True the experience would end up much different (certain dynamics would be less viable), but I can see how much fun could still be had with a group of friends and an entire MMO to explore.
"Yes, you can have offshoots, just like people run private WoW servers, but those aren't MMO, they are toys, novelties, something the masses will never join."
I agree this will never work for the "masses", thats one of its greatest strengths in my opinion.
Rush Limbaugh said the V chip was a Clinton Administration conspiracy to "libralize" American youth and make them athiestic, homosexual democrats. Of course he was poppin 50K worth of narcotics a month at the time . . . .
NbG people, we all know the rules . . .
on
Open Sourcing MMOs
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· Score: 1
The only thing they have to lose is in rereleasing the "new" and "improved" version in the future (many people will stow file cabinets worth of stuff in thier basement for 20 years hoping it will be "worth something one day", instead of letting people enjoy it for free). I dunno if they really lose this but certainly most people are terribly nervous about thier IPs being used outside of thier control.
I can see thier argument to some degree, but once the game is "officially dead" they need to put "need before greed" and let the community have it. Like the great Jerry Garcia said about people taping dead shows; "Once Ive played a note, Im done with it. Let the fans have it."
Absolutely right, it has always made sense to envolve the community of gamers for the long term health and viability of a game. This seems like a great way to do it. I think you would end up with many smaller MMO communties, but many would likely last for a very long time.
Agreed, I also felt the world was a little small and tight. I know it was built to the sparse memory requirements of the XBOX but I played it on PC and it still felt very small and tight. The load times were mercifully better but loading every 50 feet or so is terribly jarring especially in an experience that immersive. There didnt seem to be enough items and geegaws in the world for me either. I liked the game too, but I also hope the new one is better.
I dont see the point in mandating something the market has already created. This seems to me a great example of politicians grandstanding with a government mandated and enforced solution to a problem that doesnt exist (consoles with parental locks are already available). Its a great example of the inept and ethically corrupt governance we modern americans have come to expect I guess (not like New York has any "real" problems they could be concentrating on).
"Here here! This year's E3 was a success in working as it was designed. Restricted crowds meant that journalists and buyers could easily see (and try!) everything they needed to, and unlike last year everything was located close-by so that people weren't so spread apart. For an event that's about the quick & effective dissemination of information, this year was marked by... the quick & effective dissemination of information."
Im not sure we as gamers or consumers should really care about E3 (except as a harbinger of the industry - which frankly doesnt bode well). Publishers have nearly limitless and constantly available outlets with which to pimp thier wares. Gamers are deluged on a nearly daily bases with updates, press releases, previews, sneak previews, exclusive first looks, trailers, videos and podcasts of nearly every game in development everywhere at any time. Its incredible that today a 5th grader can get daily emails from publishers keeping him abreast of thier latest developments on his mobile phone.
Of course the other amazing thing about this constant assimilation of digital marketing today is that it seems to actually tell me less about the stuff im interested in then I could find on my own a decade ago (this is simply the result of the difference between "marketing information" and "real information"). The industry has long since by passed any real "journalism" and allows the PR departments to communicate directly with consumers only occasionally using "media" surrogates (g4, IGN, etc) to pass a message through. E3 is dying, precisely becuase its of no use as an information assimilation tool anymore.
Being an EA published game, I am sure the Jedi classification will be offered as "addtional content" and available as micro transactions along with light sabers, robes and droid lube (a real necessity in the desert).
The very fact that they would try to create an MMO out of KOTR, tells me they are totally off the mark about what made the game so great (think combat, pausing and stacking attacks). This is simply the whoring of a successful title to jump genres, nothing more. Sadly its likely EAs first step in devaluing the BioWare name. Even worse, I am sure it wont be the last.
"People use pirated software -> companies lose money -> companies invest in trying to avoid illegitimate usage of their software -> copy-protection schemes are put in place -> problems with copy-protection schemes arise -> "
That's one way to look at it, but you can also view it this way;
Companies that sell DRM solutions convince Publishers the sky is falling and they must buy their shovel ware or they will be bootlegged into bankruptcy by their own fans (thus begins the publishers adversarial relationship with its own consumers) > publisher spend lots of money on poorly written software that breaks the product that developers have worked so hard to create > consumers (fans) turn to pirated versions for a number of reasons, most prominently of course because they generally work better (this is DRMs number one problem) or another common reason is sheer attitude. Many PC gamers are just sick and tired of being treated like criminals (I fall into this camp) when they are in fact legitimate customers. "If publishers are gonna sneak spy ware on my PC and hamper my experience through sloppy coded DRM (which often creates massive security gaps in the users OS while simultaneously hampering the users experience regarding the very software that installed it), then screw them. I will get a 'clean' (pirated) copy of the game."
