Virtual Pool Mobile Updated to Support Windows Mobile 5.0, VGA, and the Intel 2700G

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.celeris.com/games/VPMobile/index.html' target='_blank'>http://www.celeris.com/games/VPMobile/index.html</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060317-VPM.jpg" /><br /><br />Virtual Pool Mobile has been updated to support Windows Mobile 5.0, VGA displays, and the Intel 2700G GPU. If you own an X50v or X51v, you'll definitely want to give this game a go. It looks spectacular. :)

[Vincent M Ferrari]

Well, save for a few random flashing characters in the background in the menus, it really does look great. Wow.

Between that and TCPMP, I'm really glad I got the Axim. Thanks for the heads up, Darius!

[RobrechtV]

:cry: Looks like it won't work on VGA devices other than the X50v or X51v, i.e. without the GPU...

Can anyone confirm this?
In other words, is there a non-GPU version that supports WM5 and/or VGA resolution?

I'm getting a Jasjar in two weeks and it would have been nice to play full VGA pool on it.

[SteveHoward999]

I mailed Celeris about this several weeks ago. The X50/X51 version has been available for some time. They told me they were beta testing a 'standard' VGA version at the time. I asked if they needed any testers ... heard nothing more.

I thought this announcement meant that they had released the 'standard' VGA version, but nothing in their web site indicates that :-(

I remain hopeful I really enjoyed the game on my QVGA PPC, and wanted to see how great it could be on VGA ...

[papasula]

anyone try it on 240X240 screens? Wonder if it will work on the Treo 700w...

[Menneisyys]

I mailed Celeris about this several weeks ago. The X50/X51 version has been available for some time. They told me they were beta testing a 'standard' VGA version at the time. I asked if they needed any testers ... heard nothing more.

I thought this announcement meant that they had released the 'standard' VGA version, but nothing in their web site indicates that :-(

Yes, indeed it's the non-2700g VGA version that's brand new - just checked the internal filedates in C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\Virtual Pool Mobile\VPMobileTrialPPC.SA.cab (the standard PPC version - which is VGA on VGA devices) and C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\Virtual Pool Mobile GLES\VPMobileGLESTrial.SA.cab (the 2700g-enabled version).

I remain hopeful I really enjoyed the game on my QVGA PPC, and wanted to see how great it could be on VGA ...

It is great on my Pocket Loox 720. It uses in-game VGA resolution and not much more jerky than on my x51v. Really good game on a VGA device!

[Menneisyys]

BTW, for you 2700g owners:

I've continued investigating three additional 2700g-optimized games and found out really a lot. These games are all highly recommended if you happen to have a Dell Axim x50v/ x51v Pocket PC; these Pocket PC models both have an Intel 2700g graphics co-processor, which makes it possible to run 3D games really well.

Pulse Interactive's Quake Mobile 1.2 (http://www.pulsemobilegames.com/QuakeMobile.html)

(Note that the game can't be accessed on the above URL; not even links are provided in there. Therefore, you must go straight to for example the Handango page (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&amp;platformId=2&amp;N=96806&amp;productId=172713) to get the game.)

This (commercial - it costs $19.95) game is, visually, much better on the x50v/x51v than Dan East's non-2700g-optimized, albeit free and multiplayer-enabled (please read this article on everything multiplayer (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/102005MPPPCGames.asp)) Quake ports (http://www.pocketmatrix.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=8).

Unfortunately, it has no trial version and, as of the first (Scourge of Armagon) (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&amp;platformId=2&amp;productId=178306) and the second (Dissolution of Eternity) (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&amp;platformId=2&amp;productId=178309) expansion packs, both released on 2005-11-30, still don't support multiplayer mode.

If you like having the CAB files around for desktop-independent game installation: the installer decompresses installs two .CAB files to c:\Pulse_Interactive_Quake_Mobile\. You'll only need one of them if you prefer CAB-based installing: either the big one containing everything, MobileQuakeBg.PPC2003_ARM.CAB) or the small one, MobileQuakeSm.PPC2003_ARM.CAB.

Note that the original version of the game didn't support stylus-based playing (http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=107302). The Handango version downloadable from early December 2005, however, already supported the in-game stylus usage. Therefore, you may want to redownload the game if you have purchased it before last December - or, request the patch from the author itself. His e-mail address can be found in the just-linked thread.

I also recommend this thread (http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=110535) for an improved control setup. You can also read some rants on the game here (http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=107302).

