2003 Vaporware Awards

RIP, Fallout 3 by frenetic3 · 2004-01-20 05:01 · Score: 5, Interesting

let us have a moment of silence. (seriously).

that was such a kick in the nuts.

-fren

--
"Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?"

Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by viniosity · 2004-01-20 05:11 · Score: 4, Interesting

I too really enjoyed Fallout 1&2 but had never heard the 3rd one was in progress. I hope that some organization picks up the genre though. It's nice that there are some RPGs that are not set in the medieval universe but none really had the flavor that Fallout did. A follow-up, whether it was called Fallout3 or not, would be welcome by me as long as it:
-retained the ability to name/improve your char
-supported portraits (c'mon guys it's not that hard!
-allowed different weapons and strategies
-had a nice 3D system like NWN
I know that last one might be a little controversial, but after getting used to zooming and panning in the 3D world it's hard to go back to pixels..
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by Pxtl · 2004-01-20 05:11 · Score: 1

Lets not forget Total Annihilation 2. There's another toasted title we'll miss (but then, some of us didn't have high expectations).
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by Asgard · 2004-01-20 05:21 · Score: 1

Ahhhh, TA... one of the best RTS's ever. It still rivals most of then in playability.
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by ccwaterz · 2004-01-20 05:33 · Score: 1, Interesting

What's this then?
http://www.interplay.com/fbos/
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:35 · Score: 0

Another game by another team, not related to the Fallout series except by name.
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:41 · Score: 2, Interesting

A different game. Brotherhood of Steel is not an RPG like F1 and F2, but a squad based tactical combat game. It's sort of like they took the combat system from Fallout and expanded it to become its own sim.

Sort of similar to the old game Breach, if you remember that.
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by AceCaseOR · 2004-01-20 05:46 · Score: 1

That's a "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance/Diablo" clone in the Fallout setting. Fallout 3 was a RPG in the vein of the first 2 games.

--
Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by Bendebecker · 2004-01-20 06:35 · Score: 1

It would have been better if Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel had never been released at all. Its only excuse was that it seemed to have been made by a third party developer - Black Isle should have been ashamed to put their logo on this game. It was full of bugs, lacked most of the humor of the orginal, lacked most of the choices of the orginal, and had more bugs then the orginal. You couldn't walk across the map without running into endless fights. And by endless I mean: you run into one and you escape cause you don't want to fight it it, the screen flashes back to the map but before you even really begin to move, your back in a new fight so you fight that one hoping you won't have to fight again, only the map flashes again just like before and your in another fight - and you've only moved one single dot in all that time.

The jokes we're mostly lame attempts at cheap knock offs of the some of the orginal jokes. instead of meeting the bridge keeper you meet king arthurs knights from monty python, etc.. And the worse was lack of choices. The game became a destroy target, get new mission to destroy new target. You couldn't go off to explore becuase the towns would only appear when you got to the missions that needed them. You didn't have the freedom of the orginals to search however way you wished, instead you had to keep doing mission after boring repetitive mission. And all the missions were the same. They might say something about peace but when it came down to it it was search out target, eradicate target, get new target. You couldn't be bad or anything either because in order to get the next mission you had to go back to the brotherhood who'd kill you for being evil. Imagine having to play the military base part of Fallout 1 over and over again except instead of having to fiddle with forcefields you just had to kill people. That was the whole game and quite frankly it sucked. If it wasn't for the fact that R. Lee Ermy did one of the voices, the game itself would have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

--
There's a growing sense that even if The Future comes,
most of us won't be able to afford it.
-- Lemmy
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by rpillala · 2004-01-20 07:15 · Score: 1

Yeah really, I mean was Fallout 3 even announced? I don't remember hearing anything official about Fallout 3 even being in production. I checked the article but couldn't find anything. I thought vaporware had to be announced and hyped but never appear. Also, "mutant shoot 'em ups"?

Ravi

--
When the axe came to the forest, the trees said, "Look out - the handle was once one of us."
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by killmeplease · 2004-01-20 07:31 · Score: 1

They should have a sequel called 28 Days Later, like the movie. It sounds like pretty much the same premise and damn that movie was cool.

--
- Kill Yourself, spare us all! -
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:32 · Score: 0

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
http://www.interplay.com/falloutbos/
Wouldn't this be considered Fallout 3?
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by Jaysyn · 2004-01-20 09:45 · Score: 1

Did you ever play Fallout: Tactics for the PC? Good game if you can get past the constant crashing & fucked up economic system that's in it.

Jaysyn

--
There is a war going on for your mind.
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by tdelaney · 2004-01-20 09:50 · Score: 1

No. FOT:BOS was never considered Fallout 3 (and was never promoted as such). They were smart enough then to realise that the Fallout series was a CRPG series, and anything else was a spinoff - not part of the main series. With FO:BOS (what idiot decided to give such a similar name to a game?) they forgot this important point.
Re:RIP, Fallout 3 by SebNukem · 2004-01-20 11:18 · Score: 1

Are you saying we'll never see the sequel of the best rts game ever? No seriously?

probably best left on the drawing board... by sweeney37 · 2004-01-20 05:01 · Score: 4, Funny

Perhaps someone should comprise a list of things that should of been vaporware, for the sake of corporations that stupidly put them out and consumers who shelled out cash for them. NGage anyone?

Mike

Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Hes+Nikke · 2004-01-20 05:26 · Score: 3, Funny

Perhaps someone should comprise a list of things that should of been vaporware, for the sake of corporations that stupidly put them out and consumers who shelled out cash for them. NGage anyone?

the 1st thing on my list would be Diakatana. *shudder*

the 2nd thing on that list would be Microsoft Bob *shudder*

anyone else got something?

--
Don't call me back. Give me a call back. Bye. So yeah. But bye our, well, but alright we are on a shirt this chill.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:36 · Score: 0

Humanity?
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by tuffy · 2004-01-20 05:46 · Score: 2

In the theatrical category, I'd like to nominate "Star Trek V", "Alien 3", "Highlander 2" and the "Matrix" sequels.

--
Ita erat quando hic adveni.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by geomon · 2004-01-20 05:47 · Score: 5, Funny

the 1st thing on my list would be Diakatana. *shudder*

I was never lucky enough to have played this particular game. I did a web search for the name and came up with this website.

Truly frightning.

--
"Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by C0vardeAn0nim0 · 2004-01-20 06:03 · Score: 3, Interesting

betamax, windows (any version since 1.0), ford pinto,...

but my lifetime achievement for vaporware is: arificial inteligence

--
What ? Me, worry ?
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by adrianbaugh · 2004-01-20 06:09 · Score: 2, Insightful

All Metallica's albums since and including the Black Album?

--
"'I pass the test,' she said. 'I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.'"
- JRR Tolkien.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by dani+ramone · 2004-01-20 06:13 · Score: 1

and the "Matrix" sequels.
There was Matrix Sequels? geez, I thought it was a prank!
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by 74nova · 2004-01-20 06:18 · Score: 1

1. beta is superior, high-end cameras still use it
2. the pinto can quite easily be fitted with a turbo 4cyl to make it very fast (granted, that one is a little sketchy as to whether the car is still worthless or not)

id like to add one, tho, speaking of the pinto. aside from front suspension components, the mustang II was a worthless and ugly piece of crap.

having said all that, id still mod you way up for your suggestion of lifetime achievement award for AI. nothing i have ever seen even remotely resembles AI. the best i can say about any of it is that it is clever use of interesting prog languages and databases.

--
use your turn signal! you people act like it's divulging information to the enemy
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:27 · Score: 0

Perhaps someone should comprise a list of things
Stop it. The word 'comprise' is not a synonym for 'compose'. The individual vaporware 'things' would comprise the list. (I know there has arisen a second meaning of 'comprise' because so many people try to sound smart that it's actually in the dictionary, but that's no excuse. It's the sort of thinking that gives the media's vision of 'hacker' credence
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by AppleJuice · 2004-01-20 06:39 · Score: 1

arificial inteligence

Let's try for natural intelligence first. Wait, is this a Turing test?

--
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by red+floyd · 2004-01-20 06:41 · Score: 1

Any JonKatz article on SlashDot?

Of course, of late, that falls into the real vaporware section as well.

--
The only reason we have the rights we have is that people just like us died to gain those rights. -- Cheerio Boy
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by eglamkowski · 2004-01-20 06:45 · Score: 1

Battlecruiser 3000

--
Government IS the problem.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by nautical9 · 2004-01-20 06:57 · Score: 1, Informative

My vote - Deus Ex: Invisible War.
I'm a HUGE Deus Ex fanboy, but this sequel just doesn't feel a thing like the original. Has a serious case of "consolitis", due to the dev's designing for both X-Box and PC without considering the PC's strengths/weaknesses.
They took out most of what made the first so good and replaced them with dumbed-down versions or nothing at all.
Not to mention the complete rush job they did to get it out the door before christmas - there's a minimal patch out now, but I'm still waiting for a major one that improves playability to the point where I'd actually give it another shot.
And I seriously think they paid off most of the review sites - the game they're describing certainly isn't the one I bought. Anyone out there who actually liked DX:IW?
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by MicktheMech · 2004-01-20 06:59 · Score: 1

I'd place Alien Ressurection before Ailen 3. The third movie may not have compared to the first two, but compared to ressurection it was a masterpiece.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:00 · Score: 0

but my lifetime achievement for vaporware is: arificial inteligence

Really? I'm sorry that we don't yet have robotic mad scientists taking over the world for your amusement, but real AI work continues and real AI based products come out pretty often.

I think this is more of a misunderstanding of what AI is than a true failure in the field.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:02 · Score: 0

That's "should have" been you illiterate idiot.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by banzai51 · 2004-01-20 07:07 · Score: 1

Diakatana. hehehehehehe. My friend bought the game just to have it as a collector's piece. Morbid curiosity got the best of him and he played it. Misery loves company so he showed it to the rest of us. eeeek! What I can't believe is that soooo many fanboys defended the game despite it's slightly above Duke Nukem 3D graphics.
Which begs the question: Should 3D Relms ever release Nukem Forever? It could never live up to the hype, anticipation, and cynisism built up around it. It would be better as a marketing tool unreleased.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:11 · Score: 1, Informative

It's misspelled. Searching for Daikatana might be more fruitful.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Bendebecker · 2004-01-20 07:15 · Score: 1

I got for christmas this year. Only cost me $2. It really isn't that bad. The only major flaw is the damn frogs. and flies. In unreal you got big hulking monsters. In Doom you got zombies. In Daikatana you get frogs.

--
There's a growing sense that even if The Future comes,
most of us won't be able to afford it.
-- Lemmy
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Frizzle+Fry · 2004-01-20 07:20 · Score: 3, Funny

I got for christmas this year. Only cost me $2.

Aren't things you get for christmas not supposed to cost you anything?

--
I'd rather be lucky than good.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by inode_buddha · 2004-01-20 07:24 · Score: 2, Funny

how about a well-greased CueCat? At least its immediate utility was *obvious*...

--
C|N>K
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by EvilTwinSkippy · 2004-01-20 07:36 · Score: 1

The first few years of Pinto used an engine manufactured by Volkwagon because Ford couldn't make a powerplant that small. At least not well, as is evidenced by the later models of the Pinto with domestic engines that were just plain awful.
I hear you on Artificial Intelligence. It has been oversold. If you want something with the flexibility and decision making power of the human mind, it has to be trained like a human mind. At that point you have a choice of a flaky bit of electronic brain or a flaky bit of organic brain.
And humans are cheap to make.

--
"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
--Dr.W.Edwards Deming
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by cgenman · 2004-01-20 07:49 · Score: 2, Insightful

Win ME?

Win ME Plus?

DVD's that can't play on Pc's?

Napster 2.0?

Both 2003 Matrix Movies?

Memory Sticks?

Incompatible ports at the bottoms of PDAs?

Full-Speed USB 2.0?

That Deus Ex demo. You know, the one where the mouse was turned off.

Did I mention Win Me? Win Me Plus?

--
The ______ Agenda
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by wheany · 2004-01-20 08:07 · Score: 1

The same in Half-Life: Blue Shift. That guard killed more of those frog-creatures than Gordon and the soldier combined. And the game was way shorter than even Opposing force.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by lysander · 2004-01-20 08:25 · Score: 1

aww come on, the Black album rocks. how about we forget about everything after that?

--
GET YOUR WEAPONS READY! --DR.LIGHT
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 08:44 · Score: 0

don't forget the GM equivalent, the Vega.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by ectospasm · 2004-01-20 09:16 · Score: 1

I think this is more of a misunderstanding of what AI is than a true failure in the field.

I agree. Most people have a gross misconception of what AI is, or what it can become. One must remember that machine intelligence and human intelligence are totally different, and look nothing like each other.

--

We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of the dreams.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Jaysyn · 2004-01-20 09:31 · Score: 1

I had a '86 Mustang with a 4 cyl & 4 spd. The car had 90 whole HP and is to this day the shittiest Mustang ever made. I would have killed for a Mustang II. Not that I'll *ever* own a Ford again.

Jaysyn

--
There is a war going on for your mind.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Jaysyn · 2004-01-20 09:36 · Score: 1

10 years later he finally finished that game, decided after a couple of months that it was unsellable & now you can download the whole damn thing as freeware. It's actually not a horrible game, after being patched & stuff. Probably runs pretty well under WINe too.

Jaysyn

--
There is a war going on for your mind.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by retinaburn · 2004-01-20 10:15 · Score: 1

betamax ?

And yet it is only now being supplanted by Digital in the Television industry. I hate people and their closed mindedness about technology.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 10:39 · Score: 0

Which begs the question:

Oh shit, now you've done it.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by rat7307 · 2004-01-20 10:54 · Score: 1

Any JonKatz article on SlashDot?

OT i know, but man, what happedned to Katz???

The comments about his stories used to be the best thing about /.

--
Burma?
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by bonch · 2004-01-20 18:34 · Score: 1

ABANDON SHIP! Metallica is trying new things!
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-21 00:23 · Score: 0

YOU make a strong argument....
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by schon · 2004-01-21 14:15 · Score: 1

it is only now being supplanted by Digital in the Television industry

I'm sorry, but where in the world does the TV industry use Betamax?!?!??! Yes, beta is (was?) the industry standard for Television, but Betamax was the video equivalent of the PCjr.
Re:probably best left on the drawing board... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-21 14:20 · Score: 0

1. beta is superior, high-end cameras still use it

And that has exactly what to do with the parent post?

I didn't see any reference to Beta, only Betamax.

So... by CaptainAlbert · 2004-01-20 05:02 · Score: 5, Funny

...do these awards, erm, ever get presented? :)

--
These sigs are more interesting tha

Re:So... by DaveJ2001 · 2004-01-20 05:07 · Score: 5, Funny

What awards? This is just the press release, we'll never actually see the real thing...
Re:So... by b0r0din · 2004-01-20 05:08 · Score: 4, Funny

Yes, according to Duke Nukem's staff, the awards show will be sometime in late, oh, let's just say July of 2004. That seems about right.
Re:So... by Wyatt+Earp · 2004-01-20 05:08 · Score: 1

They are getting around to it.

The awards will be presented when Wired has the time and manpower to get them finished.

Or...

The awards are on order and the award store says they will call us when they are finished.
Re:So... by fred87 · 2004-01-20 05:20 · Score: 1

I allready have presented SCO's award for a vapour-ware case several times via email and telephone.
Re:So... by proj_2501 · 2004-01-20 05:20 · Score: 0, Offtopic

are you aware that your sig is broken?
Re:So... by Loconut1389 · 2004-01-20 05:39 · Score: 1

VaporWare, VaporAwards
Re:So... by tomhudson · 2004-01-20 05:50 · Score: 1

What awards? This is just the press release, we'll never actually see the real thing...
So that means the actual awards are vapourware. Ouch! Mind you, it IS appropriate.
Re:So... by BlueArchon · 2004-01-20 06:41 · Score: 3, Funny

His sig isn't broken, it's just vaporware...
Re:So... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:17 · Score: 0

whoever modded this is a retard

poster should know his sig is broken right? and readers may also want to know that a sig they may want to click on may be fucked, right?

use your mod points for other purposes. so many other posts worthy of promotion/demotion and you waste it on this.
Re:So... by TwistedGreen · 2004-01-20 07:47 · Score: 1

Thank you for explaining, Captain Obvious.
Re:So... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 09:12 · Score: 0

If I hadn't already modded the previous guy down, I'd be slapping your ass too, beeotch.
Re:So... by scrote-ma-hote · 2004-01-20 10:04 · Score: 1

You're welcome lieutenant asshole.

Duke Nukem Forever by gazuga · 2004-01-20 05:02 · Score: 4, Funny

Winning the Lifetime Achievement Award, if you hadn't guessed already: Duke Nukem Forever!

How do you think it got its name in the first place?

--
"I turn away with fright and horror from the lamentable evil of functions which do not have derivatives."

Re:Duke Nukem Forever by cK-Gunslinger · 2004-01-20 05:07 · Score: 5, Funny

But... you can pre-order the game:

Duke Nukem Forever Preorder

Only one more year! =P
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by CommieLib · 2004-01-20 05:35 · Score: 1

I sure wish I had a job where I could produce nothing for six years and still have a job. Can anyone here explain to me why a project manager who is so obviously grotesquely incompetent hasn't been fired?

Imagine you're an investor for 3DRealms. You're sitting the fricking Duke Nukem license as it slowly slips out of the collective gamer memory. Who are these people who are handing those jackasses their pink slips?

Speaking as a programmer who actually has to ship code (imagine!), I would have long ago sold the license to someone who knows how to run a team.

