Auto Assault

Published by NCSoft Europe Ltd.
Developed by NetDevil
Released 2006
Genre Action, Racing, RPG

Description :

Auto Assault is an MMORPG with fast-paced combat in a post-apocalyptic setting. As a player, you choose to play one of three different factions; human, biomek, or mutant, and will spend most of your time inside your vehicle, fighting the surviving enemy groups and mutated creatures. Characters level up (with a max level of 80) and become stronger, gaining new skills and abilities and have access to a wide assortment of items due to the game's random loot generator. Vehicles can be customized in many ways, including paint colors, styles, and by adding new items and accessories.

Requirements :

Min.CPU PIV
Min.OS Win XP
Min.RAM 512 MB
Min.DirectX 9.0C
DVD ROM Speed 1X
Keyboard
Mouse
Internet/LAN
Online Players 32 (Only Online)
Monthly Subscription
3D Accelerator

Trivia :

• Auto Assault was a commercial flop at release: There were way to few players for an online game to be profitable, especially in Europe. After cutting the retail price of both standard and Collector's boxes by half (at least in Germany) without much impact on player numbers, NCSoft / NetDevil merged European and US servers to only one server (called "Nexus")

TrackMania Nations Electonic Sports World Cup

Developed by Nadeo
Released 2006
Genre Racing

Description :

Trackmania Nations ESWC is a free edition in the TrackMania series, specifically developed for tournament play. It was used in the 2006 edition of the Electronic Sports World Cup (2006), held from 27th June to 2nd July 2006 in Paris - Bercy, for a grand total of $40,000. The game is based on Track Mania Sunrise and introduces a new vehicle, and the stadium as a new environment, where all races are held.

TrackMania is a modern version of Stunts, using basic controls and offering racing courses with tricky sections including loops, corkscrews, turbo blocks and huge jumps that require technical skill. In the single player mode, you can practice on 90 tracks, divided over three skills levels. Each race is associated with three time standards to be met to win a bronze, silver or gold medal. There is also a hot-seat multiplayer option where up to eight players can race against the time or with only one try.

In the online mode, you have to register an online account and select your nation. Each car has a custom theme per country, but you can also create a unique look in the paint shop. There are three modes in online multiplayer games, with support for up to 20 players. In Round, you race against all other players with only one try, and you receive points based on the final standings. The same course is played until someone has 30 points. If you crash early, you can track other players in the spectator mode. Other vehicles are visible on the screen, but cannot be hit and they cannot slow you down. Time Attack is similar, but with an unlimited amount of tries. In Team, players race in teams and the points are calculated as the sum of the individual rankings. During online play, there are detailed rankings based on your efforts. There is a ladder with an overview of all players, but also a global ranking with all the nations.

The game comes with an in-game server browser, colored nicknames, a chat function, buddy lists, extensive admin options for server owners, and commands for launching gameplay votes. New tracks can be created in the included graphical editor, and shared with other players. The track editor also features a media tracker, to add text, intros, special effects, and sound and camera movement to your creations. You can design new challenges and exchange replays of your best times. Replays can be exported to avi if you want to share your time with someone who does not have the game. If you own Track Mania Original or TrackMania Sunrise (eXtreme) , you can attach your serial number to your online account. This enables P2P, allowing other registered players to view your custom-painted car, and vice versa.

Requirements :

Min.CPU PIII
Min.OS Win 98
Min.RAM 128MB
Min.DirectX 9.0b
Media Type Download
Keyboard/Steering Wheel
Mouse
Internet/LAN
Offline Players 1-8
Online Players 20
3D Accelerator
1GB HD Space

Trivia :

• Over each update, the ads in the stadium are changed. For example, the logos for nVidia have now changed to TrackMania United.
• This game can be downloaded for free, but oddly enough, you are required to install the StarForce copy protection drivers in order to play.

Hints :

Pro tracks:
Win a Bronze or better medal in all Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert tracks in single player mode.

OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast

Published by SEGA Eurpoe Ltd.
Developed by Sumo Digital Ltd.
Released 2006
Genre Racing

Description :

Like its predecessors, OutRun 2006 is an old-school arcade racer, which means that your cars don't have realistic physics, don't get damaged and have insanely fast speed.

