The Architecture Review Board for the OpenGL API specification has voted to hand control to the Khronos Group, a technology organization already in control of a number of related 3D technologies. Big hitters like Apple and Google have also recently joined the group, which many hope will help OpenGL compete with the popular competing 3D API from Microsoft, DirectX.

With Apple so completely tied to OpenGL in its OS X operating system, we expect to hear about more good news about continuing to improve this open 3D specification. For more on this decision or the Khronus Group in general, check out their website.

OpenGL

Khronos Group

OpenGL ARB to Pass Control of OpenGL Specification to Khronos Group

Apple, Dell, Google and Others Join the Khronos Group

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IMG has posted a review of Full Tilt Poker. Playing poker online has become increasingly popular and become big business in the past few years. What's more, online poker companies are now creating fully Mac compatible versions of their games, not just Java-based clients. One of these is Full Tilt Poker, which we recently checked out.

Be sure to check out the review by following the link below.

IMG Review: Full Tilt Poker

Full Tilt Poker

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A new review from GamersInfo.net focuses on the PC version of Myst IV: Revelation. The fourth in the popular puzzle solving series, Myst IV offers the head scratching puzzle solving fans have come to expect. GamersInfo called Myst IV "a beautiful adventure of exploration" which offers a challenge for the mind rather than the reflexes.

The added camera feature is a definite plus, considering you never have to jot down any details you find on screen again. You can merely take a snapshot and have it saved in your album. With the beautiful scenery that is always constant in all the Myst series, taking pictures for pleasure is fun as well. The acting is well done, and it’s not just voice actors but the actors themselves are telling the story. The main draw to the Myst series is that it is all very lifelike and the visuals are just stunning. With over an hour of full motion video, it’s no wonder that Myst IV comes with two DVD roms but the quality and presentation easily explain why.

The musical score was composed by Jack Wall, also the composer for the previous Myst III: Exile. The music is fitting, creating that special ambience that really brings you into the world and enhances the game. A certain mood accompanies every scene that you’re in, whether it’s peaceful and calm, or mysterious and eerie. Sounds effects are very crisp and clear, like everything else in the game, there was a lot of care that went into the design and look of the game. Any movement or animation when it’s not a video is subtle, sometimes it could just be a flowing waterfall, or maybe a bird that flies by. It makes you feel like you’re in an age that is very much alive. Sometimes in a dark room or desolate age, you can feel very alone and sometimes it’s quite creepy if you decide to play late at night.

Gamers Info: Myst IV Revelations Review

Ubisoft

Myst IV Revelation

Buy Myst IV Revelation

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Blizzplanet is offering an examination of Blizzard Entertainment's ever popular real time strategy game, Starcraft. The Starcraft Conundrum discusses the disappointment over the perpetually-in-limbo Starcraft: Ghost, takes a look at some of the game's official lore, and closes with a glimpse of two fan creations which promise to add to the game's already devoted following.

First, we have the Project Revolution - a Total Conversion that will allow fans to play Starcraft in 3D using the Warcraft 3 Engine. It will be featured on PCGamer Magazine on September 2006 issue. A total conversion made by fans for fans, worth to get our paws onto. I was shown a short gameplay video a couple months ago. Trust me ... it looks gorgeous in 3D. A tank going siege-mode, blasting some marines and firebats. The Firebats flame-on attack animation is just awesome! Its release is not too far away, according to one of its developers. Wait and see!

The second fan-made Starcraft project to keep an eye on is Starcraft® Chronicles - a high-quality CGI Film. The news of a unofficial fan-made CGI Animation Film surely hyped up many fans when Joystiq and Kotaku featured it on the news. Immediately the leader of the project was swamped with 160 emails of 3D modellers, animators, voice actors, Sound/Music Composers volunteering themselves for the CGI Film. Even Hollywood film/CGI professionals became interested, and excited in volunteering to make their dream of a fan-made CGI Animation film a reality. From day one, the Starcraft Chronicles leader- Croatian Kristijan Stuhli - said the film will be non-profit and none of the volunteers will be paid - to not violate the EULA or infringe international copyrights and trademark of Starcraft®.

Blizzplanet: The Starcraft Conundrum

Blizzard Entertainment

StarCraft

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The Mac Companion has posted a review of Call of Duty 2, the latest in the popular World War II first person shooter series. CoD 2 allows players to step into the combat boots of soldiers in the Russian, British, and American forces as the single player campaign unfolds. Praising immersive gameplay and stunning graphics, The Mac Companion recommended Call of Duty 2 to anyone with a Mac capable of meeting the hefty requirements.

From the review:

Call of Duty 2 is an amazing game. You travel from Russia to Egypt and France throughout the 4 years of World War Two. Visit famous cities such as Moscow, Stalingrad and Normandy. Storm the beaches on D-Day or blow up a German King Tiger. You can do it all in this game. Most of the game is historically correct which adds even more interest to the story line. Building look very realistic and if a wall explodes, it looks just like it would in real life. All of the people look the same which was kind of weird because you shoot a German and you turn a corner to see the same person. But that’s understandable, because it would be very time consuming to design thousands of different faces. Also, people don’t fall down the same way every time you kill them. This used to be a problem on computers and console games for years. Just a warning to younger children, there is blood and the violence may frighten them. The weapons are the weapons that all of the armies used to fight with in World War Two, such as the MP40 and the Thompson. They also looked like they’re suppose to. Just everything about the setting looked and felt real.

Mac Companion: Call of Duty 2 Review

Aspyr Media

Call of Duty 2

Buy Call of Duty 2

Transitive has received the Morgan Stanley Technology Innovation Award for QuickTransit, the hardware virtualization technology which powers Apple's Rosetta translation software. The award recognizes technologies that have "added measurable value and effiency to the overall marketplace."

“Transitive is honored to receive recognition for its technology innovation by Morgan Stanley, a global financial services firm and innovative user of technology,” said Bob Wiederhold, President and CEO of Transitive. "That their evaluation has resulted in this award is a testimony to the potential of Transitive’s hardware virtualization technology “

The Innovation Awards are presented at Morgan Stanley’s CTO Summit, the event through which the winning companies are identified and selected. The rigorous selection process begins with recommendations from top-tier venture capitalists, and culminates with the evaluation and acceptance of the company’s offerings by Morgan Stanley IT.

MacNN: Rosetta's Core Technology Wins Award

Transitive

Apple

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