You're looking at the future of NEXT Generation Magazine.
No, this is not, nor could be a replacement for an already noted stellar mag. Think of these discs as akin to NG. Like Batman to Robin*, Kato to the Green Hornet*, "The NEXT Files" act only to enhance NG and occasionally think on their own. However, and equally exciting is the emergence of a monthly disc to accompany NEXT Generation - your inside source to the gaming world. Packed with PC and Mac playable demos, QuickTime Movies and the utilities to get you going, NG's future is straight ahead with many great stops along the way.
We hope you enjoy what this new format brings to NEXT Generation and NEXT Generation Online, and welcome your comments anytime. (send suggestions and constructive criticism to: jmichaels@imagine-inc.com)
Below is a listing of this disc's content, and individual pathways to each game's root directory. If you're not familiar with root directory installs for the PC, executable files are normally indicated by a .exe prefix (eg. SETUP.EXE)
GAME (PC)
ALFDEMO\ALFDEMO.EXE
DUKE3D\DUKE3D.EXE
FIREFGHT\FIREFGHT.EXE
MARATHN2\M2WDRCTX\SETUP.EXE (w/ Direct X)
MECH2DEM\MECH2DEM.EXE
MPATH\SETUP.EXE
POWERSLV\SETUP.EXE
QUAKE\DEICE.EXE
RKTJOCKY\INSTALL.EXE
TMCMNDO\SETUP.EXE
WAR2DEMO\WAR2DEMO.EXE
WARBIRDS\SETUP.EXE
GAME (MAC)
Afterlife\Afterlife Demo (PowerPC)
Bonkheads
Chaosoverlords\Chaos Overlords DEMO
Closecombat\Close Combat Trial Setup
Descent2demo\Descent II
Escapevelocity
hexendemo\Hexen Demo
macwarbirds
Marathon2\Marathon 2 Demo
Pathways\Pathways Demo
wc2\Warcraft II Demo 1.2
Zorknemesis\Zork Nemesis Demo Installer
ONLINE (PC)
PALACE\Pal-163.exe
MPATH\SETUP.EXE
MSIE\msie30m.exe (for Win95)
MSIE\dlmini.exe (for Win31)
TEN\SETUP
ONLINE (MAC)
Internet Explorer Installer
Palace Install 1.6.4
WRITTEN TEXT DESCRIBING GAMES AND ONLINE SERVICES (BELOW)
MACINTOSH GAMES
Afterlife: Take command of both heaven and hell in this humorous “god” sim from LucasArts. You will be guided by two humorous mentors as you decide how heaven and hell should be run.
Bonkheads: This shareware game is a throwback to the original Mario Bros. arcade game from Nintendo. Players take the roles of two cavemen who must “bonk” enemies to stay alive. Nostalgic fun with updated sounds and graphics.
Chaos Overlords: There are no worlds to save, no good guys to help, only a futuristic city to dominate in one of the most challenging strategy war games this side of the Pentagon. The network and modem play (for up to six players) is good, but try playing over the Internet for a real quick thrill.
Close Combat: As one of the first Microsoft published games, Close Combat has elements that force you as the commander to consider whether or not troops will be willing to perform as you command. For example, this real-time strategy game asks you to consider morale very closely and adds considerable depth to the title.
Descent II: The sequel to MacPlay’s largest hit. This first person perspective game sports stunning light-sourcing, and totally polygonal enemies. Up to eight players may participate via IPX network support or two players with modem.
Escape Velocity: Escape Velocity spans a number of different genres, combining elements of classing “trading” games, arcade space shoot-outs and strategy simulations. Whether you choose to build a trading empire, aid the rebellion in a civil war, or strike out on your own as a pirate, there are loads of play options to be found.
Hexen: Hexen mixes the adrenaline rush of Doom (upon whose engine it is based) with the fun of fantasy worlds and RPG elements. The game can also be networked via IPX or modem.
Marathon 2 Durandal: Networked Doom-like action for your Mac. Excellent graphics, sounds and tons of options. This is the follow up to Bungie’s second smash hit Marathon. Improvements include better light-sourcing, larger view area, more environmental interaction and the assistance of CPU directed partners.
Pathways Into Darkness: Pathways Into Darkness was Bungie Software’s first mega-hit on the Macintosh. This first-person perspective title one-upped Id Software’s Wolfenstein 3D placing the Macintosh firmly in the lead in terms of gaming depth.
WarBirds: WarBirds is an on-line flight simulation for both PCs and Macs from Interaction Creations Inc. The demo is playable as a stand-alone game, however the real fun comes from flying with others. Once you have the software, it’s possible to dial up and join in networked flights.
WarCraft 2: Quite simply, WarCraft 2 is the best real-time strategy game for any platform. Take command of the orcs or humans as you develop units and buildings to eliminate your opponents. Networked action via IPX or modem add to the fun.
Zork Nemesis: Zork Nemesis continues the Zork legacy with new interactive narrative-based adventures. In Zork Nemesis you’ll be immersed in a rich and mysterious world of intrigue and mystery, electrified with amazing production values and gameplay.
PC GAMES
Afterlife: Take command of both heaven and hell in this humorous “god” sim from LucasArts. You will be guided by two humorous mentors as you decide how heaven and hell should be run.
Descent II: The sequel to MacPlay’s largest hit. This first person perspective six degree of freedom game sports stunning light-sourcing, and totally polygonal enemies. Up to eight players may participate via IPX network support or two players with modem.
