Seriously how many more of these things do we need? we have them for jackets, car stereos, pants, chairs, hats and cellphones.
Next thing we'll see, is Ipod shoes, Ipod ipods (yes for that double ipod audio) and Ipod codpiece, for when your getting it on with your lady and need to hear "Oh Yeah", and ipod nose puppy.
Seriously people, the Ipod is cool and sleak, your products are not!
OK I'm biased, I played Legend of Zelda PERIOD. The original. That's one of my favorite games, obviously. I played Link to the Past and that is my favorite Console game. (Only game ahead of that is System Shock.) So yeah I know Zelda.
Beyond good and evil was crap compared to Zelda. It did have charm and interesting skills, it starts off with a story that sounded very cliche, but it was stuck in a position where it was too uninteresting for hard core games, too hard for simple gamers, and being made by Ubisoft didn't help too much. Cameras and crap like that is intersting but after that I jumped on a boat and was running through canals, this was the begining of the game and it just seemed like it was a one-off level rather than intense gameplay. Plus game length wasn't a strong point.
I am a hard core gamer, I never bought Prince of Persia (still have bad memories of the first, and didn't get into the "avant garde" style action. Tom Clancy I'll pick up... in the 10 dollar bin. XIII just didn't appeal to me. BG&E I did pick up at 20 bucks.
The real problem with Beyond Good and Evil wasn't the competition. It was the fact that no one really knew enough about the game to care. Those who knew the game bought it and didn't tell others about it. The ad campaign was worthless because it was all CG (hint companies, stop making CG ads, they kill you unless you're Final Fantasy or DOA, we need to see gameplay). And demos had begun to be rarer.
BG&E basically fell into a special category, bad timing. Basically running against POP really didn't help. Tom Clancy didn't hurt it but didn't help. The thing is I as an avid gamer got 0 information about the game. For a game like GTA that helps it. For a game like BG&E the start of a new series? It kills any momentum it can get.
You can look back and point at any news article now. That's fine but the public didn't see those articles. I didn't hear the name til after it was out and I saw the ad and I ignored it. It was only a year or two later when they dropped the price that I even heard about it from my buddy who is a hard core gamer.
First off try to find those games on Ebay, for a new or mint condition game you're paying close to 100 dollars.
Do I want to have to pay that much for a single game? no but I'll have to in the end if I don't mod my system.
Btw If you could do the math, if I bought 200 games new it's 10,000 dollars, not 20,000. I'm tossing around the amount of 40,000 to 60,000 because that might be what it takes if every game was over priced as those five games are.
You can't. They say they will get the boxes, they don't. They have you sign waivers and if you refuse to sign them they won't move your stuff at all, it's a basically a screw the consumer business.
The fact is they'll give me at best the value for the game, which will not be enough to replace them. I will have to go hunt down the copies of the game. That's the problem. I won't get the right amount for the games in the least though. And the claim process is "we know where it is. Oh it wasn't yours we know where it is. Oh we can't find it." and they continue that for over a month now.
But again I don't want to pay lamers on Ebay who are over pricing games, I would like to re purchase the games from the people who made it, not some squatters who bought the game and just sat on it for years so they could make me pay close to twice the price.
I like Itunes interface a hell of a lot more than Winamp, and once correctly installed it's a bit more solid. However Winamp is easily my second player of choice.
The problem with Winamp is the Media Library just sucks to me, That is probably my fault, but I can't stand it. Also I don't remember there being a rating system. Perhaps there is now, and I might switch back (Itunes is a bit much)
That and the skinning issues started to hog my CPU, which is a no go for a music player, true I could use Classic and I did, but the fact there was issues like that.
But yes. Winamp is better than itunes in many ways on it's own (light weight client compartively, great amount of plugins)
I can't download Itunes, unless I download Quicktime media player. I swear the only reason macs are better for video is because Apple has yet to create a GOOD version of Quicktime media player for the PC. Luckily MPC can use quicktime file formats, though I'm sure apple is mad about that one. But the fact I have to get their less than wonderful software on my system, infecting it, just so I can go use Itunes (which I enjoy), and listen to music (perhaps paying for more music)
I just hope firefox stays solo and corporately neutral, because it's the one thing that keeps Firefox high up in my book.
hey, I'm not saying I wouldn't rebuy those games, but at the very least I'd like the companies to get the money since they made them. Not some moron on Ebay who is charging me double what it originally cost.
What I'm saying is I can't buy it from the company, I can't buy it from the stores, I'll end up having to spend approximetly 200 dollars just getting those and probably closer to 300.
And I know the answer and I can't think of a solution, but I still would be happy if Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo could figure out a way that wouldn't remove another feature I had. (registering games to one system is not an option.)
Complain to the game companies who choose different distributors to distribute games in different regions.
