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AMEINFORM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER STORY 24 TONY HAWK’S PRO SKATER 3

Find out how Neversoft did what we thought would never be possible: improve upon perfection. Check out our exclusive looks at THPS 3 for multiple systems, as well as a detailed breakdown

of the PS2 version. Tubular!

FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE

FINAL FANTASY X: THE FUTURE OF HANDS ON WITH A NEW LEGACY BEGINS THE FRANCHISES THE BEST OF XBOX Game Informer takes you through the rough and Take а peek behind the helmet of this season's top Quit being a bunch of pervs! There's more to wild ride we like to call “The Final Fantasy after titles. Will EA continue its winning ways, or will this game than bouncing boobs, tight little outfits, number nine.” Find out what’s in store for you in there be a contender for the throne? Don’t get long wavy hair, unblemished skin, taught muscle this highly anticipated sequel. caught with a dud this year — read our breakdown. tone, and... um, what were we talking about again?

Your controller will thank you. Oh yeah! This is one kick-ass game. Which way to

the bathroom?

4 —GAMEINFORMER

didn't hide.

Warriors

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PlayStation.

Interactive Software, Inc. and The Take-Two logo are registered trademarks of Take-Two Interactive

c. Human Head Studios and the Human Head Studios logo are registered trademarks of Human Head

Animated Blood and Gore ] Studios, Inc. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association

Animated Violence

EDITORS’ FORUM The GI editors sound off on everything from flying cars to why scorpions are definitely not scary. As an added bonus, they've all decided to actually write their own blurbs

this month rather than relying on those kids

they keep chained to typewriters in the backroom.

GI SPY The Game Informer paparazzi stalk the video game industry, bringing you candid photos of all the action.

DEAR GI Things you will not find in this month's Dear GI include: A guide to cliff jumping, and Anhydrous Ammonia: Friend or Foe? Things you will find: Why Jay is a poseur, and what happened to our best writer, “~ Ed.”

NEWS Want to know what the skinny is on who's going to be putting out the Lord of the Rings titles? Aching to find out what's up with the newest Sims expansion? What about Shrek? Everyone wants to know about Shrek. Don’t argue with us! Flip on over and have a look.

PREVIEWS Wait until you see what we have in store for you. We know you're starting your

6 GAME INFORMER

Christmas lists, you greedy little turdlings! You won't want to miss all of the triple-A titles we've got lined up

we just did that! Now if we could only come up with a catchy tune...

SECRET ACCCESS If you've played Twisted Metal: Black, then you have to know there are a butt- load of vehicles to unlock. What do you mean you haven't found them all yet? You call yourself a gamer? Fine. We'll help you out this one time, but don't let it go to your

Here's a little challenge for you: Read this section and find a review you dis- agree with. Write a long, drawn-out letter as to why that particular game should have scored a quarter point higher, then DON'T send it. Thank you in

CLASSIC GI Just like all of those hardened boogers you found under your favorite 2 gaming chair that you had to take | off with a putty knife, we’ve Î unearthed some classic treasures of our own. Take a stroll down mem- ory lane, and take your fingers out

What's hot? What's not? What's up? What's down? It's not NASDAQ, it's the Retail Sales Data

and the GI editors’ Top Have you got the Bawls to read this

month's Etc? That's a trick ques- tion! Want to find out why? Come on down and join in the fun. Also

find out why Cereal Adventure y is the best idea in history. Thank you and goodnight.

PERFECTION ICO is the kind of game some- one should write a song about. After they do that, Someone should write a strat- egy guide for it as well. Wait,

GAME INDEX

GAME Advance Маго ................... 4 Alien Front Online Alone in the Dark:

The New Nightmare .............. Anarchy Online . . . Ape Escape 2001 . Atari Anniversary Edition " Batman: Vengeance ............... Battle -Hunter me И Bomberman Tournament e City GrisiS e Л Йел EE ICOMOS ЛЕ ots sts тк ы NI Dance Dance Revolution:

Disney MEE Dead or Alive 3 .. Desperados dd Diablo Il: Lord of Destruction ........ . 90 Digimon Digital Card Battle .........4 81 Dragon Warrior Ill Ephemeral Fantasia .. Escape from Monkey Island ......... ESPN Final Round Golf 2002 . . a ESPN NFL PrimeTime 2002 ......... ESPN X Games: Skateboarding Extermination Final Fantasy X Final Fantasy XI Gallop Racer 2001 . Global Ops ......... Heroes of Might and Magic IV . . Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising . 3 ТСО 73 Jak and Daxter:

The Precursor Legacy ............. 52 James Bond 007 in...

