Normally I don't feed trolls, but I'm bored at work...
Microsoft is mocking the gaming industry with their Halo 3 marketing campaign.
I don't think they are mocking people...it may be stupid of them, but hey if they want to blow that much money on marketing a game that really needs no marketing, let em.
They are essentially telling the gaming world we don't even need a decent game to sell millions.
Games don't sell millions if they aren't at LEAST decent...
If you take away the fact that Halo is Microsoft only real exclusive franchise of any significance you are left with an incredibly mediocre set of games that have lived of massive hype and little substance.
Right, because Sony has never had a title with massive hype and little substance.
Graphically the Halo games have never been very good relative to other fps on all other platforms. The Halo games appeal to the fairly niche crowd of US PC gamers who think the pinnacle of graphics is making things look shiny. Shiny metal everywhere 24/7/365 appears to be the Bungie philosophy.
While I agree that comparitively Halo has never been the graphics champion, it most certainly does NOT appeal to PC gamers...in fact, ask most long-time PC FPS players and they will respond with things ranging from "halo sucks" to "it's decent but not really that special"
Now with Halo 3 they are easily at the bottom of the barrel graphically compared to all other games out in 2007. Halo 3 looks like Halo 2 with a bump up in resolution. The same silly shiny metal that most gamers stop being impressed with years ago once again is the focus.
Not really. Load up a couple of pictures of Halo 2, and then load up some pictures of Halo 3 on IGN...not pictures of the beta (because in the beta they WERE using Halo 2 models and textures), actual in-game shots of Halo 3 single player. Again, not the most fantastic graphics out there, but they still have quite detailed textures and some very nice looking particle effects going on. Then again, Halo's artwork never strived for "ultra-real".
While the rest of the gaming world has moved on to modern rendering techniques like skin, facial animation, hair, cloth and clothings, sweat for characters, Bungie remains stuck in last gen with a character that is conveniently completely covered in the cheap to render shiny metal suit.
Right, because when you are fighting in a futuristic war with lord knows what kind of weapons and radiation, you want to be wearing cloth and have skin exposed.
With games like Crysis and Killzone 2 out there right now Halo 3 makes all of those claims from developers about the 360 being nothing more than an Xbox 1.5 ring true.
Links? Quotes? Just look at the massive difference between Fight Night Round 3 on Xbox compared to on 360...
I guess when you have the ability to throw insane amounts of money at marketing you really don't need to bother making a decent piece of console hardware or even a game that is in the same graphical generation as the competition.
You keep talking about graphics...that does say quite a lot about you as a gamer. Ironically, it puts you in the same group as the very people you were railing against in the beginning of your post.
Just to preempt you, yes I am a fanboy. A fanboy of video games. I own an Atari 2600, NES/SNES/N64/Gamecube/Wii, GBA, Genesis, PS1/PS2/PS3, PSP, Dreamcast, Xbox/Xbox 360, and a respectable gaming PC.
Play as many games on as many different platforms as you can. Being a brand whore only limits what you as a gamer get to experience. But hey, that's your decision.
While I loved the visual update in Sigma for PS3, it's about time they did this...the new iteration of Ninja Gaiden was becomming the next Street Fighter, what with so many different (3) versions of the first game.
I think it's a fantastic idea to do what you are doing as Ubuntu becomes easier to use, especially if they manage to get back that trio of software...that means they are browsing the net all willy-nilly...short of using linux, they really don't have much of a chance:-(
and how hard it is to keep XP safe from the non technical
It really isn't that hard to keep an XP box clean and secure. AVG, ZoneAlarm, and Spybot have kept my XP box spyware and virus free for a VERY VERY long time...going on a full year of uptime (excluding reboots for updates)
Sounds to me like you should look into joining a clan...TFC (Team Fortress Classic) and CS: Source are quite popular, you could find a clan rather easily for either of those.
Well, considering it was on a 6-foot projection screen with a very respectable surround system...I would say it was quite scary. I can't actually play it too loud because I had neighbors calling me complaining (you may not realize this, but the wailing of the Big Daddies produces a LOT of bass.)
Had a buddy of mine (a spotter if you will...in fact, it was the same buddy that was there for the opening of BioShock) sit through all of the Fatal Frame series with me...As a whole series, Fatal Frame is EASILY up there as the scariest....BioShock is not neccessarily the SCARIEST game out there, but the first 15 minutes were positively terrifying (we had purposely read and seen as little as possible....a couple screenshots, a single preview article, and that was it...we didn't want to ruin any of it. As a result, we had NO idea what the fuck was happening.)