Except that's not the case, the person who says there's different regions is Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo. Nintendo makes a game and Nintendo of America will distribute in America, That game is not able to be played in Japan unless I own a US version of the Nintendo console. Getting that US version of the console is also abnormally hard as it is. I should be able to buy a Japanese 360 if i wish to, I have to go to less than reputable organizations for that. Japanese Amazon can not sell me one because of agreements. That's not a console decision, not a distributor decision.
Hook your 360 to your network and use Media Center Connect.
I don't want to have to dedicate my system and my network to Media Center Connect. I run Windows XP and it is already screwed up enough to the point I can't bridge my connection so my Xbox 360 connects to live through it. Microsoft doesn't have an answer except "it should work". However it doesn't. I don't know why, Microsoft created BOTH the XP system, and the 360, and yet it doesn't work? So why should I use that when the only way I can get online is going direct to the router. Do I have to choose between being online and getting my music?
I'm sorry you think it would be harmful to people if they could run stuff off the hard drive while the disc was still in the system. I've laid out situations that the console developer themselves decide on, which is Microsoft. They have chosen to force people to use their product in their way or else.
If Sony said that there will be no region coding on their system would it kill the system? nope. At least that's not the reason the PS3 is dying. No one thinks selling more games will hurt their system. The fact I have to break the copy protection to buy a foreign copy of FF12 before the american version comes out which I will buy again is beyond retarded. The fact they want to lock me up for moding my PS2 because I wanted to give them more money is hilarious.
It's 08/02/2006. I might be 02/08/2006. 2006/08/02 and so on. However the shortest form normally excepted is 8/2/06. I can't think of one place that uses only a single digit, especially after the whole Y2K debaticle.
Make it so the user can't find a reason to use a mod chip except piracy. Sounds like what it is now?
Except I can't play Japanese or European games with out a mod chip for the most part.
I can't play out of region DVDs.
I can't play any form of a backup of games I legally owned but was destroyed one way or another (I recently lost over 200 PSX and PS2 games because of a moving compnay, they can't find the boxes. Am I supposed to go rebuy Suikoden 1 and 2, Xenogears, Castlevania Symphony of the Night, and Disgaea all from scalpers on Ebay? )
I can't install an OS on the hard drive if I wish to.
I can't install the game on the Hard drive for performance boosts (not all games and systems get it but leave it an option, maybe even allow me to install the game and then use the game as a boot disc but the game must remain in the system)
I can't load music from my disc unless it's a music cd, I own a couple hundred cds, I use mp3s for ease of use, I have my top 200+ songs on a single cd, now the 360 wants me to insert every CD I own to rerip them to get those songs?
All this shit should at least have a way to achieve it. I can live with out backups and OSes, but region coding stuff makes the modchip necessary. Microsoft knows that they lose money on systems, so which is better? Forcing me to buy two systems to play games in two regions or buying one system and spending the other 400 dollars on games in the second region?
If I could ignore region codes on a system and install games for speed benefit, I wouldn't have a reason to get a mod chip except if my video games were destroyed or stolen from me and Microsoft or the developer didn't sell those games any more.
I don't know any single serious DDR player who thought the hand motion was a good idea. But at the same time those serious DDR players don't tend to buy american releases as their music tends to be lacking. But few think hand motions are needed. Sure if you can't do anything over a 5 then yeah handmotions are possible, but once you're playing 7s and 8s, it's extra and just gimmicky at best.
And Extreme 2.... well I won't get into it but basically it's all the songs that should have been in Extreme in the first place.
The problem with the DDR extreme's Eye toy is that it's NOT this. Basically it takes the area where the hand should be, and takes the color, then if another color overlays it, it considers it to be "activated" it's more complex than that, but it's entirely too simple.
The system they are proposing would also be able to tell you if your using 1, 2 or 3 fingers, or just your hand, which finger you use and what direction it's in. This is more simple than what they are planning.
The system now is you make a whole motion, you can do the motion how you want. It's not taking away from the system because now your whole body has to be moving towards that new motion so you don't really have the option no matter what, the idea is this is dancing, not just hitting a pad however you want (And in addition this means you can't use your hands or controller to cheat the system)
But if you want to think the Ps2 DDR Extreme changed the way the game, is go ahead. Then try to explain why Supernova's arcades doesn't have those options, or go ask the people who seriously play those what they think of the hands and feet idea in DDR extreme and extreme 2
Anyone who wants adventure games should go look. However they are niche market, but the funniest thing is, there's more adventure games out there than games for the NES.
The only thing is you must get an interpreter for them, and there are many of them but they all work perfectly. The main ones are TADS, ADRIFT, and INFORM (infocom engine) but there's at least 10 major interpreters that have been used.