Agent Under Fire . . I oS AGAMUS Last Blade 2: Heart of the Samurai Le Mans 24 Hours ........ Madden NFL 2002 (PS2) . Madden NFL 2002 (PS-X) Mario Kart Super Circuit . Mobile Suit Gundam:

Journey to Jaburo Motocross Mania . . . ju NASCAR Thunder 2002 ...

NFL GameDay 2002 NFL QB Club 2002 ... NHL 2002 NHL Hitz Okage: Shadow King Poseidon Propeller Arena:

Aviation Battle Championship ...... 4 Rogue Spear: Black Thorn ......... . Rune: Viking Warlord ............... Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder Silent Scope 2: Dark Silhouette ....... Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace .......

Star Trek Deep Space Nine:

Dominion Wars ТӨЕН: Panic o et PIU ES Tales of Destiny II Tekken 4 4 Test Drive Off-Road: Wide Open ...... 79 Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword .... . 95 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2X .......... 31 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PS2) ...... 24 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PS-X) ..... 31 Wendy: Every Witch Way ........... 94

World Destruction League: WarJetz . . . .79

EINFORMER.

SEPTEMBER 2001 Volume XI • Number 9 • Issue 101

PUBLISHER Cathy Preston

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF р SHOCKING! Andrew McNamara DISTURBING! ГА Video Game Nightmares EDITORS c r Senior Associate Editor Andrew Reiner AMES THE Associate Editors Jay Fitzloff « Matt Helgeson * Kristian Brogger

WORLD FORGOT Justin Leeper * Matthew Kato

AGI Uncovers Some Of Gaming's s ^ Greatest Hid ems Copy Editors Gabrielle Dane • Sarah Anderson

М. < BANJO 01 Mascot Arthur |OCXKSSTRATECY 12 Pages To Getgizey With PRODUCTION

IEW PARADISE Art Director Thomas Blustin

ATV Offroad Fury. Production Director Curtis Fung

Zoffbyof the Enders. E :

Return to со stein. Production Assistant Rachel Gilles Sonic Advent

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ADVERTISING Rob Borm • (952) 946-8161 • Fax (952) 946-8155 email: rob@gameinformer.com 10120 W. 76th Street « Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3728

SEVABLE

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CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT c For change of address or subscription inquiry only: 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 (952) 946-7266 Fax (952) 946-8155

Quan ОЈап O Jan EAOa Jan — QvaniFeb O Jan/Feb or send correspondence to: пр пке (Feb OFeb OFeb OFeb OFeh ШО spring 10120 W. 76th Street * Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3728 « Attn: CIS Dept

soo out Жш О Маг QMa QMa а Маг O Mayun O Summer Circulation Manager OAp Aap OA OAp ПА Одг apr ОА БЕШ Paul Anderson (952) 946-7279 О $ер/ О Мау OMay üMay üMay üMay OMay OMay а NA Ш Nov/Dec OJun QJu Пуш Олт QJu QJun ý 1991 SUNRISE PUBLICATIONS, INC Q Jul аш пим пм пим пиш апам Oral President John Woodson QAug OAug Awg OAug Aug OAug Aug T Winter asep Ор азер азе —— ына мын поа аба 00а Oot QO Oct Nov/Dec The Editor welcomes company product information for all video games. Such materials should be addressed to: Editor, Game Informer Magazine, 10120 W. 76th Street, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned or acknowledged. a Nov O Nov a Nov O Nov O Nov O Nov Entire contents copyright 2001. Game Informer® Magazine. All rights reserved; reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

a Dec О Dec о Dec O Dec О Dec Game Informer is a trademark of FUNCO, Inc.