--
If your bitterest enemies are people who hack the heads off civilians, then I would say you're doing something right.
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by (54)T-Dub · 2004-01-20 05:55 · Score: 5, Informative

They don't need investors. They made enough money off of Duke Nukem and the Max Payne license to fund themseleves.

--

"I can not bring myself to believe that if knowledge presents danger, the solution is ignorance" - Isaac Asimov
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by pballsim · 2004-01-20 05:59 · Score: 1

I only hope it's not as bad as Duke Nukem's Manhatten Project. I wanted a 1st person shooter up, not something like Super Mario Bros.
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:09 · Score: 0

How do you think it got its name in the first place?
I don't know what you guys are griping about. I've had Duke Nukem Forever for 2 months now and it completely rocks. The aliens are bigger, badder, and harder to kill, the women are sexier, and Duke's one-liners are as fun as ever. I can't stop playing! Anyway who doesn't have this game is a complete loser. You can easily find it online.
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by GregWebb · 2004-01-20 06:21 · Score: 5, Funny

I always wondered whether 3D Realms have any motor racing anoraks on staff.

When you're looking down a results sheet, you will find some drivers will have 'DNF' printed against their names.

This stands for 'Did Not Finish' :-)

--
Greg
(Inside a nuclear plant)
Aaaarrrggh! Run! The canary has mutated!
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:26 · Score: 0

The guy in the article is quoted as saying "I preordered my copy of Nuken Forever so long ago that I'm thinking of having the receipt framed".

Hm... I wonder how he managed that?

As per DNF3D's own website:

No, you cannot pre-order the game. If you see some online store saying "We are taking pre-orders", they're just trying to get your money (they usually also make up their own supposed "insider release date info", too). There is no release date set, we are not taking pre-orders for the game. End of story.

Once we begin taking pre-orders, believe us, you'll know about it. :)
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by stanmann · 2004-01-20 07:05 · Score: 1

You mean Manhatten project is like the original Duke Nukem. Awesome, I'm going to go get it.

--
Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by Frizzle+Fry · 2004-01-20 07:31 · Score: 1

I sure wish I had a job where I could produce nothing for six years and still have a job.

I suggest working for the government.

--
I'd rather be lucky than good.
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 09:10 · Score: 0

According to 3D Realms, they have not announced a release date, they are not taking pre-orders and anybody who is offering pre-orders is just on a cash grab (this is practically verbatim).
Tough luck!
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 09:23 · Score: 0

You forgot: You can take a fire extinguisher, and you can throw it into the air, and then you can shoot it so it explodes!

All DNF trolls must contain that passage - see your handbook.
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by Tim+Browse · 2004-01-20 10:30 · Score: 1

Maybe they should just rename the game "Duke Nukem Preorder".
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 10:31 · Score: 0

A lot of sports that have a ranking system and involve some kind of racing and crossing the finish line have a DNF marker for contestants who did not finish the event. Hardly a motor racing thing.
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 10:51 · Score: 0

They may well, but 'vapourware' will be in small type, or the same colour as the background.
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by 00420 · 2004-01-20 13:50 · Score: 1

Your question is more or less addressed in the last paragraph of question 1.12 in the Duke Nukem Forever FAQ.

They're not a publicly held company, so they can get away with it.

If they are truly trying to make the best FPS ever, and they are actually working on it (I'm skeptical but willing to give them the benefit of the doubt), then I respect them taking their time. Of course, I'm a Nintendo fanboy, so I'm used to waiting a long time for a game :)

--
Have you tried Linux yet?
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by 24-bit+Voxel · 2004-01-20 15:30 · Score: 1

It is nothing like the original, or even the 2nd one. It is an abomination, feels more like double dragon than duke nuken. Vox
Re:Duke Nukem Forever by minus_273 · 2004-01-20 18:53 · Score: 1

PreOrder: Ships on 11/14/2004

--
The war with islam is a war on the beast
The war on terror is a war for peace

missed the vote by grub · 2004-01-20 05:03 · Score: 4, Funny

I would have voted for "SCO's Evidence Against Linux" had the thought crossed my mind.

--
Trolling is a art,

Re:missed the vote by (startx) · 2004-01-20 05:05 · Score: 4, Interesting

rtfa. SCO "evidence" did get a dishonerable mention
Re:missed the vote by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:10 · Score: 0

I did and don't recall seeing that. will read again..
Re:missed the vote by Walterk · 2004-01-20 05:20 · Score: 1

Meanwhile, dishonorable mentions go to SCO for the as-yet-unseen Unix code that the company alleges was ripped off in Linux, and to Microsoft for its "secure computing initiative" and the ever-slipping ship date for Longhorn, which is shaping up to be a very promising candidate for the Vaporware awards in 2006, 2007 and maybe even 2008.

--

"If anyone needs me, I'm in the angry dome."
Re:missed the vote by IPFreely · 2004-01-20 06:32 · Score: 1

Just because it was mentioned in the article doesn't mean he couldn't vote for it. No need to be rude.

--
There is nothing so silly as other peoples traditions, and nothing so sacred as our own.

Re:God Bless America by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:03 · Score: 0, Interesting

And yet, everyone want's to be just like us. Odd...

The title of the article says it all... by _PimpDaddy7_ · 2004-01-20 05:03 · Score: 0

Vaporware: Nuke 'Em if Ya Got 'Em

Nuff said ;)

Hurd by neodymium · 2004-01-20 05:03 · Score: 5, Funny

GNU Hurd didn't make it into the list. Odd....:-)

Re:Hurd by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:09 · Score: 2, Insightful

How about an open source businessmodel that actually work for developers?

We have heard it for years from zealots but I would say that hardly anyone has come up with a businessmodel that actually works. Redhat and IBM just selling other peoples work (read free labour) certainly doesn't quality.
Re:Hurd by __past__ · 2004-01-20 05:10 · Score: 5, Funny

Maybe you cannot be nominated more then 10 times in a row or so?

--
Programming can be fun again. Film at 11.
Re:Hurd by fred87 · 2004-01-20 05:17 · Score: 1

Somebody heard it exists. Sorry, couldn't stop myself :)
Re:Hurd by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:39 · Score: 0

I know this is a troll, but the cygwin people made some decent coin.
Re:Hurd by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:51 · Score: 0

Wouldn't that be what SCO is using? Oh, wait! You mean real developers, like the kind that write code, instead of the kind that go prospecting for lawsuits? Good luck with all that... While you are at it, see if you can find bigfoot (the zealots swear he really exists too).
Re:Hurd by sjames · 2004-01-20 09:00 · Score: 1

How about an open source businessmodel that actually work for developers?

The only way to make it work for all developers everywhere is to change the economic system or get more companies to buy in to the business model. The former seems unlikely, and the latter takes time.

However, note that RedHat does employ a number of those developers itself and IBM has had it's employees contribute code on the company's payroll. If more companies do the same in turn, all Free software authors can be employed. That would work.

Duke Nukem Forever... by gmuslera · 2004-01-20 05:04 · Score: 1

...looks to be on schedule. The "Forever" in the name is how much you have to wait to see it (you know, a lot of games, like unreal tournament uses the same tactic in the name).

WMDs by Theatetus · 2004-01-20 05:04 · Score: 0, Funny

I'm surprised the Iraqi anthrax factories didn't make the list.

--
All's true that is mistrusted

Re:WMDs by drafalski · 2004-01-20 05:07 · Score: 5, Informative

From the article:

Dishonorable shout outs also go to Valve's Counter-Strike: Condition Zero; President George W. Bush's weapons of mass destruction...
Re:WMDs by deacon · 2004-01-20 06:00 · Score: 1

A link proving the article's assertion about Bush's faked WMDs.
Or not.
(Score:-1,Disproved Meme of Hive Mind)

The List by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:04 · Score: 5, Informative

Lifetime Achievement Award: Duke Nukem Forever

10. RadioShark (Griffin Technology)
9. Amiga OS 4.0 (Amiga)
8. Wrist PDA (Fossil)
7. HDTV TiVo (TiVo)
6. RealPC (FWB)
5. Wi-Fi SD Card for Palm (SanDisk)
4. Team Fortress 2 (Valve)
3. Phantom Gaming System (Infinium Labs)
2. Fallout 3 (Black Isle Studios)
1. Half-Life 2 (Valve) /anon

Re:The List by hawkbug · 2004-01-20 05:20 · Score: 0

Yeah, but there currently IS a directivo that is HD.... or am I crazy? I thought they were already selling those things.
Re:The List by Misch · 2004-01-20 05:25 · Score: 1

Selling and shipping are two different things. It's like those Free Half Life 2 coupons that came with some high-end video cards that were sold. Those copies are considered "sold" but not shipped.

--

--You will rephrase your request for me to go to hell. Goto statements are not acceptable programming constructs
Re:The List by Amiga+Lover · 2004-01-20 05:34 · Score: 2, Informative

> 9. Amiga OS 4.0 (Amiga)

Heh. they might regret picking on the AmigaOS this time. Hints from the producers show it'll be out at the beginning of february, and sent to existing AmigaOne owners by the end of January
Re:The List by semper · 2004-01-20 05:35 · Score: 3, Informative

Don't forget the DisHonorable Mentions
1. SCO for the as-yet-unseen Unix code that the company alleges was ripped off in Linux
2. Microsoft for its "secure computing initiative" and the ever-slipping ship date for Longhorn, which is shaping up to be a very promising candidate for the Vaporware awards in 2006, 2007 and maybe even 2008.

--
Unfortunately no one can be shown what Linux is, one must experience for oneself.
Re:The List by Ryosen · 2004-01-20 05:42 · Score: 0, Troll

>>and the ever-slipping ship date for Longhorn

One can only hope.

--

Ryosen
One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
Re:The List by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:48 · Score: 0, Troll

Heh. they might regret picking on the AmigaOS this time. Hints from the producers show it'll be out at the beginning of february

They didn't exactly specify WHICH february did they?

Not to worry. You've waited eleven years already, another decade surely can't hurt.
Re:The List by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:23 · Score: 0

@Amiga Lover:

So does this mean it on time and rockin still?
Re:The List by amigabill · 2004-01-20 06:35 · Score: 1

I've seen OS4 running on a couple machines, an AmigaOne and an A3000 (68K version for developers), I'm not sure I'm ready to believe it'll ship end of January to end-users, not even as a pubic beta. Maybe they will send out what there is to send out just so they can say they did, but there's still some kinks needing ironed out before I'd be happy to see it in the hands of the general public Amiga users.
Re:The List by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:15 · Score: 0

What is more amazing is that AmigaOS4 was never even promised for 2003..

What really tops the iceberg, is that the person who posted this to wired, is employed at Genesi, the biggest competitor to Amiga! Genesi products=Pegasos and MorphOS. Genesi has really sunked low this time..

AmigaOS4 will be very soon... The beta version is allready running nicely on AmigaONE
Re:The List by Seehund · 2004-01-20 07:16 · Score: 1

That's incorrect.

The latest "target date" is for "a pre-release version" for Teron motherboard owners, and this was announced to be "early next year" (i.e. 2004).

Anyway, this was the 2003 Vaporware awards. AmigaOS 4.0 was not for sale in 2003, and the first announced releasedates go back to 2001. Ergo, it's still vapourware, even if it really is coming RSN(TM) this time.

What's sad is that it won't be allowed to actually be for sale, ever, unless "Amiga, Inc." get a clue.

--
Help savingAmigaOS and a free PowerPC market
Re:The List by Seehund · 2004-01-20 07:38 · Score: 1

:)

Actually, that infamous lie was "On Schedule and Rockin'".

But that was for the "AmigaOne PPC/1200", the development of which had already been suspended at the time of that announcement.

As you can see, AmigaOS 4.0 and 4.2 was "on schedule for release Summer of '01".

--
Help savingAmigaOS and a free PowerPC market
Re:The List by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:48 · Score: 0

What really tops the iceberg, is that the person who posted this to wired, is employed at Genesi, the biggest competitor to Amiga! Genesi products=Pegasos and MorphOS. Genesi has really sunked low this time..

Perhaps it's a good thing they took his comment then, instead of comments by any of the thousands of people Amiga have already taken money from, but not delivered product to in over 3 years.

For a competitor's comment I think it's mildly worded. As a customer who has lost money in this stinker of a company my description of them was less pleasant by a mile.

What is more amazing is that AmigaOS4 was never even promised for 2003..

Oh that's naive and irrelevant. Most of the other vaporware awards weren't promised for 2003 specifically... but they've been promised as "coming soon" for year after year. In the case of AmigaOS4, since 2001.
Re:The List by Vaakku · 2004-01-20 08:20 · Score: 1

It has been on "Just two more weeks/months" state since Feb/2001. Why one should believe that it would come out now ?
Re:The List by cpeterso · 2004-01-20 08:30 · Score: 2, Funny

Shouldn't the #1 vaporware of 2003 be Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction? :-)

--
cpeterso
Re:The List by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 10:33 · Score: 0

The current people behind the Amiga company are scammers, nothing more, and anyone still supporting them deserves to lose all the money they hand over to them.

You can tell me I'm wrong when they actually release something substantial. It's been how many years now?
Re:The List by lee7guy · 2004-01-20 11:48 · Score: 1

Sorta reminds me of the 80s when Atari and Amiga people were in a continual flamewar while Microsoft and Apple were mopping the floor with them.

Ignorant or just too young to remember what it was like back then?

--
Ceterum censeo Microsoftem esse delendam
Re:The List by root:DavidOgg · 2004-01-20 12:17 · Score: 1

> Heh. they might regret picking on the AmigaOS
> this time. Hints from the producers show it'll
> be out at the beginning of february, and sent
> to existing AmigaOne owners by the end of January

hehe haha har ha HOOOO HA HA HA HOWWWWWLLLLLLLLL
"ON SCHEDULE AND ROCKIN" Bill Mcewen, CEO Amiga Inc circa 2000
"Only 2 weeks behind!" Bill McEwen, CEO Amiga Inc circa 2001

--
--AROS is an Open Source AmigaOS clone, and source compatible with AmigaOS! Try the x86 build at http://www.aros.org
Re:The List by root:DavidOgg · 2004-01-20 12:20 · Score: 1

Fleecy said he saw AmigaOS4 running on the prototype AmigaOne back in 2001.

Turns out it couldn't have been possible, as the prototype AmigaOne at that time was not functioning, as Escena cancelled their plans to make the chipset.

--
--AROS is an Open Source AmigaOS clone, and source compatible with AmigaOS! Try the x86 build at http://www.aros.org
Re:The List by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 12:23 · Score: 0

How can this Genesi company be a competitor if Genesi sell a product and Amiga doesn't?
You Amiga people are so fucking gullable you will buy into anything!
Re:The List by Ryosen · 2004-01-20 12:43 · Score: 1

Interesting. I was modded a troll for saying that one could only hope that Longhorn will continue to slip.

I'll clarify. Given that my livelihood depends on software development, and given that proposed DRM controls in Longhorn threaten my ability to produce said software without license and approval from Microsoft (an expensive venture well out of my fiscal reach), yes, I hope that Longhorn never sees the light of day.

Go ahead and mod me a troll. I might not have cash to burn on the "Approved by Microsoft" DRM program, but at least I've got some karma.

--

Ryosen
One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
Re:The List by glesga_kiss · 2004-01-21 01:34 · Score: 1

5. Wi-Fi SD Card for Palm (SanDisk)

As far as I know, you can get these. You just don't get Palm drivers. I'd hardly call a shipping product as vapourware just because it's driver doesn't include a particular OS.

2003 Grand Champion of Vaporwar is.... by macdaddy · 2004-01-20 05:04 · Score: 4, Funny

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Lets give it up for WMD ladies and gentlemen!

*cough* Well, I did say it was Vaporwar. :-)

Re:2003 Grand Champion of Vaporwar is.... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:18 · Score: 0

More a smokescreen than vaporware...!
Re:2003 Grand Champion of Vaporwar is.... by Rhubarb+Crumble · 2004-01-20 05:28 · Score: 1

2. It's not funny. It's actually a rather tired and obvious joke.
Entirely unlike Duke Nukem Forever, then...
Re:2003 Grand Champion of Vaporwar is.... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:59 · Score: 0

yeah baby, you are the king!

Re:Duke by Trurl's+Machine · 2004-01-20 05:04 · Score: 1, Offtopic

I never really liked any of the Duke games.

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a genuine Duke game, but my favorite was always Shadow Warrior. Based on the same engine, created by the same designers, with the same gross kind of humor that I shamefully ejoy. However, in the "reality" of some weird Jackie Chan movie, this kind of humor seems just more appropriate than in the pseudo-sf scenery of "Duke Nuke'm".

They quoted... me?!? by downix · 2004-01-20 05:05 · Score: 5, Funny

Come on, out of who knows how many votes for AmigaOS 4, they picked me?

--
Karma Whoring for Fun and Profit.

Re:They quoted... me?!? by searchr · 2004-01-20 05:30 · Score: 1

Yah, I wrote the bit about shoving Dells into old old Xbox cases for the "Phantom", and they used it. But hey, c'mon, that's gold, baby.
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:26 · Score: 0

Don't you work for Genesi, the competitor to Amiga?

Therefore surely your quote on Wired (as a user) is actually simply dissing a competitor who has nearly finished the software (and it isn't as if Linux doesn't run on the AmigaOne motherboards (of which there are several different types now). So many of the "facts" in your comment are untrue it isn't funny.

Oh, wasn't Genesi's Pegasos2 delayed several months as well last year.

Delays in OS writing are standard. At least OS4 has a TCP/IP stack ... has MorphOS got one yet? Does it have drivers for the Firewire on the Pegasos motherboard?
Re:They quoted... me?!? by billimad · 2004-01-20 06:27 · Score: 1

actually, it was just you ;-p
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:38 · Score: 0

> Oh, wasn't Genesi's Pegasos2 delayed several months as well last year.

