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    Saturday - 9.25.1999
   A Temporary Good-Bye - 010:25pm EST - James
SHODAN has decreed that Cyborg Detachment Sterrett must relocate across the Atlantic. As part of the process of this brilliant maneuver to extend her domain, I will be losing computer access for the next wee while - probably four to six weeks - and thus for that time will be unable to bring you the news. TTLG has lots of talented help, though, so I'm sure somebody will pick up the slack until I return later in the fall. Thank you, and good night.



   PC Gamer Review of Shock 2 On Line - 010:25pm EST - James
Intrusion site: PC Gamer.
Detected By: Ryan Armstrong.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: We noted the print version of this one earlier; now it is available online.
Recommended Countermeasure: SHODAN's infiltration is proceeding according to plan.

Scanning for new targets....



   GE Monthly Reviews Shock 2 - 010:25pm EST - James
Intrusion site: GE Monthly.
Detected By: Gary Schreiber.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Mark Acquaviva writes a very positive review beginning by telling people to go buy the game, and ending with: "This sequel lives up to that pedigree. Your old pal Shodan is back, and she's pissed! I'll take attendance for you: engaging story? Here. Great graphics? Present. Addictive gameplay? Yo!"
Recommended Countermeasure: Infiltrated by Our Lord SHODAN.

Scanning for new targets....



   CNN Reviews Shock 2 - 010:25pm EST - James
Intrusion site: CNN.
Detected By: Michael McIntosh.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: SHODAN assimilating major news network!? CNN's D. Ian Hopper writes a pretty glowing review of Shock 2, and heaps praise on Thief in passing as well. Starting off with "Looking Glass Technologies has a way of taking a genre and turning it on its ear", Ian complains about the graphics (la de dah!) and poor AI (huh?), but nonetheless is clearly undergoing conversion: "SS2 offers a little RPG, a little adventure, and a lot of action to make it a singular - and very satisfying - gaming experience."
Recommended Countermeasure: SHODAN appears to be taking over Earth's computer nets..

Scanning for new targets....



    SHODAN Fish - Fan Art by George Shannon - 12:30am EST - Dan
George Shannon sent me a simply goofy bit of fan-art, complete with a text blurb on it. Warning: if you suffer from a several lack of "A Sense of Humor" you may be offended by this - so read at your own risk... :)
Tired of saviors and messiahs that only promise universal harmony and brotherly love? Sick of deities that stop at eternal otherworldly existence and boundless love? If you're like me, you want to know, 'Hey, where are the life-crushing bio-mechanical implants? Where's the subjugation of pitiful lesser beings? WHERE'S THE GOOD STUFF?'
Click here to view the image and read the rest!





    Friday - 9.24.1999
    A Correction Re: GameBlazer - 11:25pm EST - Dan
Ken Levine posted this little blurb on the forum the other day, on the subject of why the patch "took so long." Someone suggested I post it, so here it is:
The truth is, with software development, is you never really exactly know when it's going to be finished. It's hard to say, because Irrational had very little to do with the multi implementation, but LG thought multi was going to be ready for the boxed version up until a few days before ship, and it ended up taking months longer. So it wasn't a secret, we just didn't know for sure and didn't want to give people false info. But that's quite common in software. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the pointer, Slythe!



    A Correction Re: GameBlazer - 11:10pm EST - Dan
I have a major/minor (depends on your pov) correction re: GameBlazer,
A minor correction: The SS2 config panel is a "visitor feature". It is available even if you don't register. The SS2 options page is sort of a free-gift for downloading GameBlazer.

We do prefer that people register so we can keep an accurate user count. It is against company policy to use the list for spam. http://www.gameblazer.com/guides/guides.mv?page=privacy.html

Thanks for cleaning that up, Chad!



    System Failure - Desktop Art by Pasi Rehtonen - 4:50pm EST - Dan
Binary: System Failure (276 K)
Preview: (click here)
Creator(s): Looking Glass, Digital Nightfall, Pasi Rehtonen
Details: This desktop background is based on System Shock Alpha, done by me. It's been made, in a word, volitile!
Archived at: SS2:/ MM-DB, sub-folder - Themes





    Wednesday - 9.22.1999
    Shock 2 has Landed in Finland & Sweden! - 6:40pm EST - Dan
Finnish Shockers Rejoyce! System Shock 2 has arrived in some parts of your countries! Thanks for the word, Tero & Stefan!



