Every now and then we see "Return to so and so game" pop up; accounts are reactivated, free time is given out, and in some cases -- like SOE's Living Legacy promotion -- there are even free items given out. Not only that, SOE has introduced new global world drops to EverQuest so that returning players can equip themselves in items fit for today's standards quickly. Bonus Experience Weekends (or specific periods of time if it's longer than a weekend) happen quite often as well.

Everyone remembers the glory days of their first MMO; Ultima Online and Richard Garriott being killed by a player near the end of Beta; EverQuest and the cross-server rivalries that were created by raiding, as well as the server-based competition due to no instancing and the lasting forum communities it fostered; Dark Age of Camelot's Realm-versus-Realm combat and Relic capturing mechanics as well as the open-ended PvP gameplay of frontiers, and many more. So what exactly is it that prevents players from returning permanently? Obviously the nostalgia is what pulls players back initially, but what is it that keeps you from staying? Is it that the game simply isn't interesting to you anymore, or are there certain issues with the game compared to newer offerings that turn you away from it?

We've put a poll together to figure out exactly why these "Return to the game" events aren't all that enticing on a more permanent level, but feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments as well!

We've had a lot of questions regarding the Curse Client, and what exactly it does. In this article we'll try to give a quick rundown and explanation of each feature, and hopefully give a clearer idea of the goals and uses of the Curse Client.

We're aiming to give Curse users a program that not only helps make their in-game experience unique, but their out-of-game experience as well, by providing intuitive, robust, and easy-to-use features.

So what exactly can you do with the Curse Client? It's a lot more than simply downloading an AddOn, that's for sure!

Curse Client Features

• Receive alerts on managed AddOns
• One-click install of AddOns from the Curse website
  • Feature works on WoWAce AddOns located at http://aceaddons.curse.com/ as well
• Ability to upload your character data to the Curse Network of websites for World of Warcraft and Vanguard
• Contributions to our upcoming World of Warcraft, as well as our Vanguard database
• News alerts on your favorite games with one-click access to the article
• Ability to capture screenshots and upload them to Curse automatically

AddOn Notification & One-click Install

As experienced World of Warcraft players, we know that the process of updating AddOns is an annoying part of the experience. With that in mind, we've designed two core features in the client that helps to alleviate many of the frustrations with installing new AddOns, as well as updating to current versions.

Once you've downloaded and installed the Curse client, you can then begin to use the special "install via curse client" button on each and every download page. After installing your AddOns through this feature, you'll then receive notifications each time that AddOn is updated through a small pop-up window in the bottom-right corner of your screen.

Clicking on this window will take you to the AddOn's download page, and you can once again use the "install via curse client" to update it to its latest version. Both are very handy and make downloading and installing AddOns much easier.

Double-clicking on the Curse Client icon in the Windows Taskbar will allow you to manage your installed packages as well; if you want to uninstall something or no longer track it with the client, you can.

Add your World of Warcraft and Vanguard characters

Another feature of the Curse Client is the ability to upload your WoW and Vanguard characters. This is done automatically each time you log out of the respective game, and adds the character (or updates it) on your Curse Profile. You can even manage your characters -- choosing which to make visible to the public -- through the Character Panel in the Curse Dashboard. Of course, you can add characters from other games as well, they simply won't have their data updated automatically until support is added for that game.

Take Screenshots with the client

A very cool feature in the Curse Client is the ability to take screenshots while playing your favorite game. They're then automatically uploaded those Curse; no need to save them, locate them on your drive, and then upload them manually! The client does all the work for you, and even gives you the option of cropping the image before it's uploaded.

Contribute data to the world's best World of Warcraft and Vanguard databases

Another very useful feature of the Curse Client is one you don't see visually. Each time you play World of Warcraft or Vanguard, when you see an item, quest, or come across an NPC or gathering node, all of the data revolving around that content is uploaded to the Curse database and added into our vast resource of information. This not only bolsters the information available to the world currently, but also contributes to some incredibly cool features we have in the works for the months ahead.

News alerts on your favorite games

Not only does the Curse Client install your AddOns for you and alert you when they're updated, but it will also send out alerts when news is posted to the Curse website.

Head over to the Curse Client download page to start helping us build one of the greatest information resources in the world!

