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Date: Feb 21 1999 17:03:00 EST
From: Apolyton Announcements (Apolyton Civilization Site)
Subject: Apolyton News 12-16/Feb/99


Greetings to everyone. Here are the news in the period 12-16/Feb/99

We lost the regularity of this newsletter with the 10K limit, but I hope
nobody minds. If you do or have any other comments, send us a
mail(markg@gamestats.com, dan@gamestats.com)

----------------------------
**Civilization II Section

*News

NOT-SO-FAVOURABLE REVIEWS
(Feb. 13) GameSpot has given CivII: MGE a 7.3 (73% equivalent) rating.
The breakdown of the rating shows gameplay scored high, with a 10/10, but
its sound, value, and the reviewer's tilt dragged it down. The most
damaging statement, in our opinion, appears in the first paragraph, and
quote: "If this is the best MicroProse can muster at this time to compete
with Alpha Centauri and the upcoming Call to Power, then I'm worried about
MicroProse's Civ franchise". Ouch! Click here to read the full review.

*Site Updates
13.Feb MarkG is our 28th column week writer


----------------------------
**Civilization: Call to Power Section

GOT MILK? (Feb. 16)
Computer Games Online (CGO) today posted interviews with four lead runners
in CTP's development: William Westwater (Lead Designer), Mark Lamia
(Producer), Steve Mariotti (Lead Programmer), and Rick Glenn (Art
Director). After reading Rick's, our headline seemed appropriate... :) ?article=/articles/017/180/call2p_interview.html">


----------------------------
**Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Section

Rave Reviews - 14 February 1999
--The latest string of reviews for Firaxis' latest release have hit the
Web. HappyPuppy has given SMAC a favourable overview to the tune of "the
real heir to Civilization", while IGN was impressed with its lasting
appeal "due to the game's open-ended nature", among other things, and gave
it a whopping 95% approval rating! Not bad for one day, hmmm? :)

Patch Release - 12 February 1999
--Today, SMAC v2.0 beta enhancement was released. It includes several new
features to "enhance the Alpha Centauri gameplay experience", as Firaxis
puts it, as well as a host of small fixes. Most notably, v2.0 Beta
includes Hotseat and Play-by-email multiplayer modes. You can download it
from our Files page, or here directly (799k). Be certain that you are
using the U.S. version of SMAC before you install the patch; it has been
designed for that version only. For the complete list of additions, fixes
and enhancements, refer to the readme.txt file after you install the
patch.
On a final note, today's lone additional SMAC review is courtesy
GameCenter, with a sweet 100% rating! Well worth a look. ?dd.gc.gen.0212.06

----------------------------
**H.A.C.(hosted site)

BEST SCENARIOS.... EXPOSED! FEB.13
Time is running out! You can see an updated HAC nominee list by going to
the Vote page and clicking on the new link. You will see the Best Scenario
list exposed at last! But you will also see a very disturbing amount of
blanks... nominees that need to be filled with YOUR ideas! The
commencement of voting is in serious danger of being pushed back - to
successfully start voting on this date, the list must be filled completely
by February 19 - less than a week away! Get your ideas to us NOW by
e-mailing hac@gamestats.com, using the form on the Vote page, or posting
in our forums! It's YOUR awards - YOU will determine when we start!


----------------------------
**A&A's Site. (hosted site)

2/16/99: Allard (that's me) has now uploaded his new version of "The
Anglo-Boer War". Changes are not so much in gameplay but more in the look
of the scenario. The entire look and interface has changed to better adapt
the period. Also more has been changed. Also, the link to my scenario "The
Golden Age of the Republic" (short title) has been fixed. I'm working to
let the Guestbook function again./scenario/scen5.shtml">/scenario/republic.shtml">

2/15/99: I, Allard, am at home at the moment, and able to work a bit more
on the site. I have uploaded my new scenario, "The Golden Age of the
United Provinces of the Netherlands: the End of the Pax Hispanica". Also,
I will also soon finish and upload a new version of my scenario "The
Anglo-Boer War", with many great new improvements. I will also try to move
as much ZIPs as possible and thus eliminate all badly linked files. If you
see any mistakes and bad links, please mail this to one of us./scenario/republic.shtml">


----------------------------
**CivLeague (hosted site)

Tourney Report Win Up - Saturday, February 13
--We now accept tournament win reports. Go to Report Win. We are currently
working hard on Dispute Win and SMAC and CTP support.

False Reports - Friday, February 12
--Many of you noticed that "The Guy" increased his score by over 1500
points in one day, he did this by reporting 21 false wins. You all know
this matter is not taken lightly. His account has been deleted (may this
be an example to those in the future). We think we have fixed most the
scores, but realize there are some that we have missed or changed to the
wrong score. So, we ask all members check their score and if it is not
what it should be email us at civleague@gamestats.com. Thank you for
understanding.

500 Members! - Friday, February 12
--We now have over 500 members! We would like to take this time to thank
all of our members who helped us reach this milestone. Thank you.


----------------------------
**Scenario League (hosted site)

SLeague Will Review SMAC Scenarios - January 11, 1999
--In Brief: The title says it all. Alpha Centauri is now fair game for
scenario reviews. It's now hit the shelves so get to it, folks!


That was all for now ladies and gentlemen(on last count you're 1203! :))

Markos Giannopoulos
Apolyton Civilization Site