Amiga apologist. A delay in the realm of months is not in any way comparable to the YEARS of lies that Amiga apologists keep falling for, waiting for more of, and giving excuses for. Not only, why should another company's delays have any bearing on giving yet more excuses to a dead product. It's sad to see the company in control of a product give excuse after excuse. It's just plain fanatical to see it's followers make up MORE excuses for them.

Hell, Amiga could pack up their offices, move out, and do nothing but release press releases for another five years and nobody would notice any difference, there would be the same amount of Actual Released Product

> At least OS4 has a TCP/IP stack ... has MorphOS got one yet?

MorphOS exists. People are using it. AmigaOS4 is still vaporware, and as such it has nothing. Talk about it "next month" when it's released and we can all use it (excuse me while I stifle a chuckle. next month indeed)
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:43 · Score: 0

Still doesn't change the fact that you work for a competitor to Amiga, and hence what you said could get Wired, and Genesi, into trouble*.

Anyway, MorphOS has been going through beta releases for ever (despite the version numbers, which are arbitrary anyway). When it has a TCP/IP stack I'll consider it released ... and support for all the hardware on the motherboard it runs on.

* if Amiga Inc. had any money, of course
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Saven+Marek · 2004-01-20 06:46 · Score: 1

Hell, Amiga could pack up their offices, move out, and do nothing but release press releases for another five years and nobody would notice any difference, there would be the same amount of Actual Released Product

I hate to tell you this, but they did that in the middle of last year, they have no offices and all their equipment was auctioned off.

I guess it just proves your point but!
Re:They quoted... me?!? by GQuon · 2004-01-20 06:58 · Score: 1

MorphOS exists. People are using it.

People have been using AmigaOS since the late 1980's.
OS 4 is only used by developers/testers, since it's not done. But there are developers actually writing code for it, which is more than can be said for some of the other vaporware products.

AmigaOS4 is still vaporware, and as such it has nothing.

Well, some vaporware is actually released. Windows 95 was released wasn't it? Let's look in the Jargon File:

vaporware

jargon /vay'pr-weir/ Products announced far in advance of
any release (which may or may not actually take place). The
term came from Atari users and was later applied by
Infoworld to Microsoft's continuous lying about Microsoft
Windows.

See also brochureware.

By the way: Slashdot knows who you are.

--
Irene KHAAAAAAN!
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:13 · Score: 0

Gee, Nate, did you happen to mention that you are employed by their #1 competitor and that you are obsessive-compulsive about your fixation with slagging them, and have been since they turned you down for a job as woefully unqualified?

Probably not.

Just another grunt in Buckster The Huckster's little army of mindless drones and accessories to fraud.
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:26 · Score: 0

That wasn't slagging them, that was the truth! Feeling the need to concentrate on the person who's reporting an ugly truth regarding Amiga's lies, deceit, false promises, taking money without delivering (that's fraud!), and wasting of resources is ignoring the real problem, that ugliness in the first place. You are giving explicit approval to propagating that ugliness.

Have a nice evening making up more excuses for Amiga. Oh, and make sure you find another couple of scapegoats to blame next time there's yet another delay with the OS.
Re:They quoted... me?!? by jeffy124 · 2004-01-20 07:34 · Score: 1

I have it a little worse. On the Lifetime award, they didn't quote me, they quoted someone of the same name as I!

--
The One Rule Of Chess You'll Ever Need: Don't play someone who carries a kit in their bookbag.
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 09:18 · Score: 0

I guess that goes to show how little effort these "journalists" put into their research.

Chosing something from someone working for a competitor is slightly unproffessional. Of course submitting it in the first place on your behalf was hardly appropriate either.

But hey, we all know the lengths you people will go to...
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 10:03 · Score: 0

Wow... I have a computer that runs on vapor! I guess I shouldn't open the case, then!
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 12:27 · Score: 0

Actually go ahead and open it, I want to find out if that's where you keep your INCREDIBLE stash of pot!
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 12:29 · Score: 0

Competitor??? How can a company that has NO PRODUCT have a competitor!? Oh, right, maybe they sell vapor?
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 12:31 · Score: 0

Amiga HAS no competitors you fuckwit. Amiga has no PRODUCT yet, that's why they won the VAPORWARE award... *AGAIN!!!*
Re:They quoted... me?!? by downix · 2004-01-20 12:35 · Score: 1

Hyperion, a software producer, is not a competitor to Genesi, a hardware vendor. In fact, I would call Genesi the logical parter for Hyperion.

--
Karma Whoring for Fun and Profit.
Re:They quoted... me?!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 14:42 · Score: 0

Actually I did open it so I could make sure that this 9200se worked. Well, it does work in that HayWon (Tehran CX, if you must), except it doesn't work with my Pentium 4... wtf? I bought this dumb thing from ebay only to make sure that certain software works with the ATI and DRI drivers... Nope, no vapors nor pot, but I did notice that the cpu fan had died.

Re:Duke by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:05 · Score: 1, Insightful

Why didn't they include Linux for the desktop? every year is "The Year Linux Is For Desktops" and every year it never delivers.

HL2 should not have been #1... by fireduck · 2004-01-20 05:05 · Score: 4, Insightful

I think Team Fortress 2/Half-Life Fortress should take that spot, if one really feels the need to slam Valve. Fortress was preselling at the time of HL's release. It then disappeared, sorta re-appeared as the free TF mod, and was re-confirmed with the announcement and subsequent E3 showing of TF2. Then it re-disappeared again, and apparently is gone, now that HL2 is soon to be up to bat?

HL2 had the source code stolen thing, and that's an understandable delay in shipping. TF2 just makes no sense... (particularly given how impressive the technology demonstrations were at E3 however many years ago that was, 4?)

Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:19 · Score: 5, Interesting

from reading/playing with the code (erm, I mean a friend told me, yeah, that's it), the hl2 source was no were near ready in Sept./Oct. HL2 ship date would have been pushed back even if the source had not been stolen, because it simply wasn't done. If anything, having it release was a good thing, because it gave them a public excuse to delay, and causes them to perform a decent code review when it's finally "done."

As for TF2, it's now a mod for HL2, so of course it's delayed.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by emarkp · 2004-01-20 05:20 · Score: 1

HL2 had the source code stolen thing, and that's an understandable delay in shipping.
Sure, except that steam (Valve's online gaming/distro network which replaced WON and patches) sucks rocks, and no one in the community with a brain expected an on-time ship date.
I'm betting HL2 is vaporware for 2004 as well.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by sTalking_Goat · 2004-01-20 05:21 · Score: 3, Insightful

How does the stealing of source code delay shipping?
Was there just the one copy?

--
My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle...
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Lehk228 · 2004-01-20 05:31 · Score: 2, Insightful

they would have to review the code so that when you play you dont have a 1337 h4x0|2 p\/\/n ur 80x

--
Snowden and Manning are heroes.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Nos. · 2004-01-20 05:35 · Score: 1

HL2 shouldn't even have been on the list. Aside from the conspiracy theories surronding the code-leak and such, we know the HL2 is almost done. HL2 is definitely NOT vaporware. We had the story over on games that said people had compiled and were selling them! To me, that says the game is almost done. Now, even though they are rewriting it, we now they pretty much had a working version. Even a rewrite shouldn't take more than a few months.

TFC2, now that's a different story..
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Ryosen · 2004-01-20 05:40 · Score: 2, Insightful

Presumably, they want to re-work some of the game and networking code to prevent l33t 3xpLo145. Understandable since it's a safe enough bet that the cheating community has a copy of the internal workings.

--

Ryosen
One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by schon · 2004-01-20 05:43 · Score: 5, Funny

How does the stealing of source code delay shipping?

Well DUH! It was stolen. Don't you watch ST:Voyager? When someone downloads something from you (like your EMH), you no longer have it.

If you need further proof of this, just ask anyone in the RIAA or MPAA.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by entrager · 2004-01-20 05:43 · Score: 1

IIRC, the current lie from Valve is that TF2 was held back so that it can be implemented using the HL2 engine. Supposedly TF2 will be released sometime not too long after HL2.

Of course, this is being recited from my sometimes inaccurate memory.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Thai-Pan · 2004-01-20 05:49 · Score: 3, Funny

Agreed. I still have my Team Fortress 2 poster hanging on the wall. At the bottom it says "MARCH" but for the life of my I can't remember what year. I think it was '98 or'99.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:07 · Score: 1, Interesting

You seem to have failed to understand the purpose of the article. Name one piece of software or hardware last year, that was more anticipated in that year, and even given a specific release date with promises up until 2 weeks before that release date that it would be out by then, and then never saw the light of day? That is the requirement for being on the list.

Certainly there are other examples that I can't think of, but the VAST majority of people think of HL2 first when you give them those criteria because it was so OVER HYPED.

Anyway, code leak or not that game was NOT coming out in 2003. It simply wasn't FINISHED.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by sTalking_Goat · 2004-01-20 06:18 · Score: 1

thanks for the clarification. I didn't think of that.
you can't ask a question without some idiot modding you as Troll.

--
My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle...
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by 88NoSoup4U88 · 2004-01-20 06:19 · Score: 1

To my knowledge, TeamFortress 2 will be the Multiplayer addon you will get with HL2.
Various screenshots of the source showed that there were various compilers for TF2 : All together within the HL2-directory.
I still hope VALVe (and any other studio that has been suffering leaks this year) learnt from this all : It's time to digitally mark your demo's you send out.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by hamsterboy · 2004-01-20 06:45 · Score: 2, Funny

March ain't just a month, soldier.

-- Hamster
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by CaptnMArk · 2004-01-20 06:54 · Score: 1

Maybe they misread the documentation for MOV instruction int the intel CPU manual.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by rpillala · 2004-01-20 07:03 · Score: 1

The answer I've heard is that once the source code is available, people will start looking for ways to cheat in MP. Valve now needs to examine some things they didn't think would be public knowledge to make it harder for those people to use the old source to cheat with the new binaries. Also, I imagine they're trying to secure their network more.

Ravi

--
When the axe came to the forest, the trees said, "Look out - the handle was once one of us."
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by PostConsumerRecycled · 2004-01-20 07:08 · Score: 1

No kidding, I was a big fan of Quake TF, so when Quake II came out I ran out and bought it waiting for TFII to come out. Then it was announced that it would be a HL mod, so I ran out and bought HL, now HL2 is about to come out (in theory) and they're saying that TFII will be an add on for HL2.
At this point I've stopped caring, but still, I'll beleive it when I see it.

--

There is no dark side of the moon really, matter of fact it's all dark
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:50 · Score: 0

Hey, moron, do you understand what the term "vaporware" means? THE GAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. I don't care how "finished" the code is, if the fucking thing doesn't ship, then it can be vaporware.

And there's no such thing as "TFC2".
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Jagasian · 2004-01-20 07:54 · Score: 1

Why don't you just play Quake TF? It is still the great game that got you started, and there are new improved clients with newer better graphics. Check out www.fuhquake.net, for a free client, and play the best TF there is.
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by The+Kow · 2004-01-20 13:01 · Score: 1

l33t 3xpLo145

sorry, but..

leet exploias?

you mean l33t 3xpL0175, or some permutation of standard characters and aforementioned l33tsp33k?

--
Moo
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Ryosen · 2004-01-20 13:22 · Score: 1

h, @h. 0m7hn9 k 7h@7.

--

Ryosen
One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
Re:HL2 should not have been #1... by Buran · 2004-01-20 13:41 · Score: 1

I have to wonder ... the EMH is just a piece of software, right? Don't they ever back up that application? Having a disaster plan in place would surely include insuring your doctor will be available at all times, so not only is a backup a good idea in case your computers get fried (aliens of the week do that sometimes, yaknow) but it's also a good idea because, well, it'd suck to be stuck with a hangover from that all night party in the mess hall with nobody to give you some aspirin to get rid of it!

"Damn, someone stole the EMH again? Get out the backup disk!"

--
i am a soviet space shuttle

Fallout 3 by bigbigbison · 2004-01-20 05:06 · Score: 1

Was that ever officially announced? How can it be vaporware if they never announced that they were making it?

--
http://www.popularculturegaming.com -- my blog about the culture of videogame players

Re:Fallout 3 by AceCaseOR · 2004-01-20 05:13 · Score: 1

It was announced, and there had been several updates about it at Gamespot.com prior to the game's cancellation.

--
Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
Re:Fallout 3 by Quinn · 2004-01-20 05:18 · Score: 1

Screenshots had been released, and the developers commented often both on Interplay and nma-fallout.com forums. It was never officially announced, no.

--
#19845

Pre-Order for Duke Nukem Forever by FraggleMI · 2004-01-20 05:06 · Score: 5, Funny

I think I might have pre-ordered DNF, but I have moved 4 times since, and have a feeling some lucky person will end up with my copy in 2054.

Holy crap, think about, all those people that pre-ordered will end up buying another copy just because they forgot they preordered.

--
huh?

Re:Pre-Order for Duke Nukem Forever by sTalking_Goat · 2004-01-20 05:25 · Score: 1

which is why I never pre-order anything.
I learned that from Diakatana *shudder*.

--
My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle...
Re:Pre-Order for Duke Nukem Forever by FraggleMI · 2004-01-20 05:30 · Score: 1

Yes, but I was young when I pre-ordered DNF.

--
huh?
Re:Pre-Order for Duke Nukem Forever by devnull17 · 2004-01-20 05:56 · Score: 1

It might have been a wiser strategy to invest that $50 and then buy 3D Realms with the resulting interest. You'd probably get your hands on a copy of the game sooner.
Re:Pre-Order for Duke Nukem Forever by siphoncolder · 2004-01-20 07:10 · Score: 4, Funny

Interesting. In racing, DNF is short for "Did Not Finish". Go figure.

--
i'm amazed that i survived - an airbag saved my life.
Re:Pre-Order for Duke Nukem Forever by BancBoy · 2004-01-20 07:33 · Score: 1

Does this mean that they contact you anually to update the expiration date of record on the credit card that you used to preorder the product???

--
[UID-HeinzIntel]
Re:Pre-Order for Duke Nukem Forever by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 10:52 · Score: 0

Holy crap, think about, all those people that pre-ordered will end up buying another copy just because they forgot they preordered
You might be kidding, but I ended up with two copies of The Eleventh Hour for this very reason. I'm never pre-ordering a game again.

Radio Shark by ilsie · 2004-01-20 05:07 · Score: 2, Interesting

I would love to have radio timeshifting capabilities, especially in my car. Mainly due to being spoiled by my TiVo, I'm always looking for the rewind button when listening to NPR.

Incidentally, TiVo is supposed to be putting in XM capability into one of their new receivers, does anyone know if you'll be able to timeshift it?

Re:Radio Shark by conan_albrecht · 2004-01-20 05:15 · Score: 1

I second this! I would love to rewind radio the way I do my TV (TiVo)
Re:Radio Shark by Zathrus · 2004-01-20 05:18 · Score: 2, Informative

Incidentally, TiVo is supposed to be putting in XM capability into one of their new receivers, does anyone know if you'll be able to timeshift it?

Sigh.

No, they're not. They're adding the ability to use an XM receiver via HMO -- that's it. Nothing more. No, you can't timeshift it. It's essentially taking an XM receiver and making it networkable to HMO-enabled TiVos. It's really deeply underwhelming.
Re:Radio Shark by schon · 2004-01-20 05:45 · Score: 1

They're adding the ability to use an XM receiver via HMO

Is that so that poor people can watch TV while they're waiting in line at the hospital to see a doctor? :o)
Re:Radio Shark by Johnny+Mnemonic · 2004-01-20 06:21 · Score: 1

And still requires a computer to hook the receiver too, IIRC. I don't think that you'll be able to plug it directly into the TiVo. Which is pretty gay. Unless you're really inclined to listen to your radio from the couch that you watch your TV (which you might if you have a good home entertainment system), but you'll still need to find your PC to change the channel.

I mean, why'd they bother? And then why do they have to wait until FA04 to release it? Couldn't such a thing be ready now?

--

--
$tar -xvf .sig.tar

E17? by axxackall · 2004-01-20 05:07 · Score: 1

I don't know what is that Duke. But I know what is E17... or what is E17 supposed to be after being released. It's been too long already (3 years?) for me to lose any hope to see it working.

--

Less is more !

Re:E17? by bogie · 2004-01-20 05:51 · Score: 1

Real Enlightenment development stopped once Mandrake Linux came out. Geoff "Mandrake" Harrison never got over that fact that the word Mandrake had become more associated with a Linux distro then his Elightenment project.

jk

--
If you wanna get rich, you know that payback is a bitch
Re:E17? by axxackall · 2004-01-20 09:23 · Score: 1

What E17 has to do with Mandrake?

--

Less is more !
Re:E17? by rat7307 · 2004-01-20 12:14 · Score: 1

But I know what is E17... or what is E17 supposed to be after being released

What does a washed up 90's british Boy Band have to do with Vapourware???

:-)

--
Burma?

Dream Bundle by bmiller949 · 2004-01-20 05:07 · Score: 1

Duke Nukem Forever with a Bit Boys graphics card. That joke was cheap and easy... kind of like a date with a porn star.

--
<sig>no sig</sig>

I nominate by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:07 · Score: 5, Funny

HTML standards-compliant Slashcode. ;)

Re:I nominate by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:21 · Score: 0

If awards were being given for Most Overrated Idea of All Time, I would nominate HTML validation. Seriously, who cares? In addition to the fact that there is no such thing as a functional, standards compliant browser with no non-standard add ons, you'll have to test and tweak your pages for each browser anyway.
Re:I nominate by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:25 · Score: 0

If awards were being given for Most Overrated Idea of All Time, I would nominate HTML validation. Seriously, who cares? In addition to the fact that there is no such thing as a functional, standards compliant browser with no non-standard add ons, you'll have to test and tweak your pages for each browser anyway.

