News & Announcements
Modding and Second Landsraad tournament news
The Battle for Dune team have released some more pictures. Their first infantry skin has been revealed, the Ordos Saboteur, as well as models of civilian buildings, shell cases, and infantry cover for the maps. According to cnc95fan, they will be releasing versions in French, German, and Russian, as well as English, and they have begun to develop the Single Player Campaign. If you can help with the translating of this game into any language, then please post in the discussion thread for this game can be found here on our forums.
We also have some news from the Dune: Arrakian Wars (total conversion for Command and Conquer: Tiberium Wars) team, who are redesigning their Ordos units with the help of a new concept artist, and have made a lot of improvements on the originals. So far they have concept art and a redesigned working model for the Laser Tank, and concept art for the APC. To discuss this mod on our forums, please go here.
I have finally got round to posting the 1st round of the Second Landsraad Tournament. Although this is subject to change, and we are still welcoming new entrants, the 1st round is as follows:
Leo v Whistler
darkd3th v Crysknife
Scar5100 v lastgoyo
elsipues v viking
desertway v Voodoo Daddy
Jasonspaz v DelugeD
Schorpie v $picy
alchemi2 v chaser
Dunenewt v emper33
Dread680 v pearlmen
Yes, we did decide to let Schorpie off, and I will probably lose the first match, but it should be fun, so if you want to take part, or view more information, head over to this topic.
--posted by Dunenewt on May 17, 2008
Breaking, but not so exciting, audiobook news
What? The third news post of today? Well while I was posting the last one, over on the official site, a new blog entry was posted. Many of the Dune audiobooks have now been available for direct download as MP3 files. According to a recent press release, 'Journey to a 'world beyond words' with Audible Sci-Fi & Fantasy. Check out Audible for exclusive access to your authors and exclusive commentary. In addition, the new imprint, Audible Frontiers which features new and sometimes previously unavailable audiobooks made available for the first time in audio.' To buy these files, go to audible.com and have a look. The unabridged version of Dune, read by Scott Brick, Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton, and Simon Vance, is available for US$41.97, but much cheaper if you pay to become a member. To get an idea of the quality, on the page of each book is a sample, some of which last a few minutes. The unabridged version of Dune is currently 7th on the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Top 10 downloads.
--posted by Dunenewt on May 8, 2008
Dune news round-up
Firstly, Dune II is again mentioned as a pioneering game, in a comparison between Westwood Studios/EALA and Blizzard on 1up.com, and asks an interesting question, 'without Westwood's pioneering work in Dune II, what would WarCraft and StarCraft have been like?'
Moving on, does anyone live in Ottawa, Canada? If so, an article on the Ottawa Citizen website has described the Superdome in Ben Franklin Park, as having 'the shape and texture of a boil - and not just any boil, but one of the really nasty ones on the body of the villainous Baron Harkonnen in David Lynch's movie version of Dune.' I was unable to find many clear pictures of the building on the internet, as it appears to be quite a new construction, but there are a couple of it being built on the Superdome website. Tell us what you think on whether this is a fair comparison, especially if, like Mahdi and Vanguard on the forums, you're from Ottawa.
The composer of the Children of Dune miniseries soundtrack, Brian Tyler, will be at the Varese Sarabande 30th Anniversary Event at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, California on Saturday, May 10th at 2 PM, according to the FilmMusicMag. The event represents the largest gathering in memory of film composers assembled for a signature event. Tyler has also scored music for Rambo, Star Trek: Enterprise, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, so if you're in the area, and want to get your copy of the CoD DVD signed, head over there. Pictures are permitted, so try to get a shot for this website, and ask him if he wants to score the soundtrack for the new Dune film!
When the words 'Dune' and 'fashion' are mentioned together, it is usually in reference to the Dune footwear brand, but according to io9.com, the kind of clothes seen in the Dune miniseries will be 'a style you'll wear in the future'. The article says 'Dune, at least in the Sci-Fi imagining of it, is basically a future where strange headgear have taken over.'. Including in the article is the following picture, if you want to see what they're getting at:
Using a phrase which could create a killing frenzy on the forums, Inc.com compares EA to the Fremen, in an article about the early years of EA in the 80s. To read more, click here.