Curse Promo Released

CPCC: The Shaman var FO_295 = { movie:"http://dev.curse-gaming.com/static/flash/flvplayer.swf", width:"500", height:"350", majorversion:"7", build:"0", bgcolor:"#FFFFFF", allowfullscreen:"true", flashvars:"file=http://videos.cursebeta.com/stream2/premium/1025.flv&autostart=true" }; $("#flvplayer_295").click(function(event) { UFO.create(FO_295, "flvplayer_295"); $(this).unbind('click'); });

A Warcraft Inspired , Curse promo is now released here on Curse.com. Your free to add it to your videos!.

For you and your videos!

MMOCrunch has a great article up about some very memorable events in the history of the MMO space. Some of us are older farts and remember these events. Is 26 still considered an old fart in the gaming space or have we all grown up by now?

Of course one of the most famous World of Warcraft characters Leeeeeeeeeroy Jenkins makes the list. Number 1 on the list is my own personal close to heart memory as UO was really the game that got me hooked on the MMO's.

I really liked the list and if you think an event is missing from MMOCrunch's list feel free to post it here. I'm sure there's a multitude of really cool events some of us missed. The cultural impact of MMO's and gaming in general is becoming more and more evident. Some of these are moments I remember as vividly as real events. One can only wonder when in game events will have real world impact. I for one have met people I would not have had an opportunity to meet had I not played these games. Gaming as a culture, I like that....

Read the full article

Written by GOZ
Wednesday, 04 April 2007
Image OK OK I know its a old driver BUT it was released in January of this year.

And this is the best damn driver I have found for my 7800GS, beats the 94.20 by 6 or 7 FPS in CSS and looks great to me. ( which will be a 7900GS KO tonight LOL )

It was a lappy driver and in the past they have been great on the desktop.

Its modded to the 7 series down............sorry you G80 guys.

Give it a try and leave me feedback please.

Download here!

Written by GOZ
Friday, 30 March 2007
ImageIts nice to see a new XP driver again.

This is for the 8600 and 8500 series cards but I modded it for most cards.

Please leave some feedback in the forums on this driver.

Download the 101.02

Catalyst 7.3 is finally here... This driver seems to fix some issues Windows Vista related and XP too. I wonder if this is better than the 7.2 driver.

Download Now!

New Features
The following section provides information on new features introduced in this release of Catalyst�.

OpenGL CrossFire� Support Under Windows Vista
Catalyst� 7.3 introduces OpenGL CrossFire� support for the entire ATI Radeon� X1000 product series under Microsoft Vista. Users will see significant performance gains in a number of applications when running in CrossFire� mode under Windows Vista.

CrossFire� Enhancements for Windows Vista
Catalyst� 7.3 includes CrossFire� enhancements for Windows Vista that enable the Alternate Frame Rendering (AFR) CrossFire� rendering mode by default, enabling performance benefits for all AFR compatible applications immediately (including newly released applications that have not been officially profiled for CrossFire�). Future Catalyst� releases will add further CrossFire� performance gains once new applications have been profiled specifically for CrossFire�.

Performance Improvements
Dark Messiah Might and Magic performance improves 12.5% or greater on all Radeon� X1000 series configurations when running in CrossFire� mode under both the Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems. Larger gains of 60% or more can be seen on high end products.

Resolved Issues for the Windows Vista Operating System
3DMark2006: Enabling AA to 4x no longer result in an error message being displayed when running the benchmark under the 64 bit version of Windows Vista. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26633

Call of Duty: Setting AA to either 2 or 4x no longer results in display corruption or the Vista operating system failing to respond when using an ATI Radeon� X800/850 series of product. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25523

Call of Duty->United Offensive: Setting the in game video mode to 2048x1536 no longer results in display corruption being noticed when playing the game under Windows Vista. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25519

City of Heroes: Changing the display resolution to 2560x1600 or higher no longer results in the game failing to run. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25518

Doom 3: Attempting to play the game on a system running the Windows Vista operating system and containing an ATI Radeon� X550/700 series of product no longer results in the operating system failing to respond. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25513

NBA Live 07: The full animation is no longer displayed when launching the game with AA set to 2x or higher. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25803

Never Winter Nights: Display flicker is no longer noticed when launching the game in a rotated mode of 90 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26651

Never Winter Nights->Shadows of Undrentide: Attempting to play the game under the Windows Vista operating system (64bit version) no longer results in the opening cinematic failing to play when using an LCD display device. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25521

The Force TV option is no longer active after deselecting the option and then re-launching the Catalyst� Control Center. Further details can be found in topic number 737-23547 The Microsoft Vista gamma settings set by the operating system is no longer overwritten when launching the Catalyst� Control Center. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25505