You could make a similar argument with programming languages. GCC has custom extensions and can support moderatly invalid C code, so why have a C standard? Besides, load Slashdot in the "dillo" browser and you'll see just how farked up Slashdot's HTML is.
Re:I nominate by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:25 · Score: 0

Um, they have to be intending to make something before it counts as vaporware.
Re:I nominate by oddfox · 2004-01-20 05:28 · Score: 0, Offtopic

I would use Dillo more often if Slashdot would just render moderately well in it. :)

--
"We invented personal computing." - Bill Gates
Re:I nominate by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:07 · Score: 0

C is the perfect example -- there's tons of realworld software that's made up of cruddy, non-standard, legacy C code. Who cares as long as it works?

And if "Dillo" has problems with slashdot, I imagine it has problems with most other sites as well because HTML 3.2 still rules the web.
Re:I nominate by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:46 · Score: 1, Insightful

Dillo renders many sites just fine, but it can't render any slashdot page without it looking like an abortion. My point of the joke was that most slasdotters will go on and on about how people should adhere to standards and yet they frequent a site with hideous HTML. It's so bad that CmdrTaco disabled slashdot.org from W3's validator site.

Team Fortress 2 by Bender+Unit+22 · 2004-01-20 05:07 · Score: 2, Interesting

I still say Team Fortress 2.

Remember how cool it looked when the first videos surfaced.. it even won "TF (TM) 2 Wins E3.Net Awards " in 1999.

Re:Team Fortress 2 by bogie · 2004-01-20 05:36 · Score: 1

My favorite item from the tf2 News section of the website.

[December 18, 1998] - I Want My TF (TM) II

"Well folks, Team Fortress (TM) 2 will be here shortly and community sites are popping up all over the web. Clans are starting to form, Tournaments are being planned, and information pages are being posted."

Who knew shortly meant never?

--
If you wanna get rich, you know that payback is a bitch

Straight From the duke's mouth... by GillBates0 · 2004-01-20 05:08 · Score: 2, Informative

Incase you were wondering about the projected timeline for duke nukem forever; from their website: There is no release date set, we are not taking pre-orders for the game. End of story.

Once we begin taking pre-orders, believe us, you'll know about it. :)

The release date of this game is "When it's done". Anything else, and we mean anything else is someone's speculation. There is no date. We don't know any date. If you have a friend who claims they have "inside info", or there's some game news site, or some computer store at the mall who claims they know - they do not. They are making it up. There is no date. Period.

--
An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam

Re:Straight From the duke's mouth... by Johnny+Mnemonic · 2004-01-20 06:28 · Score: 1

Heh. Kinda wonder how much is done, if they have no timeframe for getting the code out the door. I wonder if their coders get the same kind of leeway when they set their timeframes? "I was gonna do the AI this weekend, but then my girlfriend came to visit. Maybe I'll do it over spring break?"

--

--
$tar -xvf .sig.tar

port mozilla to amiga by Dreadlord · 2004-01-20 05:08 · Score: 2, Interesting

Amiga OS 4.0

Hmm, shouldn't Amizilla be on the list too?

--
The IT section color scheme sucks.

Re:port mozilla to amiga by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:40 · Score: 1, Informative

I know one of the developers who post's on another board and he says they're making good progress. I admit sometimes the Amiga software has been behind the rest of the world at some time but it won't be long before there is a first release of the Amiga port.
Re:port mozilla to amiga by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-21 00:44 · Score: 0

i can'tr believe someone modded that informative.

oh yeah, "i know one of the developers" at MS and he's told me they're making good progress on GPL-ing Windows source as well.

Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by notcreative · 2004-01-20 05:08 · Score: 4, Interesting

Does anyone here know the story of why Duke Nukem Forever has become vaporware? I'm interested in the seedy underbelly of the gaming industry.

Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by CGP314 · 2004-01-20 05:57 · Score: 2, Funny

Does anyone here know the story of why Duke Nukem Forever has become vaporware? I'm interested in the seedy underbelly of the gaming industry.

Well, after Duke 3D, Duke made the time to play with himself... too much time.

--
In London? Need a Physics Tutor?

American Weblog in London
Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by IWantMoreSpamPlease · 2004-01-20 05:59 · Score: 1

I know very little of the story, but it sort of went like this:

They started coding DNF when new hardware 3D engines came out, superiour to the ones they were working on, so they scrapped their existing code base and started fresh... ..then another superious 3d engine came out, that put their current one to shame, so they scrapped their new code base and started over... ..wash, rinse, repeat as needed.

--
So rise up, all ye lost ones, as one, we'll claw the clouds.
Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:29 · Score: 5, Informative

The Official Duke Nukem Forever FAQ
There's really not much mentioning of the delay except that they changed engines during the development, which set them back quite a bit. But there is some interesting information regarding other apsects of the game.
Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by Polyphemis · 2004-01-20 06:37 · Score: 1

The story? It's still in development after having undergone two major engine changes, several smaller ones and countless tech overhauls to keep it modern. With all the technological advancement in games that's happened since the game was announced, frankly, I'm glad they're trying to keep it modern because I'd hate to see it released and look 3 years old. It's been a really tough time for game developers staying modern and staying competitive these past few years and that's all they've been trying to do.

People call it vaporware because they're ignorant. They don't know what's going on inside the company and feel they have to draw baseless conclusions from thin air.
Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:05 · Score: 0

No.... people call it vaporware because they have worked on a product for 8 years that still isn't out yet with no end in sight. No one cares what happens inside the company. Boo hoo, our janitor was fired, now our product is going to take longer. Big deal, don't even announce the product if it isn't even close to being done.
Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:05 · Score: 0

Webster says:
Vaporware: a new computer-related product that has been widely advertised but is not yet available

I have seen other posts that have PRE-ORDERED DNF. PRE-ORDERED FOR GOD'S SAKE!

Sure, we don't know what is going on inside the company, but we damn sure know what ISN'T going on.
Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by Bendebecker · 2004-01-20 07:24 · Score: 1

Their major problems from the articles I read on it seems to be in choosing an engine and sticking with it long enough to get to a release. It basically goes: they design and partially code the thing for the latest engine however by then an even better engine comes out and so they go back to designing it for the new engine in order to keep their game looking good. Of course by then, a new engine comes out and they do it again. They did it for the unreal engine, they did it for I think the Quake 3 engine too. They are probably going to do it for the Doom 3 engine as well. It basically is an un ending attempt to stay top of the line.

--
There's a growing sense that even if The Future comes,
most of us won't be able to afford it.
-- Lemmy
Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by qrash · 2004-01-20 07:28 · Score: 0

The Official Duke Nukem Forever FAQ
Version 2.98 (revision: 12/06/03)

The FAQ has reached version 2.98, enough said

--
you may find the Higgs in this signature.
Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by Buran · 2004-01-20 13:34 · Score: 1

However, just like a car, the moment it "goes off the lot" (goes gold), it's no longer the newest and greatest thing. Sometimes, this happens even before that for both games and cars as "niftier" models come out (e.g. I drive a 2000 VW Golf IV, and love it, but I've caught myself coveting the new Prius ... does that mean the Golf is suddenly junk? No. It's just not the newest thing anymore. Is a no-longer-brand-new game suddenly junk? No, not as long as you still enjoy playing it.)

--
i am a soviet space shuttle
Re:Story of Duke Nukem Forever? by babbage · 2004-01-21 07:37 · Score: 1

Hey, at least they're working on something...

--
DO NOT LEAVE IT IS NOT REAL

2003 maximum vaporware by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:08 · Score: 0

Saddam Hussain's weapons of mass destruction. We're still waiting for their release ;-)

Phantom Game Console by jetkust · 2004-01-20 05:08 · Score: 2, Informative

Phantom Game Console isn't exactly vaporware. Photos of it are here. Not sure if this is a working model though.

Re:Phantom Game Console by searchr · 2004-01-20 05:33 · Score: 1

That's a picture of a silver-painted box, not a product that I can buy and use. Phantomware may be more like it: you kind of see it, but when you get close enough to it, you realize its an illusion..
Re:Phantom Game Console by Mr.+Sketch · 2004-01-20 05:39 · Score: 1

According to their website it will be out March 31, 2004, so maybe we should hold off on calling it vaporware just yet since it's only about two months away. Now, if the release date was Q4 2004, then it would definitely be vaporware.

--
Things you think are in the Constitution, but are not.
Re:Phantom Game Console by sqlrob · 2004-01-20 05:42 · Score: 1

It's vaporware. Until something can be purchased by a consumer, it's vaporware.

That box was never turned on in front of press. It was supposed to be, but it never was.
Re:Phantom Game Console by sik0fewl · 2004-01-20 05:49 · Score: 1

Well, it could just be an empty box (save the fan in the back).

--
I remember when legal used to mean lawful, now it means some kind of loophole. - Leo Kessler
Re:Phantom Game Console by searchr · 2004-01-20 06:12 · Score: 1

yah NOW their website says its coming out in March '04. But it was originally due out last Summer or Fall, or both. So constantly erasing and changing the release dates seems to be right in keeping with the vapor tradition.
Re:Phantom Game Console by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-21 02:47 · Score: 0

How else do you expect them to scam more VCs? Sheesh, do you people think it's easy to milk gullible consumers/VCs? It takes time.

Just A Reminder Everyone by devphaeton · 2004-01-20 05:09 · Score: 5, Interesting

.... of why you shouldn't Pre-Order stuff.

I'm still waiting for Gran Turismo 2000 to hit the shelves.

Software Etc. will listen with empathy about my loud proclamations of GT2K == GT3-Aspec, and the sales weasels will agree with me. But the mgmt. shall not, will not, could not would not refund my money, nor give me a store credit until:

1) A game called Gran Turismo 2000 ships.
2) Official word from Sony arrives that the game is canceled.

bastards.

--

do() || do_not(); // try();

Re:Just A Reminder Everyone by Hungus · 2004-01-20 05:26 · Score: 3, Insightful

if you paid them anything other than cash and it doesn't ship out in 90 days you have grounds for a small claims court judgement. With cash I think it is 120 days. Needless to say go to small claims court and file a suit against them for the amount of the prepay + whatever it costs you to file ( usually about 10 dollars) and unspecified legal costs. I can virtually garantee you that you will have a check from them before the court date. The reason? even if they feel they are entirely correct in not refunding you it will cost them more to send someone over to sit in the courtroom than what they owe you.
Note I am not a lawyer but I often work with them. The specifics may be different from municipality to municipality but the court can advise you on the specifics. Thats why we vote for all those JPs and such.

--
Bad Panda! No Bamboo for you! In matters of importance ACs will not be responded to. Want to say something critical,OK
Re:Just A Reminder Everyone by Walterk · 2004-01-20 05:26 · Score: 1

Why don't you email Sony, asking them if they can say this? Perhaps just the cleaner at Sony HQ. As long as they work at Sony, it should be alright, right? Or perhaps someone from Sony decides to be nice. Stranger things have happened.

--

"If anyone needs me, I'm in the angry dome."
Re:Just A Reminder Everyone by Chibi · 2004-01-20 05:34 · Score: 1

Or you could pre-order at some place with a more flexible ordering system. For a company to do that in this day and age is just ridiculous.

/me makes mental note to never shop at Software Etc.

--
If all you have are silver bullets, everything looks like a werewolf.
Re:Just A Reminder Everyone by Schnapple · 2004-01-20 06:21 · Score: 1

How odd - I worked at a Babbage's a few years back (Babbage's/Software Etc./GameStop - all the same company, owned by Barnes & Noble) and we'd refund anyone's preorder - in fact we often did it as $10 towards a different (shipped) game.

--
Schnapple
Re:Just A Reminder Everyone by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 12:24 · Score: 0

This sounds like a manager being a bastard because he doesn't want to go back on the sale. Especially if the record is that old. Still, it's worth doing what some of the other people said and taking this one to court.
Re:Just A Reminder Everyone by Buran · 2004-01-20 13:38 · Score: 1

I think a simpler, and more appropriate, thing to do would be to have your credit card issuer do a chargeback. It seems to me that if a fair amount of time has gone by with no hint that you'll get your product, you should win the dispute if they fight it. (Note: I've never had to do a chargeback before, but I know it's a valid fallback, which is why I like using my card for online orders, and then transferring money from checking -- same bank -- once the product arrives.)

As for sending someone over to sit in a courtroom -- I don't think small claims court allows lawyers, does it? I think parties have to represent themselves. (Please do clear up my uncertainty here -- ask one of the lawyers you know -- I live in Missouri.)

--
i am a soviet space shuttle
Re:Just A Reminder Everyone by Hungus · 2004-01-21 05:57 · Score: 1

Small claims court allows lawyers .. In an advisoryt role or to represnt themselves or even in possibilities such as this to represent a corporation. But I was not refering to a lawyer having to come over. Even an employee's time is worth something.

--
Bad Panda! No Bamboo for you! In matters of importance ACs will not be responded to. Want to say something critical,OK

2004 by savagedome · 2004-01-20 05:09 · Score: 0, Redundant

In other news, 2004 Vaporware Awards were announced. Guess who topped the list? Duke Nukem Forever and ever...

--

Free XBox, PS2

My opinion by W32.Klez.A · 2004-01-20 05:09 · Score: 1

It is a terrible act to not even make aware to your customers why these products never come. I can understand the sense of the tail-between-the-legs effect, but really, it would make customers more happy to understand the troubles you're having. Unless, of course, your company is lying in the first place.

Just my two cents.

I bet I know why DNF is being delayed... by Jon+Abbott · 2004-01-20 05:09 · Score: 1

My guess is that they are trying to get Bruce Campbell himself to do the voices for Duke Nukem Forever, and he won't...

--
Slashdot's first reaction to VMware

Next Slashdot poll by C_Kode · 2004-01-20 05:09 · Score: 5, Funny

I think we should take a poll to rename the word "Vaporware" to "Duke Nukem".

Then next year we can have " the 2003 Duke Nukem Awards"..

Ahh, just a thought...

Re:Next Slashdot poll by CyberDave · 2004-01-20 05:22 · Score: 2, Funny

Well, I think next year we might be having the 2004 Duke Nukem Awards. CyberDave
Re:Next Slashdot poll by francium+de+neobie · 2004-01-20 05:39 · Score: 1

It will be the "2004 Duke Nukem Awards"

You need some kind of reality distortion device to see the 2003 one.
Re:Next Slashdot poll by bilbobuggins · 2004-01-20 06:09 · Score: 1

Well, I think next year we might be having the 2004 Duke Nukem Awards. CyberDave
apparently you don't understand vaporware.
increasing the year on the awards would apply some sort of tangible progress ;)

Harpoon 4 ? by applemasker · 2004-01-20 05:10 · Score: 3, Informative

In development since 1997, transferred to about 43 different development teams, this project was most recently killed by UbiSoft in November 2003. Amazon was still taking orders last time I checked though, nice of them. By the time it ships, no one will even remember the Cold War.

--
Bush Lies On the Record.

Re:Harpoon 4 ? by zelbinion · 2004-01-20 06:04 · Score: 1

Who cares about harpoon 4 when harpoon 3 is still in active development? Supposedly the multiplayer version is already in beta (hope that doesn't turn into vaporware, but there's at least one military customer interested, so maybe it will see the light of day yet....)
More info:
www.harpoon3.com
www.harpoonhq.com

Even the most recently dusted-off Harpoon I/online/classic/classic '97/ (now called harpoon classic 2002) is a really fun game, and it's only $30. Harpoon Classic 2002
Re:Harpoon 4 ? by GPLDAN · 2004-01-20 06:16 · Score: 1

The guy who is doing H3 is looking at what it would take to get the H4 code from UbiSoft. I don't know what he could do with it, if anything. The new OOB and playsets are fun, but even if the most meticulously crafted scenarios, you are sill going up against the AI, which has issues. If you replay a scenario again, you can usually only do marginally better, which is to say - if the scenario scripts a mission against you with a massive missile swarm right at the start (as most scenario designers do) then it's +/- a few die rolls as to what happens, there isn't much sense of strategy. Multiplayer could change all that. I'd like to see them get to that point.

Osama? by tommck · 2004-01-20 05:10 · Score: 1, Insightful

What about Osama bin Laden?

He hasn't bin seen in person, but he's bin heard and bin quoted all over the place!

--
---- It puts the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again. It does this whenever it's told.

Re:Osama? by Roger_Wilco · 2004-01-20 05:40 · Score: 1

bush$ rm -rf /bin/laden
Re:Osama? by UrgleHoth · 2004-01-20 05:41 · Score: 0

He's bin Laden low

--

Dogma - "let's just say we'd like to avoid any empirical entanglements."
Re:Osama? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:10 · Score: 0

chmod a+x /bin/laden #everyone allowed to execute... :P

Re:Duke by Deflagro · 2004-01-20 05:10 · Score: 1

I loved that game. It was so funny...that bunny machine. Breed bunnies and then shoot them all up. Or jump into the big tank thing and blow everyone away. That was one great game. I didn't even know it used the Duke engine, figures.

--
Der Tod ist der einzige Weg hier raus!

Obligatory SCO troll by RealProgrammer · 2004-01-20 05:11 · Score: 2, Funny

The SCO Group seems to have promised, but never delivered, UNIX code that was "copied verbatim" into Linux . None of the millions of lines, 65 files, or some new type of undefined intellectual property have yet materialized.

Hey, maybe this isn't as much a troll as I thought. Oh well, the mod points are yours.

------
UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the U.S. and other countries
Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds.

--
sigs, as if you care.