Products named in these pages are trade names, or trademarks, of their respective companies.

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Check off the issues you want, total the amount, fill out form and mail. The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement, The publisher's

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$5 95 h SAVE 25% SAVE 35% INDEMNIFICATION в each $17.95 for 4 $46.50 for 12! thes wed ae bsg Sek ОБА I nt MNA

claims of libel, unfair competition, unfair trade practices, infringement of trademarks, copyrights, trade names, patents, or proprietary rights or Name violation of rights of privacy, resulting from the publication of the Advertiser's statement.

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In ancient Egypt there existed a force so powerful,” it had to be locked’ for a МЄТ

Now one boy

has released the power!

IT'S TIME TO DUEL _ «98 - тиа

Ardel And continue with the VIDEO GAME and TRADING CARD GAME.

Official web site: YugiohKingofGames.com

SMOKIN"

The emails have started rolling in asking the age-old question of which system is best. At this point, since all the info on Xbox and GameCube is still coming in, it's really hard to say. But in the here and now, even though my PS2 spent a fair amount of time gathering some dust when it first came out, the system has really started to smoke.

Twisted Metal: Black and Gran Turismo 3 come to mind as awesome games that are already out, but the list of hits doesn't stop there. ICO, Tony Hawk 3, Metal Gear Solid 2, Jak and Daxter, Maximo, and Devil May Cry all come out before the end of the year. To me, that's a lot of games | want to play. Heck, Tony Hawk 3 by itself is reason enough to own a PlayStation 2 (the game, even in its incomplete state, has quickly become the one to play here in the office).

Now I’m not gonna count Nintendo or Microsoft out, but the road ahead of them is a tough one. Even though both systems are more powerful on paper, the PS2 certainly packs a fair amount of punch -

BACE To SCKODL

1. Professor Gerhard Von Reiner makes a point while delivering another boring lecture in Physics 101. 2. Andy McNamara and Justin Leeper prove GI still has some of the ugliest cheerleaders in the Game 10 conference 3. Honor student Matthew Kato sleep- walks his way to the library for 14 more hours of study. 4. Matt Helegeson's lab experiment goes horribly wrong. 5. Undergrads Jay Fitzloff and

Kristian Brogger earn extra money as tackling dummies.

10 GAME INFORMER

especially with its plethora of hit games on the way. As Nintendo reveals more of its lineup in the coming months, I'll be interested to see how much third-party support the company gets. I know I'll buy a GameCube just to play all its first-party stuff, but it sure would be nice to play it more than six times a year (unlike my N64). With some backing, Nintendo could make a run for the number one home console spot.

Microsoft? Well, its job is more difficult, but not impossible. What Xbox needs is a slew of high-profile games that console gamers will die for, since 1 don't think Dead or Alive 3 and Halo (though amazing titles) will be enough. Maybe Microsoft still has some rabbits it can pull out of the hat, but we will have to see. Perhaps its best option is to run the long race, and hope that the Xbox's power outshines the PS2 in the long run.

Until all these questions on the / other systems are answered, 1 don't know what you are gonna do, but ГЇЇ be busy playing Tony Andy McNamara

Editor Hawk 3. andy@gameinformer.com

REINER, THE RAGING GAMER reiner@gameinformer.com

Being a loyal Star Wars fan is finally starting to pay off. Just a few weeks ago, LucasFilm invited me to visit Skywalker Ranch, view a slew of upcoming Star Wars material, then talk with the man himself, George Lucas. Of course, | cannot divulge any details as to what took place, but | can say, the future of Star Wars absolutely rocks, and while Lucas is God-like to me, he's actually one of the nicest people I've come into contact with. On the game side, LucasArts’ upcoming lineup is shaping up to be a Force to be reckoned with. Rogue Leader and Jedi Outcast are everything you'd expect...and oh so much more. Now, if you'll excuse me, | have a Tony Hawk cover story to pen, and a Phantasy Star Online: Version 2 character that needs leveling.