The only other thing is this is a niche field but it's also a free niche market that people constantly contribute too, and in addition they've changed. Adventure style games are now called "interactive Fiction" or simply IF
Please check http://www.ifarchive.org/http://www.ifcomp.org/ for two sites. There's MANY more. They might not all be amazing, but they are still there, though less graphical than the quest series from sierra.
Yes make us pretty, make us sexy, make them want us. Windows alone can't do that because they know we are as dangerous as the corner whore.
Seriously Microsoft sticking thier noses in another business, just makes me laugh. If they honestly think PCs should be sexy, why not design them yourselves. Your Xboxs are about the ugliest imposing consoles ever made ("about" because there was the Neo-geo and Jaguar, as well as the sega gensis with all the add ons)
The fact is Microsoft can't do this, they can't sell the PC's sex appeal themselves because they don't have Apple's employees. Why doesn't the Ipod have a replacable battery? Because it would make the design look ugly. Having a little latch or a big screw on the case? ick. But instead they have this beautiful white case that while you can't open, you don't want to. It's something Sony never really was able to reach, even the Rio wasn't that beautiful. But Apple knows how to do it.
Watch when Microsoft's portable comes out (it's an Microsoft version of the Ipod, not the PSP or DS, though in that field the DS would be the example of "beauty") Basically you'll have tons of gashes and crevices in the Argo stuff that ruins the beauty of the system.
But so Microsoft just can't understand "beautiful" cases, they feel the need to tell others how to do it.
I guess it boils down to "Those who know, do. Those who don't, teach".
Yes there's tons of oil left in the world. There's enough for at least 20 years if we don't find more and if we find more, more than 20 years. The problem is oil companies tend to think oil is the ONLY solution. So basically according to them once the oil runs out cars will stop running. That's a good theory, except it's wrong, and we'll find a way to avoid it soon.
But at the same time let's figure out what works. The oil company always says "that won't work" but why don't we get a reason. Is the refinery process to expensive (not meaning the cost of upgrading the refineries which is always a big number)? Is the fuel source too expensive (batteries)? Is it dangerous to contain (Plasma, Hydrogen fuel cells)? or is it too hard to come by on the scale we're talking about(nuclear power and fusion)?
That's not to say Ethanol is the solution. Solar power is certainly not (too expensive to update cars and parts).
Personally you have to give american and japanese car companies credit. They are at least trying to figure out the solution. European companies have basically ignored the alternatives and just switched to diesel acting like it is the solution. It too might be for the time. But at the very least we have to stop listening to the oil companies' opinions unless they are well thought out opinions. Not because they are bad people, or idiots but because they have something worth protecting (our reliance on them), and they won't just give that away or tell us "yes you CAN get energy from other sources".
Absolutely. These guys are continuing the mythos. The same mythos collected in the books Lucas gets money from, the toys that these guys might buy for the movie. The costumes they wear if bought from a store. The DVDs of the original movies, the comic book, the official script. All will be gotten by these guys for reference material.
Basically Lucas has done what everyone else seems afraid to do. Trust in the consumer to be honest with him when buying official Star wars products. He doesn't mind if people do homages to his work, and from the sound of it he probably enjoys it, especially considering how much he has allowed the EU (basically all the books and comics not written for a movie) to grow and just blow out of proportion.
Cell shaded graphics didn't turn me off the game, the bad game turned me off, it was too short, too easy, and graphically unimpressive.
perhaps you should reread. METROID PRIME, not metroid, not super metroid. Metroid prime is a radically different game. That's why on the GBA, they called it Metroid Zero Hour and Metroid Fusion. notice the lack of Prime in either of those names.
Metroid Prime is the FPS metroid's name, it might have the original adventure aspects (but might not), but a Adventure game vs a FPS are radically different beasts. It's not the same metroid, and any serious fan will tell you that. If it's better or worse is up to gamers but it's like trying to tell me every Mario is missing is the same game as super mario world.
It's true that the DS has a Metroid prime, but the only people who played metroid prime are people who have that one DS game or the Gamecube owners. People who didn't buy a gamecube likely never played Metroid prime unless at friends houses, so it won't pull the kind of attention Zelda, and Mario pull in because they are for the most part consecutive games that doesn't change the core formula (Zelda is a 3d/2d top down adventure. A core Mario game is a platformer.)
I have to imagine that all those cool things will be leaked, They have at least meantioned VC games will be about 5 dollars per game which if it's for N64s is a good price point, if it's NES, is a bad one. But that was game informer, I don't really trust them.
Are you sure metroid is an american phenomenon or just Metroid Prime?
Sony has promised 2 million a month, but slashdot announced the begining of production around mid month. At around 200 thousand units a month. The math doesn't add up. Doesn't mean they won't make their numbers. Personally I hope for a Wii, a PS3 shortage though wouldn't bother me.
If anything is going to spur the wii on to huge numbers it's Zelda.
