Huzzah! I still play through this game at least every other month. It is, hands down, the best Castlevania ever. For me, however, it is tied for side-scroller with Super Metroid. I can play that game through countless times.
I'm kinda gitty for the new Castlevania on the DS. The GBA's last game (the name eludes me) was also quite amazing, and is sequaled by the DS game.
The first, most obvious measure is price. If people can't afford one, they certainly can't hack one.
The kernel software will, of course, be protected with poor coding that is nigh impossible to navigate.
The box will be made out of the rare metal Adamantium infused with trace particles of kryptonite. Virtully unbreakable, and protected against any Kryptonian hackers.
But the most important security measure of all: Microsoft plans on installing at least half a dozen starving, crazed weasels that will attack anyone who succeeds in opening their boxes.
Yeah, and for the first 3 or so hours of multiplayer you could turn off the radar. Then it really would be challanging. But after everyone had the maps completely memorized... radar or not, you could see it coming without even looking. That is... if you have peripheral vision.
It was then that the true masters emerged. It wasn't finding your opponents that was difficult, it was hiding from them. If you could fool someone long enough for them to be confused, or just walk right past (IE, look at ground, but be able to shoot opponents quickly) then that was skill. It even worked in the vents at the facility!
Honestly, most pop music and hollywood movies aren't worth the media they come on,
That's why I buy a good deal of music at used books/music stores. Dead artists (I love jazz from the 40's) can't get the money I spend on new discs. The labels won't see my pennies. But I still buy the regular release of some CDs. Especially if they are independent artists.
Most smaller labels will actualy give artists their share of the profits, rather than hosing them with a massive overhead, and making them pay for services they could get MUCH cheaper elsewhere.
You've hit the nail on the head here. There is one thing I would edit, however.
Product loyalty. Remember the problems with the original two or three models of PS2? Disc drive failures after watching 30 hrs of DVDs or even less drove many of my friends mad. My brother went through three PS2s untill finally the fourth is still running. The first two died in the 90 day warrenty, the thrid being what Sony's Customer Service called the 2nd generation of PS2 and was exchanged at Wal-Mart after the 90 days by switching ID stickers and all that.
Still, I had other friends that went through one or two, and others who are still using the one they got at launch. All-in-all, I'd say that Sony may be suffering in "product" loyalty... but maybe people forgot.
On the other hand, X-boxes' original DVD player (toshiba?) started dieing a year or two after release for many people.
Now, I love all three current-gen systems as they all have amazing games that are must-haves (even though I would prefer not to like M$'s, but how else can I play Jade Empire?), but I have to say, the only one I haven't heard about mass problems is the Cube... but I could be wrong.
Nintendo may be losing the console battle right now. But, just like you said, inovation and gameplay are the things that keep it alive. It's too, at least right now, to be considered a niche thing. I've loved the company for a long time and I'd hate to see that happen. However, innovation and such aside, I believe that Nintendo has one very strong advantage in the next set of console wars. Price. I've been reading some horribly high prices for development alone. When a game costs upwards of 50 million to develop these days (for the best games, I believe, please correct me if I'm wrong) imagine what it will be like for the next gen. Games will take longer to develop, more money, and more people. That's why they're going up in price for us. Another thing to consider is that even very-successful (albeit, over zelous sometimes) studios have been closing their doors all over the place. Remember Ion Storm, fine makers of Deus Ex? They're gone, most of the team are scattered. Similar story with Looking Glass. What I'm saying is that if Nintendo can keep consumer costs as low as they are, and development costs low as well, then they've got a definate advantage. They'll make money, and studios will be more eager to develop for them. This, of course, is all largely dependent upon which system the consumer chooses. And since we don't know what the price-point of the PS3 will be... I'm thinking that Nintendo and Sony are going to be our main contenders... unless more people than expected purchase the crippled, $300 X-box 360's.
Have you had a chance to play Geist? Kindof a mediocre game, but multiplayer online for that game would be great. I haven't played it, but the idea of having a highly interactive invironment full of gaurds, animals, devices, and dowakies to posess and cause havok! Just the idea of not knowing where somebody could be hiding! Is that dog a player? or is he just looking at me funny? OH CRAP! SNIPER.... well let your mind run wild. What about CTF? Got a few guys possessing gaurds, one guy is a dog (for those tiny crawl-holes you need speed in), another is taking care of electronic lock-outs, another is a bird for look-out.
I think an large interactive world like that would be rather fun for death-matches, CTF, and probably every other FPS Multi-player game.
"Holy crap, you could upgrade to an amazing PC for that price" Usually, all that needs replacing is the CPU/MOBO, and video card. Possibly RAM, but odds are, just buying a reletivley high-end vid card will do the trick, and allow you to play most of the games that are at least a month old! On the other hand, don't be embarrased if you have to run a game at it's minimum settings. There's always Starcraft. And on a side-note, Alienware Schmalian-ware.