MATT, THE ORIGINAL GAMER matt@gameinformer.com

After two trips to Cali in the space of a week, I'm actually looking forward to spending some quality time in the roach-infested tenement I call home. Think the jet set lifestyle of the video game journalist is all gravy? Think again. For one, living on a diet of Coke and over-priced airport fast food is enough to put you in an early grave, especially when coupled with a healthy intake of free cocktails. There's also the tedium of hours spent in a hotel room by yourself, with only those sassy Sex and The City girls and a well-stocked mini-bar for company. Wait...let's see...fast food...free drinks...Sex and The City...what am I talking about?! Life on the road rocks! I’m a cowboy, on a steel horse | ride!

JAY, THE GONZO GAMER

jay@gameinformer.com

| would like to use this space to make a rebuttal to Justin's statement in last month's Editors' Forum that "everyone here is scared" of his scorpion. Not only is a pet scorpion as exciting (if not less so) than a goldfish, it is about as horrifying as well. If that feeble arachnid were able to somehow scale the eightinch plastic partition that has stymied it for its entire miserable existence, | would simply squash it underfoot like the bug it is. This assumes, of course, that it were actually threatening me. More likely, I'd see it scampering away from me in fear, and then I'd laugh at it.

KRISTIAN, THE GAME DAWG kristian@gameinformer.com

Do you ever get the feeling that if you had a flying даг all of your troubles would be over? As | sat in the midst of what was recently listed as one of the five worst bottlenecks in the US, | wondered how carefree | would be if | were soaring through the clouds at that exact moment in my very own flying automobile. No more slipping on ice in the winter, and no more detours. We'd live in a stress-free society! There would be no more crime due to increased vigilantism of those who would paint their cars like the Batwing, and pizza delivery would

JUSTIN, THE DIGITAL DEVIANT justin@gameinformer.com

Last month | think | might have angered some of you by putting Limp Bizkit in my dislikes. Well, after listening to some of their songs on the NHL Hitz soundtrack while previewing the game, I've had a change of heart. Just kidding, they still suck donkey. While we're on the topic of music, though, my buddies GWAR are working on a new album that will blow up your ears and kick your eardrum's butt. On a side note, | am no longer bald, so the persona of a bald, mean German wrestler doesn't fit quite as well as it used to. I'm looking for anew gimmick. If you have any ideas, shoot me an email.

KATO, THE GAME KATANA kato@gameinformer.com

Wooooo!!!! Issue #101, alright! What? No one wants to celebrate GI's one hundred and first issue?! Actually, there is reason to celebrate — another summer is about to go up in flames. | like summer, and admit 1 do feel guilty about wishing away all that quality outdoor time, but it must die if the new football season is to begin — and that's fine by me. Besides, | always get a kick out of this time of year because | remember | don't have to go to no stinking school ever again! Anyway, I'm here to officially tell all of you who are rollerblading around like wusses (skate or die!) that your days are numbered. Bring on the football and long, guilt-free indoor gaming sessions!

Blasto ts c

«elon

CANDID PHOTOS FROM THE SEAMY UNDERBELLY OF THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY

1 Cuh-yooot! Reiner's new kitty, Nymh, bites the hand that feeds him. As a result, the Raging One has now been forced to change his name to Cap'n Hook, the Bloody Stump Gamer. 2 Jeff Poffenbarger of Activision, associate producer of the Tony Hawk series, demonstrates his real-world boarding skills in the Game Informer warehouse. 3 After a controver- sial game of rock, paper, scissors failed to produce a clear winner, Bill Linn of Linn PR and Andy fight over a coveted Xbox development kit. 4 "Charlotte, would you like to touch my monkey?" PSM's Chet Barber tries out his Dieter impression on Sony's Charlotte Panther. 5 Capcom's Matt Atwood presents Reiner with the 2001 Ol’ Dirty Bastard Award For Best Smelling Man in Video Games at an impromptu ceremony held at the Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington, MN. 6 Here's an exclusive photo of the three people who actually saw Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, pictured at a Square fan day at the Metreon in San Francisco. 7 Loud n' proud Pac-Man champion Billy Mitchell, named *Player of the Century" at the Tokyo Game Show, shows off a hella-wicked mullet at the Twin Galaxies Video Game Festival at the Mall of America. 8 Naughty Dog's Andy Gavin poses with his naughty dog, Osiris, at the Naughty Dog offices in Santa Monica.