Now before you say "what about Mario" Mario is always coming. People bought the Gamecube for Mario, and got Sunshine, and people were happy. You got Luigi's mansion at the begining though and people weren't doing backflips celebrating that game.
But Zelda at launch is going to be interesting. This Zelda has definatly been under development longer, better graphics, and new controls, and lack of cell-shaded graphics I hope. It's going to push the system I believe, coupled with a Metroid Prime (which is good but remember Metroid Prime has ONLY been played by Gamecube owners and players)
The one problem they will have with their virtual console vs. Marketplace is no achievement points (from my understanding) Is it a system killer? Nah, but it's something I wouldn't say no too.
The most interesting thing is this is the first time Nintendo really did a cross platform game themselves, but on the other hand it does look like it has the power to really launch the system and I'm sure everyone has heard at least one person who was going to buy the Gamecube for Twilight princess, of them many probably are going to pick up a Wii for this game as it's close to the same price.
The only problem I forsee at launch is a lack of systems which will be a sad day. Btw, at the same time the PS3 is only planning 1 million systems for a world wide launch? I've got to guess they know they should have lower expectations than they did for the Ps2.
We, the People for the Protection of Pellets have struck the first blow. Now our oppressor, who calls himself Pacman will feel the wraith of the government. No longer will our pellets be required to get help from ghosts to stop the evil yellow menace from attacking them. No longer will we have to worry about the "Power Pellet" who have betrayed us. All we ask is freedom for our white brethren!
DEATH TO THE HUNGRY ONE!
30 Aeris replies later....an indepth look at the Q
on
Can Games Make You Cry?
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
Guys, I applaud you for being symmetrical down to the clothes, but come on. I don't come to Slashdot to hear the same thing three hundred times. Why not make one thread of it rather then all posting your own "unique" way of saying it in new topics.
Yes Final Fantasy VII may have made you cry but one game in 500 making you cry doesn't prove the theory. The question is can they make you cry, not which one.
And even worse, thanks for NOT reading the article, he clearly discusses Aeris' death and why he doesn't feel it really matches the standards he sets.
However at the same the question is "duh". Games can be beauty and are portrayed with stories, how can they not be impactful. It's the same as reading books, or watching movies, but even more involved. I would be willing to say games can have a large impact on our emotions. It's not just crying.
Rage, and fear came to me early, through a game called System Shock. Shock and despair in Chrono Trigger (the major character dying? not saying who). Happiness and Joy comes from many games.
So why focus on Crying, it's obvious games while interactive are just as story driven as any industry. It's true stories are not required (see madden or other sports games) but at the same time for a book or a movie you don't need a story. (See Comedy, books of stats, and a few movies that just show images rather then tell stories)
But if you want to know can games make you cry, ask any serious gamer. One who tries all types of games, they'll tell you, yes. For me it was Final Fantasy VI, tears of sadness when Cid died in the world of ruin, tears of joy when you find all your friends, tears during the opera scene (truely great).
There's others too of course, but that's one of the major ones. Chrono Trigger's reunion. The FFIV where rosa rejoins the group. Legend of Zelda Ocerina of Time was wonderful. Shadows of Colussus. Metal Gear Solid (more of tears of rage when I realized what had happened to Meryl).
So yeah the answer is yes. It's true almost all these things are non interactive but that's the point. If you really want to see if something interactive can make you cry that's fine, there's a couple games when a friend dies in a battle, but at the same time it's either extremely scripted so it's like a cutscene or it's a chance happening and a random guy dies you have little connection to.
If you want an example of interactive versions look into things like Knights of the Old Republic. However it's uneffective in getting people to tear up because they always seem to give an obvious way out, and the fact is you probably arn't going to get people killed unless you're trying to go down the evil path, and if you're evil you're not going to be crying, you're going to be cheering the death.
So the long story is yes, games are emotional and can move people to tears, however we are not yet at the point where a game can have a true moment of sorrow with out it being completely planned out to drive the maximum impact to the player. This is not because of bad game design but because we have yet to have true "freedom" even in open-world games.
And your saying this to slashdotters, we are engineers and programmers. We arn't exactly handy as it is.
Personally I couldn't tell you the difference between a ripe and a overripe apple. Whether a pear is just picked or a Orange had been on a truck too long.
In addition even watching people in the supermarket it's all subjective if it's "ripe", but even so many people have been proven wrong, still I don't want to have to read a manual on how to pick up 10-20 different types of fruit just because I want a big salad, and stirfry.
Slashdot Mirror
Seriously how many more of these things do we need? we have them for jackets, car stereos, pants, chairs, hats and cellphones.
Next thing we'll see, is Ipod shoes, Ipod ipods (yes for that double ipod audio) and Ipod codpiece, for when your getting it on with your lady and need to hear "Oh Yeah", and ipod nose puppy.