When the black market version of software is commonly referred to as the "clean" version, you have a really serious problem. The DRM industry really cracks me up actually (pun intended). They convince a publisher of a need (through distorted exaggeration), sell a solution to fill that need and then explain to the publisher how the problem has gotten worse (not better) so they must buy more of a product, which by their own admission had very little (if any) effect on the problem in the first place. It's a license to print money for those who have no ethical compass. Game publishers are addicted to DRM, its heroin to them. It creates a warm fuzzy feeling of security but does nothing to actually alleviate the problem of bootlegging. Honestly, if you ask most PC gamers (which publishers won't do, because PC gamers are considered criminals not customers), it likely causes more bootlegging then it prevents (thus helping to sell more of itself).
I say again, PC gaming may be the first industry in history to literally scare itself to death.
I am now very excited about this game, I think the new look is extremely successful and will hopefully lead some other developers to think outside the box in terms of art style. After so many hyper realistic Unreal3 games this generation, its very exciting to see someone else taking a chance with todays power.
yeah sadly turn based RPGs are becomming a thing of the past. Even when you have turned based mechanics (die rolls), developers feel they need to mask it and produce the illusion of an "action oriented" mechanic (FFXII anyone?). There even seems to be some belief that admitting your combat mechanic is turned based will hurt a titles sales (Mass Effect and TES4 are good examples of games that the develoeprs were very reluctant to admit used a turn based combat mechanic). Whats really irritating is the few that are still being made, tend to be bad ones (like enchanted arms) which is just leading a whole new crop of gamers to disslike them.
I loved xenosaga as well, but not inspite of the cut-scenes, but rather for them. Its like a damn sci-fi anime mini-series, whats not to like. The combat and RPG elements were workable but after a while the turn based combat just took so damn long it became rediculous (all those stupid animations over and over). After about 10 or so hours, the "combat" in xenosaga was just something i was enduring to get to the next series of "cut-scenes" (which almost doesnt seem like the right word in this context).
Slashdot Mirror
Its a good point and likely very accurate. If you cant, you cant. But if you can, then you should.
True the experience would end up much different (certain dynamics would be less viable), but I can see how much fun could still be had with a group of friends and an entire MMO to explore.
"Yes, you can have offshoots, just like people run private WoW servers, but those aren't MMO, they are toys, novelties, something the masses will never join."
I agree this will never work for the "masses", thats one of its greatest strengths in my opinion.
Rush Limbaugh said the V chip was a Clinton Administration conspiracy to "libralize" American youth and make them athiestic, homosexual democrats. Of course he was poppin 50K worth of narcotics a month at the time . . . .
The only thing they have to lose is in rereleasing the "new" and "improved" version in the future (many people will stow file cabinets worth of stuff in thier basement for 20 years hoping it will be "worth something one day", instead of letting people enjoy it for free). I dunno if they really lose this but certainly most people are terribly nervous about thier IPs being used outside of thier control.
I can see thier argument to some degree, but once the game is "officially dead" they need to put "need before greed" and let the community have it. Like the great Jerry Garcia said about people taping dead shows; "Once Ive played a note, Im done with it. Let the fans have it."
Absolutely right, it has always made sense to envolve the community of gamers for the long term health and viability of a game. This seems like a great way to do it. I think you would end up with many smaller MMO communties, but many would likely last for a very long time.
Was the witcher that game built on Biowares KOTR engine? I remember that had a very similar dialogue mechanic (if im thinking of the right one).
Agreed, I also felt the world was a little small and tight. I know it was built to the sparse memory requirements of the XBOX but I played it on PC and it still felt very small and tight. The load times were mercifully better but loading every 50 feet or so is terribly jarring especially in an experience that immersive. There didnt seem to be enough items and geegaws in the world for me either. I liked the game too, but I also hope the new one is better.
I dont see the point in mandating something the market has already created. This seems to me a great example of politicians grandstanding with a government mandated and enforced solution to a problem that doesnt exist (consoles with parental locks are already available). Its a great example of the inept and ethically corrupt governance we modern americans have come to expect I guess (not like New York has any "real" problems they could be concentrating on).
"I thought my son was the only one that hasnt gotten one yet. We will be purchasing one for him soon." - no but im sure he feels that way
They are both supported by most (if not all) common browsers?
"Here here! This year's E3 was a success in working as it was designed. Restricted crowds meant that journalists and buyers could easily see (and try!) everything they needed to, and unlike last year everything was located close-by so that people weren't so spread apart. For an event that's about the quick & effective dissemination of information, this year was marked by... the quick & effective dissemination of information."
Im not sure we as gamers or consumers should really care about E3 (except as a harbinger of the industry - which frankly doesnt bode well). Publishers have nearly limitless and constantly available outlets with which to pimp thier wares. Gamers are deluged on a nearly daily bases with updates, press releases, previews, sneak previews, exclusive first looks, trailers, videos and podcasts of nearly every game in development everywhere at any time. Its incredible that today a 5th grader can get daily emails from publishers keeping him abreast of thier latest developments on his mobile phone.