GAME INFO,

PUNK IS AS PUNK DOES | was flipping through the last issue and saw that Jay got a mohawk. At first, | said to myself, "Go Jay! Rock on!!" But then | thought about it and saw that he was a poseur. So let me say now, Jay, you should either: A. Start listening to punk Or... B. Get a different hairstyle If you don't do one of these things, the Punk Rock Police will get you, I'm tellin' ya! Wait, what's that? | think it's the Clash and Rancid knocking on the door, ready to beat you up!! You'd better think fast, Jay! Patrick Clarke Via aol.com

While we'd suggest that the Real Punks Vs. Poseurs debate became passé sometime during Ronald Reagan's first term in office, we do have to defend Jay's creden- tials. Sure, his haircut is a little silly, but it’s no reason to get your panties all in a bunch. He listens to such punk rock icons as the Misfits, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, and even Blink-182! Heck, as this is being written, Jay is leaving work early to

go see Fugazi! Why, it's like having

our own little Sid Vicious right here

in the office. We’re not too scared of

the Clash, being that they’re really

old, and we figure the GI Posse

could take Rancid in a fight, as long as

that Lars guy wasn't with them. As for the

“Punk Rock Police," we love Sting and everything, but we're not really sure that we'd call the Police punk rock. Although, he did have a funny name and spiky hair, so maybe that counts. In any case, we suspect that Jay's new coif is just a phase, and will probably be gone in a month. Just to show you that there are no hard feelings, we've included an anarchy symbol for your viewing plea- sure. Enjoy! Now, go out and break some windows, or whatever it is you crazy punk guys do.

VIDEO GAME RACISM? | don't get it. | haven't noticed a single black character in any of the games for any of the video game systems, except for the sports games. I'm really starting to think that they are all biased against blacks! Think about it — there is a now a BLUE character (Azurik), yet there are still no black characters. What's up with that! What do you guys think? Are video game developers racist? Please, if you think they are not racist, tell me why! Neo Via aol.com

That's a tough one. Upon reading your letter, we sat around trying to think of African American video дате characters, and came up with only a small handful. Offhand, we can think of Shadow Man, Blade, Dee Jay from Street Fighter, Barret Wallace from Final Fantasy VII, Akuji the Heartless, Mack from Global Gladiators, Jax from Mortal Kombat, and B.D. Joe from Crazy Taxi. There might be a few more we're forgetting, but when you consider the thousands of games that have been released since the late '70s, it's pretty shameful that we have to rack our brains to come up with a half-dozen black video game characters. Given that African American culture, from music to movies, is so popular around the world, it's surprising that video games haven't followed suit.

While we doubt that this is a conspiracy on the part of the industry, it's probably fair to say that there is a cer- tain amount of unconscious bias involved. In much the same way that shows like Friends and Seinfeld portray a fictional New York that is almost devoid of minorities, the video game world is still stuck in a decades-old vision of what America looks like. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that many games are developed in Japan, where there are very few persons of African descent. Hopefully, as publishers start to realize how many gamers of color there are buying their products, the games will change to reflect the diversity of their audience.

NATURE VS. NURTURE My husband and | are big fans of your magazine, and are avid game players of both new and classic gaming sys- tems. We even make our living selling video games online. The reason that I am writing is because | have been meaning to ask you some questions. First of all, have you been game play- ers since birth, or have you just grown into it? How about your parents, do they play? The reason | am wondering is that my daughter is 2 years old and just as much of a game freak as her parents, and has been since she was 10 months. | just wanted to know if game playing is genet- ic or just the product of environment? Attached are two pics of my daughter Ally enjoying your magazine. Mommywolf Via email