Have you actually even played it? It doesn't really innovate anything, but that doesn't mean it isn't an amazing experience to play through.
As far as graphics are concerned this will be the only thing I will say about it...they are good enough (ESPECIALLY the water) to the point where when you first surface after the plane crash, I thought it was a cinematic...it wasn't. You are actually controlling it.
Play the first few minutes of the game and you will see what I am talking about.
The first 15 minutes in BioShock were easily the scariest I have ever experienced in a video game. Turned out the lights, cranked the surround system, cranked the sub, and got lost in Rapture. My ladyfriend and my best bud were over...all three of us were jumping and shrieking. Definately an amazing experience.
Play this game. Play it on 360 or play it on a (very) well equipped PC, it doesn't matter which. Just make sure that you experience it at least once...you won't ever forget it.
The Kingdom of God is inside you and all about you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood and I am there; lift a stone and you will find me.
In a way, it's actually a decent idea...case in point, my ladyfriend (whom I have mentioned earlier in this discussion) is border-line dangerously obsessed and protective over her music collection...by having the whole thing on both her iPod AND her laptop (and in my own archives...cause you never know) it gives her peace of mind. Being able to keep all your music on one mp3 player as well as your hard drive is like getting a free backup device, when you think about it...
Based on that website, the only substantial difference is the inclusion of coverflow, the tech in iTunes 7 that displays the album covers in a sort of rotational field...interesting, but not quite what I was hoping for.
All I really want is just one little itty bitty button on the front (or even on the side) that returns the player from the menu to what is playing...is that really so much to ask?
While I am more of a Rio Karma kind of guy, my ladyfriend has an 80 GB 5th gen iPod...First, the reasons why I like it. I like the sound quality, as well as the screen quality. It is top notch in these areas.
Now, the reasons I hate it.
First off I DESPISE that I cannot change the volume if I am scrolling through the menus...I also hate that unless I navigate back to the song I am listening to, I have to actually wait for the screen to darken and for it to return to the "player" screen in order to adjust the volume/go back to what is playing. Another issue? The mutilated nipple. Yes, I know that this is a major selling point of the iPod, but compare it to the controls of a Karma or a Carbon and you will see just how frustrating it can be to use. iTunes is quite a thorn...then again, I hate the Rio Karma's manager as well and miss the "drag and drop" of my Carbon...
iPod's may sound good and look good, but I just cannot get passed their interface. It's absolutely horrid.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't think they are mocking people...it may be stupid of them, but hey if they want to blow that much money on marketing a game that really needs no marketing, let em. Games don't sell millions if they aren't at LEAST decent... Right, because Sony has never had a title with massive hype and little substance. While I agree that comparitively Halo has never been the graphics champion, it most certainly does NOT appeal to PC gamers...in fact, ask most long-time PC FPS players and they will respond with things ranging from "halo sucks" to "it's decent but not really that special" Not really. Load up a couple of pictures of Halo 2, and then load up some pictures of Halo 3 on IGN...not pictures of the beta (because in the beta they WERE using Halo 2 models and textures), actual in-game shots of Halo 3 single player. Again, not the most fantastic graphics out there, but they still have quite detailed textures and some very nice looking particle effects going on. Then again, Halo's artwork never strived for "ultra-real". Right, because when you are fighting in a futuristic war with lord knows what kind of weapons and radiation, you want to be wearing cloth and have skin exposed. Links? Quotes? Just look at the massive difference between Fight Night Round 3 on Xbox compared to on 360... You keep talking about graphics...that does say quite a lot about you as a gamer. Ironically, it puts you in the same group as the very people you were railing against in the beginning of your post.
Just to preempt you, yes I am a fanboy. A fanboy of video games. I own an Atari 2600, NES/SNES/N64/Gamecube/Wii, GBA, Genesis, PS1/PS2/PS3, PSP, Dreamcast, Xbox/Xbox 360, and a respectable gaming PC.
Play as many games on as many different platforms as you can. Being a brand whore only limits what you as a gamer get to experience. But hey, that's your decision.
Too bad...
While I loved the visual update in Sigma for PS3, it's about time they did this...the new iteration of Ninja Gaiden was becomming the next Street Fighter, what with so many different (3) versions of the first game.