Launching the Catalyst� Control Center after hot-plugging a secondary CRT display device no longer results in the desktop image reverting to a black and white image requiring a re-installation of the display driver. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25517

Display corruption is no longer noticed when clone mode is enabled and the displays are set to either 1280x1024 75/85/100 Hz. or 1400x1050 60Hz. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25800

Installing an ATI Radeon� X800 GT in a system running the Windows Vista 64bit version operating system no longer results in the WDM driver being unloaded when opening a window or application. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25804

Running through the express un-install of the Catalyst� driver no longer results in a white display image. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26642

Connecting a display device using an HDMI cable no longer results in the display device failing to display the Vista desktop image if the display device is powered off and then powered back on. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26329

A brief green display is no longer noticed prior to the welcome screen when boot Vista or when changing the display resolution or color depth. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26627

Connecting a TV and setting it as the primary display device no longer results in the TV screen going blank when adjusting the Flicker Removal option found in the Catalyst� Control Center->TV Properties->Image Quality. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26628

Attempting to toggle between the LCD display device and a TV using the hotkey function no longer results in extended desktop mode becoming enabled. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26629

Hot-unplugging a secondary CRT display device while the Vista screen saver is active no longer results in corruption being noticed on the LCD display when ending the screen saver activity. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25795

The display driver no longer fails when installing under the Korean version of Windows Vista. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26630

The back button in the ATI Uninstaller is now functioning properly. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26631

Attempting to resume from an S3 state under Vista no longer results in the CRT display device failing to display an image. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26632

The date is no longer reported incorrectly within the Catalyst� Control Center->Information Center->Graphics Hardware->BIOS Date. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26634

Catalyst� Control Center->Display Manager: Connecting only a CRT display device to a system running Windows Vista no longer results in TV display modes being available. Further details can be found in topic number 737-24467

Connecting both a CRT and a TV no longer results in the displays swapping to the CRT mode only when changing the TV format from either NTSC to PAL or PAL to NTSC. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26635 Using WinDVD 8 Platinum or PowerDVD 7 deluxe under the Windows Vista operating system no longer results in slow performance being noticed. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26636

Using WinDVD8 to play a DVD title no longer results in the DVD menu screen appearing black. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26637

Using the Windows Media Player to playback a DVD title under the Windows Vista operating system no longer results in the playback of the DVD appearing choppy when using full screen mode. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26639

Catalyst� Control Center no longer fails to launch when changing the status of CrossFire� for the first time. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26641

Enabling CrossFire� no longer results in mouse cursor being seen on a third display device as if clone mode were enabled. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26643

Catalyst� Control Center->Digital Panel Properties->Attributes: Applying the Reduce DVI Frequency on high-resolution displays no longer results in the display device displaying a blank screen with the mouse pointer being displayed and active. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26644

The enable CrossFire� option is no longer greyed out after configuring a system with the CrossFire� ribbon cable. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26645

The slave display device no longer fails to render when hot-plugging the display device using the interlink dongle. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26648

Enabling CrossFire� followed by unplugging the dongle no longer results in a message indicating that CrossFire� is disabled and CrossFire� failing to become disabled. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26649

Running through the un-install of the AMD display driver no longer results in an ATI folder remaining on the user's system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26649

The Catalyst� Install Manger now displays all of the correct menu items under the Chinese version of Windows Vista. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26650

This section provides information on resolved issues in this release of the ATI Catalyst� Software Suite for Windows Vista. These include:

Resolved Issues for the Windows XP Operating System
This section provides information on resolved issues in this release of the ATI Catalyst� Software Suite for Windows XP. These include:

Uninstalling the graphics drivers no longer results in some of the files and folders failing to be removed in the Program File folder. Further details can be found in topic number 737-23715

Hot-plugging an HDMI TV to the DVI port of graphics adapter via HDMI to DVI cable no longer results in the DVI-to-HDMI detection message appearing but then disappearing within 30 seconds or when making a slight mouse movement. This issue may also be experienced under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25809

Extend desktop mode no longer fails to work after rotating the extended secondary desktop to 90 degrees. This issue may also be experienced under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25810

The Microsoft Vista gamma settings set by the operating system is no longer overwritten when launching the Catalyst� Control Center 737-25505

Catalyst� Control Center->Basic View: Setting the regional and language settings to German no longer results in corruption being noticed in the Quick Setting->Video Playback->Adjust Video for Room Brightness option found in the Catalyst� Control Center. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26653