The Game Informer staff gravitated to gaming at a young age, hopping on the Atari bandwagon when we were but wee lads. However, given that most of our parents’ gam- ing experience doesn’t go much past playing bridge and Othello, we have to surmise that gaming is not a genetic trait, but rather a very pleasurable disease that can infect people of all ages. Obviously, your daughter has already caught the bug. Now, we applaud the fact that you support your little one’s habit, and we also are grati- fied to know that she is growing up in a solid, all- American, Game Informer-reading household. Each year, thousands of children are emotionally traumatized by being forced to read substandard video game magazines. The real tragedy is that these unfortunate incidents can be avoided. Please, parents, learn from the excellent example of Mommywolf. If your child isn't reading Game Informer, there’s a good chance he or she will grow up to be a homeless pariah, shunned by society and aimlessly wandering the streets. The cost of a Game Informer sub- cription is a small price to pay to ensure a bright future for your little ones.

HOW CAN 1 BE DOWN? | consider myself to be a fairly experienced gamer. I’ve played games from Day of the Tentacle (a long-forgotten, but much beloved PC title that was made when floppies ruled the earth) to Dynasty Warriors 2. Sadly, I’m still not on any beta testing lists. What's up with that? I've met people who have managed to get on one of these lists, and they aren't HALF (or a quarter) of the gamer | am. I'd breathe games if | weren't human. You MUST divulge the secrets of being a beta tester or else I'll call you chicken- wusses! Loki, Fort Worth, TX

Actually, the process of becoming a beta tester is pretty straightforward. Many PC games, particularly massively multiplayer games like EverQuest and Anarchy Online, solicit beta testers for what is termed an “open beta test.” In these instances, it’s just a matter of filling out an email form with some personal information, and possi- bly signing a nondisclosure agreement that states you will not divulge any gameplay details to the press. In return for the sneak preview, you'll usually be asked to complete “bug reports” on any glitches you might find in the game. In other cases, the beta test is “closed,” which means the developer will only open it to hand- picked gamers whom they are familiar with from past experience. Generally, if you keep your eyes open, you should be able to be a part of a PC beta test without too much difficulty.

Being a console tester is a little more difficult, especially if you reside outside of California. In the console world, tester is a job that must be applied for like any other. You'll be asked for a resumé, and go through an interview. These positions are posted in the employment ads, and are pretty plentiful throughout Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. The test department has traditionally been an entry-level position in the game industry, and many game producers, designers, and public relations people in the industry today got their start in test. A warning - these positions can be extremely demanding, requiring you to play the same lev- els for hours on end, scrupulously videotaping your screen and attempting to re-create bugs.

D.I.Y. Yo wazzup Gl, | read your magazine and | have a subscrip- tion, and I think it is a really great magazine. | am 15 years old and | would love to have my own magazine. My best friend and | want to start our own gaming magazine business. | also want to know some information about your job. On a scale of one to ten, ten being the greatest, what would you rate your job? Last, but not least, do you like your salary? Is there enough money involved for you to make a good living? Blue Cat Via aol.com

While getting to play video games for a living might seem like a great gig, when you factor in other duties, like proofreading text and hand-washing Andy's collec- tion of thong underwear, plus the $3.25 an hour we are paid, our job satisfaction ratings come in at around - 7.25. So, you still think you want to be a video game journalist?

If you want to start up your own magazine, there's nothing stopping you. With a decent home PC, some

Send your comments to Game Informer. Snail Mail: Game Informer Magazine * Attn: Dear GI • 10120 W. 76th Street • Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Email: deargi@gameinformer.com WWW: www.gameinformer.com

12 GAMEINFORMER

desktop publishing software like Quark and Photoshop, a little hard work, and a trip to Kinko's, you could

be publishing your own video game fanzine in a matter of a few weeks. Or, if you prefer, learn a little html coding and start up your own video game website. There are several really well done fan sites to use as an example, such as www.mastergamer.com and www.nintendojo.com. While you probably won't actually make money off your ‘zine, it’s a great way to learn about the industry, and will also look very impressive to prospective employers once you reach the age of 18 and start applying for work in the magazine business. Just like those wacky punks say - Do It Yourself!

What ever happened to those side notes by the infamous Ed? | miss them.