Re:Obligatory SCO troll by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:06 · Score: 0

The thing is... in their most recent response to the community, they indicated that they don't have the source code and that IBM is now supposed to provide it to them. So, if they didn't have the code in the first place, how did they identify that millions of lines of code had been copied?
Re:Obligatory SCO troll by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:48 · Score: 0

Easy, download a distro, write a script to wc -l all .h and .cpp files.

Phantom at CES? by darkmayo · 2004-01-20 05:12 · Score: 1

Apprently these guys where at the CES show in Vegas this year showing off. Does anyone have an actual sighting perhaps something grainy, blurry and easily mistaken for a log in the water?

--
"I am a kernel in the linux army"

Re:Phantom at CES? by ashitaka · 2004-01-20 05:41 · Score: 3, Interesting

Gamespot has some hi-res photos.

However, the number and types of ports on the back of this box ring alarm bells with me. How many PC-based consoles have:

Composite and S-Video and component video?

RCA and optical and "coax" audio?

Other little signs:

Power adapter plug has changed from previous regular PC style to circular multi-pin.

There is a coax connector for an optional internal cable modem (according to the proposed specs but an internal ADSL modem is also an option. How do you choose which?

This reminds me of the Moller SkyCar where they produce just enough prototypes to keep the investors happy but never actually produce anything.

If they didn't turn the thing on then this is probably just an empty box with some ports stuck on the back.

--
If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.
Re:Phantom at CES? by Dielectric · 2004-01-20 06:56 · Score: 1

Oooh, now you've done it. NEVER MENTION the SkyCar! Those bastards get serious TV time every time there's talk of flying cars, and they never seem any closer to mass production. Remember the show "Beyond 2000?" They were there. TechTV has given them time, I'm sure all the other science networks have as well.

Dammit, it's now 2004. I was promised a flying car, so where is it, Moller? You pigfuckers.
Re:Phantom at CES? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:03 · Score: 0

The ethernet port appears to be part of the power supply - quite obvious, really. :)

A slightly suspicious feature is how the ports are labelled. 'USB 2.0', 'CABLE MODEM' and '10/100 LAN' - instead of just plain 'USB', 'NETWORK' etc, it looks like boasting about the potential features. Vapourware, anyone?

very important missing game by dAzED1 · 2004-01-20 05:13 · Score: 4, Informative

Ummm...EQ2?

A long time ago, the EQ2 FAQ said that EQ2 would be out Q32003. Then, it said Q42003. Then it said Q12004.

Now, it simply says:
n will EverQuest II be released?
EverQuest II will launch in 2004.

I know that EQ2 will arrive eventually, but it definately fits in the group of "all those eagerly anticipated gizmos in 2003 that were put off, put away or quietly put down."

Isn't EQ a big game, relative to anyone that would be playing Duke Nukem, even if it had come out?

Re:very important missing game by SydShamino · 2004-01-20 05:45 · Score: 1

They put off EQ2 because support for the original EQ has remained stronger than they expected. They continue to put out expansions for the original as people still buy them.

Still, Gates of Discord sounds like the precursor to the Era of Discord that EQ2 is supposed to take place in. Maybe this will be the last one...

...not that I care. I still play EQ with friends, but I will move on to WoW, not another SoE game, ever. (Maybe that's why they haven't released? Too many folks addicted to current game but sworn off the company?)

--
It doesn't hurt to be nice.
Re:very important missing game by El_Ge_Ex · 2004-01-20 05:49 · Score: 2, Insightful

Isn't EQ a big game, relative to anyone that would be playing Duke Nukem, even if it had come out?

Why release a new one when there's more than enough suckers that pay for the current one?

Kind of the same reason it will take a while for a new Sims engine to come out.

-B
Re:very important missing game by dAzED1 · 2004-01-20 06:11 · Score: 1

there's also people like me, who got tired of buying expansions, and are tired of the current system of people who have been playing for years and control all the important areas in the game. Many months ago, I moved. For a month, I was restricted to dialup - so I temporarily suspended my EQ account. I never re-did it, because I was just going to wait for EQ2...
Re:very important missing game by Theaetetus · 2004-01-20 06:15 · Score: 1

Bah, they told you already:
A long time ago, the EQ2 FAQ said that EQ2 would be out Q32003. Then, it said Q42003. Then it said Q12004.
There you go, it'll launch in sector Q, 12004. ;)
-T
Re:very important missing game by monique · 2004-01-20 10:29 · Score: 1

EQ is a big game, but will EQ players ever be willing to put in that much time building up a new character from scratch?

I played EQ for several years. I spent more time playing EQ than I did at my full-time job. Eventually, the game burns you out.

Every now and then, I think back to my character and imagine it would be fun to play again. But I would never want to put that kind of time into building her up again. When I quit, over a year ago, I had more than 150 days played, and most of the people in my guild had vastly more than that. A lot of it was fun at the time, but if I'd known at the beginning that I was going to spend that much time wired into a game, I never would have installed the game in the first place.

--
-monique
Re:very important missing game by will_die · 2004-01-20 22:19 · Score: 1

When Raph Koster got done creating one of the worst designed MMORPG ever, aka SWG, he got promoted to head of Sony MMORPG-Online division, at that time he put the hold on EQ2 so that it could be modified more that what he wanted.
Frankly, I am really scared that EQ2 will turn out to be a really,really bad game.

Re:Duke by Pxtl · 2004-01-20 05:13 · Score: 1

I actually liked the original Duke games - a solid platformer. I was disappointed at the 3d translation - I was hoping of a more "3d platformer" game - something more like American McGee's Alice with a better combat system. Or Tomb Raider with real strafe keys. Instead, we got Doom but with a better engine and the worlds worst bunny-hopping.

well jeez by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:14 · Score: 0

i would have sworn the most sought after vaporware was an intelligent slashdot editor

no dice there, either

go go jon katz!

Funny, I just got Duke Nuke 'em in the mail by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:14 · Score: 0

Opps. Sorry, that was an AOL 9.0 CD...

SplashPad? by Speare · 2004-01-20 05:14 · Score: 2, Interesting

Where is the SplashPower SplashPad?

Several press articles have promised this for the past year. They're stuck on "looking for partnerships." I want one. Today.

--
[ .sig file not found ]

Re:SplashPad? by br0ck · 2004-01-20 06:25 · Score: 1

Check out the news section of their homepage. They've just secured $5.8 million in financing. Here's the Google provided HTML version of the PDF news release.

At least macs are represented... by DdJ · 2004-01-20 05:15 · Score: 1

Well, I suppose in some sense it's good to note that some of the items on the list were for the Macintosh. RadioShark, RealPC, there's mac stuff there.

I remember... by eglamkowski · 2004-01-20 05:15 · Score: 3, Interesting

I remember when Battlecruiser 3000 was the vaporware champion.

Original Release Date: April 1993
Actual Release Date: October 1996

And that '96 release date was only because the publisher forced the matter, even though Smart thought it wasn't yet ready for publication.

And bear in mind that the original release date in 1993 meant it was already being worked on MUCH earlier. In fact, it had been in development for 7 years by the time it was pushed onto the shelves in '96. I mean,

And for all that, it probably should have stayed as vaporware :-p

I mean, how long has Duke Nukem been in development anyways? More then 7 years? Or is BC3K still king?

--
Government IS the problem.

Re:I remember... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:22 · Score: 0

The Usenet flamewar still rages over BC3K, I think. It's kind of the electronic equivalent of that town that's had a subterranean coal fire for years.
You think it might be out, but then it starts up again.
Re:I remember... by VVrath · 2004-01-20 09:24 · Score: 1

I'm fairly certain BC3K isn't finished yet. Certainly the version I bought in '96 was of beta quality, and version 2.0 (oooh, shiny) released several years later was about as bad...

Phantom gaming console by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:16 · Score: 0

I just stumbled across this priceless website disclaimer on Phantom's website I've higlighted some of my favorite lines.

"Prices listed on website are subject to change without notice. Infinium
Labs cannot be held responsible for pricing discrepancies due to errors in
website functionality. All product photos are for illustrative purposes only. Photos
displayed on website may contain optional items that are not included in the
default configuration for that system. Prices, configurations, and availability may
change without notice. Taxes and shipping charges not shown. Infinium Labs
cannot be held responsible for errors in photography or typography. For hard
drives, GB means 1 billion bytes and accessible capacity may vary depending on
configuration. For CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD+RW/+R drive(s),
maximum data transfer rates may vary and discs created with these drives may
not be compatible with all drives and players. For modems and network
cards/hardware, maximum achievable data transfer rates may vary. Award(s)
and quote(s) listed do not necessarily pertain to a specific system or
configuration. All registered trademarks and trademarks are the property of their
respective owners. Actual case may vary in design. "

Please. Another pretender to the throne. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:17 · Score: 0

Stars! Supernova Genesis, owns all their non-existing asses.

7. HDTV TiVo (TiVo) ... by goofballs · 2004-01-20 05:18 · Score: 4, Informative

is actually coming out it looks like: models to be available

The definition of vaporware by ooby · 2004-01-20 05:18 · Score: 3, Funny

A Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Duke Nukem Forever on the suggestion of reader Jeff White, who wrote, "First proposed in 1801 (or something close to that), Duke Nukem Forever has now come to define the term 'vaporware.' I wouldn't be surprised if dictionaries actually began printing it: 'vaporware: n. See Duke Nukem Forever.'"

Don't be suprised, Jeff. Wikipedia has bested you

Apple contributions to open source by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:18 · Score: 0

Where's my quicktime source ???

Knuth V4 by jefu · 2004-01-20 05:19 · Score: 4, Insightful

About six years ago I got a response card thingy from one of the publishing companies. They were telling me that I could sign up then to buy Vol. 4 of Knuth's Art of Computer Programming. So I guess that can't count as last years vaporware. Their optimism should have counted for something though.

Re:Knuth V4 by eddy · 2004-01-20 06:31 · Score: 1

I'm was once looking forward to the volume on parsing. I think it's V5 or V6 :-)

Sadly, I don't think we'll ever see it.

--
Belief is the currency of delusion.
Re:Knuth V4 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:35 · Score: 0

You can(could I haven't checked lately) download some parts of TAOCP 4 from his website for proofreading.
Re:Knuth V4 by An+Any+Mouse+Cow+War · 2004-01-20 08:36 · Score: 1

Knuth's Volume 4 has been pending for my entire computing career (I was a teenage hacker, I'm 46 now). I believe the current plan is that "Volume 4" will actually take up 3 physical volumes. The field has grown faster than Knuth can write it up. Maybe Duke Nukem Forever was relying on some algorithms that were to appear in Volume 4.

Speaking of which... by devphaeton · 2004-01-20 05:19 · Score: 2, Insightful

any one got a news on Gran Turismo 4 and Driver 3 for the Playstation2?

I've followed these for the first year, and after watching the dates get pushed back again and again, i haven't looked in a bit.

Just curious if anyone's got info before i spend half the day weeding through all the google hits for "driver 3 release date" over the last 1.5 years.

oh please oh please oh please be better than the Stuntman game

--

do() || do_not(); // try();

Re:Speaking of which... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:36 · Score: 0

Driver 3 has become DRIV3R for the XBOX.
Re:Speaking of which... by balloonpup · 2004-01-20 06:18 · Score: 1

Gamestop claims a release of March 23rd, 2004 for Driver 3 (Driv3r? Stupid way to do it.) and July 1, 2004 for GT4.

Not to be trusted, though:
Duke Nukem Forever: December 1, 2005 (whoa)

Looks like they're even pushing pre-releases. Free shipping, a free 'toy' with Doom 3, bleh.

--
I sing the doggie electric!

From the article by fred87 · 2004-01-20 05:23 · Score: 2, Informative

From the article: 'vaporware: n. See Duke Nukem Forever.'

Vaporware by rogabean · 2004-01-20 05:26 · Score: 3, Interesting

I think Microcode Solution's PowerPC emulator for x86 should be in the running now for Lifetime Achievement Vaporware Award as well at this point.
They however have learned to at least stop updating at all since their last showing and instead have only this to say:
"Microcode Solutions has received what we believe will be the final hardware revision of the PCI based PowerPC card being manufacturered by a well known PowerPC accelerator company. The current board is a high speed G3 board. Other models are being prototyped right now, and these are G4 and dual processor configurations. Microcode Solutions has always been the leader in Macintosh emulation technology, developing the first PowerPC emulation for a non-Macintosh platform. We will continue this tradition by releasing the first Power Macintosh emulation for the PC. Besides having a PCI based hardware solution, Microcode Solutions will also be releasing a completely software based emulation to the public at an amazingly low price (under $50). We know that people have waited an extremely long time for Microcode Solutions to release a new product, and we appreciate your patience. Just like our successful product "FUSION-PC", we feel we should wait to release the product until it is perfected. We are nearing that stage right now."

--
"why don't you just slip into something more comfortable...like a coma!"

Re:Vaporware by Firehawke · 2004-01-20 06:08 · Score: 1

I recall having read something about the author of Fusion having stopped development entirely on Mac emulation a few weeks back, so likely this product is completely dead and has been for a long while.

Re:E3 Needs to Change by Mr.+No+Skills · 2004-01-20 05:26 · Score: 1

E3 needs to start setting a requirement that the vendors can only demo shipping products. I'm tired of hearing about the buzz at E3 for things that don't come to light.

--
Sleep is for the Weak

Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by FreeUser · 2004-01-20 05:27 · Score: 3, Informative

Maybe you cannot be nominated more then 10 times in a row or so?

Or the fact that you can download it might disqualify it from being "vapor"-ware, at least to anyone who understands what the term means. Or are the usual anti-GNU shills more unaware than usual of common dictionary definitions of the terms they bandy about?

--
The Future of Human Evolution: Autonomy

Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by __past__ · 2004-01-20 05:35 · Score: 1

Nah, you can download a prerelease. A demo level of Duke Nukem Forever would not have made much of a difference either, would it?
Granted, the GNU Operating System has seen quite some development, the betas are promising, and parts of it can be reused very well in other contexts, but given that it should have been released 18 years ago (according to the original estimate when it was first announced 20 years ago), what else do you expect? ;-)

--
Programming can be fun again. Film at 11.
Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by neodymium · 2004-01-20 05:36 · Score: 1

Well, for some time, it was also possible to download a (stolen) version of Doom III... Nevertheless, Doom III made it onto the list.
Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by happyfrogcow · 2004-01-20 05:36 · Score: 2, Funny

Yeah, I can sure download it but it refuses to run my copy of Duke Nukem Forever. So what's the point?
Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by NDPTAL85 · 2004-01-20 05:51 · Score: 2, Insightful

20 years man. 20 years . Yes you can download a tiny part that somewhat works on a limited range of hardware. But its been 20 years. Its taken so long to be produced that it has become irrelevant. GNU runs just fine on Linux. And since GNU/Hurd would have the same damn license as GNU/Linux whats the point of using Hurd at all? People who want a better *NIX than Linux already have that choice in FreeBSD.

--
Mac OS X and Windows XP working side by side to fight back the night.
Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by Echnin · 2004-01-20 06:27 · Score: 1

No it didn't. It was mentioned, but wasn't on the list. The fact that Doom III exists and is not just a fluff of smoke is enough disqualify it as vaporware, IMO.

--
Lalala
Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:00 · Score: 0

The theory is that Doom 3 is actually done and is being sat on for marketing reasons (XBox port, Quake3 games still selling, etc).

Otherwise it would be a perfect candidate because it's two years past it's original ship date and still no official release announced.

Forget the "when it's ready" crap -- this ain't no open source project and the publisher expected it a lot sooner.
Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:27 · Score: 0

People who want a better *NIX than Linux already have that choice in FreeBSD.

Congratulations on the successful troll.
Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by DARKFORCE123 · 2004-01-20 07:42 · Score: 1

In most peoples minds Hurd is still a proof of concept rather than anything that can actually be used.
It might as well be vaporware since its been on the development track for 20 years without nary a major release in sight.
Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by weileong · 2004-01-20 18:51 · Score: 1

And since GNU/Hurd would have the same damn license as GNU/Linux whats the point of using Hurd at all?

Actually, IIRC, the Hurd would allow for several features not available in linux (or in fact any *nix). Such as a non-binary security model ("you are either root and all-powerful, or a user and not capable of very much"), with several gradations of permissions and specific rights etc. that is reminiscent of pre-UNIX OSes like VMS. (I hope I'm not confusing this iwth something else). There should be other features. Anyone with more info?
Re:Do you folks even know what VAPORware is? by minus_273 · 2004-01-20 18:56 · Score: 1

i can put up crap and say it is duke nukem forever. That doesnt make it duke nukem. You link hardly points to Hurd it cerainly is not what the hurd was supposed to be feature wise.

--
The war with islam is a war on the beast
The war on terror is a war for peace

Duke Nukem Battlecruiser-katana 3000 by saladpuncher · 2004-01-20 05:27 · Score: 1

I have begun to suspect that Duke Nukem Forever is a joke being played on us by 3d Realms. Either that or it is just a smoke screen for any other project that they are really working on. Since they have announced "Forever" (6 years ago) they have produced 3 games: Duke Nukem 3D Atomic Edition, Duke Nukem 3D Plutonium Pak, and Max Payne.
They use "Forever" as a cover to hide what they are really making!
In the end they get to pull the largest practical joke on the gaming public since Daikatana.
They couldn't possible still be working on it...could they?

Re:Duke Nukem Battlecruiser-katana 3000 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:11 · Score: 0

max payne???

dont remember the name of the company, but max payne was done by some guys in Finland
Re:Duke Nukem Battlecruiser-katana 3000 by saladpuncher · 2004-01-20 06:27 · Score: 1

Remedy Entertainment and 3D Realms developed the game together. You are correct though, the Finland guys did most of the work. They also did a game called Death Rally in 1996 that is awesome. All of this data I am pulling from www.mobygames.com (to site my sources).