Seriously people, the Ipod is cool and sleak, your products are not!
OK I'm biased, I played Legend of Zelda PERIOD. The original. That's one of my favorite games, obviously. I played Link to the Past and that is my favorite Console game. (Only game ahead of that is System Shock.) So yeah I know Zelda.
Beyond good and evil was crap compared to Zelda. It did have charm and interesting skills, it starts off with a story that sounded very cliche, but it was stuck in a position where it was too uninteresting for hard core games, too hard for simple gamers, and being made by Ubisoft didn't help too much. Cameras and crap like that is intersting but after that I jumped on a boat and was running through canals, this was the begining of the game and it just seemed like it was a one-off level rather than intense gameplay. Plus game length wasn't a strong point.
I am a hard core gamer, I never bought Prince of Persia (still have bad memories of the first, and didn't get into the "avant garde" style action. Tom Clancy I'll pick up... in the 10 dollar bin. XIII just didn't appeal to me. BG&E I did pick up at 20 bucks.
The real problem with Beyond Good and Evil wasn't the competition. It was the fact that no one really knew enough about the game to care. Those who knew the game bought it and didn't tell others about it. The ad campaign was worthless because it was all CG (hint companies, stop making CG ads, they kill you unless you're Final Fantasy or DOA, we need to see gameplay). And demos had begun to be rarer.
BG&E basically fell into a special category, bad timing. Basically running against POP really didn't help. Tom Clancy didn't hurt it but didn't help. The thing is I as an avid gamer got 0 information about the game. For a game like GTA that helps it. For a game like BG&E the start of a new series? It kills any momentum it can get.
You can look back and point at any news article now. That's fine but the public didn't see those articles. I didn't hear the name til after it was out and I saw the ad and I ignored it. It was only a year or two later when they dropped the price that I even heard about it from my buddy who is a hard core gamer.
Please reread my post. I might not have been clear though and that would be my fault.
I wanted Itunes stand alone. You can't because itunes required Quicktime for video and other streaming solutions.
I don't want Quicktime on my system I just don't like the player in the least.
Where did I say paying 40,000.
First off try to find those games on Ebay, for a new or mint condition game you're paying close to 100 dollars.
Do I want to have to pay that much for a single game? no but I'll have to in the end if I don't mod my system.
Btw If you could do the math, if I bought 200 games new it's 10,000 dollars, not 20,000. I'm tossing around the amount of 40,000 to 60,000 because that might be what it takes if every game was over priced as those five games are.
Have you done this? I mean seriously.
You can't. They say they will get the boxes, they don't. They have you sign waivers and if you refuse to sign them they won't move your stuff at all, it's a basically a screw the consumer business.
The fact is they'll give me at best the value for the game, which will not be enough to replace them. I will have to go hunt down the copies of the game. That's the problem. I won't get the right amount for the games in the least though. And the claim process is "we know where it is. Oh it wasn't yours we know where it is. Oh we can't find it." and they continue that for over a month now.
But again I don't want to pay lamers on Ebay who are over pricing games, I would like to re purchase the games from the people who made it, not some squatters who bought the game and just sat on it for years so they could make me pay close to twice the price.
I like Itunes interface a hell of a lot more than Winamp, and once correctly installed it's a bit more solid. However Winamp is easily my second player of choice.
The problem with Winamp is the Media Library just sucks to me, That is probably my fault, but I can't stand it. Also I don't remember there being a rating system. Perhaps there is now, and I might switch back (Itunes is a bit much)
That and the skinning issues started to hog my CPU, which is a no go for a music player, true I could use Classic and I did, but the fact there was issues like that.
But yes. Winamp is better than itunes in many ways on it's own (light weight client compartively, great amount of plugins)
At least you still CAN get firefox alone.
I can't download Itunes, unless I download Quicktime media player. I swear the only reason macs are better for video is because Apple has yet to create a GOOD version of Quicktime media player for the PC. Luckily MPC can use quicktime file formats, though I'm sure apple is mad about that one. But the fact I have to get their less than wonderful software on my system, infecting it, just so I can go use Itunes (which I enjoy), and listen to music (perhaps paying for more music)
I just hope firefox stays solo and corporately neutral, because it's the one thing that keeps Firefox high up in my book.
hey, I'm not saying I wouldn't rebuy those games, but at the very least I'd like the companies to get the money since they made them. Not some moron on Ebay who is charging me double what it originally cost.
What I'm saying is I can't buy it from the company, I can't buy it from the stores, I'll end up having to spend approximetly 200 dollars just getting those and probably closer to 300.
And I know the answer and I can't think of a solution, but I still would be happy if Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo could figure out a way that wouldn't remove another feature I had. (registering games to one system is not an option.)
Complain to the game companies who choose different distributors to distribute games in different regions.