    GameBlazer Provides Easy Shock 2 Config Editor - 6:40pm EST - Dan
The patch for System Shock 2 allows you to tweak several functions via editing the CFG files. Unfortunately, this isn't the most user friendly of methods, and many people are at a loss for exactly what to do and how to do it. Fortunately for them, GameBlazer has provided.

GameBlazer, among other features, gives us a simple menu for altering features such as monster re-spawn, weapon degradation, and joystick activation. It also has a link to a java-chatroom where you can set up multiplayer games. Unfortunately, you need to register (give your email address) to be able to use it, but it's free, so only the paranoid and the spam-haters will really mind.

I tried it out, and it seems to work well enough. Thanks, GameBlazer!





    Saturday - 9.19.1999
    Some More Patch Mirrors - 1:00pm EST - Dan
Downloading the patch through the main channels still may be a little boggy... here are a few mirrors set up by fans. I hope everyone is enjoying their SS2 Multiplayer!

  • http://www.sshock2.com/ss2mmdb/patch/shkpatch.exe
  • http://www.starfighter.net/shkpatch.exe
  • http://survivalhorror.gamepost.com/shkpatch.exe
  • http://www.ironmusic.net/sshock2/shkpatch.exe

    Big thanks to you guys who set up the mirrors!



    •     More Shock 2 Releases Around the World - 1:00pm EST - Dan
    This is a little late, but people have sent me emails telling me of some new Shock 2 releases in the world - that is, System Shock 2 is now on the shelves in these areas: Greece, United Kingdom, & Austria.

    I'm not sure if it's available everywhere in those counties, or just one city, but there it is.





        Friday - 9.17.1999
        SS2 Patch Mirrors - 8:00pm EST - Dan
    If you're stuck with a .04 kps download speed on the patch, like me, then you'll be happy to know that 3DFiles has some mirrors up!

    Choose a Mirror here!



        The System Shock 2 Patch is HERE! - 6:10pm EST - Dan
    This patch adds multiplayer, piles of bug fixes, play-balancing tweaks, extra options, etc, etc, etc...

    DOWNLOAD THE SYSTEM SHOCK 2 PATCH

    If you can, please set up a mirror, and let me know, so we don't kill the lglass server!



        Shock 2 LiteStep Theme - by e2-4601 - 5:50pm EST - Dan
    Binary: Shock 2 LiteStep Theme
    Creator(s): e2-4601
    Details: This is a Shock 2 theme for LiteStep, an alternate Win95/98 GUI shell. If you have LiteStep, then you should know what to do with this.
    Archived at: SS2:/ MM-DB, sub-folder - Themes



        Shock 2 Icon, Cursor, and Background Set - by Gus Zandt - 5:50pm EST - Dan
    Binary: Shock 2 Icon, Cursor, and Background Set
    Creator(s): Gus Zandt
    Details: This is a collection of high quality icons, cursors, and backgrounds, created by Gus by ripping the artwork out of the game. All of these are his creations based on existing artwork.
    Archived at: SS2:/ MM-DB, sub-folder - Themes





        Wednesday - 9.15.1999
       Vote for System Shock 2 at DejaNet - 12:20pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: DejaNet.
    Detected By: Small Over-Evolved Dinosaur.
    Threat category: Vote on Action Games.
    Threat analysis: System Shock 2 is only #2. SHODAN insists on taking the number one spot.
    Recommended Countermeasure: Cyborg units not voting for SHOD- er, System Shock 2 will be retrovirally reprogrammed.

    Scanning for new targets....



       Vote for System Shock 2 at Gamers Central - 12:20pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: Gamers Central.
    Detected By: Twilight.
    Threat category: Poll on Favorite RPG.
    Threat analysis: GameCenter offers you a number of voting options. Trioptimum, your best interests always at heart, offers you one simple option: vote for System Shock 2.
    Recommended Countermeasure: Triop employees not voting for system Shock 2 should report to Soylant Green Processing Facility #3.

    Scanning for new targets....