CAUTION STRONG STOMACH NEEDED by MajorDick · 2004-01-20 05:27 · Score: 1

I have been a slashdotter under one name or another for 3+ years, I have read thousands upon thousands of posts.

That said I cannot remeber when a post had Sooooo little to do with the topic and was a disgusting as this one, interesting if not VERY sick story, I have a strong stomach but sheesh nasty....

Re:CAUTION STRONG STOMACH NEEDED by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:56 · Score: 0

Wow, you must have a very weak stomach. Do you only watch disney movies at night with all the lights on? Fag.

Re:don't challenge fauxking amateur evile by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:28 · Score: 0

umm... like "what?" or something....

Re:Vaporware necessary to a thriving industry? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:29 · Score: 0

What? I don't get it.

Re:Duke by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:30 · Score: 0

Because, Linux is on desktops, silly rabbit. If you're not using it, that's your choice.
These awards are about lack of actual products

Weren't we promised... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:30 · Score: 1, Insightful

Iraqui Weapons of mass destruction and peace in the middle east by GWB?

Still waiting on those *sigh*

Holy Crap by jacem · 2004-01-20 05:32 · Score: 4, Funny

1) anounce game, setup preorder
2) delay game so long that people forget they pre ordered and buy another copy.
3) Profit!

Its a real busness plan.

JACEM

--
DOC Disinformation Obfuscation and Confusion
The carrot to FUD's stick

Re:Holy Crap by jeremytribby · 2004-01-20 06:33 · Score: 1

You must be new here. In order for your plan to be a real business plan, it must have the ??? step, and profit is usually the 4th step.

"When it's done!" by Thrymm · 2004-01-20 05:33 · Score: 1

Hope 3d Realms has that catchphrase patented!

Re:Duke by irc.goatse.cx+troll · 2004-01-20 05:34 · Score: 1

" Instead, we got Doom but with a better engine and the worlds worst bunny-hopping."

Nitpick: I assume you meant Quake, seeing as Doom didn't even have jumping.

--
Pain lasts, kid. Its how you know you're alive. Sometimes I think this growing up thing is just pain management-TheMaxx

Re:Vaporware necessary to a thriving industry? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:36 · Score: 0

/. needs a -1 sick

DNF is NOT VAPORWARE! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:37 · Score: 0

DNF has already been delivered. I've gotten more entertainment from DNF this year than from the supposedly-released Postal 2. And the laughs and good times promise to continue as the franchise has UNLIMITED replay potential to continue on in this mode unabated. DNF is growing into the best postmodern gaming franchise ever. Hardly vaporware if you ask me.

Re:DNF is NOT VAPORWARE! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:22 · Score: 0

Baghdad Bob? Is that you?

Re:don't challenge fauxking amateur evile by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:37 · Score: 0

hows the planet/population rescue mission going?

Just a few... by ooby · 2004-01-20 05:38 · Score: 1, Troll

.NET
Microsoft Bob.
Gator (Gain).
Bonzi Buddy

In fact, maybe all spyware, pop-ups (or pop-unders), and spam should be on that list.
Oh, and don't forget Video Professor. He gives me the heebie-geebies.

Re:Just a few... by magarity · 2004-01-20 06:42 · Score: 2, Insightful

Methinks you misunderstand the term at hand, "vaporware". Vaporware are products that never made it into actual release. No product that actually makes it to market is still vaporware no matter how lame, annoying, or poorly meeting expectations.
Re:Just a few... by neko9 · 2004-01-20 06:48 · Score: 1

...ie, outlook? maybe windows? ;-)
Re:Just a few... by MicktheMech · 2004-01-20 07:02 · Score: 1

Perhaps someone should comprise a list of things that should of been vaporware...
RTFA? How about RTF grand parent.
Re:Just a few... by princewally · 2004-01-20 07:05 · Score: 1

You make a good point, but this thread is discussing the software that should have been vaporware.

Which probably makes all of these posts off topic.

--

-
"Vengeance is fine," sayeth the Lord.
Re:Just a few... by Best+ID+Ever! · 2004-01-20 07:06 · Score: 1

Methinks you didn't read the grandparent post, which wanted things that should have been vaporware.
Re:Just a few... by coolgabe · 2004-01-20 07:49 · Score: 1

maybe .NET is useless to non-Windows programmers, but using C# with .NET has halved my coding/testing time.

Am I the only one? by kemster · 2004-01-20 05:39 · Score: 2

I can't be the only one silently waiting for the Slashdot DupePostChecker, am I??? It was promised to us in 1999, which quickly turned into 2000. Then somewhere around 2001 or 2002 there was a delay for CmdrTaco to get engaged or married or something. Oh, and when VA's stock tanked, another huge delay (insufficient funds to hire the extra programmers needed). I really thought 2003 was the year that we'd all see it though.. I really did. Here's to 2004, but I'm not holding my breath.

A modest announcement by inode_buddha · 2004-01-20 05:39 · Score: 5, Funny

I've recently begun work on the next-generation game engine called "WMD Hunt". Current version is 0.0.001-pre-alpha. Notable changes include leveraging multiple synergies across player groups and enabling your gaming buddies to achieve your goals via graft and military-industrial contracts. Some degree of randomness has been added to account for the "lone strikers" play meme. I'm still trying to speedup and optimise the UN code though - it's slow enough that most players won't be able to use that option. Also, the "relative agression level" needs to be more fine-grained; You could be agressive towards your own relatives, or turn your level down instead of simply having a blanket policy. As opposed to a *real* blanket, if your home was recently destroyed.

--
C|N>K

Re:A modest announcement by craw · 2004-01-20 07:45 · Score: 0, Flamebait

This sounds like a fantastic game! Will you be making a French or German version?

My vote... by The+Gline · 2004-01-20 05:39 · Score: 3, Funny

There was a product -- I don't remember the name -- which was supposed to be a module you could drop into a conventional 35mm film camera that would turn it into a digital camera. It never materialized, of course.

--
Honorary Member of Jackie Chan's Kung Fu Process Servers

Re:My vote... by Sneftel · 2004-01-20 05:46 · Score: 1

These are already commonly available. For awhile, they were the high end of SLR digital cameras.

--
The opinions stated herein do not necessarily represent those of anybody at all. Deal with it.
Re:My vote... by The+Gline · 2004-01-20 05:56 · Score: 1

They did? Strange, I searched in vain for such a thing -- I guess it was not something that ever "broke wide"... of course, by this time I suspect many of the cameras out there are cheaper than the module itself?

--
Honorary Member of Jackie Chan's Kung Fu Process Servers
Re:My vote... by radish · 2004-01-20 06:26 · Score: 2, Interesting

I think you're talking about digital backs, which are (a) expensive and (b) specific to the particular camera they're designed for. Typically they are also only available for SLRs and medium format. What the original poster was talking about was (I believe) a product which replaced the film without modifying the camera itself. I did see talk of such a thing a long time ago, battery & storage in a 'cannister', and a thin plastic CCD where the film would be. I'm sure if it ever did work it was made redundant by the drop in price of real digital cameras.

--
---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"
Re:My vote... by Mr_Silver · 2004-01-20 06:29 · Score: 2, Informative

There was a product -- I don't remember the name -- which was supposed to be a module you could drop into a conventional 35mm film camera that would turn it into a digital camera. It never materialized, of course.
And it still hasn't.
Stand up Silicon Film Technologies ...

--
Avantslash - View Slashdot cleanly on your mobile phone.
Re:My vote... by MooCows · 2004-01-20 06:51 · Score: 1

by this time I suspect many of the cameras out there are cheaper than the module itself?

The cheapest 'instant digital camera' module I've heard of costed E15000. (that is a few months ago)
Not exactly worth the costs unless you have a very special camera.

--
The path I walk alone is endlessly long.
30 minutes by bike, 15 by bus.
Re:My vote... by Sneftel · 2004-01-20 07:10 · Score: 1

Guilty as charged. I misread the OP's comment.

--
The opinions stated herein do not necessarily represent those of anybody at all. Deal with it.

Re:God Bless America by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:40 · Score: 0

Then stop buying our products, and stop copying out culture.

Back when I played Fallout it was called Wasteland by jmlyle · 2004-01-20 05:43 · Score: 3, Interesting

And hopefully it will be done justice by the original creator

He was even kind enough to ask for input from devoted fans.

--
I have misplaced my pants.

Re:Duke by Lehk228 · 2004-01-20 05:43 · Score: 1

how did you not notice? as soon as i started playing i thought to myself... wow this seems similar to duke.... except that it seems to run better on newer versions of windows than DN3D did

--
Snowden and Manning are heroes.

Re:We need a furpile here by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:43 · Score: 0

I don't understand how I know what you're talking about, I can't make out a word. But sign me up. Throw some leather in too if you can manage it somehow.

My favorite line... by TiMac · 2004-01-20 05:43 · Score: 1

"...Duke, perpetual lord of vaporware..."

So true....so true...

--

Parrot by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:43 · Score: 0

Squawk! I've fallen and I can't get up!

How won't *you* be getting DNF? by Cruel+Angel · 2004-01-20 05:45 · Score: 1

I was working phone support for a shipping company about 5(?) years ago. Someone from ID once called up, needing help with our software.

When I found out who he worked for, I made a joke about sending me a freebie. He said sure, Told me they were working on DNF and said he'd send a copy to the company, in my name.

I wonder if the guy even still works there, much less remembers?

--
Two Rules For Success:
1) Never tell people everything you know.

Re:How won't *you* be getting DNF? by Digital11 · 2004-01-20 06:03 · Score: 1

Erm, DNF is EpicGames isn't it? Why would someone from id be working on DNF?

--
I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.
Re:How won't *you* be getting DNF? by karnal · 2004-01-20 06:04 · Score: 1

Umm, wouldn't ID = DOOM, and not DNF?

--
Karnal
Re:How won't *you* be getting DNF? by kyrre · 2004-01-20 06:13 · Score: 1

http://www.3drealms.com
Re:How won't *you* be getting DNF? by Cruel+Angel · 2004-01-20 06:52 · Score: 1

you're right of course, musta brain farted while typing.

--
Two Rules For Success:
1) Never tell people everything you know.

OHHH!!! I got the perfect title for that list by StressGuy · 2004-01-20 05:47 · Score: 5, Funny

[drumroll.....]
.
"Little Piggies That Should Never Have Went to Market"
.
. ....catchy huh?
.

--
A goal is a dream with a deadline

Re:OHHH!!! I got the perfect title for that list by drinkypoo · 2004-01-20 08:36 · Score: 1

It certainly has everything required for a Wired Headline; It makes very little sense and is highly evocative. All you need now is some flourescent-colored banner adds featuring a web monkey and you're in there.

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"

Halo 2 ?!? by PeeweeJD · 2004-01-20 05:47 · Score: 1

Halo 2 for xbox should have made that list for sure.

Console? by phorm · 2004-01-20 05:48 · Score: 1, Insightful

If we can nominate console games, I'm going to FFX-2. As the first FF sequel, it's a huge dissappointment. Gameplay is decent, but it's got way too much focus on sexuality (there's a scene where the girls compare boob sizes... how sad) as opposed to plot.

Yes, previous FF games has some of these aspects (FF7 ending scene anyone?), but they were backed up with decent plots.

FFX-2 is a combination of several mini-quests, many often fairly unrelated, using much of the original maps/graphics/etc of FFX.

Cash-grab anyone? Squaresoft should be ashamed.

Re:Console? by Oliver+Wendell+Jones · 2004-01-20 06:13 · Score: 1

there's a scene where the girls compare boob sizes... how sad

Are you gay? Not that there's anything wrong with that...

--
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing -- Emo Phillips
Re:Console? by CFTM · 2004-01-20 06:27 · Score: 1

I just think the creators of FFX-2 watched Charlie's Angels one too many times before starting this game. I mean seriously "Y.R.P.!"
Re:Console? by dildatron · 2004-01-20 06:49 · Score: 2, Funny

And I, for one, welcome our new boobie overlords!

--

If you had nuts on your chin, would they be chin nuts?
Re:Console? by banzai51 · 2004-01-20 07:09 · Score: 1

What do you mean by new? Haven't boobies ruled us all along?
Re:Console? by Frizzle+Fry · 2004-01-20 07:23 · Score: 1

And I, for one, welcome our new boobie overlords!

Overladies?

--
I'd rather be lucky than good.
Re:Console? by phorm · 2004-01-20 07:37 · Score: 1

If I wanted pr0n I'd buy a subscription on the internet or a game of that rating. If I want gameplay/plot I will buy a game. When I buy a game in a series noted (at least from my personal experience) for decent plots/play, I'd expect it to capitalize on those factors and not cheap sexualization.

Furthermore, pixelated 3d rendered females and sappy innuendo dialogue don't get me off... I'm not gay but I guess I just have higher standards for you in both the gaming and internet categories.
Re:Console? by phorm · 2004-01-20 07:41 · Score: 1

Actually, that was almost exactly my impression. This isn't a game, it's a somewhat playable and badly scripted episode of CA.

Somewhere along the line I think that the demons behind Charlie's Angels and Sailor Moon combined to make this mess.
Re:Console? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 09:09 · Score: 0

If this is the first time you've noticed cheap sexualization and sappy innuendo in the FF series, you've seriously got to give your head a shake.

Two words for you buddy: Tifa Lockhart.

That is all.

Are we forgetting what Vaporware is? by CorkyStClair · 2004-01-20 05:49 · Score: 2, Informative

Vaporware is when IBM comes to your company and says 'we have product X that will intergrate your Y and Z systems' when they have no such product. It is not uncommon for companies in niche markets to do such things. Companies like JDE/PeopleSoft/Siebel do it all the time to make sales. But, they do it because they know they have the resources to make it happen. Just because something is Vaporware doesn't mean it will never happen.

Perhaps most of the companies on the list should get a 'Ultra-Behind-Schedule' award instead, as it is pretty aparent that Valve does have HL2.

Re:Are we forgetting what Vaporware is? by skt · 2004-01-20 08:40 · Score: 1

Yep, I noticed that right away also, it seems that the meaning of vaporware is getting lost. In fact, IIRC, the source code leaked from HL2 sometime last year which proves that it isn't vaporware. I suppose it could be possible for games like DN2 not to exist at all, but I don't think it makes a lot of sense in the computer game software industry to use marketing tactics like that.

Questioning the pace of discovery of WMD ... by burgburgburg · 2004-01-20 05:49 · Score: 2, Insightful

means the terrorists have won and that you are a tree-hugging, latte-drinking, body-pierced, tax-raising, gay-marrying enemy combatant. You might as well be questioning how we can be in the middle of a "recovery" if it is jobless, or how we are much safer now even though our military is spread far too thin and we've had to resort to not allowing people to quit at the end of their terms of service.

Step away from the computer and await the relocation experts from Guantanamo.

Re:God Bless America by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 05:50 · Score: 0

You wish.

Europe rocks! Get over it.

Re:E3 Needs to Change by nukem1999 · 2004-01-20 05:50 · Score: 1

Why exactly would a company feel the need to go to E3 to demo a product that's already shipping?

Re:E3 Needs to Change by Mike+Hawk · 2004-01-20 05:51 · Score: 4, Insightful

E3 is not for consumers. If you don't want to hear the buzz, don't listen. E3 is for publishers and other vendors to present their products to retailers. E3 is an industry trade show that is not open to the public. If you are disappointed by something that occurs based on E3, you have noone to blame but yourself.

Now, something announced in a press release is another matter entirely.

Waiiiiiit a minute... by Flakbait · 2004-01-20 05:58 · Score: 3, Funny

President George W. Bush's weapons of mass destruction

I don't get it. If Prez Bush doesn't have WMD, then what do we have in all those silos in Montana?

--
-Flakbait
Temporary Minister of Propoganda for the Assyrian Empire

Re:Waiiiiiit a minute... by NanoGator · 2004-01-20 06:03 · Score: 1

"I don't get it. If Prez Bush doesn't have WMD, then what do we have in all those silos in Montana?"

We'll find out when the Vulcans enter our system.

--
"Derp de derp."
Re:Waiiiiiit a minute... by EvilTwinSkippy · 2004-01-20 07:42 · Score: 1

Does Vulcan have Unicode support, or am I going to slog through really nasty binary characters in my tripwire logs?

--
"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
--Dr.W.Edwards Deming

Gas and vapor by GQuon · 2004-01-20 06:00 · Score: 1

Well, some of the chemical and biological weapons are gasware. Some of them are vaporware.

Nuclear weapons are more, like, plasmaware.

--
Irene KHAAAAAAN!

Re:Gas and vapor by macdaddy · 2004-01-20 06:20 · Score: 1

Nuclear weapons are more, like, plasmaware.
That would be more like MyAssIsMeltingWare. :-(
Re:Gas and vapor by EvilTwinSkippy · 2004-01-20 07:47 · Score: 1

Well, the device itself emits hard and soft X-Rays and tons of neutrons. The plasma is the air around the core being flash-heated and shot out in every direction at hypersonic speed.
6 of 1, half dozen of the other, but without Air, a nuclear bomb is just flash, albeit A really bright and nasty, and would evaporate you instantly flash...
(This is largely why the idea of stopping nuclear missiles and asteroids by setting of a-bombs near them in orbit won't work.)

--
"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
--Dr.W.Edwards Deming

WMD by CGP314 · 2004-01-20 06:01 · Score: 2, Funny

I think I know something else that should be on that list.

::Nods head at George Bush::

--
In London? Need a Physics Tutor?

American Weblog in London

Re:WMD by T-Punkt · 2004-01-20 06:35 · Score: 1

If you've RTFA then you would know that it is on the list but didn't make it into the top ten.

