I also wanted to note that our poll is still operating as usual (changed every 2 weeks), but since we are now posting the Dune screenshots, it's been moved down a bit.

The first shot is already up for your viewing pleasure. Just look to the left side of the screen, right above the poll. The screenshots will be archived just in case you miss one and would like to check it out later. All you have to do is to click on the down arrow and pick the screenshot of the week that you did not get a chance to see.

Again, we are so excited about such an honor bestowed upon us by the Dune Mod Team, we don't even know what to do next. Wait......yes we do......we're going to click on the thumbnail to the left side of the page and check out the shot.

Wait a second. Wasn't she dating John Romero? How did the relationship go bad? Why? Is Majestic 12 involved? Maybe the Dragons Tooth is really the Daikatana in desquise or vice versa?

Lets just all simma down now. There's too many conspiracies going on around us, but I believe we can find out the truth somewhere. But where? Everyone to Hong Kong!

Alex Brandon Interview

Thief 3 Chat Log

"I found this a few days ago. In the end of the Ocean Lab mission, when i meet Bob Savage in the rooftop (having rescued his daughter) he gives me an aug canister, and i get 500 skill points. When i did this the first time, i had no room in my inventory, so i ended the conversation to get some room. But because i didn't move, he talked to me again before i did. Of course, i still couldn't get the canister. So i ended the conversation again. And got 500 more skill points. And i thought, wait a minute. what if... and it really did. Every time i talked to him and had no room for the canister, i got 500 more skill points when the conversation ended. With a little patience and about 10 minutes, i left with all my skills at maximum levels. :) I don't know if it can be done anywhere else, or in a different version of DeusEx. Anyway, there's the tip."

This bug/cheat was actually sent to them by someone named Duarte Fernandes. Thanks for the update guys. Be sure to head on over to Deus Ex Central and give them your support by visiting their site on a daily basis.

78759

 == Designers sought for Deus Ex 2 ==

If you are interested in working for Ion Storm Austin on Deus Ex 2 as
a designer, please start by carefully reading this entire message. Due
to the volume of response, we are not able to consider applicants who
do not meet the listed qualifications or who do not supply the
required materials. Please make sure you meet all of these criteria
before you contact us. Thank you.

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

* You will design, plan and build missions and maps for Deus Ex 2. You
will create scenarios and implement game logic using in-house level-
building tools.

* You will contribute to the design and development of game systems,
features, fiction, etc., for Deus Ex 2.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

* You must be based in or willing to relocate to Austin, Texas. You
must be willing to take a full time, salaried position.

* You must have experience with a level-editor or 3D building program.
You must have built numerous spaces or levels. Your building style
should be attractive, clean and technologically efficient. With regard
to map/mission construction, you must accept well-defined project
standards with regard to aesthetics, technological performance and
game-play (fun); you should care about all aspects of your work, not
focusing exclusively on some aspects at the expense of others. See
MATERIALS, below, regarding what you must submit to support this
requirement. Familiarity with the Deus Ex SDK is a plus.

* You should know and love Deus Ex. Ideally, you also like similar
games such as Thief 1 & 2, System Shock 1 & 2, Ultima Underworld 1 &
2, etc. The best candidates will be able to discuss fluently the
strengths and weaknesses of these games.

* You must be cooperative, a good communicator and a good team player.
You must be ready to accept criticism and not be defensive about your
work. We're looking for people who love to learn-people who are
willing to become 'students' of game design and development. You must
be objective regarding your work. You must be prepared to discard
perfectly good work and good ideas as project needs and parameters
change. You will work closely with artists, programmers, managers and
other developers. You will be expected to communicate effectively
about your progress and schedule.

* You must be prepared to work long, hard hours and intense, grueling
months. You will repeatedly develop and revise the exact same
material.

* You must have good attention to detail. You must be reliable in
bringing your work from the beginning through to the required level of
completion. You must be technical and able to understand complicated
proprietary software. You must like computers; we're not looking for
technophobes. You must be capable of a professional demeanor and
although you probably won't have to use it much, you should know when
to.

* You should have played a lot of video games, including many
recentones. Ideally, you should be familiar with various gaming
platforms (ranging from the Personal Computer to various game
consoles), and you should be capable of listing some of the
differences in demographic, interface, design, technology, convention
and presentation between the various platforms; we hope to find
someone who can cite good qualities (or favorite games) on multiple
platforms. You should have good instincts about what makes games fun.
You should be analytical and able to critically evaluate the design of
games. You should be able to contribute (and receive) new, fresh
ideas.

* It's cool if you have interest in other entertainment media: books,
comics, movies, paper and pen RPG's, etc., especially if you have
thoughts on transferring/translating their design concepts into video
games.

* It's a really big plus if you've worked as a designer and/or level
builder on a video game that shipped, especially if it was a 3D first-
person game.

 MATERIALS:

* You must submit a resume.