I think it's a fantastic idea to do what you are doing as Ubuntu becomes easier to use, especially if they manage to get back that trio of software...that means they are browsing the net all willy-nilly...short of using linux, they really don't have much of a chance :-(
It really isn't that hard to keep an XP box clean and secure. AVG, ZoneAlarm, and Spybot have kept my XP box spyware and virus free for a VERY VERY long time...going on a full year of uptime (excluding reboots for updates)
Sounds to me like you should look into joining a clan...TFC (Team Fortress Classic) and CS: Source are quite popular, you could find a clan rather easily for either of those.
Most gamers are in the demographic that m-rated games appeal to...
Well, considering it was on a 6-foot projection screen with a very respectable surround system...I would say it was quite scary. I can't actually play it too loud because I had neighbors calling me complaining (you may not realize this, but the wailing of the Big Daddies produces a LOT of bass.)
Check out Hellgate: London. It has what you just asked for.
Had a buddy of mine (a spotter if you will...in fact, it was the same buddy that was there for the opening of BioShock) sit through all of the Fatal Frame series with me...As a whole series, Fatal Frame is EASILY up there as the scariest....BioShock is not neccessarily the SCARIEST game out there, but the first 15 minutes were positively terrifying (we had purposely read and seen as little as possible....a couple screenshots, a single preview article, and that was it...we didn't want to ruin any of it. As a result, we had NO idea what the fuck was happening.)
Have you actually even played it? It doesn't really innovate anything, but that doesn't mean it isn't an amazing experience to play through.
As far as graphics are concerned this will be the only thing I will say about it...they are good enough (ESPECIALLY the water) to the point where when you first surface after the plane crash, I thought it was a cinematic...it wasn't. You are actually controlling it.
Play the first few minutes of the game and you will see what I am talking about.
The first 15 minutes in BioShock were easily the scariest I have ever experienced in a video game. Turned out the lights, cranked the surround system, cranked the sub, and got lost in Rapture. My ladyfriend and my best bud were over...all three of us were jumping and shrieking. Definately an amazing experience.
Play this game. Play it on 360 or play it on a (very) well equipped PC, it doesn't matter which. Just make sure that you experience it at least once...you won't ever forget it.
What the hell kind of spelling mistake is that? Come on editors, at least READ the summary...
Seriously.
How did that gospel go?
The Kingdom of God is inside you and all about you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood and I am there; lift a stone and you will find me.
No disrespect intended, especially considering your triple-digit UID...but uh...GTFO.
/. for years...just never got an inkling to post anything until the past year or so...
I realize that my UID doesn't back this up, but I have read
But Seriously. You come off as a cranky old coot. Uphill both ways and such.
Never forget my dear coward...the media is only as liberal as its conservative owners.
wow...tracker-tracker is still up? sweet. Looks like I will be reacquainting myself with an old friend tonight...
I've been a torrent monkey for a little while now...although, I was HUGE into Hotline back in its hayday.
By the by, anyone know if Hotline is still functional and in use?
In a way, it's actually a decent idea...case in point, my ladyfriend (whom I have mentioned earlier in this discussion) is border-line dangerously obsessed and protective over her music collection...by having the whole thing on both her iPod AND her laptop (and in my own archives...cause you never know) it gives her peace of mind. Being able to keep all your music on one mp3 player as well as your hard drive is like getting a free backup device, when you think about it...
Based on that website, the only substantial difference is the inclusion of coverflow, the tech in iTunes 7 that displays the album covers in a sort of rotational field...interesting, but not quite what I was hoping for.
All I really want is just one little itty bitty button on the front (or even on the side) that returns the player from the menu to what is playing...is that really so much to ask?
If I am balls-deep in an artist's albums, how exactly would I be able to get back to what is playing with a single button press?
Where did you see that? I read the article but saw no mention...unless I'm just unobservant, which is entirely possible...
When you say "new iPod", are you refering to the iTouch, or the classic 80 gb/160 gb iPods?
While I am more of a Rio Karma kind of guy, my ladyfriend has an 80 GB 5th gen iPod...First, the reasons why I like it. I like the sound quality, as well as the screen quality. It is top notch in these areas.
Now, the reasons I hate it.
First off I DESPISE that I cannot change the volume if I am scrolling through the menus...I also hate that unless I navigate back to the song I am listening to, I have to actually wait for the screen to darken and for it to return to the "player" screen in order to adjust the volume/go back to what is playing. Another issue? The mutilated nipple. Yes, I know that this is a major selling point of the iPod, but compare it to the controls of a Karma or a Carbon and you will see just how frustrating it can be to use. iTunes is quite a thorn...then again, I hate the Rio Karma's manager as well and miss the "drag and drop" of my Carbon...
iPod's may sound good and look good, but I just cannot get passed their interface. It's absolutely horrid.