Radio Shark... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:01 · Score: 0

You've got questions, we.........we'll get back to you on that.

Re:don't challenge fauxking amateur evile by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:02 · Score: 0

You tell 'em, robIE!

heh... one of my favourite Slashdot kooks. :)

How can.... by Mr.+Troll · 2004-01-20 06:05 · Score: 2, Insightful

How can Fallout 3 be vaporware if it was never offically announced? We only learned of it when the news came out that the BIS team had been canned....

I dont consider canceled things vapor....hell, let's call TORN vaporware too....

--
Kiss my shiny metal ass

Re:How can.... by Discoflamingo13 · 2004-01-20 11:13 · Score: 1

There's been a promotional tape for (presumably) Fallout 3 called "A Vault-Dweller's Guide to Post-Nuclear Intimacy" which has been making rounds in certain circles. It was not widely announced, but the marketing had slowly begun.
Re:How can.... by Quinn · 2004-01-21 05:16 · Score: 1

That was for Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (*), the console action/RPG universally hated by Fallout fans everywhere and blamed for the demise of FO3.

(* Not to be confused with Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel, released for the PC several years ago.)

--
#19845
Re:How can.... by Discoflamingo13 · 2004-01-21 05:28 · Score: 1

My friend found the tape next to a dumpster. Nowhere on it is it designated as property of Interplay, or as promotional material for any specific game. The only reason I knew it was promotional material for a Fallout game is because the fonts and artwork are identical to those used in both Fallout games I'm familiar with.
Re:How can.... by Quinn · 2004-01-21 05:41 · Score: 1

Ha! That'll be a collector's item for any Fallout fan. It was thrashed by the folks at nma-fallout.com. Was it just the videotape, or the entire tin? IIRC, the original press kit included condoms.

--
#19845
Re:How can.... by Discoflamingo13 · 2004-01-21 09:14 · Score: 1

Just the videotape - my friend had no idea where it had come from, but said it was damn cool.

Half Life 2 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:05 · Score: 0

I was really disappointed when HL2 didn't come out in time for Christmas. Then that got me thinking: given that Valve has had some pretty broken software releases since then, perhaps I should be thankful?

I mean, as it stands, Valve is basically a one-hit wonder, and maybe waiting for the reviews of HL2 (especially in light of Doom 3, which is to be released around the same time) is a worthwhile endeavour.

Alpha/Beta, not pre-alpha by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:05 · Score: 0

What they are preparing for, is the first public beta.

The version they have shown is alpha.

Re:Alpha/Beta, not pre-alpha by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:24 · Score: 0

Actually I know some of the developers and I've been assured it's almost ready for a full production release. There's just a few more rough edges to clean up, and it might have even been released by now if the December release wasn't pulled (there were some unforeseen problems)

Quality is worth waiting for is all I can say.
Re:Alpha/Beta, not pre-alpha by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:03 · Score: 0

So, what you're saying is that they don't want people to get disappointed by a buggy beta? They have only one chance to impress, and have to use it wisely?

apache 2, per child mpm by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:06 · Score: 1

experimental, won't work on your machine until... ?

List is dominated by games by The+I+Shing · 2004-01-20 06:07 · Score: 3, Insightful

I'd like to see the Vaporware Awards split up into some major categories like "Games," "Software," and "Hardware," or something like that.

I don't eagerly await shipment of new games, being an old fuddyduddy with not a lot of free time, and I'd like to see some actual productivity and imaging products get on that list, in addition to all the games and wrist gadgets.

What about that digital film that was supposed to come along? Whatever happened to that? I've got an old, sturdy 1970s Canon AE-1 Program that's just dying to come out of semi-retirement and use those extra-sharp FD lenses to make digital photos.

--
You are in error. No-one is screaming. Thank you for your cooperation.

And the winner is: by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:07 · Score: 0

Dean's chances of winning!

OQO by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:07 · Score: 0

Quote: "the Oqo minicomputer, which came in at No. 4 last year and is now so vaporous that no one is looking forward to it anymore."

Maybe they missed the debut at CES...but it looks to me as if it's coming out this fall.

Apples to Oranges by karnal · 2004-01-20 06:08 · Score: 1

I know this is comparing 2 very different games, but I've gotten the same run-around with Gradius V, which was supposed to be out in time to ship for my birthday LAST YEAR (12/18). Now, go to amazon, and seemingly every time I look at it, it has a different shipping date.

Grrr.

Konami's page isn't much more help. It's now stated as Q104, which means... end of March/April as far as I know, and who knows if it won't be pushed out further?

--
Karnal

Add Longhorn to the list by DesScorp · 2004-01-20 06:10 · Score: 3, Funny

At this rate, it'll get here in, oh, I don't know, 2012.....

--
Life is hard, and the world is cruel

They forgot Bitboys Oy! by SiliconJesus101 · 2004-01-20 06:18 · Score: 3, Informative

Wow, I would almost have to give Bitboys Oy ( http://www.bitboys.com ) the lifetime acheivement award. they have been announcing their "Glaze 3D" chips since Rendition was still a player in the 3D chip market.

Ahhh, the fond memories of my Intergraph Rendition Verite' 1000 card. You could play 3D accellerated vquake at 640x480 with all the prettiness of openGL at full speed on a Pentium 166; those were the days.

--

"The strong will do what they want, the weak will do what they must."
-Thucydides

interesting, but... by rbird76 · 2004-01-20 06:21 · Score: 1

...there's probably a reason WJC didn't invade Iraq based on those assertions - he wasn't certain they were true. Clinton, while doing things that were not good, didn't assert that the WMDs he believed Saddam had were reason enough to invade, nor did his advisors claim that Saddam actually had them and was prepared to use them (claims GWB's cabinet members made).

If the only refutation of the WMD "meme of the hive mind" is a rumor that the President of Portugal said WJC thought that Saddam had WMDs (as opposed to the clear, unambiguous (and either misinformed, misleading or wrong) claims of GWB and his administration in the absence of evidence), then that's almost as good as a confirmation. The perspective doesn't improve if O'Neill's claims that GWB was pondering war in Iraq as early as 1/01 (when he was unlikely to have had comprehensive briefings or information on the Iraq and its potential threat to the Middle East) are true.

You need better evidence than this to refute the public statements of GWB's cabinet et al. (or rather, to refute that they spoke with either anecdotal or nonexistent evidence of WMDs).

Re:interesting, but... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:01 · Score: 0

...there's probably a reason WJC didn't invade Iraq based on those assertions
Do your homework, and pay closer attention, and you will find that the reason is simple: Iraq brokered an 11th hour deal to once again allow unfettered UN inspections. Had he not made tht deal, WJC was fully ready to roll in with the troops, with or without international support. When Saddam broke that deal, GWB ramped up for war again. It's really not that hard to follow.
Re:interesting, but... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:30 · Score: 2, Insightful

Iraq brokered an 11th hour deal to once again allow unfettered UN inspections. Had he not made tht deal, WJC was fully ready to roll in with the troops, with or without international support. When Saddam broke that deal, GWB ramped up for war again.

Who broke what when now? I seem to distinctly remember UN inspectors being on the ground and doing their job in the run-up to the iraqi war, with their efforts being dismissed out of hand by the Bush administration. Then they had to clear out not because saddam wanted them gone, but because war was coming.

Now, we can argue all night about why saddam let them back in, but let's not try to argue that GWB invaded iraq because of the un inspectors. The run-up to the iraqi war clearly demonstrated he has zero respect for the un and its efforts. And even if he did care about it, he would have just let them do their jobs.
Re:interesting, but... by Homology · 2004-01-20 07:33 · Score: 2, Insightful

Do your homework, and pay closer attention, and you will find that the reason is simple: Iraq brokered an 11th hour deal to once again allow unfettered UN inspections

Heard that on Fox "News"? May I suggest that you don't swallow all and any propaganda/lies you hear.
Re:interesting, but... by 110010001000 · 2004-01-20 15:27 · Score: 1

Maybe we invaded because we decided that Saddam murdering and oppressing millions of citizens of Iraq of is morally wrong and should be stopped. I suppose that isn't a good enough reason for some people anymore, because morality is all relative in their minds.

We just exaggerated the WMD aspect so that the slow people would catch on that Saddam is a bad boy.

doesnt matter... by imsabbel · 2004-01-20 06:25 · Score: 1

3DRealms has officially written off any money invested in Duke NUkem forever.

--
HI O WISE PRINCE. WHT TOOK U SO DAM LONG?

Re:doesnt matter... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-21 02:52 · Score: 0

No, that's Take Two, (the last publisher) that you're thinking of.

Vaporware winner --- desktop linux by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:25 · Score: 0, Troll

heck, even Apple has more desktops than linux

Hey, where is 'Trinity' ? by 88NoSoup4U88 · 2004-01-20 06:28 · Score: 1

I think it's allready two years ago, and was shown at some tech show, but the (Quake 3 engined) game, only single player, looked very nice.
It involved some scenes of the now famous 'bullittime' and was to evolve the SP story quite a bit : So the preview said.
I guess this even became so vapor, that i can't even refer to sites with information about it :/

its business plan, however.... by rbird76 · 2004-01-20 06:28 · Score: 1

is either vaporware or crack fumes. This wouldn't seem like a good idea (proprietary games, no publishers?, crippled PC) even if a more legitimate company were spawning it - considering for a long time Phantom seemed to describe the company as well as its game machine, this seems questionable. People might buy games that they like, but without publishers (and the assurance that there will actually be games to play and games people want to play), the incentive for either upfront costs and/or monthly fees is not there.

Stars Supernova by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:29 · Score: 0

This is a game which has been "in development" since Windows 3.11, and which has STILL not seen the light of day. Check out crisium.com for details.

--AC

Montana has more than silos..... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:32 · Score: 1, Funny

I hate it when people think that MT is nothing more than silos....just because we are 3x the size of most states (for instance, SC), and have 1/3 of said southern state, we are considered to be nothing more than a nuclear weapon storage facility. I'll have you know that we have COWS here too, lots of 'em! Antelope too! :P

Re:Montana has more than silos..... by flatland_skier · 2004-01-20 06:36 · Score: 1

Montana, where the cows and the antelope play!
Re:Montana has more than silos..... by DARKFORCE123 · 2004-01-20 07:46 · Score: 1

Does that mean you have UFOs too? Where there are cows, there are always UFOs!
Re:Montana has more than silos..... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 10:53 · Score: 0

No more Unabomber, though.

Re:Duke by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:33 · Score: 0

It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and I'm all outta gum.
I'm gonna rip your head off and shit down your neck.
Your face, your ass: what's the difference?
"Born to be wild."
Yipi-kai-yai motherfuckers.
Shake it baby. Wanna dance?

Windows!! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:35 · Score: 1, Funny

You know, the secure version of Windows (tm) that isn't susceptible to buffer overflows, viruses, or scripting attacks? The one that will run all existing software? The one that's safe to use on a wide-band, always-on internet connection? The one we've been promised since, what, 1998?

Sounds like you should call home office. by Inoshiro · 2004-01-20 06:36 · Score: 1

At an EB, your money is always your money. You can cancel your preorder at any time. If you have a receipt or identification, it's a couple steps for the till monkey, a signature from you, and you get your money back.

Software, Etc's not in Canada, probably because of business practices like you mention. Chances are, though, that all you need to do is produce ID and say you want your money back.

--
--
Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.

The obvious one is missing by edxwelch · 2004-01-20 06:37 · Score: 2, Interesting

Weren't we promised a secure version of Windows from the so-called Trustworthy Computing inititive that was started 2 years ago?
Where is it?

Re:The obvious one is missing by bonch · 2004-01-20 17:54 · Score: 1

What about the breaches of GNU/FSF, GNOME, Debian, and Gentoo last year?

All the DNF lies you could ever want and more: by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 06:39 · Score: 0

"1.12 - Why is DNF taking so long?
While this question constantly comes up from concerned fans, the fact is that the game is not taking as long as it may seem. As stated by several 3D Realms employees numerous times, quality games simply take time. What has been taking the most time is all of the optimizations and additions 3D Realms has been making. In the words of George Broussard, "The fact is that we're not massively delayed,. Going to Unreal did set us back, but mainly because we refused to be a TC and not advance tech. We added LOD, skeletal animation, motion capture, and tons of other little enhancements to the Unreal engine to make it more interactive. That all takes time."

Level designer Stephen Cole has also commented on this issue: "If DNF was a TC, it would be done by now. Levels, art, models, all are easy and quick to produce. If you want a rehashed TC, that is. If, however, you want something you haven't seen before, it takes time. If you want something that won't be outdated when it comes out, it takes more time."

And also some comments by Joe Siegler: "If we had wanted some quickie piece of crap, it would have been out ages ago. It takes time to innovate - it doesn't take any time to shovel any old crap out there. Since we are not a publically held company, we aren't beholden to the same things that some big companies hold their development teams to, hence we can afford to take the time to make a quality product. Besides, once it's released, no one will care how long it took, they'll care that they have a cool fun game.""

Psychonauts by Monkelectric · 2004-01-20 06:41 · Score: 3, Interesting

Touted as one of the REASONS to own an XBOX, an exclusive title from the author of Grim Fandango. Trailers released in 2002, still *no* sign of the thing.

--

Religion is a gateway psychosis. -- Dave Foley

Re:Psychonauts by EvilTwinSkippy · 2004-01-20 07:39 · Score: 2, Funny

You bought something from Microsoft for an advertised feature?
I don't know whether to laugh at you or take pity on you.
Who am I kidding. (snicker).

--
"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
--Dr.W.Edwards Deming
Re:Psychonauts by Monkelectric · 2004-02-03 10:03 · Score: 1

Pity please :)

--
Religion is a gateway psychosis. -- Dave Foley

Un-Hot Item for 2003 by MissMarvel · 2004-01-20 06:43 · Score: 1

Is Duke Nukem as bad as this article makes it sound? I'm tempted to buy it just to take a look.

Obligatory Penny Arcade comic by MolecularBear · 2004-01-20 06:49 · Score: 1

Obligatory Penny Arcade comic

--

Magnatune: Quality (DRM-free) MP3/FLAC/

Re:Obligatory Penny Arcade comic by irokitt · 2004-01-20 07:28 · Score: 1

LOL - one of my favorites. But theres always this one or this one.

--
If my answers frighten you, stop asking scary questions.

the name gave it away from the beginning by O0o0Oblubb!O0o0O · 2004-01-20 06:56 · Score: 0, Redundant

maybe I did not pay attention but the name "Duke Nukem Forever" probably just meant to indicate how long it would take to develop the whole thing. Or maybe how long they wanted to stay on the vaporware list?!

THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWARE by popo · 2004-01-20 06:58 · Score: 4, Interesting

Jesus Christ, Half Life II? Doom III?

I for one am extremely stoked that game studios have finally adopted the "Its done when its done" mantra of releasing games.

Let's not forget that 'etched-in-stone' release dates are responsible for most of the really atrocious games inflicted on us over the last decade.

Blizzard, id, & Valve deserve enormous kudos for sticking firm to their convictions, and holding their corporate masters at bay while producing games that are polished and bug free.

Vaporware suggests that these companies have promised something that has not, and will not be delivered. We should keep in mind that at *no* point have any of these companies offered firm release dates. And they should be commended for not doing so.

What's funny is the really guilty party -- that is, the party which has most frequently made false promises of "what's coming down the pipeline" *has* to be Wired Magazine.

My 2 cents.

--
------ The best brain training is now totally free : )

Re:THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWARE by Cyph · 2004-01-20 07:57 · Score: 1

Uh, does September 30th ring a bell? That was the release date for Half-Life 2.
Re:THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWARE by BadTuna · 2004-01-20 11:02 · Score: 1

Blizzard, id, & Valve...polished and bug free. Blizzard published something bug free? Where have I been...?

--
Your sig here!
Re:THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWARE by damiam · 2004-01-20 12:59 · Score: 1

Play a Blizzrd game right after launch. Then, play another company's game (of similar magnitude) after launch. I guarantee you, the Blizzard game will be significantly less buggy.

--
It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
Re:THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWARE by Bertie · 2004-01-20 13:45 · Score: 1

Jesus Christ, Half Life II? Doom III?

Actually, now you mention it, Jesus Christ is some pretty serious vapourware - nigh-on 2000 years they've been telling us he's coming back Real Soon Now, and is there any sign of him? Is there bollocks...
Re:THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWARE by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 14:55 · Score: 0

mod parent up...
Re:THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWARE by BadTuna · 2004-01-21 03:41 · Score: 1

Ageed, but it is not "bug free" as the poster first suggested.

--
Your sig here!
Re:THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWARE by Doctor+Crocodile · 2004-01-21 04:33 · Score: 1

hear hear

And by Sycraft-fu · 2004-01-20 07:01 · Score: 1

Small claims court is NOT something you need a lawyer for. You just go yourself. No jury, just an argument in front of a judge. So it's not like a "real" lawsuit where you'd be taking lots of money. As the parent says, file against them and you'll get yourself a check. They'll probably give you enough to get a new game if you push the issue since they are just going to want it to go away.

I'd say file, then when they contact you tell them that that $50 + the filing cost is enough to make you go away. I bet they don't argue.

One of the two oldest running jokes in retail by Torgen · 2004-01-20 07:01 · Score: 2, Interesting

I worked at an Electronics Boutique while going to college, and the two favorite jokes were when I customer came in asking when NeverWinter Nights was coming out (answer: "Never") and how long until Duke Nukem comes out (answer: "Forever") Then blasted Atari actually shipped NWN. :P

Re:We need a furpile here by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:05 · Score: 0

Yiff!

