DX-Ball 2 Free Download for PC is a brick buster game for Microsoft Windows, developed by Longbow Games. As a follow up to DX-Ball by Michael P. Welch, the sequel is foremost remarked by the introduction of its 16-bit high-colour engine, presenting textured blocks and background graphics in vivid colours. The game also features two new Power-Ups, an easy to play «Kid-Mode», and a hotseat multiplayer mode, alongside an original soundtrack by SideWinder. DX-Ball 2 also introduces the feature of board-set selection, allowing the player to select between different sets of boards to play. The free demo thereby comes packed with a total of 24 boards divided into 6 board-sets of 4 boards search. Additional board packs can then be installed for more boards, whereas Board Pack 1 will expand the demo board-sets to 24 boards each, for a total of 150 boards. While a total of five board packs were released for the game, DX-Ball 2 was eventually succeeded by Rival Ball in 2001.
Development
Programmed by Seumas McNally, DX-Ball 2 was first released on December 16, 1998. The game was an updated version of the classic DX-Ball by Michael P. Welch, on which Seumas had contributed with graphic design.[i] It retained the basic gameplay of the original game, while also recycling the sound effects, and the graphics for the paddle and Power-Ups. However, with the advantage of running in high colour mode, DX-Ball 2 presented a significant upgrade from its predecessor in the visual aspect, delivering colourful board designs with textured blocks and background graphics; additive-blended explosions; ray traced balls; and screens of fiery plasma effects. Also unique to DX-Ball 2 was the ability to select between multiple board-sets to play, enhancing the gameplay experience with varying themes and graphical styles. Among other new features, the game also introduced two new Power-Ups: Mega Ball and Eight Ball; an easy-to-play Kid-Mode; and a euro-techno soundtrack by SideWinder, accompanying the addition of an integrated module player. DX-Ball 2 Download free Full Version.
Version 1.2
Five months after the game's initial release, the first update for DX-Ball 2 was released on May 12, 1999, upgrading it to version 1.2. The new version introduced several new features, including in-game music; hotseat multiplayer mode; improved fire effects; sparks upon impact with invisible bricks; updated graphics for the High Scores screen; textured fireball; half-bright background mode; easier-to-avoid Kill Paddle Power-Ups; shorter wait before unbreakable bricks are neutralised when the ball is stuck; listing of which board was reached on high score tables; a configuration file for advanced options; and overall increased performance.[ii]
Prior to the release of version 1.2, there were also plans of releasing a board editor for the game, allowing players to create and play their own board-sets. An unofficial board editor had already been in the works since the initial release of DX-Ball 2, and with permission from Longbow Digital Arts, it was eventually made available during the second half of 1999.[iii] However, with this in mind, DX-Ball 2 version 1.2 had also been programmed to restrict custom board-sets, allowing only the first four boards to be played. While this was initiated to secure the sales of the game, the company had simultaneously been working on an update to version 1.3, that was planned to lift the custom board-set restriction for owners of Board Pack 1. However, with the passing of Seumas McNally on March 21, 2000, the future for DX-Ball 2 took a slightly different turn. DX-Ball 2 Game free Download Full Version.
Version 1.25
With no public announcement being made, DX-Ball 2 version 1.25 was quietly released in July 2000.[ii] As Longbow Digital Arts was at loss by the passing of its founder, president and lead programmer, the company decided to discontinue support for the board editor and prioritise the sales of board packs. DX-Ball 2 version 1.25 would thus dismiss custom board-sets by changing the game's board-set file format.[iv] Version 1.25 also fixed a bug with latency on newer versions of Windows, and introduced minor cosmetic changes, removing the most prominent references to Michael P. Welch, and adding memorial notes in commemoration of Seumas. DX-Ball 2 Free Download Torrent.
Compatibility updates
As of June 2012, two updates have succeeded the update from July 2000. The first update, version 1.3.2, was released in April 2007. It was foremost implemented to ensure compatibility with Windows Vista, and also installs MCEWrapper.exe for support under Windows XP Media Center Edition. Regardless, a number of minor changes were also made, including the addition of a splash screen upon exiting the game; an integration of the previously separate Music Pack, which adds 11 in-game songs; and a new icon for the executable, replacing the original image of a white ball with an image of the Boing Ball, as seen on the game's title screen. Inconspicuously, it also incorporated a new game mode called Rehab Mode, while the software installer had been changed to NSIS. Unexpectedly, however, this update was later discovered to cause a compatibility issue with Windows 9x; hence a second update, version 1.3.3, was provided in December 2007, which solved the problem by installing ShFolder.dll with the game.[ii]
Playmachine.net
Following the opening of a website called Playmachine.net, a special version of DX-Ball 2 was made exclusively for the service, announced on August 27, 1999. Playmachine.net offered a classic video arcade experience online, utilising ActiveX to download and run games via Internet Explorer or Netscape. Players would then have the option to exchange purchased tokens in order to play, or try the game for free in a 60 seconds trial. The arcade version of DX-Ball 2 thereby featured an exclusive board-set of 100 boards, and the service would automatically upload and host high scores online, with listings for top 30 of the week and top 30 of all time. DX-Ball 2 game free Download for PC Full Version.