Noctem Entertainment's Quake 3 1.1b (http://www.noctemware.com/q3ce.html)

This free port comes in two versions: a 2700g (Dell Axim x50v/RAM-upgraded x51v)-only (http://www.noctemware.com/download_files/q3ce-1.1b-release-aximx50v-ppc2003.zip) and a generic one (http://www.noctemware.com/download_files/q3ce-1.1b-release-armv4-ppc2003.zip).

I've spent some hours today on trying to make work on my non-RAM-upgraded Dell Axim x51v (along with my other PDA's). Unfortunately, it won't work. The only way to run it on the x51v is the $169 PocketPCTechs 128Mbyte RAM upgrade (http://www.pocketpctechs.com/main~unit~Dell_Axim_X51v-509~area~upgrades~action~updateunit.htm). Otherwise, just forget it.

Unfortunately, I had no luck with the generic, non-2700g version either. It wouldn't even start (complaining of lack of RAM) on any of my WM5 devices (the x51v and the HTC Wizard; both had about 31 Mbytes of RAM free). It started on my (freshly hard reset - I haven't installed anything in the RAM or run anything else -, 48 Mbyte-RAM-free) HP iPAQ 2210 but none of the single-player games worked because of the shortage of memory (I had the maximum memory available - around 48Mbytes).

On my 128M RAM, freshly hard reset, VGA Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720, I didn't even get to the main menu, not even with the Picard VGA GAPI hack. After loading the console, the screen went black for a moment and, then, the game has just exit.

Also see this AximSite thread (http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=100238) for a complete tutorial on creating the needed pak0.pk3 file. I really recommend biohzrd's tutorial (2nd page, 11-10-05, 10:07 AM) and my additional one (3rd page, 03-17-2006). It'll make everything really easy - as opposed to the useless INSTALL.txt that comes with the game. Nevertheless, unless you have a Dell Axim x50v (or a memory-upgraded Dell Axim x51v) so that you can really enjoy the 2700g visuals, it's not really worth bothering with the pak0.pk3 creation - most likely, it's highly possible it just won't run on your PDA.

Blacksmith Studios' Solterra (http://www.blacksmithstudios.com/solterra/index.html)

This once-commercial, 2700g-enabled space shooter game has been made free in the meantime. You only need to click the Buy icon on the official homepage and enter your Pocket PC owner name on the new page (http://www.blacksmithstudios.com/gameReg.php) into the PPC owner name textfield; then, you'll get the free registration code. It'll be something like "b027318a1507681" (don't mistake it for the GoNinja/GoNinjaPocketPC registration codes).

It's also on this page that you can download the installer file (or a ZIP file containing the compressed files; you will need to uncompress the contents of the ZIP file and just transfer them to your PDA, in any subdirectory.)

The game itself, in my opinion, isn't very interesting/entertaining. For example, even the non-2700g-enabled (!) PDAMill Anthelion (http://www.pdamill.com/prod_an.shtml) and, particularly, the VGA-enabled (I've tested it on both my VGA non-2700g Pocket Loox 720 and Dell Axim x51v and it was completely playable on both devices) Anthelion 2 (http://www.pdamill.com/prod_an2.shtml?ref=prboxs) are both far more addictive and playable in almost every respect (it has much better music, much better campaigns etc), despite having no direct 2700g support.

You may still want to give this game a try - after all, it's a free game.

[SteveHoward999]

indeed it's the non-2700g VGA version that's brand new

I already own the full (non-VGA) version. I don't see a way to download the full installer without repurchasing VPM. Does that mean this is not available as an upgrade for current owners? The web site is woefully short of information ... :-(

[Jacob]

indeed it's the non-2700g VGA version that's brand new

I already own the full (non-VGA) version. I don't see a way to download the full installer without repurchasing VPM. Does that mean this is not available as an upgrade for current owners? The web site is woefully short of information ... :-(

I was wondering the same thing. Their curent version is higher than the one I bought and well, there's no information about upgrading.

I'm really not happy about having to pay for a point release since I don't even want the VGA version.

[AIO]

I just tried the demo on my Toshiba e800, which is VGA, running WM2003FE+MyVGA. It's VERY jerky hence unplayable. Anyone know a fix for this?

[AIO]

The new info-bar at the top sucks. It just blocks the view. The countdown timer of the 'thinking' bot is uncalled for. Messages that appear in the middle, such as "Ball Not Hit" look uglier.

All in all, I'm happy to stay with the former version. Boy, don't these guys have beta-testers or what?

[Menneisyys]

For you Intel 2700g fans, I’ve written another review today:

A day ago, I've written a roundup of three games (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=650&amp;more=1) utilizing the excellent graphics co-processor (the infamous Intel 2700g) of the Dell Axim x50v/x51v handhelds.