I remember a story posted a few months ago that spoke of nanotubes. It said something about a resonance frequency. If this is true (the article didn't seem to address this), then what is to prevent people from emitting the waves, somehow. Say, if you were wearing these threads woven as a flak jacket? Or, if they were creatable strong enough, I would not ride the orbital elevator if someone's ringtone could cause the thing to just vaporize around me... even though, it would be the way to go.
I suppose a lot less people would run for president if, after their term(s) were up, the public voted "life or death." Very similar to a Roman Ceaser getting voted as a god or tyrant after their death.
I've been in the security business for a long time now. And if there's one out crying bit of training that I can remember in an "old lady's purse is being snatched," it's that our system is shit. See, legally, assholes like that can get away with it if they have some amount of riches. "He hit me," or "She humiliated me," works just fine if court when the thief is counter-suing you because they fell flat on their nose when you grabbed the purse they just nabbed and they tripped on the curb. Mind you, I'm talking about a shopping-mall setting. Problem is, security guards aren't really paid to do that. They are paid to assist in keeping the environment safe. If someone is smart enough and/or has that extra lump of cash for a sharp legal rep. Then (typically) they ruin the life of a would-be everyday hero who simply stopped a thief in the act by taking them for everything they are worth, and will be worth. Emotional damages pay up big. Now, I'm still going to grab the theoretical purse-snatcher and help out however I can. There's a lot one can do to defend against that kind of attack (the court kind). Mostly what you need to do is stick to your guns, don't be sorry for anything, it was all deliberate. If I could, I'd go vigilante, but I'm gonna get caught. I'm going to be prosecuted by a criminal (who has stepped outside of the bounds and protections of the law, like me) because I hurt his feeling. And the law is going to protect the other guy and ruin me. I'm not that much of a pessimist, but I've heard so much that it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Well, I'm probably wrong... mostly becuase I haven't seen episode V in a long time (too long). I can't remember if the Falcon jumps to lightspeed or not before heading to chum it up with Lando. If it does, then your statement stands. I never noticed, but now I remeber Yoda talking about the training. Anyway, good call.
Oops, I didn't read the article I did a search and the case-sensitive was on when I searched for 'keeper'. I'd still like to see a review or two by other people.
Dungeon Keeper 1 and/or 2, could you possibly post a comparison of these games together. I have the two older games which work on the same premises. I'd like to know if buying Evil Genius is just going to make me feel like playing a third iteration of DK. Or is Evil Genius different enough to warrent as a different game. I know they are both Real Time Strategy games, but do they differ like Command and Conquer and Warcraft did?
I have already recieved and read the article in Game Informer last Saturday. It looks incredible. It also says that the game is in production for X box 2 and Playstation 3. Thus looking as good as is does.
Hell yeah, it's off topic, but I wanna burn some Karma... I'm not sure I have read anything with such poor grammer and punctuation since before the sixth grade. I'm not saying I'm perfect. What I am saying is that it borders on unreadable. I know I'll get a few posts saying, "I understood it just fine," or, "Maybe it's just the way the guy talks." Well, the thing is that if you are trying to read a newspaper you will find that the reporters and editors usually stick to a sixth grade reading level. I give this guy a second grade reading level, and a ninth grade vocabulary.
Basically, take any shooter with a multiplayer mode, or a team theme (like Rainbow Six). What I'm thinking is that the regular screen would be your eyes, and your eyes only, maybe your standard HUD things like health and ammo, but that's it.
The touch screen would be your information center. It could contain two or four screen with other players eyes, or their veiws on it so you can always keep tabs on what they're up to and how they're doing. It could also be the command center. Tear-down menus (al la Unreal Tournament), or whatever you feel works best. I know the resolution might make other views difficult, and the fact that the processor isn't as powerful as we'd like to be, but I'm sure someone could make it work.
I see some beautifuly executed games comeing out for this thing, given time, but unfortunately, as with every system, the DS will have more than it's share of crap.
but, has anyone ever seen "Drop Dead Fred"? There are some serious implications for some pretty cool photos that the best man may want to see. (IE the dressing room of the bride's maids, you get the picture). Of course, it works both ways.
You could also get those much desired shots of the groom making out with the maid of honor and use it for some pretty heavy blackmail material.
This opens up so many avenues... think of the possibilities!
Slashdot Mirror
I'm kinda gitty for the new Castlevania on the DS. The GBA's last game (the name eludes me) was also quite amazing, and is sequaled by the DS game.
The kernel software will, of course, be protected with poor coding that is nigh impossible to navigate.
