Play: Games -- XP SP2 hits gamers, Nintendo's mystery console

XP SP2 kills games, Nintendo's mystery console and Half-Life 2 comes early -- sort of.

Nintendo console patent sparks rumours
A recent patent filed by Nintendo has sparked a series of rumours that the company was reversing its position on "convergence"--the combination of game consoles with multimedia and online functionality. On August 3, the US Patent and Trademark Office approved patent #6,769,989. The abstract for the patent describes the device as "an existing video game system...modified to include additional communication and storage capability via a modem and hard disk drive." The hard drive "permits downloading from the Internet of entire games."

The device's communication system would be expanded with the "use of an expansion device coupled to a video game system port." This expansion would incorporate "a cable TV tuner" that would allow a user to "watch TV while viewing overlay information from the video game console." Users could also "receive a TV channel guide downloaded via the Internet, spot a program which the user desires to view and immediately access, via an IR input, the desired channel through the expansion device TV tuner." The machine would also let a user "watch TV while simultaneously logging onto the Internet." The abstract did not say whether or not the machine could record shows on its hard drive like Sony's PS2/PVR hybrid, the PSX.

Given the concrete proof of the machine's existence, theories quickly sprung up about what it could be. Some Nintendophiles pegged it as the vaunted Revolution, the next-generation console that will be unveiled at next year's E3. However, given that the patent is for "an existing video game system," a more reasonable theory was that it was a revamped, online-enabled GameCube with content-download capabilities reminiscent of Xbox Live.

However, all those theories are wrong. After acquiring a scan of the actual patent documents (pictured), GameSpot.com learned that the August 3, 2004, filing was merely for a supplementary patent to the 64DD, the online peripheral for the N64 console. The patent #6,769,989 was originally filed in April 1999, eight months before the 64DD's lacklustre release. Shunned by consumers, it was discontinued, and its online support was shut down in March 2001. Nintendo reps contacted by GameSpot.com confirmed the patent was indeed for the 64DD and not for a new console.

XP Service Pack 2 to conflict with games
The impending release of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP has prompted Microsoft to reveal a list of programs that may experience problems with the massive update. Included on the rather extensive list are quite a few games, such as Warcraft III and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Microsoft stated that most of the problems are associated with the new built-in Windows firewall, where users must approve programs that attempt to make Internet connections. However, some programs use data pages that the firewall automatically blocks, as they are common attack routes for hackers. A work-around is built into the firewall software, as well as the ability for advanced users to simply turn it off.

The games affected by Service Pack 2 are as follows:

    * Age of Empires II: Age of Kings
    * Chess Advantage III: Lego Chess
    * Combat Flight Simulator 3
    * Command & Conquer: Generals
    * Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour
    * Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
    * Conflict: Desert Storm
    * Dead Man's Hand
    * Earth & Beyond
    * Elite Forces Vietnam: Special Assignment 2
    * Freedom Force
    * Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
    * Medieval Total War
    * Midnight Outlaw: Illegal Street Drag
    * Moto Racer
    * NASCAR Racing 2003
    * NBA Live 2000
    * Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
    * Roller Coaster Factory
    * Scrabble
    * Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
    * SimCity 4
    * Star Trek: Starfleet Command III
    * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
    * Starcraft
    * Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
    * Tribes 2
    * Unreal II
    * Unreal Tournament 2003
    * Unreal Tournament Game of the Year Edition
    * Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Collector's Edition

A full list of programs, and the versions affected, is available at Microsoft's Web site. Service Pack 2 will be officially released to XP users via automatic update later this month.

Metal Gear infiltrates mobile phones
TOKYO--The Metal Gear Solid series is one of Konami's biggest franchises, having sold a cumulative 14.6 million units worldwide. However, little is known about the first Metal Gear, since it was released the MSX2 home computer nearly two decades ago.

Konami announced this week that it has ported 1987's original 8-bit MSX2 game to mobile phones. Series director Hideo Kojima supervised the port to FOMA900i series phones, EZweb phones compatible with EZ Appli Phase 3, and Vodafones compatible with V256K. Services for Metal Gear begin today, and players can download or play it online at a monthly rate of 315 yen plus connection fees.

In the original Metal Gear for the MSX2, the player takes the role of Solid Snake, who is still a rookie solider. Unlike the full-on action of other games in 1987, Metal Gear required players to sneak around to avoid detection. On the mobile phone port, players that beat the game will be rewarded with a Mugen bandana item that allows infinite ammunition. The game also has a time attack mode, where players can challenge the different bosses in the game.

With the appearance of the mobile phone version of Metal Gear, Konami further fuels the hype surrounding the upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater for the PlayStation 2. While Konami´s official stance is that Metal Gear Solid 3 will be released in Japan and the US within the year, a retailer earlier this month reported that the game may hit Japan as early as October.

In related news, new retailer reports today say that Konami's reprint edition of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance for the PlayStation 2 has been delayed from September 22 to October 19 in Japan.

Half-Life 2 dialogue reported leaked
Several Web sites--most prominently HL2World.com--have reported that Valve accidentally released a file containing all of the dialogue from Half-Life 2 when it initially distributed the Counter-Strike: Source beta to cyber cafés last week.

According to reports, the dialogue is embedded in a .gcf file sent out along with the beta. Apparently, it was included for closed-captioning purposes and was overlooked because .gcf files aren't meant to be opened. Obviously, it was not meant for public eyes and contains numerous spoilers about the game, including its ending.

However, despite reports, the Half-Life 2 dialogue leak is officially unconfirmed. Valve did not respond to requests for comment as of press time and has not made any announcements regarding the alleged leak. However, some reports say the dialogue-laden .gcf has been identified and will not be included with the CS: Source beta data offered to CS: Condition Zero owners.

Mobile Civilization III coming
Atari has announced that it has licensed Civilization III to Com2uS, a Korea-based mobile games developer. Under the three-year licensing deal, the company will create mobile games based on the PC strategy game for all major mobile devices and providers worldwide.

No stranger to the mobile world, Atari has licensed many of its games to mobile developers. Such titles include the original Civilization, Baldur's Gate, V-Rally, and its classic arcade games. Com2uS marks the first arrangement between Atari and an Asian mobile developer.

No release date for the mobile versions of Civilization III has been announced.

This week's CNET.com.au game coverage:

		Champions Of Norrath  The D&D game you play when you're not in fact playing a D&D game.

		Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Preview #4  In Vice City, you could deliver pizzas on a little scooter for some extra cash. In San Andreas, you can invade people's homes in the dead of night to steal their luxury goods. We've got the full scoop.