Playing to the Slashdot crowd... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:08 · Score: 0

Microsoft Windows?

But the code was complete AND NOT FINISHED! by unsigned+integer · 2004-01-20 07:10 · Score: 1

The thieves downloaded the full code, and after reading on this topic for an hour or two from several sites, analysis of the illicit code turned up the fact that THE CODE WAS NOT DONE FOR A GAME THAT WAS "SHIPPING" IN A FEW WEEKS!

Valve seriously lied to all its customers, and is using the theft to its fullest advantage to give them more time since they apparently tried to hit an unrealistic schedule!

Re:But the code was complete AND NOT FINISHED! by Sevn · 2004-01-20 13:23 · Score: 1

It's not the first time Valve has openly lied to customers. I can count on two hands the number of times they've said bugs in their code are hardware or driver problems, then silently fixed the problem months later with a patch. Valve is the telephone company of software publishers.

--
For every annoying gentoo user, are three even more annoying anti-gentoo crybabies. Take Yosh from #Gimp for example.

DNF by Andy+Smith · 2004-01-20 07:16 · Score: 1

It's a real yawn that DNF has been given this award again.

To me, vaporware is a product which is being actively promoted by a company, with all sorts of whizz-bang features that may or may not actually exist, and therefore it's vaporware because it's something that we're being told does exist but we can't see it for ourselves.

DNF isn't being promoted. 3DR don't talk about it. It's just a game that we've been told in the past is in development, and now they're working on it at their own pace, and that pace is slower than some people would prefer.

To give a product like DNF a 'vaporware' award is like throwing a tantrum. "We want it now! We want it now! Mwaaaah! Mwaaaah!"

They'll put their game out if/when it's ready. Quit whining!

Valve....they are.... by MoFoQ · 2004-01-20 07:17 · Score: 1

they are french...well french owned. (some of Robin William's standup routines come to mind) "F*ck off you americanz," says the french men until the Nazis come, in which he starts loving Americans.

Maybe they should rename the company to "Closed Valve".

Of course, if you talk about the french, that one episode (halloween ep.) of the Simpsons comes to mind too where the french, cackling like bullfrogs launch a neutron bomb at Springfield.

Coach Potato complains about Half-Life2 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 07:22 · Score: 0

"How about a working copy of anything from Valve Software?" wrote reader C. Recicar. "Half-Life 2, Steam, Team Fortress 2 (voted for that one in 2001). These goons have been no-shows since coming out with the greatest game ever made, and I am, quite frankly, tired of waiting."

Quit whining numb-nuts. They're not putting together Chutes and Ladders v2.0. They're putting together one of the most advanced games of all time.

Yea, this is a bad list by rblancarte · 2004-01-20 07:23 · Score: 4, Interesting

I have to agree. Black Island never got people's hopes up. Many knew that Fallout 3 was in the works, but it was under a code name, and never officially announced.

This list they have up is kind of lame actually this year, since many of the things that were on the list were announced ONLY this year. HL2 and Doom 3 both garnered votes (with HL2 making the top spot), but honestly, it is not like this game is really late. They just got the ball rolling for it this year, and all of a sudden it is considered TOP VAPORWARE?!?!?!

How about the HDTiVo? Announced in Jan 2003, and by Dec 2003, it is top 10 vaporware? UGH.

I think that Wired really needs to make put up some limits on what actually is considered "Vaporware." IMnsHO, the first thing is that the product must have been announced at least over a year ago (ie, 2002 for these awards). Just my $.02.

--
It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking.

Re:Yea, this is a bad list by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 08:48 · Score: 0

It's Blask ISLE, shitnut, and the developers themselves got our hopes WAY up with (almost) daily updates on the progress of the game.
Re:Yea, this is a bad list by The+Only+Druid · 2004-01-20 15:31 · Score: 1

The HDTivo is particularly stupid, given that a working demo was present this year at the conference.

--
"Stumble before you crawl"

Let the boy be by rblancarte · 2004-01-20 07:27 · Score: 2, Funny

Come on, admiting that he actually bought the game might have cost him his eternal soul.

--
It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking.

DNF?? by __aafutm5472 · 2004-01-20 07:30 · Score: 1

I noticed that they reference it as 'DNF' in the FAQ. In the racing world, DNF means "Did Not Finish." That can't be good...

Re:God Bless America by Glytch · 2004-01-20 07:31 · Score: 1

Can't buy what doesn't exist. Most people buy Chinese products these days.

Why games? by selan · 2004-01-20 07:33 · Score: 1

I'm not a gamer, so I'm curious about this. Why are the worst vaporware examples all games, and how is it that so many of them have been in development for upwards of five years? I can't imagine that, say, a word processor could be in development for that long--it would fall behind the times too quickly. How are games immune to the constant changes in operating systems, hardware, etc.?

Re:Why games? by Jubedgy · 2004-01-20 08:42 · Score: 1

The thing about games is if you make a game for bleeding edge hardware, few can play it. As it gets delayed, more and more people will have the hardware to play it well, until you reach a point where the game tech is too far behind to be worth releasing (Daikatana) at which point you either release it anyway or rewrite using a newer engine (Duke Nukem Forever).

--
Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis hebes

Classic by rblancarte · 2004-01-20 07:36 · Score: 1

Oh man, that was great. 1999 and 2000 comics about how LATE Duke Nukem Forever is. We are only 4 years later...

BTW - ever notice how the abreviation for Duke Nukem Forever - DNF - is also used for Did Not Finish?

--
It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking.

Duke Nukem Forever by euxneks · 2004-01-20 07:38 · Score: 4, Funny

I wonder if they'll put that on the box, if/when it ever comes out:

"Duke Nukem winner of _many_ vaporware awards!"

--
in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni

Job for ya,,, by rblancarte · 2004-01-20 07:39 · Score: 1

I sure wish I had a job where I could produce nothing for six years and still have a job.

Get elected Senator, Republican Senator.

--
It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking.

Re:Job for ya,,, by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-21 02:49 · Score: 0

Or a Democrat, Independent, etc.

references? (not to question, for info) by rbird76 · 2004-01-20 07:42 · Score: 1

If this is true, it'd be interesting.

Of course it doesn't circumvent the issue of why GWB ordered the invasion. If Iraq/Saddam broke an inspection deal that they had agreed to, and that they could not be trusted, (and so Saddam et al. had to be removed) it would have been an accurate reason for going - but it wouldn't necessarily have gotten the support for going to war in Iraq that was received when the "imminent" threat of WMDs was used. In that sense, it's somewhat like GWB's tax cut - after it becomes clear that the main recipients of tax relief are the wealthy, the response is "They're the ones who pay taxes, so they should receive the refunds", which would have been fine if GWB hadn't said precisely the opposite (the majority of benefits were going to the poorer half of the US). Had he said that reason, the tax cut would not have received the popular support it had. The war in Iraq would not have received nearly as much support for either GWB or WJC had the broken promise for inspections been the stated reason for going (I'm guessing that the people complaining would be reversed though - I'd like to think better of my politics but it is politics after all and I'm not as pure in practice as I should be).

The definition of vaporware.... by rblancarte · 2004-01-20 07:46 · Score: 1

Oh forget it, this one is too easy.

--
It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking.

Vaporware is... by rblancarte · 2004-01-20 08:00 · Score: 1

Oh never mind.

--
It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking.

Re:THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWAR by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 08:05 · Score: 0

If you can find Doom 3 on that list, you have better eyesight than I do. But you can't since it's not on the fucking list.

HL2 has missed official ship dates. NONE OF US KNOWS FOR SURE IF IT WILL EVER ACTUALLY BE RELEASED BECAUSE NONE OF US CAN SEE INTO THE FUTURE. You know, you're the kind of rube that used to parrot the exact same "it's not vaporware" nonsense back when Duke Nukem Forever was 3 years into development and the dev team was still promising it shortly. HL2 had an original official release date, missed it, and so it became vaporware and will remain so until it's finally released.

Is that so hard to understand? Should I use smaller words next time?

Definition by abertoll · 2004-01-20 08:06 · Score: 0, Redundant

Can someone provide a definition for vaporware, or link?

--
"he drew his sword Ringil that glittered like ice... and he wounded Morgoth with seven wounds..."

Re:Definition by RGRistroph · 2004-01-20 08:08 · Score: 4, Funny

I'll post one shortly ! Don't anyone else respond to this, because you'll be wasting the effort.
Re:Definition by forkboy · 2004-01-20 09:04 · Score: 1

That's the funniest thing I've read all month. You sir, are brilliantly subtle.

--
This message brought to you by the Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People.
Re:Definition by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 13:53 · Score: 0

holy christ that was funny

Re:Duke by Deflagro · 2004-01-20 08:20 · Score: 1

I think I was too busy shooting those little bunnies to notice. It seems so very long ago...

--
Der Tod ist der einzige Weg hier raus!

Counter-Strike happened... by Cryptnotic · 2004-01-20 08:27 · Score: 1

That's why Team Fortress 2 was never released. It couldn't compete with CS. It was just out-classed by a free mod. Of course, everyone was blown away by CS.

Also, tech demos from 4 years ago would probably not be considered very impressive today.

--
My other first post is car post.

Re:Duke by Night+Goat · 2004-01-20 08:33 · Score: 1

Who wants some WANG?!

Yeah, that game was pretty damned near as good as Duke 3D.

Segway by khold · 2004-01-20 09:17 · Score: 1

Yeah, I know the Segway actually did come out, but I think that there should be a Vaporware hype competition. Basically, a product that was hyped to extremes and didn't meet those extremes when it was finally produced are fair game. The Segway is a really great example of this. I remember reading statements like "It is a product that will change communities and bla bla bla".... Yeah, its changing communities and stuff, sure.

--
rm -rf sig

It's funny, laugh: HE WORKS FOR A COMPETITOR by GQuon · 2004-01-20 09:48 · Score: 1

Yes, meta-moderators, it IS funny.

The reason it's funny is that Wired chose HIM, out of all the people who commented. (If there were more.)

He works for a company that sells semi-compatible Amiga "clones". Check out his homepage.

(The ACs have pointed this out allready, but who reads at below "1" anyway?)

--
Irene KHAAAAAAN!

"Big name" open source coders == Whiny babies by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 10:26 · Score: 0

All of them are. Bunch of whiny faggots.

Also let's not forget... by Ayanami+Rei · 2004-01-20 10:35 · Score: 1

that people don't really want machines to exhibit human intelligence. You wouldn't like real AI. You could just hire a secretary.
People just want machines to be more responsive.

--
THIS THING CAN TURN ON A DIME, MACROSSZERO STYLE ALSO FUCK BETA, ~NYORON

Harpoon 4 by aukaru · 2004-01-20 10:39 · Score: 1

What about Harpoon 4? It has been in development for as long as Duke Nukem. According to the project website the project has been in the works since 1997. Unfortunately the project has been dropped by another in a long line of companies that have worked on it. Maybe someday I will be able to play Harpoon 4 or at least finally hold a funeral.

Another project long-anticipated by grognards is World In Flames by Australian Design Group. At least they have the excuse that the project was run in-house for most of the development time before being handed off to Matrix Games in October. I still play around with the last publicly available beta. What will I do with all the free table space once WIF is finally released?

Desktop Linux by denks · 2004-01-20 10:56 · Score: 0

Now for how long have we been hearing that Linux is going to be ready for the desktop? Surely this must beat even DNF!

--

I am Monkey, the Great Sage, equal of heaven!

Re:Desktop Linux by bonch · 2004-01-20 18:02 · Score: 1

Sorry, Linus has a clear release date of "5 to 10 years." It is not vaporware.
Re:Desktop Linux by Grievre · 2004-01-21 02:17 · Score: 1

Linux is ready for the desktop NOW, it's just a matter of who is ready for Desktop Linux.

mod parent up by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 11:29 · Score: 0

damn if /. can't figure out that desktop linux has to be much much much easier to use than it is now for your average computer literate end user to embrace it.

Figures parent post would get modded down by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 11:45 · Score: 0

by someone who doesn't want to accept the truth that Hurd is mostly useless. Hey mod, how about posting a comment. I dare you. I dare you to accept the truth about Hurd. What are you, an anonymous modding coward?

That's one big problem with Slashcode, it doesn't show who modded a comment.

Games vs Movies by sexecutioner · 2004-01-20 13:05 · Score: 1

Why don't movies [appear to] suffer from the same problems as games when it comes to release dates?

If a studio can budget and plan to produce something as complex and costly as a movie then does this put game production studios in a whole different (and seemingly amature) league?

Re:Duke by mikis · 2004-01-20 13:26 · Score: 1

DN had coolest thing ever: jet pack! And night vision googles. Great for the deathmatch in the dark.

Your EMH backup module only works if stolen... by IBitOBear · 2004-01-20 13:57 · Score: 1

This is both particularly true and particularly ironic considering that in a later episode called (something like) "Living Witness" the the EMH's backup module was "found and reactivated several centuries after the horrific events surrounding the invasion of the letheally armed (super-fortress) Voyager." At the end of the episode the EMH sets off for earth to find out what finally became of Voyager.

So that's right, the backup module is aparently not compatible with the ships primary systems and will only work if separated from the ship by centuries and lightyears. Sort of like DRM (Dynastic Restriction Methodologies) and a "trusted computers"

So, it's been stolen/damaged/whatever but, in cannon, there was ongoing backups and such.

The again, it's JUST A TV SHOW DAMNIT! 8-) The point of art, even bad art, is to say things, educate, inform, broaden, and/entertain. It doesn't have to be internally consistent beyond practical need.

The problem is that apparently the ??AA types think their strategems and intentions need be no more consistent or valid than the fare they peddle.

--
Innocent people shouldn't be forced to pay for inferior software development.
--"Code Complete" Microsoft Press

Re:Your EMH backup module only works if stolen... by schon · 2004-01-21 14:22 · Score: 1

the backup module is aparently not compatible with the ships primary systems and will only work if separated from the ship

Must have been designed by the same guys at MS who made Exchange. :o)

Please? bug free? by Penguinoflight · 2004-01-20 14:02 · Score: 1

Maybe Valve has done a good job of making stable games... never liked any of them enough to play. But to say that they are bug free? come on, we have Half Life 1.6? this means there were at least 5 extra releases that all broke compatibiltiy from the original release, and what reason could they possibly give other than bugfixes?

--
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the World"
1 John 4:14

No thanks, I'm waiting for Redneck Rampage Forever by StressGuy · 2004-01-20 15:49 · Score: 1

...or Redneck Rampage "Over Yonder"...or something like that...
.
.

--
A goal is a dream with a deadline

Fox News bias by bonch · 2004-01-20 17:39 · Score: 1

Prove Fox News is biased.

I mean, I always hear liberals tell me it's biased without really telling me why. I guess they're pissed because Dennis Miller comes on the O'Reilly Factor once in a while.

Seriously, what makes it biased? The flag in its promo clips? Is that it?

Re:Fox News bias by will_die · 2004-01-20 22:31 · Score: 1

Proof that Foxnews is biased.
It is not a liberal mouthpiece like CNN,MSNBC,ABC,CBS, NPR and others so it must be biased.

Longhorn by bonch · 2004-01-20 17:41 · Score: 1

Microsoft for its "secure computing initiative" and the ever-slipping ship date for Longhorn, which is shaping up to be a very promising candidate for the Vaporware awards in 2006, 2007 and maybe even 2008.

Huh? Microsoft initially said they were "aiming" for late 2005, then said maybe early 2006. They haven't faltered since then. What "ever-slipping ship date" are you referring to since there has never been a ship date?

The leak was an early E3 alpha by bonch · 2004-01-20 17:44 · Score: 1

from reading/playing with the code (erm, I mean a friend told me, yeah, that's it), the hl2 source was no were near ready in Sept./Oct. HL2 ship date would have been pushed back even if the source had not been stolen, because it simply wasn't done. If anything, having it release was a good thing, because it gave them a public excuse to delay, and causes them to perform a decent code review when it's finally "done."

Please don't tell me you're judging what their actual progress was based on a hacker leak...Valve already stated it was a leak of an early pre-E3 demo. The source code wasn't even complete, though it does compile into a functioning, though error-ridden, executable.

I hate when people leap to conclusions all the time without thinking first.

What rate? by bonch · 2004-01-20 17:52 · Score: 1

What rate? There's never been a ship date. They aimed for late 2005, then decided probably 2006. They've stuck with that since.

Ignorance over defintion of "vaporware" by bonch · 2004-01-20 17:59 · Score: 1

I noticed some Slashdotters displaying this ignorance in the last discussion on vaporware as well.

Doom 3 and Half-Life 2 are NOT vaporware and never were. They're going to ship and have had steady streams of screenshots, E3 appearances, interviews, and videos. Half-Life 2 had a release slip, but considering they have to rewrite STEAM and other multiplayer code now to avoid cheating, that's understandable.

Something like Daikatana would be a vaporware release. Why the sudden ignorance over what vaporware is?

Re:Ignorance over defintion of "vaporware" by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-21 02:43 · Score: 0

Daikatana was released. Perhaps you meant some other game?
Re:Ignorance over defintion of "vaporware" by bonch · 2004-01-21 04:39 · Score: 1

It was released after years and years and years. It was vaporware.

Re:THIS STUFF IS *NOT* VAPORWAR by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-21 02:41 · Score: 0

Vaporware is meant to be a product that will NEVER be released, and has no tangible product. DNF is vaporware, and will be until the public sees anything. HL2 is not, as the public has seen the alpha, and plans are set for release. The Phantom will be until something that's not built on lies and deception is exposed to the public.

Reply from one of the developers of Amiga OS 4.0 by GQuon · 2004-01-26 01:14 · Score: 1

More information can be found in this post.

--
Irene KHAAAAAAN!

502 comments