I didn't stop at that: I went on testing the rest of the currently available titles that boast 2700g support and make, therefore, gaming on the x50v/x51v handhelds a real pleasure, compared to other handhelds without this excellent GPU.

1. Games (in the order of my preference)

1.1 Enigmo (http://www.aspyr.com/noframes.php/games.php/pkpc/enigmo/)

The demo of this really excellent game comes on the x51v CD (or, if you’ve bought the Axim in the Games Pack, in a full version on the second one, along with the full version of the WM5-compliant Stuntcar Extreme). It’s a very good and original logic game (no, not just a usual puzzle game), all in three dimension (3D). It’s highly playable; it, however, may slow down a bit when there’re more than a few dozens of particles on the screen. You can also download new levels (http://www.aspyr.com/detail.php?p_game_id=152&amp;p_game_nav=&amp;p_game_nav=6) to the game. Highly recommended!

(Note that as of March 19, 2006, the Aspyr.com Web server is down. Hope not for long.)

1.2 3D Chopper Fight 1.1f (http://www.omnigsoft.com/products/2005/ChopperFight/ChopperFight.html)

This game comes from the author of several games including some excellent titles like the multiplayer 3D Mini-Jetfight and 3D Mini Dogfight (see their review in the Definitive Multiplayer PPC Game Roundup (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/102005MPPPCGames.asp)). Unfortunately, while most of their games are 3D, this title, 3D Chopper Fight, is the only one to boast 2700g support. Therefore, the other titles of the same developer will only use low-resolution, (comparatively) ugly and not particularly fast graphics.

This game is, particularly when you switch to first-person view instead of the default external one, is pretty entertaining and highly recommended.

My only grieve is the painful lack of any kind of multiplayer mode. This game should be multiplayer-enabled - it really cries for it!

1.3 IonFX GeoRallyEX (http://www.ionfx.com/product_EX.php)

This game also comes on the Dell Axim x51v CD. It doesn’t offer multiplayer capabilities or even more than one computer-controlled ghost opponent car. However, it’s a good game nevertheless.

You can also purchase it (for $20) online if you only have an x50v (only the x51v has the full version on the CD).

1.4 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (http://www.aspyr.com/noframes.php/games.php/pkpc/80011/)

Motto (found at the highly entertaining bash.org) (http://bash.org/?628051):
&lt;walt> So I play Tony Hawk Pro Skater all the time right
&lt;walt> And I'm thinking
&lt;walt> That's so awesome, I should learn how to skate!
&lt;walt> So one of my sister's friends left her skateboard here, and I started to dick around on it
&lt;walt> Long story short, I fell over and broke my wrist
&lt;walt> Now I can't play Tony Hawk.
&lt;norl> lol dumbass

If you're a fan of this game/genre on the desktop/console platforms, go get this game - you will be satisfied. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother - IMHO, the graphics speed has a lot to be desired. It's just too slow for me. (I may be too old for games like this? I’ve never skated in real life - that may be the problem in my disliking the game :) So, excuse my rambling - it comes from a person that never wanted to skate and, therefore, doesn’t really enjoy computer-simulated skating either.)

The title can only be purchased on the Dell website (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=80371029&amp;cs=19&amp;c=us&amp;l=en), as with the new, x51v/WM5-compatible version of the multiplayer title Stuntcar Extreme (the old version doesn't run on the x51v).

I also recommend this pre-review of the game (http://www.pdaground.com/pocket-pc-games-reviews/sport/tony-hawks-pro-skater-2.html). Note that the reviewer isn't a "newcomer" to the game (unlike me); this is why he may have taken a liking to it.

1.5 Sphere (http://www.sphere.yandex.ru/eng/index.xml) (also see this thread (http://www.pocketgamer.org/showthread.php?s=&amp;threadid=5242))

This, in addition to Wyvern (http://www.cabochon.com/) (which only some days ago became playable on the Pocket PC (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=653&amp;more=1)), is the only graphical (I don’t take text-only MUD clients into account) massively multiplayer online RPG (MMORPG) game for the Pocket PC (and a lot of other platforms).

The graphical differece between Wyvern and Sphere is just stunning. There is just no comparison. However, the difference in the language is also prevalent: the language of the game is (and the language the vast majority? all? players use): Russian. That is, if you can’t speak the language, you will find little delight in this game and won't want to subscribe to it.