Catalyst� Control Center: Swapping the primary and secondary display devices no longer results in the inability to change the display resolution. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26655

Catalyst� Control Center: The language is no longer switched for Chinese traditional and Chinese simplified. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26657

Catalyst� Control Center: Setting the language option to Simplified Chinese no longer results in Chinese characters being inconsistent. Further details can be found in topic number. Further details can be found in topic number 737-23708

Catalyst� Control Center->Component Video Properties->Adjustments: The Apply button is no longer greyed out when making adjustments to the Brightness, Contrast, or Saturation sliders. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26658

Catalyst� Control Center: Creating a profile no longer results in the profile shortcut not being deleted from desktop after uninstalling the Catalyst� Control Center. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26659

The Catalyst� Control Center now launches under localized version of the operating system when using MS .NET 2.0 IPC. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26660

The Catalyst� Control Center no longer intermittently disappears when running in the background of the Windows XP Professional x64 Edition operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26661

Enabling clone mode and attempting to launch the Catalyst� Control Center by right clicking on the desktop no longer results in the Catalyst� Control Center failing to launch. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26664

Disabling a secondary display device when horizontally stretched desktop is enabled no longer results in the Catalyst� Control Center becoming corrupt and unusable. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26665 Installing a newer version of the Catalyst� Control Center over an older version no longer results in the newer version failing to install. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26666

Catalyst� Control Center->Advanced Mode: The Video aspect Help now loads when pressing F1. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26667

The Help files for video aspects found in the Catalyst� Control Center are now up to date. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26668

Catalyst� Control Center->Overdrive: User setting are now retained when making changes to the Graphics Processor and Graphics Memory Statuses. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26669

Hot-plugging a CRT display device and switching the screen position and size to the right in the Catalyst� Control Center, no longer results in the desktop image switching back to the center position when switching to dual mode. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26670

Flashing is no longer noticed when hot-plugging a CRT display device and enabling extended desktop mode under the Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26671

Using the hotkey function Fn+F4 to cycle through display options no longer results in the operating system hanging intermittently. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26672

Using WinDVD to play a DVD title no longer results in the right portion of the display being cut-off and the player image shifting to the left. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26673

Display corruption is no longer noticed after the Windows XP logo is displayed and prior to the display driver loading. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26674

Catalyst� Control Center->Avivo Video->Theater Mode: Enabling Theater Mode and Clone mode no longer result in the operating system failing to respond when using the hotkey function to switch between display devices. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26675

Catalyst� Control Center->Video->Avivo Quality aspect page: The Pulldown detection option is no longer missing. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26679

Catalyst� Control Center: The HDTV display mode of 1080i30 is now added to the pre-defined and custom modes found in the Catalyst� Control Center->Digital Panel Properties->HDTV Support. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26680

Connecting a display device to the DVI connector no longer results in the display device failing to display a full screen image when setting the display resolution to 1280x720 60Hz. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26681

Known Issues Under the Windows Vista Operating System
This section provides information on known issues associated with the ATI Catalyst� Vista RTM driver for both the 32bit and 64bit versions of the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. These include:

Doom3/Quake: Setting the in game options for Video Quality to Medium and Screen Size to 1024x768 may result in display corruption being noticed when setting AA to 4x. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25802

Homeworld2: Setting the game options to default and starting a single player game may result in display corruption being noticed. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26692

IL2 Sturmovik->Forgotten Battles: Setting the in-game hardware options to custom and landscape detail to perfect may result in the water textures appearing corrupt when playing the game under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26687

Never Winter Nights->Shadows of Under tide: Attempting to play the game on a system containing an ATI Radeon� X800/850 series of product and running the Windows Vista operating system may result in game failing to respond after playing the opening cinematic. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25512

NHL 07: The in-game display settings may fail to be applied when playing the game under the Windows Vista operating system when using a supported ATI Radeon� product. Further details can be found in topic number 737-23549

Quake 4: game corruption may be noticed when playing the game under the Windows Vista operating system when using an ATI Radeon� 9800 XT product. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25510

Quake 4/Serious Sam: Attempting to launch the games with AA set to 2x or higher and the Catalyst� Control Center->Advanced View->3D preview running in the background may result in the operating system failing to respond. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26690

X-Plane: Playing the game under the Windows Vista operating system may result in display corruption being noticed when using an ATI Radeon� X1900/1950 series of product. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25522