Except that's not the case, the person who says there's different regions is Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo. Nintendo makes a game and Nintendo of America will distribute in America, That game is not able to be played in Japan unless I own a US version of the Nintendo console. Getting that US version of the console is also abnormally hard as it is. I should be able to buy a Japanese 360 if i wish to, I have to go to less than reputable organizations for that. Japanese Amazon can not sell me one because of agreements. That's not a console decision, not a distributor decision.
Hook your 360 to your network and use Media Center Connect.
I don't want to have to dedicate my system and my network to Media Center Connect. I run Windows XP and it is already screwed up enough to the point I can't bridge my connection so my Xbox 360 connects to live through it. Microsoft doesn't have an answer except "it should work". However it doesn't. I don't know why, Microsoft created BOTH the XP system, and the 360, and yet it doesn't work? So why should I use that when the only way I can get online is going direct to the router. Do I have to choose between being online and getting my music?
I'm sorry you think it would be harmful to people if they could run stuff off the hard drive while the disc was still in the system. I've laid out situations that the console developer themselves decide on, which is Microsoft. They have chosen to force people to use their product in their way or else.
If Sony said that there will be no region coding on their system would it kill the system? nope. At least that's not the reason the PS3 is dying. No one thinks selling more games will hurt their system. The fact I have to break the copy protection to buy a foreign copy of FF12 before the american version comes out which I will buy again is beyond retarded. The fact they want to lock me up for moding my PS2 because I wanted to give them more money is hilarious.
It's 08/02/2006. I might be 02/08/2006. 2006/08/02 and so on. However the shortest form normally excepted is 8/2/06. I can't think of one place that uses only a single digit, especially after the whole Y2K debaticle.
Make it so the user can't find a reason to use a mod chip except piracy. Sounds like what it is now?
Except I can't play Japanese or European games with out a mod chip for the most part.
I can't play out of region DVDs.
I can't play any form of a backup of games I legally owned but was destroyed one way or another (I recently lost over 200 PSX and PS2 games because of a moving compnay, they can't find the boxes. Am I supposed to go rebuy Suikoden 1 and 2, Xenogears, Castlevania Symphony of the Night, and Disgaea all from scalpers on Ebay? )
I can't install an OS on the hard drive if I wish to.
I can't install the game on the Hard drive for performance boosts (not all games and systems get it but leave it an option, maybe even allow me to install the game and then use the game as a boot disc but the game must remain in the system)
I can't load music from my disc unless it's a music cd, I own a couple hundred cds, I use mp3s for ease of use, I have my top 200+ songs on a single cd, now the 360 wants me to insert every CD I own to rerip them to get those songs?
All this shit should at least have a way to achieve it. I can live with out backups and OSes, but region coding stuff makes the modchip necessary. Microsoft knows that they lose money on systems, so which is better? Forcing me to buy two systems to play games in two regions or buying one system and spending the other 400 dollars on games in the second region?
If I could ignore region codes on a system and install games for speed benefit, I wouldn't have a reason to get a mod chip except if my video games were destroyed or stolen from me and Microsoft or the developer didn't sell those games any more.
Article CLEARLY states 10 million units in 20 monthes. Not 20 million in 10 monthes. Both numbers are great, but let's get a little accuracy up there.
I don't know any single serious DDR player who thought the hand motion was a good idea. But at the same time those serious DDR players don't tend to buy american releases as their music tends to be lacking. But few think hand motions are needed. Sure if you can't do anything over a 5 then yeah handmotions are possible, but once you're playing 7s and 8s, it's extra and just gimmicky at best.
And Extreme 2.... well I won't get into it but basically it's all the songs that should have been in Extreme in the first place.
The problem with the DDR extreme's Eye toy is that it's NOT this. Basically it takes the area where the hand should be, and takes the color, then if another color overlays it, it considers it to be "activated" it's more complex than that, but it's entirely too simple.
The system they are proposing would also be able to tell you if your using 1, 2 or 3 fingers, or just your hand, which finger you use and what direction it's in. This is more simple than what they are planning.
The system now is you make a whole motion, you can do the motion how you want. It's not taking away from the system because now your whole body has to be moving towards that new motion so you don't really have the option no matter what, the idea is this is dancing, not just hitting a pad however you want (And in addition this means you can't use your hands or controller to cheat the system)
But if you want to think the Ps2 DDR Extreme changed the way the game, is go ahead. Then try to explain why Supernova's arcades doesn't have those options, or go ask the people who seriously play those what they think of the hands and feet idea in DDR extreme and extreme 2
Then your not thinking with enough perversion. There's always a way.
Anyone who wants adventure games should go look. However they are niche market, but the funniest thing is, there's more adventure games out there than games for the NES.
The only thing is you must get an interpreter for them, and there are many of them but they all work perfectly. The main ones are TADS, ADRIFT, and INFORM (infocom engine) but there's at least 10 major interpreters that have been used.