The box will be made out of the rare metal Adamantium infused with trace particles of kryptonite. Virtully unbreakable, and protected against any Kryptonian hackers.
But the most important security measure of all: Microsoft plans on installing at least half a dozen starving, crazed weasels that will attack anyone who succeeds in opening their boxes.
It was then that the true masters emerged. It wasn't finding your opponents that was difficult, it was hiding from them. If you could fool someone long enough for them to be confused, or just walk right past (IE, look at ground, but be able to shoot opponents quickly) then that was skill. It even worked in the vents at the facility!
That's why I buy a good deal of music at used books/music stores. Dead artists (I love jazz from the 40's) can't get the money I spend on new discs. The labels won't see my pennies. But I still buy the regular release of some CDs. Especially if they are independent artists.
Most smaller labels will actualy give artists their share of the profits, rather than hosing them with a massive overhead, and making them pay for services they could get MUCH cheaper elsewhere.
Oh, and I don't buy pop music...
Product loyalty. Remember the problems with the original two or three models of PS2? Disc drive failures after watching 30 hrs of DVDs or even less drove many of my friends mad. My brother went through three PS2s untill finally the fourth is still running. The first two died in the 90 day warrenty, the thrid being what Sony's Customer Service called the 2nd generation of PS2 and was exchanged at Wal-Mart after the 90 days by switching ID stickers and all that.
Still, I had other friends that went through one or two, and others who are still using the one they got at launch. All-in-all, I'd say that Sony may be suffering in "product" loyalty... but maybe people forgot.
On the other hand, X-boxes' original DVD player (toshiba?) started dieing a year or two after release for many people.
Now, I love all three current-gen systems as they all have amazing games that are must-haves (even though I would prefer not to like M$'s, but how else can I play Jade Empire?), but I have to say, the only one I haven't heard about mass problems is the Cube... but I could be wrong.
Not entirely.. they do give you a two month trial with the $400 version...
Yeah, still getting screwed...
Nintendo may be losing the console battle right now. But, just like you said, inovation and gameplay are the things that keep it alive. It's too, at least right now, to be considered a niche thing. I've loved the company for a long time and I'd hate to see that happen.
However, innovation and such aside, I believe that Nintendo has one very strong advantage in the next set of console wars. Price.
I've been reading some horribly high prices for development alone. When a game costs upwards of 50 million to develop these days (for the best games, I believe, please correct me if I'm wrong) imagine what it will be like for the next gen. Games will take longer to develop, more money, and more people. That's why they're going up in price for us.
Another thing to consider is that even very-successful (albeit, over zelous sometimes) studios have been closing their doors all over the place. Remember Ion Storm, fine makers of Deus Ex? They're gone, most of the team are scattered. Similar story with Looking Glass.
What I'm saying is that if Nintendo can keep consumer costs as low as they are, and development costs low as well, then they've got a definate advantage. They'll make money, and studios will be more eager to develop for them.
This, of course, is all largely dependent upon which system the consumer chooses. And since we don't know what the price-point of the PS3 will be... I'm thinking that Nintendo and Sony are going to be our main contenders... unless more people than expected purchase the crippled, $300 X-box 360's.
Have you had a chance to play Geist? Kindof a mediocre game, but multiplayer online for that game would be great.
I haven't played it, but the idea of having a highly interactive invironment full of gaurds, animals, devices, and dowakies to posess and cause havok! Just the idea of not knowing where somebody could be hiding!
Is that dog a player? or is he just looking at me funny? OH CRAP! SNIPER.... well let your mind run wild.
What about CTF? Got a few guys possessing gaurds, one guy is a dog (for those tiny crawl-holes you need speed in), another is taking care of electronic lock-outs, another is a bird for look-out.
I think an large interactive world like that would be rather fun for death-matches, CTF, and probably every other FPS Multi-player game.
"Holy crap, you could upgrade to an amazing PC for that price"
Usually, all that needs replacing is the CPU/MOBO, and video card. Possibly RAM, but odds are, just buying a reletivley high-end vid card will do the trick, and allow you to play most of the games that are at least a month old!
On the other hand, don't be embarrased if you have to run a game at it's minimum settings. There's always Starcraft.
And on a side-note, Alienware Schmalian-ware.
I remember a story posted a few months ago that spoke of nanotubes. It said something about a resonance frequency. If this is true (the article didn't seem to address this), then what is to prevent people from emitting the waves, somehow. Say, if you were wearing these threads woven as a flak jacket? Or, if they were creatable strong enough, I would not ride the orbital elevator if someone's ringtone could cause the thing to just vaporize around me... even though, it would be the way to go.
Various politicians?
