Macgamestore.com is clearing out all Virtual Programming games. Once these titles are gone, they will no longer be available. As an extra incentive to clear these titles, MGS is offering a 10 percent coupon off of any Virtual Programming title.

These are the titles that are currently being cleared out:

• Celtic Kings
• Gangland
• Hears of Iron
• Horse Racing Manager
• Kickoff 2002
• KnightShift
• Massive Assault
• X2 - The Threat

Use coupon code "vpclearance" to save an additional 10 percent off any Virtual Programming game.

Macgamestore: Virtual Programming Titles

Small Dog Electronics has deals on a wide variety Mac compatible hardware and software products including: the Audioengine 5 powered, 45W RMS/channel bookshelf multimedia speaker system for only $349.00! - a Hot Deals exclusive price w/free shipping!; 3.5" ATA FireWire/USB 2.0 external hard drive enclosure from MacAlly at a Hot Deals exclusive price of only $43.50!; organize your sales contacts w/Daylite 3, a great customer relationship management application from Marketcircle at a Hot Deals exclusive price of only $116.00!; free your ears from your iPod with the Small Dog Groove Cube portable external speakers at a Hot Deals exclusive price of only $14.00!; ; and much more.

Sweetwater Sound has deals on a wide variety Mac compatible hardware and software products including: MOTU Ethno Instrument - a massive collection of ethnic sounds and loops from Mark of the Unicorn for only $279.97!; Boss BR-600 8-track ultra-compact digital recorder w/built-in drum machine for only $399.97!; need an affordable audio interface? - then get the Saffire LE 4x6 FireWire interface w/24-bit/96KHz capabilities from Focusrite for only $299.99!; PreSonus TubePRE B-Stock single-channel tube microphone pre-amp w/direct instrument input for only $84.97!; get over 11,000 drum, instrument, vocal and effects loops for GarageBand in the Zero-G Pro Pack for only $154.97!; and much more.

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The team behind Battle for Wesnoth has released a beta patch (v.1.1.8), which includes numerous updates slated for the eventual 1.2 patch. In this beta patch for the upcoming 1.2 update, the game received updates across the board from campaigns and graphics down to the game's engine.

Here's a list of a few of the changes:

Version 1.1.8:
* campaigns
* Eastern Invasion:
* replaced unit "Lord" by "General" (#6132)
* The South Guard :
* fixed a few broken image paths
* scenario 2 :
* made the enemy leader water-phobic, so he won't charge fishes
* moved away a footpad so he won't steal the keep at turn #1
* Jarek no longer acts loyally (#6408)
* Heir to the Throne
* fixed fire sword that can't be picked up (#6234)
* increased income for Snow Plains enemy
* removed obsolete maps
* Dwarven Doors balancing tweak: AI gets more income, less gold
* Home of the North Elves: only need to resist one turn, not all turns
* Under the Burning Suns:
* scenario 3: Undead leaders can't move on "very hard" difficulty...

BFW 1.18(beta) Discussion and Download

BFW 1.18(beta) Changelog

Battle For Wesnoth

Gamasutra reports Left Behind Games has added Apple's iTunes functionality into one of their games, Left Behind: Eternal Forces.

According to the article, gamers will be able to create their own playlists and click iTunes links within the game to purchase music. Furthermore, after you complete a level, its reward screen will show links to selected music.

"After each game level you win, a reward screen pops up with the name of the song and artist," Jeff Frichner, Left Behind Games president and co-founder told website Infoworld. "The link takes the person to the album track on the iTunes site."

"We believe consumers want choices and prefer interactive advertising, rather than interruptive ads," said Troy Lyndon, CEO, Left Behind Games. "We are delighted to provide these music links as an added value to our gamers."

Gamasutra: Article

Left Behind Games

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Game Industry recently examined A Tale In The Desert 3. The unique massively multiplayer online role playing game revolves around cooperation and puzzle solving rather than focusing on combat. Game Industry found the unconventional play style intriguing, but didn't find the overall experience compelling enough for an extended stay in the game world.

You are tasked with roughly thirty quests upon entering the world… easy, intermediate and advanced all mixed together. Easy tasks, such as gathering mud and grass, can be completed within minutes after playing. The more advanced ones take longer to complete. This is part of your initiation to become a member of the community.

The problem is there’s no desire to complete these quests or even play for that matter. Improvements aside the graphics and interface are sub-par, the premise is questionable, and the goal is murky. Besides the strong fan-base, which is among the nicest I’ve met in any online world, there's nothing urging or motivating me to continue playing beyond the newness factor.

Game Industry: A Tale In The Desert 3

eGenesis

A Tale in the Desert

Destop-guru extrodinaire, Brad Custer, has released another of of his stylish desktops as part of his "You name it. I create it." series. The theme, this time around, revolves around Aspyr's The Sims 2 Nightlife expansion pack.

Custer explains his latest creation:

We're wrapping up the month of "You name it. I create it." This is the final week of the fan-dedicated series and the email regarding it has been very positive.

So, this time we return to another popular realm of The Sims 2 Nightlife from Aspyr Media to get down and boogie. This request was to incorporate the characters featured on the packaging with the first creation I did for this title. I was able to design this week's wallpaper with the help of Aspyr Media and my trusty cable modem.

IMG: Custer's Desktops

The Sims 2 Open For Business is now available for pre-order through Macgamestore.com for $34.95.

Now your Sims can create their own businesses. They can design their own clothing boutique, beauty salon, florist, high-end electronics shop, bustling restaurant chain, or virtually any other type of business. Hire your staff as the business grows and put talented Sims to work making toys, running the register, crafting floral bouqets, giving sales pitches, or manufacturing robots. But watch out for slacker employees and be prepared to fire them on the spot. From clever tinkerer to master craftsman, develop your Sim's talents to best suit your business needs. Will they build a thriving business empire or become eccentric entrepreneurs designing the next big thing?

To pre-order The Sims 2 Open For Business, follow the link below.

Macgamestore: The Sims 2 Open For Business

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This afternoon, IMG will host another episode of it's newest feature, the IMG Podcast LIVE! The IMG Podcast recording will now be broadcasted live via a shoutcast streaming audio server and feature an active chat. This allows listeners to participate in the show in real-time. We'll even be taking a call or two via Skype.

To listen to the show, simply download the following audio file:

http://downloads2.macgamefiles.com:8000/listen.pls

Double-click it to launch in iTunes and connect to the audio stream. The show starts at 8:00 PM Eastern (5:00 PM Pacific) [1:00 AM UK], and we'll be playing some of your favorite Apple hits beforehand as well.

To participate in the live chat, launch iChat, click file, select "Go to Chat..", and type "imglive" in the box. If you'd like to call into the show via Skype, just send a message to "imgpodcast", or dial 231-HEAT-D-GO from any regular phone.

For fans of the classic podcast, fear not. After the live show's finished it will be availble for download via the podcast feed the day after.

So be sure to bring your heat to the table, because you've got a hot date tonight...

IMG Podcast Episode 30

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