Psycho Mantis Via aol.com

The mysterious Ed you refer to was actually ex-St. Elsewhere star and renowned actor Ed Begley Jr. After being ostracized by Hollywood for taking off his pants at the Coyote Ugly premier party, Ed was forced to take up video game journalism. His random comments on all things video games appeared in brackets throughout the pages of GI for about a year. Sadly, when his torrid love affair with Reiner ended badly, Ed left his position here at Game Informer.

Seriously, the abbreviation “- Ed." or "- ed." stands for "editor." These parenthetical asides are shown in brackets to distinguish them from the main text of an article. They are used to allow the magazine's staff to make editorial comments on a statement or quote from an interviewee. You've probably seen these used in many magazines other than Game Informer from time to time. [Assuming you read any other magazines — Ed.] See, we just used one! Neat, huh?

What are some pointers on how to get our letters pub- lished in your magazine? Nick Via aol.com

Well, you could start by composing an intelligent, well- written letter that actually had a point instead of an insipid questions like that! C'mon, do you really think we'd publish this feeble-minded query in the hallowed pages of Dear GI? Get a life! Your letter has as much chance of getting published in this magazine as Kato does of getting a date with Elizabeth Hurley! That is, absolutely no chance! This is a serious forum for discus- sion about the video game industry, not some loser mes- sage board. So, just remember, come up with something with a little more substance and then maybe we'll con- sider printing it. Oh wait, we just printed it! You tricked us! You fiendishly clever fool! Aaaaaaaarrrgh! This defeat shall be avenged - we swear it. You may have won this battle, old friend, but the war is not over.

ENVELOPE АКТ

SEPTEMBER WINNER!

Brandon Oakley Although we're getting a bit tired of Dragonball Z envelope art, we can't front on this colorful piece.

Enter the Game Informer Envelope Art Contest. All you need to do is draw, paint, scratch, spit, or carve the best darn envelope art you can think of and send it to us. Please include your name, phone number, and return address on the back of the envelope. If you're the monthly winner, we'll feature your work in GI and you'll receive a video game prize from the Game Informer vault.

Send to:

Game Informer * Envelope Art Contest

10120 W. 76th St. • Eden Prairie, MN 55344

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Т atti ra atit in, fet ien. Pionie UN 55:

Guillermo Silva

Nick Adkins Being king means you never have to wear pants

Katie Keable

This Harvest Moon drawing is cute and makes us very happy. You are neat and we love you.

Angel Arvisu Angel represents Metal Gear Solid with this dope comic-influenced envelope art

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Jason Spitler/Dana Leigh Evil Buffy doesn't know that blood- stained bustiers are soooo last year.

"Once my mustache is complete, no woman in the world will be able to

resist my charms!"

GAMEINFORMER 13

off-road racing

Thei*üriveanywhere,smashanything “6 off-road racer for the PlayStation2 ~

Test Drive Off-Road Wide Open © 2001. Infogrames, Inc. All rights reserved. Developed by Angel Studios. Infogrames and the Infogrames logo are trademarks of Infogrames Entertainment S.A. Manufactured and marketed by Infogrames, Inc. 417 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016. Test Drive, Test Drive Off-Road and Wide Open are trademarks of Infogrames, Inc. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association.

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Hummer, Hummer emblems(s) and Hummer are trademarks of General Motors Company and are used under license by Infogrames, Inc. Ford F-150 Trademark(s) used under license from Ford Motor Company. All other trademarks and tradenames are the property of their respective owners.

NEW SCENES FROM THE ROGUE LEADER FRONT

Nintendo's GameCube will launch a thousand ships when it comes out in November. LucasArts' Star Wars: Rogue Leader is as hot as they come, and with this month's new shots and info, you'll go supernova with delight. Rogue Leader encompasses all the combat scenes of the classic trilogy, and the Battle of Hoth is looking as cool as anything with its inclusion of every- thing from AT-STs to the lon Cannon. You can control Rebel ground troops from above using your D-pad (as well as your wingmen), switch fighters in mid-battle, and harpoon AT-ATs in a scene reminiscent of Shadows of the Empire. Other locations such as Cloud City, with underground trenches you can zoom into, are no less breathtaking. They shall all amaze and be waiting for you when the GameCube launches on November 5.