Since this title is officially licensed by Ferrari, you drive with 15 original models from the DINO 246 GTS over the F430 to the all-new Enzo Ferrari. The heart of the game is the Coast 2 Coast mode in which you on race against up to 5 AI players on 15 US themed tracks. In addition you have to impress different girlfriends. She tells you what she wants to see (a hard slide around a curve or a close take-over for example) and you have to perform it to win her heart.

There are 3 other game modes available in singleplayer: OutRun, Time Attack and OutRun2SP. In OutRun2SP you get access to 15 arcade tracks from the original OutRun 2. In OutRun however you need to drive your girlfriend through various checkpoints to the goal before the timer hits zero. In Time Attack you just have to beat the highscore of the current track. You can either race against the clock or against ghost cars.

In every mode you get OutRun miles after the race. These are the currency of the game and are needed to unlock new cars, upgrades and additional music-stations.

If you feel alone, even with your virtual girlfriend in the car, you can race online against 5 other players.

Requirements :

Min.CPU PIV
Min.OS Win 2000
Min.RAM 256 MB
Min.DirectX 9.0C
DVDROM Speed 2X
Keyboard
Mouse
Internet/LAN
Offline Players 1
Online Players 6
3D Accelerator

Trivia :

In March 2006, prior to the game's release, a contest was announced where you could win an OutRun 2 arcade cabinet:

Imagine you're the passenger in an OutRun Ferrari racing down the highway at 200mph. What would you look like if you put your head out the window? SHOW US! Get a camera, get creative, and upload your picture to WIN!

The pictures were to be uploaded at www.outrun2006.com/facemaker


Cheats :

Completed game:

Edit a license and enter ENTIRETY as a case-sensitive name. Then, answer "No" when prompted to confirm the new name. The current game will be marked as 100% completed.

1 million OutRun miles:
Edit a license and enter MILESANDMILES as a case-sensitive name. Then, answer "No" when prompted to confirm the new name.

Xpand Rally

Published by Zeta Multimedia S.A
Developed by Techland
Released 2004
Genre Racing

Description :

Xpand Rally puts you behind the wheel of a tuned-up WRC machine in over seventy races in five sceneries, using a modified version of the Chrome engine with fully movable obstacles, dynamic day time and weather changes, full collisions simulation and a complex car damage system. The driver can even sustain leg injuries and concussions. There is much more freedom than in other rally games. In the freestyle mode, for example, there are no invisible borders, you can compete off-road with no restrictions to tracks.

Aside from the traditional race, you can build-up a rally career, similar to NFS Underground where you work your way up as a rookie. You need to spend your money wisely to take care off repairs and tune your car with over 800 parts. Xpand Rally does not have an official rally license, but includes 35 sports cars over 8 divisions, with some funky models such as tiny coopers or terrain vehicles. There are two driving modes: arcade and simulation with different damage systems and steering models.

ChromEd, a full game editor loaded with tutorial and templates, has been attached to the game. You can edit existing tracks or create new ones and even import your own car designs straight from 3D Studio MAX.

Requirements :

Min.CPU PIII
Min.OS Win 98
Min.RAM 256MB
Min.DirectX 9.0b
CDROM Speed 4X
Keyboard/Steering Wheel
Mouse
Internet/LAN
Offline Players 1
Online Players 4
64MB Video Card

Trivia :

• For a rather low-budget title, the game uses extensive copy protection: an installation serial, an activation code and additional protection with StarForce 3.04.049.001.

• On November 26, 2004, a set of custom tracks was released. They were designed by game modders and approved by the Techland compatibility test. The set includes a dirty track and two destruction derby style tracks.

• On December 22, 2004, a complete ChromEd user guide was published. It contains complete information on level creation philosophy and specific editor tools. The tutorial is supplemented with a video material that shows the subsequent steps of track creation with comments from one of the Xpand Rally tracks developer.

Cheats :

Press ~ to display the console window console at the indicated screen. Then, enter one of the following case-sensitive code to activate the corresponding cheat function. Then, press [Enter] to resume the game.

Effect	Screen	Code
Additional money	Rally league menu	Cheat.AddCash()
All races unlocked	Single race menu	Cheat.AllRaces()
All cars	Single race menu	Cheat.SkipCarCheck()

CrashDay

Published by Atari Europe S.A.S.U
Developed by Moonbyte Studios, Replay Studios
Released 2006
Genre Racing

Description :

The debut title from Moonbyte Studios/Replay Studios, Crashday is a racing game, which takes you through street packed with many obstacles and other drivers. The game combines the features of Stunts, Deathtrack, Destruction Derby and other classic titles.