Finally, for those of you who have been following the news about the new Dune film will know that Peter Berg will be directing the movie. His latest film, Hancock, stars Will Smith and is due to released on July 2nd. The plot goes as follows: 'Will Smith portrays an alcoholic and lazy vagrant with no respect for authority or property. Ironically, he also possesses superpowers and the destruction he leaves in his wake makes him despised by everyone. A publicist (Jason Bateman) emerges to help rehabilitate him, and the new superhero eventually begins an affair with the publicist's wife (Charlize Theron).' The trailer is available on the official Hancock site, and based on the trailer (somehow, I don't know how they could have done this myself) the Calgary Herald have given the film a 3 1/2 out of 5. I noticed on the article, that people are already including Dune in his directing credits after his name, even though the film isn't even in pre-production yet (or is it, news still isn't forthcoming on the new film).
Moving on, does anyone live in Ottawa, Canada? If so, an article on the Ottawa Citizen website has described the Superdome in Ben Franklin Park, as having 'the shape and texture of a boil - and not just any boil, but one of the really nasty ones on the body of the villainous Baron Harkonnen in David Lynch's movie version of Dune.' I was unable to find many clear pictures of the building on the internet, as it appears to be quite a new construction, but there are a couple of it being built on the Superdome website. Tell us what you think on whether this is a fair comparison, especially if, like Mahdi and Vanguard on the forums, you're from Ottawa.
The composer of the Children of Dune miniseries soundtrack, Brian Tyler, will be at the Varese Sarabande 30th Anniversary Event at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, California on Saturday, May 10th at 2 PM, according to the FilmMusicMag. The event represents the largest gathering in memory of film composers assembled for a signature event. Tyler has also scored music for Rambo, Star Trek: Enterprise, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, so if you're in the area, and want to get your copy of the CoD DVD signed, head over there. Pictures are permitted, so try to get a shot for this website, and ask him if he wants to score the soundtrack for the new Dune film!
When the words 'Dune' and 'fashion' are mentioned together, it is usually in reference to the Dune footwear brand, but according to io9.com, the kind of clothes seen in the Dune miniseries will be 'a style you'll wear in the future'. The article says 'Dune, at least in the Sci-Fi imagining of it, is basically a future where strange headgear have taken over.'. Including in the article is the following picture, if you want to see what they're getting at:
Using a phrase which could create a killing frenzy on the forums, Inc.com compares EA to the Fremen, in an article about the early years of EA in the 80s. To read more, click here.
Finally, for those of you who have been following the news about the new Dune film will know that Peter Berg will be directing the movie. His latest film, Hancock, stars Will Smith and is due to released on July 2nd. The plot goes as follows: 'Will Smith portrays an alcoholic and lazy vagrant with no respect for authority or property. Ironically, he also possesses superpowers and the destruction he leaves in his wake makes him despised by everyone. A publicist (Jason Bateman) emerges to help rehabilitate him, and the new superhero eventually begins an affair with the publicist's wife (Charlize Theron).' The trailer is available on the official Hancock site, and based on the trailer (somehow, I don't know how they could have done this myself) the Calgary Herald have given the film a 3 1/2 out of 5. I noticed on the article, that people are already including Dune in his directing credits after his name, even though the film isn't even in pre-production yet (or is it, news still isn't forthcoming on the new film).
--posted by Dunenewt on May 8, 2008
Slightly odd, slightly Dune related news
Do you know who Sian Phillips is? Neither do I, but she was the Welsh actress who played Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, in David Lynch's Dune, who had the famous 'Get out of my mind!' line. Well someone has created a petition to the UK Government for her to be made a Dame of the British Empire (DBE), which is one better than her current position of Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Anyway, if for some reason you want to sign this petition, then click here.