* You must submit a portfolio of levels/missions/3D spaces that you
have created. Your portfolio should include the file of the work in
its 3D form. Your portfolio must include 6-20 screenshots that show
off your best stuff.We'd prefer wide ranging settings or environments,
if possible. (For instance, a package including 6 alien planet
screenshots, 6 military base screenshots and 6 scientific lab
screenshots would be preferable to 18 warehouse screenshots.) * You
are encouraged to submit any other work that might be relevant to your
design role: writing, mission designs, paper RPG scenarios/modules,
board game systems, reviews, artwork, etc.

* You can feel free to explain and evaluate your work. Cite revisions
you would make to the work if you had more time, which parts you like
better than others, game-play you didn't implement yet, etc.

* You must provide a text file that briefly catalogs and explains all
the materials you submit.

* The more succinct your text materials are, the more likely it is
that we will have the time to review them in full. Do not
underestimate the importance of this advice.

If the qualifications above describe you, please send the requested
materials to:

 HR_Austin@ionstorm.com

  Or

 Human Resources
 8303 Mopac, Suite a210
 Austin, Texas 78703
 Attn. Deus Ex 2 Designer Search

First off, Deus Ex's stealth feature was inspired by the original Thief: The Dark Project. T:TDP has inspired many games to include such features.

Secondly, Thief 3 is being made by Ion Storm Austin, the same men and women who brought us our most precious DX, and who are also working on DX 2.

Third of all, Deus Ex is similar to the System Shock series in that it is an FPS/Action/RPG, and Warren Spector made the first System Shock, and former Looking Glass Studios employees who worked in conjunction with Irrational Games on System Shock 2, are now currently working for Ion Storm Austin.

Also, don't forget we are a Through The Looking Glass Network site and our sister sites include Thief-TheCircle, SShock2, and TTLG's Home.

Should I keep giving you all more reasons for going over to Gamespy Arcade at 4:00pm PST (7:00pm EST) time tonight to participate in the chat?

On another note, here are the results from the following poll. Keep in mind that there were a total of 223 votes on this poll. The last question we asked was, "What is your favorite close combat weapon?" Below are the results in numerical order.

Pepper Spray........................ 8.1%
PS20...................................... 8.5%
Crowbar................................. 9.0%
Combat Knife........................ 11.2%
Baton.................................... 17.9%
Daikatana (Dragons Tooth).... 45.3%

On top of that, DX Center is also acting a bit strange. Their first sentence reads as follows.

"Russian site, Travel Inc interviewed Harvey Smith, mainly asking him questions."

Isn't that what you normally do during an interview...ask questions? Hmmm, something is very fishy here. The wording in the first sentence is weird, the link to the Russian site doesn't work, and I'm having flashbacks of the Cold War. Is this another conspiracy, or am I just paranoid?

I am not hyping this project up, and I am not talking out my behind. This project is truely unique, yet so simple in creativity that it's going to have an edge on all the others simply because of the concept behind it.

The leader of 'The Cassandra Project' is Kieron Gillen. We are currently assisting his team by adding a separate, private forum for his team to work in at the TTLG Boards. It is currently not available to all persons, because Kieron has asked that his team have confidentiality for now. Maybe closer to release we can sway him to open it up.

I was supposed to have shipped off the questions to him by now, but like I said in my previous post, real life hasn't been communicating as of late. Please stay tuned to DX-Machina for a unique look at one of the most forgotten people behind the game.

Also, remember that you can listen to his great work anytime by simply going into our Sound Link under our Media section.

We welcome Lee with our arms wide open here at DX-Machina, and look forward to having him onboard. We are currently still breaking him in with seances and sacrificial rituals that would please even the most hardcore Deus Ex fans. How, you ask? We here at DX-Machina practice a unique play style that has only been adopted by just a handful of harcore DX'ers. First we try and get rid of the plague that's spreading so rapidly with seances. If that fails, then we immediately sacrifice all that are infected. Lee is having problems adapting to this play style, because he is so used to "...following orders and taking out the baddies only." Once we finally break him of his old, brain-washed ways, then he will most likely roam freely upon this site with his own articles and editorials praising our ways of relentless torcher.

This long weekend wasn't the best for me, not by far, and yesterday was a day that I'd like to forget all together. This is why the site hasn't been updated lately. Real life is kicking me in my arse right now, and with Lee onboard, this will allow the site to keep operating when one of us is in one of lifes ruts. I appreciate him taking up my offer of coming over and joining us, and I'm sure he'll bring all of you fans plenty of great news and DX related material. Lets give him our support.

It's finally here ladies and gentlemen, the much anticipated Part 1 of Jered's Really Big ConEdit Guide has arrived! This guide covers everything you need to know, and you can expect Part 2 of the guide coming this week.

Thanks Jered and AsylumX, you guys truly have a dedicated team over there, and you are both greatly appreciated by us all.

DX comes in as Runner-Up to No One Lives Forever in the Action Game of the Year category. NOLF deserves the award for its achievements, so no sorrow felt in the outcome of that decision.

We all know DX isn't an Action game. It's an Action/RPG mix, and when you combine these two elements together to accomplish the great game play DX gives the gamer, then it's no wonder why it came through in the most important award of them all......Game of the Year.

