Some new morsels of info in the new Voodoo Review newsletter I just received.... (MTV, ESPN, CBS for the commercials) ...I'll copy the entire newsletter here.....
David
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3-16-99
Hello Voodoo Gurus!
Just a brief update to let you know the latest in the land of
Voodoo.....
First of all, you probably know by now but for those who didn't
hear... The elusive Daikatana demo is has finally been released! All
the talk about vaporware can now subside, because ION Storm's much
talked-about first-person shooter can now be downloaded. I'm
downloading the 36+ demo now from my favorite place for downloads (3D
Files) so I won't get it see if for a couple hours (anyone got a spare
cable modem?). Please note that according to 3D Files this is
playable only over Mplayer at the moment unless you try the Internet
crack that is floating around. Not a suggestion, just passing that
along (and scan every download!). A full Internet-playable version
will be available soon. Also, a note to German readers... this demo
will not work on German OSes.... Sorry.
Here's a link:
3dfxmania.com
Next, Chris Kramer and myself had a conference with 3Dfx's Michael
Howse about the marketing direction of 3Dfx Interactive. 3Dfx is
changing corporate imaging, and I think it's something that gamers
might have questions about, so here's the scoop:
First, 3Dfx is getting a new logo! The company is NOW "3dfx" (small
"d"). If you haven't seen it yet, the good ol' powershield is being
replaced by a clean and nice looking image (http://www.3dfx.com). The
only thing that stands out on the new lettering is part of the "x" in
3dfx now has an orange "Nike-ish" swish across the top, resembling the
top part of a disk at an angle. You should be seeing the new logo all
over the place very soon. Of course gaming magazines like PC
Accelerator and Voodoo Magazine will feature striking new print ads,
but the marketing wizards are also introducing TV ads! These ads are
a part of a $20 million dollar marketing campaign and will be seen on
all sorts of cable and broadcast stations, including MTV, ESPN and CBS
during the "March Madness" games (foreign readers... this is the
college basketball championship which gets a LOT of viewers). What
this new marketing means is that while 3dfx is still dedicated to us
gamers (we built them up to where they are today), they are expanding
their reach to include an OEM and business image too. They are firmly
entrenched in the "gamer and developer army" and won't leave us alone
on the battlefield... they are just calling in new troops to back us
up!
If you dig the new logo, you will be able to wear it too. Very soon
the 3dfx website will offer t-shirts, caps and whatever for sale
directly from 3dfx Interactive. Check out
3dfx.com for some killer shirts (my
size is XL if any cares *hint hint*).
Mr. Howse also showed the packaging for Voodoo3. Since I was on the
phone listening in I didn't get to see any of the packaging or TV ads,
but Chris said they looked very cool. CK says the box is very clean,
not the usual loads of bullet points of various features of the card.
The photographs on the box are taken by the guy who has done
photography Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor if that gives any
indication to the style. 3dfx is trying to make the experience
less-techy and more like buying a game console or a music CD.
Speaking of Voodoo3, when it launches in a few weeks it will be
available in over 5000 retail stores in the US and very soon after
that around 5000 additional retail stores worldwide (Europe, Asia,
etc.). CompUSA (the largest hardware distributor) said that the
Voodoo3 presale has been their largest presale of hardware ever.
Interestingly, the hugely popular Voodoo2 is not out of the picture
yet. STB will be manufacturing a model called the "V2 1000 PCI". A
price hasn't been set yet on this 12meg 3d-only card for $129.
There's no new features, it's the same reference card that has been
available since last summer in a cool new box and at a great price.
Unfortunately, my #1 priority for the meeting went unanswered. When
asked what the V3 game bundle was going to be, 3dfx replied that they
were not ready to disclose that info. This seemed kinda strange
because the bundle is almost days away from being shipped, but
whatever.... Michael promised that there are 3 titles involved, some
limited versions and some full versions. At least one is a title that
won't be available on the retail shelf when V3 is shipped. (As I
mentioned before, rumor has it that it's a popular arcade game, and
I'm sensing a racing title...? Just a hunch....)
That's it for this update. Expect more info as it breaks, and if you
see anything happening please drop a line to vr@voodoomag.com and let
me know what's shaking.
Until next time....
Voodoo on!
-dave whittle
Columnist & Online Editor for Voodoo: The Official 3Dfx Magazine
For info on the Voodoo Review (3Dfx) newsletter,
head to voodoomag.com
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