Duke Nukem 3D: Duke Nukem is “the” no-nonsense Doom clone. Loads of weapons and a unique interaction with a varied environment make Duke an all-time classic. Setting traps with pipe bombs is easily some of the most fun you can have with your PC. For networked play via modem or IPX death matches are extraordinarily fun.
Fire Fight: While 3D has become the rage, Fire Fight calls back to the day when 20 shooters were more than just mindless button bashing. Fire Fight has loads of depth with objective based missions, and networked death-matching via modem or IPX network.
Marathon 2 Durandal: Networked Doom-like action for your Mac. Excellent graphics, sounds and tons of options. This is the follow up to Bungie’s second smash hit Marathon. Improvements include better light-sourcing, larger view area, more environmental interaction and the assistance of CPU directed partners.
Mechwarrior 2 Mercenaries: Take command of over 100 tons of firepower, as you blast your way through mission after mission in your mech. Activision’s Mechwarrior 2 provides the quintessential battle mech experience, complete with network and modem support.
Powerslave: Jump into a mystical Egyptian world where you search pyramids and temples while fighting guards, mummies and various other creatures. Armed with both magic and more traditional firearms, you must prevail in this first-person perspective shooter.
Quake: Id Software’s sequel to Doom ushers in a new era in first-person perspective games. Adrenaline rushes are the norm as you slaughter undead and demons alike. IPX and TCP/IP support for networking mark this title for greatness.
Rocket Jockey: Rocket Science has come up with a new interesting form of arena sports. Strapping one of several rockets between one’s legs and shooting grappling cables to swing around vertical poles marks Rocket Jockey as one of the more original titles we’ve seen in a while.
Time Commando: Time Commando from Activision places the player in the role of the time traveling fighter. The action revolves around fighting various opponents from history as you explore new environments and solve puzzles in one of nine different worlds.
WarBirds: WarBirds is an on-line flight simulation for both PCs and Macs from Interaction Creations Inc. The demo is playable as a stand-alone game, however the real fun comes from flying with others. Once you have the software, it’s possible to dial up and join in networked flights.
WarCraft 2: Quite simply, WarCraft 2 is the best real-time strategy game for any platform. Take command of the orcs or humans as you develop units and buildings to eliminate your opponents. Networked action via IPX or modem add to the fun.
ONLINE SOFTWARE
Mpath: Mpath Interactive is committed to developing the technologies necessary to enhance social interaction on the Internet’s World Wide Web. Although most people today view the web as a great information resource, Mpath’s Mplayer technology will turn the web into a place where people can convene and play their favorite action games.
Mpath’s Mplayer PC network provides a means for people to meet and play multi-player PC games against one another. Games currently supported include: 1. Command and Conquer from Virgin Interactive 2. Mechwarrior 2 from Activision 3. WarCraft from Blizzard and Terminal Velocity from 3D realms.
Other games that will be arriving shortly on Mplayer include: 1. Big Red Racing from Eidos 2. Chaos Overlords from New World Computing 3. Deadlock from Accolade 4. Havoc from Reality Bites 5. Quake from Id 6. Sim City 2000 from Maxis
You will find the Mpath software on Disc 2 in the On-line Folder.
For more information and/or technical assistance, please refer to: http://www.mpath.com/
Microsoft Internet Explorer: Microsoft Internet Explorer is a free, fully featured WWW browser from Microsoft. In conjunction with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), it will allow you to view web sites such as Ultra Game Players (www.ultragp.com) the way they were intended. Click on the executable (.exe) to initiate the install. For more information and/or technical assistance, please refer to: http://www.msn.com
The Palace: The Palace is Next Generation Online’s real-time chat engine. In conjunction with your Internet Service Provider, The Palace software allows you to chat and interact with other gamers in Next Generation Online’s Palace.
The Palace software provided on Disc 2 is the shareware version of The Palace. You may use it freely to visit Next Generation or any one of the hundreds of other Palace sites on the Net as a guest. To become a Palace member, please read the documentation included with the software for how to register.
After running the installer, simply connect to your Internet Service Provider and double-click on the executable icon. Once launched select OPEN CONNECTION from the FILE menu in the menu bar.
In the HOSTNAME field of the resulting dialog box enter: www.next-generation.com Leave the contents of all other fields as the defaults and click on the CONNECT button. You should then be connected via TCP/IP to the Next Generation Palace.
You should find yourself in the Next Generation Welcome Room. There are a variety of rooms in The Palace where different gaming topics are discussed. There are scheduled conferences with industry figures and the Next Generation editorial staff. Be sure to check Next Generation Online frequently for the schedule of events.
To learn more about The Palace or receive technical support, please refer to: http://www.thepalace.com/ We look forward to seeing you there.
Total Entertainment Network: With top game publishers contributing content, TEN enables you to play hit PC games with players nationwide. TEN features a cool interface, a social setting and low latencies for fast action play. And it’s easy!
The Total Entertainment allows people to meet and play multi-player games against one another. Developers currently developing for TEN: 1. Apogee/3D Realms 2. Accolade 3. Maxis 4. Microprose 5. SimTex 6. Spectrum Holobyte 7. SSI
Games that are currently supported by TEN are: 1. CivNet from Microprose 2. Terminal Velocity from 3D Realms 3. Duke Nukem 3D
Many other titles are slated to support TEN in the near future.
You will find the TEN software on Disc 2 in the Online Folder.
For additional information or technical assistance please refer to: http://www.ten.net/
* "Batman", "Robin", "Kato", and "The Green Hornet" are copyrighted material and property of there respective owners and distributors. NEXT Generation and NEXT Generation Online are in no way associated with these companies, nor does thier parent company Imagine Publishing purport to have any association with the mentions above.