Of course the other amazing thing about this constant assimilation of digital marketing today is that it seems to actually tell me less about the stuff im interested in then I could find on my own a decade ago (this is simply the result of the difference between "marketing information" and "real information"). The industry has long since by passed any real "journalism" and allows the PR departments to communicate directly with consumers only occasionally using "media" surrogates (g4, IGN, etc) to pass a message through. E3 is dying, precisely becuase its of no use as an information assimilation tool anymore.
Being an EA published game, I am sure the Jedi classification will be offered as "addtional content" and available as micro transactions along with light sabers, robes and droid lube (a real necessity in the desert).
Warhammer {War-Hammer} (verb) - to deliver half of what you promise but make your delivery date.
The very fact that they would try to create an MMO out of KOTR, tells me they are totally off the mark about what made the game so great (think combat, pausing and stacking attacks). This is simply the whoring of a successful title to jump genres, nothing more. Sadly its likely EAs first step in devaluing the BioWare name. Even worse, I am sure it wont be the last.
"People use pirated software -> companies lose money -> companies invest in trying to avoid illegitimate usage of their software -> copy-protection schemes are put in place -> problems with copy-protection schemes arise -> "
That's one way to look at it, but you can also view it this way;
Companies that sell DRM solutions convince Publishers the sky is falling and they must buy their shovel ware or they will be bootlegged into bankruptcy by their own fans (thus begins the publishers adversarial relationship with its own consumers) > publisher spend lots of money on poorly written software that breaks the product that developers have worked so hard to create > consumers (fans) turn to pirated versions for a number of reasons, most prominently of course because they generally work better (this is DRMs number one problem) or another common reason is sheer attitude. Many PC gamers are just sick and tired of being treated like criminals (I fall into this camp) when they are in fact legitimate customers. "If publishers are gonna sneak spy ware on my PC and hamper my experience through sloppy coded DRM (which often creates massive security gaps in the users OS while simultaneously hampering the users experience regarding the very software that installed it), then screw them. I will get a 'clean' (pirated) copy of the game."
When the black market version of software is commonly referred to as the "clean" version, you have a really serious problem. The DRM industry really cracks me up actually (pun intended). They convince a publisher of a need (through distorted exaggeration), sell a solution to fill that need and then explain to the publisher how the problem has gotten worse (not better) so they must buy more of a product, which by their own admission had very little (if any) effect on the problem in the first place. It's a license to print money for those who have no ethical compass. Game publishers are addicted to DRM, its heroin to them. It creates a warm fuzzy feeling of security but does nothing to actually alleviate the problem of bootlegging. Honestly, if you ask most PC gamers (which publishers won't do, because PC gamers are considered criminals not customers), it likely causes more bootlegging then it prevents (thus helping to sell more of itself). I say again, PC gaming may be the first industry in history to literally scare itself to death.
E3 is almost over and the population of SPORE penis monsters is all we have to talk about? Come on Slash dot editors . . . . .
My mom always told me I was 38% god and 62% sticky stuff . . .
Its funny you say Hellgate felt like; "like a cheap knockoff of a real MMO in which you can do more and get more for your money."
Thats the way Diablo2 always felt to me too LOL.
I am now very excited about this game, I think the new look is extremely successful and will hopefully lead some other developers to think outside the box in terms of art style. After so many hyper realistic Unreal3 games this generation, its very exciting to see someone else taking a chance with todays power.
yeah sadly turn based RPGs are becomming a thing of the past. Even when you have turned based mechanics (die rolls), developers feel they need to mask it and produce the illusion of an "action oriented" mechanic (FFXII anyone?). There even seems to be some belief that admitting your combat mechanic is turned based will hurt a titles sales (Mass Effect and TES4 are good examples of games that the develoeprs were very reluctant to admit used a turn based combat mechanic). Whats really irritating is the few that are still being made, tend to be bad ones (like enchanted arms) which is just leading a whole new crop of gamers to disslike them.
WTF is a furry?
Sounds like one of those BBC shows where they make people live on a garbage dump or something? hehe
The only thing is I havnt seen anyone buiding super computers out of the 360s tri-cored PowerPC knock off chip; http://http//www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS6440737610.html/SuperPS3 Seems like maybe there is plenty of power there?
I loved xenosaga as well, but not inspite of the cut-scenes, but rather for them. Its like a damn sci-fi anime mini-series, whats not to like. The combat and RPG elements were workable but after a while the turn based combat just took so damn long it became rediculous (all those stupid animations over and over). After about 10 or so hours, the "combat" in xenosaga was just something i was enduring to get to the next series of "cut-scenes" (which almost doesnt seem like the right word in this context).