You still may want to give a demo a try - to do so, just download this compressed file (http://www.pocketgaming.de/download/Sphere/sphere-PDA-hard.zip), extract sphere.ARMv4.CAB from it, transfer it to your PDA and tap it to be installed.

The game is comparatively responsive; it can become a bit slow on scenes where there're a lot of other characters in the screen though - typically the market scene (the one the demo takes you to) is like this.

Note that you'll need to log in as a *guest user (don't forget the leading asterisk, *) with the password guest. Also make sure that you must explicitly switch to the landscape orientation before starting the game because it won't do it for you automatically and the screen will become corrupted. Note that if the client doesn't do anything in the login screen (after saying it's connected as in this screenshot (http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/SphereDoesntGoFurther.bmp.png)), you must check your firewall settings. Fortunately, the English homepage of the game describes all this very well.

1.6 Jackpot Casino 1.01 (http://www.mobile-stream.com/casino.html)

There isn't much 3D in this game - the only 3D seems to be the animation between the ball and the roulette table. It's VGA - and that's all. That is, this is not the game you will want to demonstrate the 3D capabilities of your Axim. You may want to give it a try though if you like the genre. Unfortunately, it has no multiplayer capabilities either.

A very positive review is here (http://www.x50v.it/content/view/434/69/).

1.7 Yeti (http://www.intuitex.com/download/YetiOglDemo.zip) (also see this thread (http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=62224) if interested)

This free 3D demo engine is a Doom clone with a moderately-sized map and some monsters. That is, don’t expect tons of opponents / huge maps / more than a few minutes’ playing time. However, it may suffice to show off the 3D capabilities of your handheld - if you don’t want to pay for, say, the commercial 2700g-capable titles in this review (or in my earlier ones).

Note that you will only need to transfer PPC\YetiPpc_OGL.exe and PPC\hss.dll to anywhere on your PDA and, then, start the former.

1.8 JellyFish from Outer Space (http://www.khronos.org/devu/opengles_challenge/entries/jellyfish.zip) (linked from this page (http://www.khronos.org/devu/opengles_challenge/); the latter page also contains some other PPC-related stuff, albeit tutorials only.)

This (free) game is really-really bad. It’s much less playable than the original 2D Space Invaders. Also, the won’t likely to receive updates as it was meant only to be a technology demo, nothing else.

If you still want to give it a try, make sure you transfer the contents of \jellyfish\arm build\ to the root directory of your PDA (not in a subdirectory - unfortunately, OuterSpace.exe has absolute paths pointing to the root) and start OuterSpace.exe.

Incidentally, khronos.org (http://www.khronos.org/) is an invaluable source of mobile (including PDA’s and 3D-hardware-accelerated mobile phones - see for example my new article on Java midlets (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=644&amp;more=1) for more information on them) 3D gaming-related information. Worth checking out if you are interested in the subject!

2. Technology demos (not games!)

2.1 Imagination Technologies PowerVR Demos (http://www.imgtec.com/Downloads/DocumentDownloads/Demos/Index.asp)

There're six demos (animations - not games!) in there (all in separate pages), all of them very good. Transfer each EXE file inside the ZIP files to your PDA for execution.

2.2 OpenGL|ES Benchmarking Tool (http://www.ims.tuwien.ac.at/~daniel/download/BenchGLES_0_2.zip) (also see this PG thread (http://pocketmatrix.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=246425)); only transfer BenchGLES_CE.exe to your PDA and run it there. It is much less spectacular than the above-introduced Imagination Technologies PowerVR Demos.

2.3 PocketFold (http://mobile.sdsc.edu/PocketPDB.zip) (linked from here (http://mobile.sdsc.edu/downloads.html)): note that it puts its link in Programs, not in Games. It's not a game and isn't at all spectacular (definitely not as good as the Imagination Technologies demos); still, you may want to cast a glance at it.

3. Not available for purchase - only comes on the Dell CD

Fathammer Toy Golf (http://www.fathammer.com/games.aspx?g=8)

This title is really recommended - if you have an x51-series device, it will be available in the Extras directory of your CD. Unfortunately, it’s not sold elsewhere and can be played through really fast, in a few hours (it only contains three times three holes). It doesn't have real, inter-PDA multiplayer capabilities either - don't be misled by the advertisement.

The game also runs on WM5-upgraded Dell Axim x50’s - but not on non-Dell branded WM5 PDA's.

4. Recommended links

The central AximSite 2700g gaming thread (http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=98674)

My previous roundup some other 2700g-enabled Pocket PC games (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=650&amp;more=1)

The Definitive Multiplayer PPC Game Roundup (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/102005MPPPCGames.asp)