latest upcoming expansion pack for the best-selling game of all time, The Sims. The final add-on expansion to be released before "The Sims" becomes "The Sims 2" mixes up some magical new ideas.

Here's a clip from the preview:

This is the first add-on that will focus on the Sims' hobby and extracurricular activities where your Sims can learn everything from your basic magic show tricks to turning animals into temporary playmates thanks to a book of spells and your trusty magic wand. That being said there are plenty of new, fun toys to play with when your not running off to catch the carpool for work or making dinner for a house of full of kids who can't concentrate on studying. But like most of the other add-ons, developing your magical skills takes more than just picking up a wand and waving it around like your Harry Houdini on steroids.

IMG Preview: The Sims: Makin Magic

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Legendary game developer Blizzard Entertainment has released yet another free bonus map for all owners of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, the expansion pack to their highly popular real-time strategy game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. The new map is called Demon's Crossing and is suitable for 2v2 or 3v3 team games.

The map is being described like this:

The most loathsome and malevolent of creatures have settled here. Sleepless malice keeps them locked in eternal conflict, so that even the river stinks of death.

For those that still doesn't have the expansion or the full game yet, the IMG Store has both the expansion and the Battle Chest, including the full game, expansion and strategy guides, available for order.

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Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne - Bonus Maps

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Apple has posted a trailer of Freeverse's recently released casino game, Burning Monkey Casino. In the game you can play popular casino games such slots, blackjack, video poker, and much more. The trailer shows off some of the excellent animation, sound, music and gameplay in the game.

IMG also recently posted a review of Burning Monkey Casino. To check it out and the trailer, please follow the link below.

IMG Review: Burning Monkey Casino

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On tonight’s broadcast of The Gamesome Mac, the Mac gaming radio program, hosts Sean Smith and Omaha Sternberg talk with game musician Andrew “Digital Droo” Tokuda.

Droo has written music for such games as Freeverse Software’s Active Lancer and Burning Monkey series and for Aspyr Media’s SpyHunter, as well as music for the MacAddict CD-ROM.

Sean and Omaha will also offer Mac gaming news, reviews, and commentary, and together with their guest will take questions live from listeners in The Gamesome Mac’s chat room.

The Gamesome Mac can be heard live on MacRadio from 6 to 8 pm Pacific Time, 9 to 11 pm Eastern (Tuesday from 0200 to 0400 UTC), and on demand thereafter. You can tune in at The Gamesome Mac’s web page, where you’ll also find archives of past broadcasts. QuickTime 5 or 6 and a 28 kbps or faster Internet connection are required.

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