--posted by Dunenewt on May 8, 2008
Battle for Dune update, audiobook news, and new Fan Fiction
The latest update features holographic logos of both Harkonnen and Atreides logos, as well as images of a map in development, and even furniture! Remember, if you want to discuss this mod, then head on over to this thread on our forums and show your support.
Also, a God Emperor of Dune audiobook will be released by Macmillan Audio later this month, 27th May 2008, and can be pre-ordered from Amazon. The Heretics of Dune audiobook will be released in October of this year, with Chapterhouse: Dune to follow.
Finally, in our Fan Fiction board on the forum, a new thread has started up, Salusa Secundus Survivor. In this thread, you can play the role of someone stranded on Salusa Secundus; smuggler, Sardaukar, or convict. Here is the background post if you are a convict:
Quote from: Salusa Secundus Survivor: Convict Story
The harsh wind pounds against your face, waking you up...still drowsy, you try to remember where you are...there is nothing but desolation in every direction you look, except for a few other men, who look in no better condition than yourself.
Ah yes, it is coming back to you now. You are on Salusa Secundus, the Emperor's prison planet, for you have attracted his displeasure. The sedatives start to wear off, but you still don't remember why exactly you are here, but for now, your goal is survival.
Ah yes, it is coming back to you now. You are on Salusa Secundus, the Emperor's prison planet, for you have attracted his displeasure. The sedatives start to wear off, but you still don't remember why exactly you are here, but for now, your goal is survival.
--posted by Dunenewt on May 6, 2008
Failing Memory
A little over a month ago I started to release a number of short audio clips, each one detailing a different moment in FED2k's past. While a small minority of people greatly enjoyed them, they never really took off so I have decided to end the series. For those of you who did listen and enjoy them, and for those of you who would like to give them a shot, you can find them all in the General section of the forum under the title Memories of FED2k.
There are ten memories in total, such as the birth of FED2k and our becoming the Official E:BFD forums.
There are ten memories in total, such as the birth of FED2k and our becoming the Official E:BFD forums.
--posted by Mahdi the Magister Equitum on May 5, 2008
Devinoch Speaks
Those of you who were with us wwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy back in 2001 during the early days of Emperor: Battle for Dune will definitely remember Cliff Hicks, better known as Devinoch. He was hired by Westwood to be the E:BFD community manager shortly before the release of the game.
As the community manager he dealt with many fansites (including FED2k), took part in PR events (like Gobalopper's trip to Las Vegas), organized online chats, participated in Westwood vs The World tournaments, supplied prizes for our Millionth Hit Contest and dealt with all the various players of E:BFD.
As part of FED2k's ongoing look back at our past ten years Cliff was kind enough to write a short article concerning how he ended up working for Westwood, his time with the company, and what he has been up to since leaving EA.
Click here to give it a read!
As the community manager he dealt with many fansites (including FED2k), took part in PR events (like Gobalopper's trip to Las Vegas), organized online chats, participated in Westwood vs The World tournaments, supplied prizes for our Millionth Hit Contest and dealt with all the various players of E:BFD.
As part of FED2k's ongoing look back at our past ten years Cliff was kind enough to write a short article concerning how he ended up working for Westwood, his time with the company, and what he has been up to since leaving EA.
Click here to give it a read!
--posted by Mahdi the Magister Equitum on May 1, 2008
Dune 2 Makes Another Top 5 List
Dune 2, the grandpappy of all RTS games, has made MSNBC's list of the Top 5 Strategy Games. However, it somehow missed the cut on MSNBC's list of the Top 5 Real Time Strategy Games as another Westwood game took its place.
To read the writeup on Dune 2 click here.
So congratulations to those former Westwood employees still floating around out there, your work is still recognized and appreciated today!
To read the writeup on Dune 2 click here.
So congratulations to those former Westwood employees still floating around out there, your work is still recognized and appreciated today!
--posted by Mahdi the Magister Equitum on May 1, 2008
Dune Editing news
The Battle For Dune team have released another update, showing a model of a destroyed Harkonnen Gun Turret, two screen shots of a map in progress (1, 2), and some pictures of a bullet cartridge (1, 2). Don't forget to go to the forums to discuss this upcoming free game.