The game offers career mode, seven single events (Wrecking Match, Stunt Show, Hold the Flag, Race, Pass the Bomb, Bomb Run, Test Drive) and several mini-games (e.g. Long Jump, Vehicle Blast, Mass Destruction). Twelve cars are available to drive, each with different handling, maximum speed, acceleration and armor. A track editor is also included to allow players to design their own courses.

Requirements :

Min.CPU PIV
Min.OS Win 2000
Min.RAM 256MB
Min.DirectX 9.0C
CDROM Speed 4X
Keyboard
Mouse
Internet/LAN
Offline Players 1
Online Players 8

Cheats :

Note: Create a backup copy of the file before proceeding.

Use a text editor to edit the "games.dbs" file in the "\atari\crashday" directory. Change the values of the "Minigun.Ammo", "Minigun.ShotsPerSec", "Minigun.TargetDamageFactor", and other lines as desired.

Bonus cars:
Win the indicated group to unlock the corresponding car.

Apachee 200X: Finals Group A
Bornbad GT90: Professionals Group B
Buster GSt: Amateurs Group B
Firespitter RS: Professionals Group A
Incubator V12: The Final Fight
Ironhorze V8: Professionals Group B
Pick'Em'Up V8: Professionals Group A
The Wrecker: Finals Group A

Bonus weapons:
Win the indicated group to unlock the corresponding weapon.

Minigun: Amateurs Group B
Double Missiles: Professionals Group B
Single Missiles: Professionals Group A

Mini-games:
Complete the indicated division to unlock the corresponding mini-game.

Checkpoint Chase II: Final Division
Long Jump II: Amateurs Division
Vehicle Blast II: Professional Division

Need For Speed : Carbon

Published by EA
Developed by EA Black Box
Released 2006
Genre Racing

Description :

The 2006 game in the Need for Speed series is an evolution of the gameplay introduced in the previous games. The career mode offers complete freedom in a city through a story mode supported by FMV cutscenes, as featured in NFS Most Wanted, but now also set in the Carbon Canyon, where racers duel for territory in the city below. There still are many police pursuits. At the same time, the focus on tuning and sculpting you car remains, as introduced in NFS Underground. As you win money with races, you can visit garages and car lots to make improvements to your vehicle.

Enhancements are still unlocked gradually, but the cars have now been divided over different tiers. There are about 40 cars to unlock. Many of them have featured in previous installments, but there is a new selection and this year's edition introduces powerful muscle cars such as the Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger. Other features include the possibility to build your own crew, more detailed sculpting features, drifting races (introduced in NFS:U and replaced by drag races in NFS:MW) and the new car classes. The PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 versions offer online multiplayer, missing from the PS2, GC and Xbox releases. Up to eight players can race together, in the Pursuit Tag or Pursuit Knockout modes, with a few variations. Pursuit Tag is a race of one civilian car against cop cars. To become the civilian car, you have to tag it and then try to fend off the cops as long as possible until you are tagged again by other players. In Pursuit Knockout everyone starts as a civilian car, but the last one at the end of the first lap becomes a cop and needs to cause as much damage as possible to the other speeders. Another mode allows you to drive cooperatively (up to four players) in a single race.

The city and the surroundings in the career mode have been divided into different territories, controlled by gangs. You are either invited or challenged to race in the sections and claim them as your own. To do so, you have to impress the gang leader by winning races until he challenges you for a duel - first in the city, then over the narrow roads of Carbon Canyon. Scores are based on proximity. You need to follow the boss in the first race, and he is in pursuit in the second one. There are 4 boss duels in total.

The crew feature, with room for up to 6 cars, allows you to assign three roles to racers: drafters, scouts and blockers. These are supporting characters you can hire to help you win races. Drafters leave behind a coloured trail that makes it easier to find the way, scouts discover hidden shortcuts, and blockers try to cause mayhem to slow your opponents down. If you hire a scout, you get access to the new AutoSculpt feature. It enables you to modify the height of every part of your car through sliders, solely visual effect. You can also buy full body kits.