The only other thing is this is a niche field but it's also a free niche market that people constantly contribute too, and in addition they've changed. Adventure style games are now called "interactive Fiction" or simply IF
Please check http://www.ifarchive.org/ http://www.ifcomp.org/ for two sites. There's MANY more. They might not all be amazing, but they are still there, though less graphical than the quest series from sierra.
P.S. Quest for glory is sorely missed.
Yes make us pretty, make us sexy, make them want us. Windows alone can't do that because they know we are as dangerous as the corner whore.
Seriously Microsoft sticking thier noses in another business, just makes me laugh. If they honestly think PCs should be sexy, why not design them yourselves. Your Xboxs are about the ugliest imposing consoles ever made ("about" because there was the Neo-geo and Jaguar, as well as the sega gensis with all the add ons)
The fact is Microsoft can't do this, they can't sell the PC's sex appeal themselves because they don't have Apple's employees. Why doesn't the Ipod have a replacable battery? Because it would make the design look ugly. Having a little latch or a big screw on the case? ick. But instead they have this beautiful white case that while you can't open, you don't want to. It's something Sony never really was able to reach, even the Rio wasn't that beautiful. But Apple knows how to do it.
Watch when Microsoft's portable comes out (it's an Microsoft version of the Ipod, not the PSP or DS, though in that field the DS would be the example of "beauty") Basically you'll have tons of gashes and crevices in the Argo stuff that ruins the beauty of the system.
But so Microsoft just can't understand "beautiful" cases, they feel the need to tell others how to do it.
I guess it boils down to "Those who know, do. Those who don't, teach".
"If there was no more oil. What would we use?"
Yes there's tons of oil left in the world. There's enough for at least 20 years if we don't find more and if we find more, more than 20 years. The problem is oil companies tend to think oil is the ONLY solution. So basically according to them once the oil runs out cars will stop running. That's a good theory, except it's wrong, and we'll find a way to avoid it soon.
But at the same time let's figure out what works. The oil company always says "that won't work" but why don't we get a reason. Is the refinery process to expensive (not meaning the cost of upgrading the refineries which is always a big number)? Is the fuel source too expensive (batteries)? Is it dangerous to contain (Plasma, Hydrogen fuel cells)? or is it too hard to come by on the scale we're talking about(nuclear power and fusion)?
That's not to say Ethanol is the solution. Solar power is certainly not (too expensive to update cars and parts).
Personally you have to give american and japanese car companies credit. They are at least trying to figure out the solution. European companies have basically ignored the alternatives and just switched to diesel acting like it is the solution. It too might be for the time. But at the very least we have to stop listening to the oil companies' opinions unless they are well thought out opinions. Not because they are bad people, or idiots but because they have something worth protecting (our reliance on them), and they won't just give that away or tell us "yes you CAN get energy from other sources".
Absolutely. These guys are continuing the mythos. The same mythos collected in the books Lucas gets money from, the toys that these guys might buy for the movie. The costumes they wear if bought from a store. The DVDs of the original movies, the comic book, the official script. All will be gotten by these guys for reference material.
Basically Lucas has done what everyone else seems afraid to do. Trust in the consumer to be honest with him when buying official Star wars products. He doesn't mind if people do homages to his work, and from the sound of it he probably enjoys it, especially considering how much he has allowed the EU (basically all the books and comics not written for a movie) to grow and just blow out of proportion.
Cell shaded graphics didn't turn me off the game, the bad game turned me off, it was too short, too easy, and graphically unimpressive.
perhaps you should reread. METROID PRIME, not metroid, not super metroid. Metroid prime is a radically different game. That's why on the GBA, they called it Metroid Zero Hour and Metroid Fusion. notice the lack of Prime in either of those names.
Metroid Prime is the FPS metroid's name, it might have the original adventure aspects (but might not), but a Adventure game vs a FPS are radically different beasts. It's not the same metroid, and any serious fan will tell you that. If it's better or worse is up to gamers but it's like trying to tell me every Mario is missing is the same game as super mario world.
It's true that the DS has a Metroid prime, but the only people who played metroid prime are people who have that one DS game or the Gamecube owners. People who didn't buy a gamecube likely never played Metroid prime unless at friends houses, so it won't pull the kind of attention Zelda, and Mario pull in because they are for the most part consecutive games that doesn't change the core formula (Zelda is a 3d/2d top down adventure. A core Mario game is a platformer.)
I have to imagine that all those cool things will be leaked, They have at least meantioned VC games will be about 5 dollars per game which if it's for N64s is a good price point, if it's NES, is a bad one. But that was game informer, I don't really trust them.
Are you sure metroid is an american phenomenon or just Metroid Prime?