MrFlibble has released his latest unofficial Dune II patch, version 1.07c. Here's some of its features:
- A bug that prevented the AI from sending unit groups to attack the player instead of single units has been fixed. Because of this, the AI has become much more powerful.
- A bug that prevented the player from buying ornithopters in the Starport in the last two missions has been fixed.
- Carryalls will now bring repaired units back to the battlefield from the repair facility.
- Various minor errors, bugs and spelling mistakes have also been fixed.
- Multiple sound device selection enabled for US and EU version alike.
- Some building animation frames that have been missing were reinstated.
To discuss or download the patch, visit this thread on the forum.
In other news, there was a recent 'Fed2k meet-up' in London at the weekend, where myself, Edric, and Khan met up, and went round the city for the day. Hopefully this will be the first of many meetings for Fed2k meetings. Also, congratulations to Voodoo Daddy for becoming the moderator of the Emperor: Battle for Dune board on the forums
MrFlibble has released his latest unofficial Dune II patch, version 1.07c. Here's some of its features:
- A bug that prevented the AI from sending unit groups to attack the player instead of single units has been fixed. Because of this, the AI has become much more powerful.
- A bug that prevented the player from buying ornithopters in the Starport in the last two missions has been fixed.
- Carryalls will now bring repaired units back to the battlefield from the repair facility.
- Various minor errors, bugs and spelling mistakes have also been fixed.
- Multiple sound device selection enabled for US and EU version alike.
- Some building animation frames that have been missing were reinstated.
To discuss or download the patch, visit this thread on the forum.
In other news, there was a recent 'Fed2k meet-up' in London at the weekend, where myself, Edric, and Khan met up, and went round the city for the day. Hopefully this will be the first of many meetings for Fed2k meetings. Also, congratulations to Voodoo Daddy for becoming the moderator of the Emperor: Battle for Dune board on the forums
--posted by Dunenewt on Apr 29, 2008
Logo Competition and Modding news
Celebrating 10 years of Fed2k, Mahdi and the other Fed2k Staff members are running a logo competition. To enter, you have to design a general logo for Fed2k, as well as a special 10 year logo for the site, with a maximum of 3 entries of both types of logo per person, and post it in this thread. Depending on how many get submitted the staff will cull them to five of each, and then post polls for everyone to choose their favourites. The winning designs will then become the official FED2k logos and made into new buttons and banners for those of you who want them in your signatures on other forums. The winners will get, along with the pride of having made the FED2k logo, everlasting fame as well as a custom title on the forums.
In other news, the team working on the free Dune FPS Battle for Dune have released two pictures of a map based on Arrakis, which you can see here and here, as well as a video showing off the Ordos War Factory.
Some new images have also been released of the Tiberium Wars mod, Dune: Arrakian Wars. There are some untextured renders of the Harkonnen Flame Turret and the Harkonnen War Turret, and also the finished model of the Harkonnen Inkvine Catapult as well an in-game shot.
Finally, Nyerguds has released version 1.9 of his Dune II Editor which can be downloaded here. According to Nyerguds, it is bug free, has a colour interface, and it supports the following versions of Dune II:
In other news, the team working on the free Dune FPS Battle for Dune have released two pictures of a map based on Arrakis, which you can see here and here, as well as a video showing off the Ordos War Factory.
Some new images have also been released of the Tiberium Wars mod, Dune: Arrakian Wars. There are some untextured renders of the Harkonnen Flame Turret and the Harkonnen War Turret, and also the finished model of the Harkonnen Inkvine Catapult as well an in-game shot.
Finally, Nyerguds has released version 1.9 of his Dune II Editor which can be downloaded here. According to Nyerguds, it is bug free, has a colour interface, and it supports the following versions of Dune II:
- -Demo version
-English 1.00
-English 1.07
-European 1.07
-European 1.07 HitSquad release
--posted by Dunenewt on Apr 20, 2008