Pre-order and get a Bonus that can be used in the Demo...

Ordering pieces and parts to upgrade as I type this :)

(I needed it anyway, but it sounds so much more hardcore to claim it's just for RCT3)

For those of you who aren't afraid to experiment a bit and are in need of an upgrade, I HIGHLY recommend the Athlon XP-Mobile CPUs. I picked up an Athlon XP-M 2200+ for $75, and a decent Athlon motherboard to support it for $80 (as I was replacing an Intel P4).

The Mobile Athlons are the exact same chip as the "regular" XP's (even using the same socket, not any funky surface mounting); they're just run through a more stringent test cycle, and have an unlocked clock to allow laptops to reduce the speed of the chip to save battery power.

That unlocked clock also works for OVERclocking as well as UNDERclocking. My Athlon 2200+ is supposed to be clocked at 1.66 GHz. I have it running at 2.2 GHz, effectively making it an Athlon XP 3000 for $75. Even better if you already have the motherboard to support it.

While I was at it I tossed in a gig of DDR RAM, reusing my old ATI 9700 Pro video board, hard drives, DVD drive, etc. Doom 3 was the motivator, and this system handles it quite well. It also so happens that it'll be an excellent RCT3 box.

The amusing thing is that as powerful as that desktop is, I get a lot more use out of this little laptop (Sony Vaio ultralight with a Pentium III and 384MB of RAM) and my Home Theater PC (Pentium 4 1.6A overclocked to 2.3 GHz, 512MB DDR RAM, ATI 9600XT video card feeding my 50" Sony LCD HDTV, which makes a damn fine monitor).

Actually, if I can make RCT3 run in a resolution that the TV can display (it's rather fussy about the resolutions it'll accept), that'll make a damn impressive game. *** Edited 9/3/2004 4:14:12 AM UTC by GregLeg***

Excellent info Greg, but unfortunately for me, I didn't catch it until after my order shipped. (Damn Newegg's ridiculous efficiency!)

It would've been nice to save a few bucks and have something to play with but I'll still be running an XP 2800+ with 1GB of RAM (333mhz FSB) though.

I suppose I can always see how well that OC's.

Gonch, that's exactly where I got my last round of hardware from. NewEgg rules (end non-paid plug).

hey, since you all used newegg, i was wondering how payment comes into play since iwas thinking about investing in a AMD 2200+ processor? can anyone help me, ...i have to upgrade for RCT3 lol !

Not sure what you mean. I use my AmEx for all online purchases, and haven't had any hassles.

Yeah, it's the same as any online purchase. Pay with a CC, get your stuff.

oh ok, sounds good! I have found quite a bit of deals they had an offer for an AMD 2200+ for $64 when a local store sells it for $287, the 64 is withough S + H but i find it a good deal, Thanks Gonch! :)

Well, its now the 12th.

Any sign of a demo yet?

The demo is available right here

Problem is, the download link doesn't work yet.
Besides, that wasn't a SET DATE of the demo release... but if anything, it'll be somewhere within the next 2 weeks. Just bookmark the site & let us know when the download clickable.

(or you can check Gamespot's premier of the demo release right here)

*** Edited 9/12/2004 11:05:17 AM UTC by DawgByte II***

One of the moderators (I think he is anyway) posted that they are targeting the world-wide release of the demo on September 20th. Looks like we have to wait another week.

People over here seem to be handling the release date a lot better than over on Atari's forums. People are making threads about what people think of the company since the release date isn't tomorrow. lol

Thats cause we aren't all trolls over here;).

I noticed that as well, but as far as I'm concerned, it will come out when it comes out. I'm more concerned about the actual game...

What a bunch of tools. It's not like Atari and Frontier are pulling a "when it's done" id software on us or anything. They certainly don't owe it to anyone to get it out sooner than later either.

All things considered, they're more than making a good release date in time for Christmas, when something like 60% of all video games are sold. A quality release is good in terms of support and reputation, and you don't get a second chance.

Atari > Valve

Me > Gonch.

I have nothing more to say. :)

I'm just happy its coming sooner rather than later. I won't post on that board, I just look for new pix and all:).

I think they've really put alot of work into the game, and I hope its as good as it looks.

One thing that makes me mad is people complaining because they can't import their own stuff into the game. I'm like "They said its coming, be patient". For once, I think they're giving the majority of the fans what they want as well as creating a killer game.

Very true, TeknoScorpion. If you think about it, these types of message boards are the best kind of feedback an amusement park, or in this case, a software developer can get. It's nice that they are finally implementing some of the things that have been on posters' "wishlists" for years.

My excitement is growing for the coming demo release. I actually have some motivation to get my homework done early! :)

I've been frequenting basically a number of RCT3 sites, including ground zero, and I've posted there a number of times (mainly when I found new screens and such), but it's become a vast wasteland. Just like most die-hard fans of the series, I've been keeping in touch with any source to find out the latest information.

The main site wasn't that bad when RCT3 was first announced, but around the beginning of the summer, it was like grammar school of the worst kind burst open and dumped its failures directly to that forum. In any case, I'm glad this is one place I can come for some intelligent conversation.

By the way, the official "Atari Germany" web site still shows a September 13th release for the demo, so in the event (which is highly unlikely), it does show, you may want to check here as well:
http://www.atari.de/newsarchive.php?newsID=184&lastID= *** Edited 9/13/2004 3:55:41 AM UTC by JCat***