       System Shock 2 Reviewed at 3D Gaming - 12:20pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: 3D Gaming.
    Detected By: Target Surrendered Voluntarily.
    Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
    Threat analysis: Eric assigns System Shock 2 an "A" overall, with complaints only about the potential difficulty and the graphics - and he notes on the latter that "once you're sucked in, you don't pay attention to polygon counts." The interface, story, and atmosphere come in for particular praise. "System Shock 2 is the epitome of an enjoyable game experience. No self respecting computer gamer can rightfully claim to be an avid player without a copy of System Shock 2 sitting on his desk."
    Recommended Countermeasure: Site is friendly and should be monitored.

    Scanning for new targets....





        Tuesday - 9.14.1999
        Hurricane Floyd is Here! - 07:15pm EST - Digital
    At about 6:00pm EST, Hurricane Floyd, the largest hurricane since the 1900s, will make landfall on the central Florida area, which is just where I happen to live, about 20 miles from the coast of Cape Canaveral. The rain is just beginning to pour at my house now, and I'm about to power down and get my PC downstairs.

    Since all hell will be basically breaking loose while the storm is raging, I expect the power and phones to be very much dead, and may not be back up for some time after that. Worse case scenario, I may be gone for up to a week, and the best case scenario is that I won't be gone at all. At any rate, wish me luck, and I'll see you after the storm... :)



        New Shock 2 Fanwork - A Beginning - by Lord Delekhan - 06:40pm EST - Digital
    Lord Delekhan has made a contribution to the site's fanworks archive, in the forum of a short story called A Beginning. This story is a narrative of just after the first moments of Shock 2 gameplay. If you have not yet played the Demo, then this story will contain spoilers for you.



        System Shock 2 Reviewed at Games Weekly - 06:35pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: Games Weekly.
    Detected By: Target Surrendered Voluntarily.
    Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
    Threat analysis: The review contains a number of minor spoilers: the participants in the final showdown, descriptions of monsters not in the demo, and the general nature of some later-game missions. Despite this, the review is very positive - giving sound and plot a 10 of 10 each, graphics a 9 of 10, and the game a 9.3 overall, and conclusing: "The creators of the game must have had an affinity for the art of suspense because this game was a thriller all the way through. ... I feel that as far as first person shooters go, Half-Life has seen its day. System Shock 2 is what a sequel should be, and more."
    Recommended Countermeasure: Target is friendly but must work on information security.

    Scanning for new targets....



        System Shock 2 Reviewed at Interactive Fiction - 06:35pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: Interactive Fiction.
    Detected By: Target Surrendered Voluntarily.
    Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
    Threat analysis: Stephen Granade loves Shock 1. And you'll not be too surprised, therefore, to learn that he also quite likes Shock 2, especially the voice acting and the plot: "What sells these stories are the good performances the voice actors turn in. ... For once the list of dramatis personae in the manual seems more than an afterthought." He does complain about occasionally jarring elements - such as the odd unhackable door (to preserve the plot) and similar items. Overall, a careful and thoughtful review.
    Recommended Countermeasure: Target is friendly but should be monitored.

    Scanning for new targets....



       System Shock 2 PC Gamer Game of the Month - 06:35pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: PC Gamer.
    Detected By: MistaCool.
    Threat category: Print Review of System Shock 2.
    Threat analysis: MistaCool has provided me a transcript of the review. It begins with this summary: "More fun than Half-Life! Scarier than The Blair Witch Project! The sequel to one of the PC's best games ever is every bit as stunning as the original. Better bring along extra underpants." In a glowing review (with no spoilers!), Shock 2 pulls in a 95%, and a "BOTTOM LINE: One of the most immersive, emotive, addictive, and just plain fun computer games we've ever played."
    Recommended Countermeasure: Infiltration of target complete. Use as base for further conquests.

    Scanning for new targets....





        Tuesday - 9.07.1999
        "System Shock 2" - Fan Art by Pasi Rehtonen - 02:50pm EST - Dan
    Binary: "System Shock 2"
    Creator(s): Pasi Rehtonen
    Details: This is an interesting rendering of the game's title.
    Archived at: SS2 Fanworks



       Are You Being Spoilt? - 02:30pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: Gamecenter.
    Detected By: Own Sensor Systems.
    Threat category: System Shock 2 Game Guide.
    Threat analysis: Well, I still haven't played the game yet so I haven't read it; but to all appearances it is just what it says on the box: a reasonably complete guide to System Shock 2. You need spoilers? I'd guess you'd find them there.
    Recommended Countermeasure: Spare the rod and spoil the child. 8)

    Scanning for new targets....