That's right, our precious gem, beat out The Longest Journey, No One Lives Forever, Sacrifice, and Thief 2: The Metal Age for GamePen's Game of the Year.

BackDoor's Ramblings: Ethical Decisions

We, Exorcist Software, recently made a command decision towards Covert Ops, and decided to give it a name change. Seeing that the main goal of our mod is to promote team play in a semi-realistic environment, we decided to change the name to Convergence, as suggested by Great Aroo.

Several other new and exciting things have also happened in the mod, but we are saving those for later this week.

"Covert Ops" was never going to be the real name for the mod, but was rather a placeholder so that we could be recognized as a team and begin construction on the project. This name change signifies the truth validity behind the development team, and we are working on this project vigorously.

More goodies are in store for later this week, so please stay tuned to hear more info.

I will note that as of right now the web address is still the same as before, http://www.deus-ex.org/covertops/ , the only thing that has changed is the name.

Personal, Conversational, Behind the scenes reporting....56.2% (45 votes)

Non-Personal, Straight news and that's it....13.8% (11 votes)

Don't Care, Both are fine....30.0% (24 votes

Since you're already here, look to the left side of the screen, and you'll see our new poll is up. This poll will go until January 23rd, so be sure and get your vote in.

A new poll will be posted by tomorrow night and a new 'BackDoor's Ramblings' will be up as well, along with any other DX related stories of the present.

Cold Hearted: Nothing special, just some concept art is up.

Darkstalker’s Mini-Mods: After a long absence of nearly a month, Darkstalker shows up out of the blue with a nice MP upgrade. You can grab the new Mod right here.

Deus Ex Fortress: They’ve uploaded 8 new screenshots of an upcoming DXF map, and their latest poll results are up.

Essedarius: They have posted up a pic of their new taxi model which will be in their Mod. It looks like it was left in the wrong neighborhood for too long though, because somebody done jacked the tires.

Modus Moriendi: Their CTF version 0.82 is available for download at FilePlanet. They have also welcomed some Ausie Modders who will be producing some MP maps for them, among other things.

Redsun 2020: They have up one new pic, which can be found right on their main page off to the right above ‘Mod Pix of the Week’. They also have up a small in-game poster which will be included in their Mod.

Terrorism: They have up pictures of their Assault Rifle and Combat Knife.

Warzone: They need coders, “…lots of them”. They also need mappers and modelers, but mainly coders.

By popular demand I've added some info on .... *ahem* .... cheating to the Tips/Etc. section. Enjoy and a Happy New Year to all.

As you can see, his page was updated New Years Eve, but I haven't checked his page since right before then.

Again, you can get his latest editorial right HERE.

Best PC Action Game of 2000
Best PC Roleplaying Game of 2000
Best PC Game of 2000

Keep'em coming boys, we want DX to be recognized all over the world, and as long as it's being recognized by all of these websites, then maybe the sales numbers will really start reflecting this games excellence.

On top of this special achievement, Warren Spector was also recognized with their 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.

Hey, where you going? I'm not done with you yet. There's still more good news for DX.

DX also walked away with the 'Outstanding Achievement in Writing' award, and the whole DX team walked away with the 'Unsung Heroes of the Year' award, because too many people just link Warren Spector's name to DX. I totally agree with their decision to give this to the DX developement team, and I'm sure Warren does as well, because it takes a TEAM to make a great game, not one INDIVIDUAL, and for some reason or another, too many people think strictly of Warren Spector when they think of DX. I mean no disrespect to Warren, but the first name that pops into my head when I think of DX is Harvey Smith.

Good job Ion Storm Austin, and congratulations to all of you on the DX team.

If you haven't checked it out yet, then you need to get off your behind, and get on over THERE.

Deicide: Their very first screenshots are up. They put them up as a New Year celebration, and gift to the public. What are you waiting for? Go get those screenshots. Thanks guys.

DXEditing: They've got up a totally new, and cool, website design. Justin Billington (AsylumX) seems pretty stoked about it, or at least his email to me suggested so. Catch their new and improved site, along with new features and staff members, right here.
Note:At the time of this posting, their current website address was not loading.

DXNation: They're currently in limbo land. Don't know where that is? Well, neither do I. I don't think they even know where they're at. Lets just all hope that they find their way back for the community's sake. All I know is that their site has been hacked. Don't believe me? You'd better check it out for yourself....RIGHT HERE. The message on their hacked site reads as follows: "We are sorry... This web page is unavailable... because... um...WE HACKED IT!!! Greetz to:

Tuschi

Bu|_DOZER

Zero|Cool

Taskbar"

Voodoo Extreme: Deus Ex has won their coveted prize as well. It seems DX is racking up the 'Game of the Year' awards all around. What's so special about DX anyway? The whole damn game, that's what! And it seems its presence is being felt and its contents being heard loudly throughout the gaming community. Checkout the top 5 places of their GOTY vote, including the number one DX, right HERE.

I think that about wraps up all the really important news for now. I'm very sorry that I can't be on the ball today or tomorrow, but real life calls, and I MUST answer. I'll fill you all in with more detailed updates when I get back home, including another edition of 'BackDoor's Ramblings'.