I suppose a lot less people would run for president if, after their term(s) were up, the public voted "life or death." Very similar to a Roman Ceaser getting voted as a god or tyrant after their death.
Unless you chew your fingers down to the first knuckle
Guess there's no reason to worry about anyone recovering your data.
I've been in the security business for a long time now. And if there's one out crying bit of training that I can remember in an "old lady's purse is being snatched," it's that our system is shit.
See, legally, assholes like that can get away with it if they have some amount of riches. "He hit me," or "She humiliated me," works just fine if court when the thief is counter-suing you because they fell flat on their nose when you grabbed the purse they just nabbed and they tripped on the curb. Mind you, I'm talking about a shopping-mall setting. Problem is, security guards aren't really paid to do that. They are paid to assist in keeping the environment safe. If someone is smart enough and/or has that extra lump of cash for a sharp legal rep. Then (typically) they ruin the life of a would-be everyday hero who simply stopped a thief in the act by taking them for everything they are worth, and will be worth. Emotional damages pay up big.
Now, I'm still going to grab the theoretical purse-snatcher and help out however I can. There's a lot one can do to defend against that kind of attack (the court kind). Mostly what you need to do is stick to your guns, don't be sorry for anything, it was all deliberate.
If I could, I'd go vigilante, but I'm gonna get caught. I'm going to be prosecuted by a criminal (who has stepped outside of the bounds and protections of the law, like me) because I hurt his feeling. And the law is going to protect the other guy and ruin me.
I'm not that much of a pessimist, but I've heard so much that it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Well, I'm probably wrong... mostly becuase I haven't seen episode V in a long time (too long). I can't remember if the Falcon jumps to lightspeed or not before heading to chum it up with Lando. If it does, then your statement stands. I never noticed, but now I remeber Yoda talking about the training.
Anyway, good call.
Try any of Squeenix's recent offerings... or any game for that matter. The tutorial is enough to make any man cringe.
In high school I had a shirt that I made that had the old Squaresoft symbol on the front, and on the back it said, "Fear the tutorial."
No idea what you're talking about...
Oops, I didn't read the article I did a search and the case-sensitive was on when I searched for 'keeper'. I'd still like to see a review or two by other people.
Dungeon Keeper 1 and/or 2, could you possibly post a comparison of these games together. I have the two older games which work on the same premises. I'd like to know if buying Evil Genius is just going to make me feel like playing a third iteration of DK.
Or is Evil Genius different enough to warrent as a different game.
I know they are both Real Time Strategy games, but do they differ like Command and Conquer and Warcraft did?
I send you this in order to have your opinion.
Please send this to 10 of your friends and Bill Gates will pay for a trip to Disney World and Donald Trump will send you a voucher for a free enema.
I have already recieved and read the article in Game Informer last Saturday. It looks incredible. It also says that the game is in production for X box 2 and Playstation 3. Thus looking as good as is does.
Hell yeah, it's off topic, but I wanna burn some Karma...
I'm not sure I have read anything with such poor grammer and punctuation since before the sixth grade. I'm not saying I'm perfect. What I am saying is that it borders on unreadable.
I know I'll get a few posts saying, "I understood it just fine," or, "Maybe it's just the way the guy talks." Well, the thing is that if you are trying to read a newspaper you will find that the reporters and editors usually stick to a sixth grade reading level.
I give this guy a second grade reading level, and a ninth grade vocabulary.
Basically, take any shooter with a multiplayer mode, or a team theme (like Rainbow Six). What I'm thinking is that the regular screen would be your eyes, and your eyes only, maybe your standard HUD things like health and ammo, but that's it.
The touch screen would be your information center. It could contain two or four screen with other players eyes, or their veiws on it so you can always keep tabs on what they're up to and how they're doing. It could also be the command center. Tear-down menus (al la Unreal Tournament), or whatever you feel works best. I know the resolution might make other views difficult, and the fact that the processor isn't as powerful as we'd like to be, but I'm sure someone could make it work.
I see some beautifuly executed games comeing out for this thing, given time, but unfortunately, as with every system, the DS will have more than it's share of crap.
Whoa! You could use this to make a map for [insert popular network FPS such as Quake]. Whouldn't it be cool?!
Now that that's over, hopefully we won't worry about the six or so threads that would have resulted without this precautionary measure.
but, has anyone ever seen "Drop Dead Fred"? There are some serious implications for some pretty cool photos that the best man may want to see. (IE the dressing room of the bride's maids, you get the picture). Of course, it works both ways.
You could also get those much desired shots of the groom making out with the maid of honor and use it for some pretty heavy blackmail material.
This opens up so many avenues... think of the possibilities!
So... pop-up ads aren't annoying? Why didn't somebody say this before I bought all that usefull stuff?