Requirements :

Min.CPU PIV
Min.OS Win 2000
Min.RAM 512MB
Min.DirectX 9.0C
CDROM Speed 8X
Keyboard
Mouse
Offline Players 1
Online Players 8


Cheats :

Enter one of the following codes at the "Click to continue" screen or main menu to activate the corresponding cheat function.

Note: Entering a code incorrectly will require the game to be restarted.

Effect	Code
Autozone vinyl	inthezoneskin
Castrol Syntec vinyl	syntecskin
Need For Speed Carbon logo vinyls	lotsoffreelogos
Need For Speed Carbon special logo vinyls	lotsoffreevinyls
Pharrell vinyl	pharrellvinylgogo
Castrol cash	5grand5grand
Chrome cars	shinycarsarethebestcars
Cooper Tire logo	cooperlogofreeforyou
Corvette Z06 Interceptor in Quick Race mode	chasingmobile
Cross Corvette Z06 in Quick Race mode	guesswhoisback
Rhino in Quick Race mode	trashtalking
Fire truck in Quick Race mode	bigredfiredrive
Dump truck in Quick Race mode	watchoutthebigtruckishere
Unlimited Crew Charge	friendlyheadlocksapplied
Unlimited nitrous	nosforeverever
Unlimited SpeedBreaker	slowitdownwhenyouwant
Mazda Speed3	speed3foryou
Mazda dealership	chasingheadlocksappliedrashtalk
2005 Aston Martin DB9	givemethedb9
2006 Dodge Charger SRT8	givemethechargersrt8
All tracks	canyonalltheway

Extra money:
Have a saved game file from Need for Speed: Most Wanted on your hard drive for a $10,000 bonus when you start career mode.

Hint: Easier Speedtrap races:
Activate your Blocker/Brawler before the race. While racing and you are coming up to a speed trap, stop your Blocker/Brawler. This will crash the other car(s), and drastically slow down their time. Remember that the peak Blocker/Brawler moment is just before the speed trap.

Hint: Easy wins:
In races where crew members are used, used a scout (Yumi if possible). If you do not win the race, your scout will.

When in Career mode, choose the Exotic class. When you get to the Stacked Deck level, get a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Once this happens, Neville, Colin, and Nikki will still have exotic cars. Choose one of them and do any race where you can use your wingman. You should have easy win.

Hint: Easy money:
Once you have completed career mode, set Samson as your wingman with Neville also in your crew. You can repeat any races you have already completed in which a wingman is used and recieve $750 for each race completed instead of the $500 without. This can also be used on first time races for maximum cash output.

Hint: Collectors edition cars:
Complete the following events in the Challenge Series to unlock the corresponding car.

Aston Martin DB9 (Exotic): Defeat Wolf in Boss Battle mode.

Dodge Charger RT Classic (Muscle): Defeat the 21st Muscle Car Gang.

Jaguar XK 2007 (Exotic): Complete all three Turf War races.

Mazda RX7 (Tuner): Defeat Kenji in Boss Battle mode.

Nissan 240SX (Tuner): Complete all three Checkpoint challenges.

Hint: Eleanor (Gone In 60 Seconds) custom car:
This is the exact car from Gone In 60 Seconds. Start a Muscle Car Career mode. After you conquer the first three territories (Kempton, Downtown, and Fortuna), a new territory is unlocked. In this territory, win two races in the area to the far left (Silverton) to unlock the "67' Shelby GT 500". After you obtain the car for $108,000, return to your safe house and select "Customization". Then, choose "Aftermarket".

The easiest way to break 1 million in Career mode is to start a Muscle career. Race two races in order to unlock the car lot. Then, go to your challenge series and unlock the Nissan 240 (last set of checkpoint challenges). Buy the car in your career. It is possible to complete the entire game with this car. It is important to start as a muscle career so that you unlock Sampson first. Race the entire game with Sampson set as active and Neville in your crew. You can break 1 million with about ten races left over.

Hint: Avoid flipping:
When you are about to flip, hit the nitrous. It will stabilize your car and you will not flip.

Hint: Free performance parts:
Go into "My Crew" then choose a crew member. Select the "View Car" option. Then, customize it. You can paint it whatever color desired, and because your crew members cars are not tuned you can buy them performance parts for free.