16 GAMEINFORMER

GI NEWS

FIRST LOOK: CRASH SAMUS DEFEATS & Z.O.E. FOR GBA RAVEN BLADE

Returning to the Game Boy Heard GameCube's Metroid Prime was in trouble? Not as much as another Advance Crash Bandicoot story we Retro Studios' GC project, Raven Blade. The title has been officially axed by broke back in the July issue (#99), we the Austin, Texas based first-party Nintendo developer. "Raven Blade has been now bring you the first shots of the title. cancelled," said a Nintendo of America release. "It was a business decision Set to release in March of next year, the and was made clearly based on the need to focus on Metroid and to ensure à tentatively titled Crash Bandicoot that it is a great game. We wanted to consolidate the resources that would have «4 Advance pits the formerly Sony-exclu- been needed to finish Raven Blade." Wow, sounds like a real-life Super Smash RS 8 ЫЕ sive marsupial against his main neme- Bros. Melee has already erupted behind the scenes! Crash Bandicoot Advance sis, Dr. Cortex, in six different environ- Raven Blade video footage was debuted just prior to this year's E3, amongst ments and 20 levels, including a Mayan all the console's high-profile offerings. Although we here at GI certainly are jungle, underwater ruins, Arctic caves, and Dr. Cortex's space station. encouraged that Nintendo and Retro are taking the GameCube edition of Story, Time Trial, and Gem Collecting modes give you plenty of room to Metroid seriously enough to sacrifice other games for it, it's a shame to see perfect all of Crash's platforming moves, which are now upgradeable. what looked like a solid action/RPG title go down the drain.

Crash Bandicoot Advance is being developed by Vicarious Visions, the makers of the GBA version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. From

what GI has seen, this Crash should easily rival the greatness of the orange one's first PlayStation title. Still, Vicarious Visions has said that it cer- tainly doesn't intend to just coast on the fact that it can deliver non side- scrolling levels like in the PS-X Crash, and fully intends to throw us some inno- vative new surprises.

Also making its pictorial debut in G/ News this month is the GBA version of

Konami's mecha action/philosopher Zone of the Enders. Z.0.E. 2173 Testament is scheduled to appear in Japan in late September. GI spoke with Konami of America, but representatives wouldn't divulge if the cart would make it to these shores, only that work has indeed begun on the title. Testament intro- duces a whole new set of characters than the PlayStation 2's Z.O.E., and doesn't fea- ture the involvement of Hideo Kojima. Instead, Winky Soft is developing it; replac- ing PS2's high-action mecha gymnastics with

"interactive action strategy."

Crash Bandicoot Advance

ALICE/CRAZY TAXI INTO FILM WONDERLAND

American McGee's Alice is gearing up to be shot through Wes Craven's own twisted mind. The disturbing PC title scarred gamers' psyches, and a film with Wes as director is already in motion to do much more damage. The movie is now trying out various scripts being written by John August (Go, Charlie's Angels), but little else is known at the moment.

The Phantom Menace's Natalie Portman is being tipped for the role, and we couldn't be more excited. The movie, similar to the гате, takes place in Alice's adult years, where her Wonderland adventures combined with the fiery death of her parents have landed her in an insane asylum. Alice returns to the land, but it has been darkened and misshapen beyond all recognition.

Director/producer Richard Donner (Superman, Lethal Weapon series) also promises a wild ride in his movie adaptation of Sega's Crazy Taxi. The future summer film may be hard-pressed to replicate the video game's thrills, but Donner isn't worried about this at all. "I plan on doing a lot of experimen- tation with this film, trying things no one's really played around with, to really put the audience in the front or back seat of the taxi during the action sequences. You can do a lot more with the camerawork in a movie to make the action sequences feel like those in the game."

GAMEINFORMER 17

GI NEWS

Game Informer's research and devel- opment operatives search the globe, seeking out the untapped licenses that will become tomorrow's killer

™ games. If you have any great ideas for games of the future, be sure to drop us a line. Maybe we'll use our godlike power over the video game industry to turn you into a millionaire — or just steal your idea.

CRAZY GONDOLA