Playing a DVD under the Windows Vista operating system using the Windows Media Player may result in the DVD failing to play when switching between display devices using the hot-key function. Further details can be found in topic number 737-24472

OverDrive� may not function as expected under the Windows Vista operating system when running an OpenGL application. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25524

Resuming from an S3 state may result in a longer than expected time for the Windows Vista operating system to resume. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25798

Hot-plugging a CRT to a system running Windows Vista and containing an ATI Radeon� X1100/1150 series of product may result in extended desktop mode failing to be applied. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25801

The Reactivate ATI color controls option found in the Catalyst� Control Center->color aspect may remain greyed out when attempting to reactivate the option. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26682 Catalyst� Control Center: Making changes to the color depth for the first time may result in the color depth reverting to 8bpp. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26684

Known Issues Under the Windows XP Operating System
The following section provides a summary of open issues in the latest version of Catalyst�. These include:

Call of Duty: An error message may appear when task switching between the game and the Windows desktop. This issue may also be experienced under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26750

Starwars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Setting the in-game display option to low settings may result in corruption being noticed within the game. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25173

Enabling CrossFire� may result in display corruption being noticed when playing a DVD or media clip using either WinDVD 7, Windows Media Player or PowerDVD 6. Further details can be found in topic number 737-22806 Catalyst� Control Center->OverDrive: The OverDrive setting are not retained for individual accounts. This issue may also be experienced under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25805

The response time for the Catalyst� Control Center may appear slow when attempting to make changes to the display devices when having both a CRT and HDTV connected and extended desktop mode enabled. This issue may also be experienced under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25806

Choppy playback of media previews and captured files may be noticed in the media center and movie maker after applying WMP 11 update. This issue may also be experienced under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25807

Installing an ATI Radeon� X1900 CrossFire� Master and X1900 slave under Windows XP may result in AA settings failing to be retained when rebooting the system. This issue may also be experienced under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25808

A Microsoft .NET Framework error may appear when switching between user accounts and or toggling between Catalyst� Control Center skins. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26746

Making changes to the 3D-All Setting aspect may result in the SmoothVision slider and labels failing to be redrawn properly. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26747

Attempting to run TV in the Windows Vista media center may result in the operating system rebooting. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26748

Launching the release notes under the Japanese or Chinese version of Windows may result in the release notes displaying a blank page. This issue may also be experienced under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-26749

The response time for the Catalyst� Control Center may appear slow when attempting to make changes to the display devices when having both a CRT and HDTV connected and extended desktop mode enabled. This issue may also be experienced under the Windows Vista operating system. Further details can be found in topic number 737-25806

Uninstalling the graphics drivers may result in some of the files and folder failing to be removed in the Program File folder. Further details can be found in topic number 737-23715

Download Now!

@ Goz - TweaksRUs:

Monday, 26 March 2007 Well after the 8800 users asked nicely LOL

I made all 4 drivers up...........

Note these was BETA from NVIDIA. DOWNLOADS

XP 32bit

XP 64bit

Vista 32bit

Vista 64bit

Creative ALchemy Project allows you to run your favorite DirectSound3D games on Windows Vista as the developers intended - with full hardware accelerated 3D Audio and EAX support! This is done by translating DirectSound calls into OpenAL. In order for this to happen, a couple of files need to be installed into each game directory. This is handled automatically by the ALchemy installer - but can also be performed manually by advanced users.

Requirements: - Windows Vista - SB X-Fi * series soundcard with native OpenAL 1.1 Support * Excludes SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio

Changelog:

• Added re-sizing horizontal scroll bars to game list boxes (so you can see the whole name!
• Added new ini file variable 'GamePath' that lets you specify any path to a game folder (useful when you can't find a registry key)
• Added ability to multi-select games using the Shift key
• New Games: Baldur's Gate 2, Battlefield Vietnam, C & C Generals, Chronicles of Riddick, Dungeon Siege, Far Cry, GTA 3, GTA Vice City, Hitman 2, Knights of the Old Republic 2, MDK2, Oblivion, Serious Sam 2 and Serious Sam First Encounter
• Removed re-sizing border from ALchemy application
• Fixed dsound.dll object reference counting issue (fixes Oblivion crash bug)
• Fixed dsound.dll incorrectly applying EAX properties to duplicated buffers
• Fixed dsound.dll duplicate sound buffer problem (fixes Far Cry, MDK2, Serious Sam 2 and many others)

Download it here!