Sony has promised 2 million a month, but slashdot announced the begining of production around mid month. At around 200 thousand units a month. The math doesn't add up. Doesn't mean they won't make their numbers. Personally I hope for a Wii, a PS3 shortage though wouldn't bother me.
If anything is going to spur the wii on to huge numbers it's Zelda.
Now before you say "what about Mario" Mario is always coming. People bought the Gamecube for Mario, and got Sunshine, and people were happy. You got Luigi's mansion at the begining though and people weren't doing backflips celebrating that game.
But Zelda at launch is going to be interesting. This Zelda has definatly been under development longer, better graphics, and new controls, and lack of cell-shaded graphics I hope. It's going to push the system I believe, coupled with a Metroid Prime (which is good but remember Metroid Prime has ONLY been played by Gamecube owners and players)
The one problem they will have with their virtual console vs. Marketplace is no achievement points (from my understanding) Is it a system killer? Nah, but it's something I wouldn't say no too.
The most interesting thing is this is the first time Nintendo really did a cross platform game themselves, but on the other hand it does look like it has the power to really launch the system and I'm sure everyone has heard at least one person who was going to buy the Gamecube for Twilight princess, of them many probably are going to pick up a Wii for this game as it's close to the same price.
The only problem I forsee at launch is a lack of systems which will be a sad day. Btw, at the same time the PS3 is only planning 1 million systems for a world wide launch? I've got to guess they know they should have lower expectations than they did for the Ps2.
We, the People for the Protection of Pellets have struck the first blow. Now our oppressor, who calls himself Pacman will feel the wraith of the government. No longer will our pellets be required to get help from ghosts to stop the evil yellow menace from attacking them. No longer will we have to worry about the "Power Pellet" who have betrayed us. All we ask is freedom for our white brethren!
DEATH TO THE HUNGRY ONE!
Guys, I applaud you for being symmetrical down to the clothes, but come on. I don't come to Slashdot to hear the same thing three hundred times. Why not make one thread of it rather then all posting your own "unique" way of saying it in new topics.
Yes Final Fantasy VII may have made you cry but one game in 500 making you cry doesn't prove the theory. The question is can they make you cry, not which one.
And even worse, thanks for NOT reading the article, he clearly discusses Aeris' death and why he doesn't feel it really matches the standards he sets.
However at the same the question is "duh". Games can be beauty and are portrayed with stories, how can they not be impactful. It's the same as reading books, or watching movies, but even more involved. I would be willing to say games can have a large impact on our emotions. It's not just crying.
Rage, and fear came to me early, through a game called System Shock. Shock and despair in Chrono Trigger (the major character dying? not saying who). Happiness and Joy comes from many games.
So why focus on Crying, it's obvious games while interactive are just as story driven as any industry. It's true stories are not required (see madden or other sports games) but at the same time for a book or a movie you don't need a story. (See Comedy, books of stats, and a few movies that just show images rather then tell stories)
But if you want to know can games make you cry, ask any serious gamer. One who tries all types of games, they'll tell you, yes. For me it was Final Fantasy VI, tears of sadness when Cid died in the world of ruin, tears of joy when you find all your friends, tears during the opera scene (truely great).
There's others too of course, but that's one of the major ones. Chrono Trigger's reunion. The FFIV where rosa rejoins the group. Legend of Zelda Ocerina of Time was wonderful. Shadows of Colussus. Metal Gear Solid (more of tears of rage when I realized what had happened to Meryl).
So yeah the answer is yes. It's true almost all these things are non interactive but that's the point. If you really want to see if something interactive can make you cry that's fine, there's a couple games when a friend dies in a battle, but at the same time it's either extremely scripted so it's like a cutscene or it's a chance happening and a random guy dies you have little connection to.
If you want an example of interactive versions look into things like Knights of the Old Republic. However it's uneffective in getting people to tear up because they always seem to give an obvious way out, and the fact is you probably arn't going to get people killed unless you're trying to go down the evil path, and if you're evil you're not going to be crying, you're going to be cheering the death.
So the long story is yes, games are emotional and can move people to tears, however we are not yet at the point where a game can have a true moment of sorrow with out it being completely planned out to drive the maximum impact to the player. This is not because of bad game design but because we have yet to have true "freedom" even in open-world games.
And your saying this to slashdotters, we are engineers and programmers. We arn't exactly handy as it is.
Personally I couldn't tell you the difference between a ripe and a overripe apple. Whether a pear is just picked or a Orange had been on a truck too long.
In addition even watching people in the supermarket it's all subjective if it's "ripe", but even so many people have been proven wrong, still I don't want to have to read a manual on how to pick up 10-20 different types of fruit just because I want a big salad, and stirfry.
Unfortunatly he needs to have the money just in case he loses.
The sad thing is many of us don't have that 100,000 buy in or the willingness to risk it if you lose.