       SHODAN Makes Reader's Top 10 at GameSpot - 02:30pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: GameSpot.
    Detected By: Own Sensor Systems.
    Threat category: GameSpot Feature on Best Game Villians.
    Threat analysis: GameSpot provides the results of reader feedback on the Ten Best Computer Game Villians, and SHODAN comes in as number 6. There's also a fairly inane poll about who should star in the System Shock movie - though it is not clear if they mean as the Hacker, or as SHODAN (in which case it should naturally be Terri Brosius, whom they do not list.)
    Recommended Countermeasure: Continued infiltration is necessary. All units should report to Medical for augmented senses, armor, and mental enhancements.

    Scanning for new targets....



        "In Question of Electric Love" - Fan Art by Psyco Path - 02:20pm EST - Dan
    Binary: "In Question of Electric Love"
    Creator(s): LGS / Luis Rojo / MasterNightfall / Psyco Path
    Details: This unique piece of art is based on my Skin SHODAN image.
    Archived at: SS2 Fanworks



        Red Hot SS2 - Desktop Background - 02:20pm EST - Dan
    Binary: Red Hot SS2
    Creator: LGS / Joe
    Details: Another instance of the official background, but with the logos gone and tinted reddish
    Archived at: SS2:/ MM-DB, sub-folder - Themes





        Saturday - 9.04.1999
        System Shock 2 Starup - Windows Startup Screen - 01:40pm EST - Dan
    Binary: System Shock 2 Startup
    Creator: LGS / Wayne H. Lucas Jr.
    Details: This is a Windows 95/98 Startup sceen, showing SHODAN. It may be animated, I didn't check to see.
    Archived at: SS2:/ MM-DB, sub-folder - Themes



        Revelation, an SS2 Fan-Story by George Shannon - 12:50pm EST - Dan
    Revelation is a short story directly based on a chain of events in System Shock 2. As such, it has some very prominent spoilers, so don't read it unless you have won the game. It was written by George Shannon, a name which should be familiar to the readers of the Thief fanworks.



        GameBlazer Supports System Shock 2! - 12:10pm EST - Dan
    GameBlazer(tm) is a new utility, which does, um, well, here, read this official blurb:
    GameBlazer provides fail-safe control over save-game and configuration files. For example, when you use GameBlazer with Baldur's Gate, each person in a household or dorm room can have their own set of save-game files! For System Shock 2, you can swap out your "OSA" character's save-game files before you start a new game playing as a "Navy" character. Swapping back is fast and easy. With GameBlazer, you don't need to ration save-game slots; just swap-and-play, then save-at-will.
    Ah yes, that is what it does. Oh, and I've been told that the prog also provides a little control panel to enable the joystick support (and they will be extending this panel to support the new options provided in the upcoming patch).





        Friday - 9.03.1999
        System Shock 2 Alph - Desktop Background - 11:50pm EST - Dan
    Binary: System Shock 2 Alpha
    Creator: LGS / Digital Nightfall
    Details: This background images is made from the old System Shock 2 Alpha (no, that's not a souped up version, that's what it was called when the game barely worked) main menu. It's heavily modified, of course, and is really quite unique.
    Archived at: SS2:/ MM-DB, sub-folder - Themes



       System Shock 2 Reviewed by PC Gamer - 11:10pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: PC Gamer.
    Detected By: MistaCool.
    Threat category: Review of System Shock 2. (Review is not on their website.)
    Threat analysis: MistaCool recently informed Trioptimum Security that the review gave Shock 2 a 95%, which is one point less than Shock 1 got.
    Recommended Countermeasure: SHODAN's infiltration is proceeding according to plan.

    Scanning for new targets....



       System Shock 2 Makes Puppies Happy - 11:10pm EST - James
    Intrusion site: Happy Puppy.
    Detected By: Carl Crane.
    Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
    Threat analysis: Took a while for this one to be detected, but here it is thanks to one of our roving agents. Dante of Happy Puppy calls the graphics "the only flaw in this exquisite gem of a game". The review is very positive, but does include possible minor spoiler material, which is annoying.
    Recommended Countermeasure: Infiltrated by Our Lord SHODAN, but security protocols are clearly immature.

    Scanning for new targets....