Hopefully, game download "credits" will be tied to an account, instead of a game, as they are in the Xbox 360. This way, used game sales won't be a problem.
Historically you're correct, but I have to say, the Xbox 360 kinda changes that dynamic. You can take it home without 1 game and, as long as you have an internet connection, you can download demos all day and night without paying a cent through Xbox Live Silver. And I'm talking really nice demos like the ones for Lost Planet and Dead Rising. That's one thing MS did absolutely right.
You know, I've always wondered...is it actually possible to finish Nethack without reading spoilers? Has anyone ever just gone through completely using trial and error? I don't think it's possible...or if it is, it would be like winning the lottery. There are just way too many stupid ways to die, through no fault of your own.
(Steel Battalion would of made a great arcade game)
No way in hell. I own the game, and I love it to death, but they'd be crazy to make it an arcade game. The goddamn controller has 40 buttons (granted, most of them are of limited use, but still...) Unless people were willing to spend 10-15 bucks just learning the controls and getting their asses shot off -- and I really don't think most people would be willing to do that -- it would be a rarely played curiosity, at best. Even if they set it up like the old Battletech centers, it still wouldn't do well. They'd have to simplify it quite a bit...but then, it wouldn't be Steel Battalion, would it?.
A lot of the time, you can get a "free" cell phone or Tivo box with a service agreement. It's not mandatory, of course, but it's a popular thing for companies to do for just the reasons you state. Paying just start up fees is a lot more attractive than paying $150 or so for a phone up front. Just saying.
I'd actually like to hear more about this situation, if you could be bothered. I have a friend that's tried to get me into FFXI for about a year now, but I've never committed. I'm curious about the general dynamic. What's everybody's beef? Are Americans just rude in general, is the economy as busted as I've heard, etc.?
Actually, developers reuse game concepts and features in new games all the time. They're called derivative games, released by competitors. Want an alternative to Diablo II? Sacred is pretty good.
It's been said many times before, but it bears repeating: companies go where the money is. Sequels sell, so sequels are made. Blame the ever-so-discerning taste of today's gamer. Vote with your dollar, and all that.
The problem with making a sequel to Starcraft is that the original is just too good. It's too widespread, too entrenched. Any sequel to a game like this had better be the absolute, unadulterated, fucking best RTS ever made, improving upon the original in every conceivable way, or else people aren't going to waste their time. If any review contained the word, "evolution," then Blizzaard would have failed.
There will be a sequel to Starcraft, eventually -- Blizzrard would be fools not to take advantage of one of (if not the) biggest franchises. But why push it out before it's necessary? They're smart in letting the original run its course before getting folks riled up about a new one.
I'm sure I won't be the last one to mention this...it's on their own hardware, no less.
I'm disappointed. I'd have thought Nintendo would be above stuff like this.
They used to take overlooked Japanese games like this all the time and release them over in the States (when they weren't bringing out Japanese RPGs) -- they were (in)famous for their quirky sense of humor, resonance with fans, crazy in-box and preorder extras, and eternally pushed back release dates (see Magic Knights Rayearth for the Saturn).
Are they gone? Still making games? What's Victor Ireland doing right this minute? What's up?
Funny that I should see this posted today. I just finished The Longest Journey this afternoon, and let me just say that it's a hell of an adventure. The way the writers gave even the most minor characters interesting dialogue is nothing short of amazing. And the main character is completely believable.
This could get made into a movie with a minimum of modification. But, of course, it'll never happen. Guess I'll just have to content myself with the sequel...next year...sigh...
Interesting point. I think that's one of the prime (ahem) reasons why Nintendo is so skittish about going online.
When all is said and done, the image they're trying to project is one of a family company...which is quite different from a kiddy company, despite popular opinion. Making a game online capable requires such freedom of communication that it's impossible to censor it and not cripple the experience. Look at Phantasy Star Online: do you think you'd be able to bond with your buddies as well using only the Symbol Chat interface? And even then, they still managed to "dirty" it up...it seems you can make a lot of questionable images with those symbols.
Even if they stuck on a big, shiny sign covering half the retail box that said, "Hey, people on the net can be assholes, so we're not responsible for hurt feelings incurred playing online!" parents would still bitch the first time little Timmy was told to "fuck off n00b". I guess doing without that grief, and the resultant image shift, is worth the online sales. I disagree, but that may be part of the rationale.
Slashdot Mirror
Hopefully, game download "credits" will be tied to an account, instead of a game, as they are in the Xbox 360. This way, used game sales won't be a problem.
Historically you're correct, but I have to say, the Xbox 360 kinda changes that dynamic. You can take it home without 1 game and, as long as you have an internet connection, you can download demos all day and night without paying a cent through Xbox Live Silver. And I'm talking really nice demos like the ones for Lost Planet and Dead Rising. That's one thing MS did absolutely right.
Wait...what? You're joking, right?
You know, I've always wondered...is it actually possible to finish Nethack without reading spoilers? Has anyone ever just gone through completely using trial and error? I don't think it's possible...or if it is, it would be like winning the lottery. There are just way too many stupid ways to die, through no fault of your own.
Ah, "Roll"master. Good times.
"You trip over an imaginary turtle and stab yourself in the chest. You die in three rounds..."
No way in hell. I own the game, and I love it to death, but they'd be crazy to make it an arcade game. The goddamn controller has 40 buttons (granted, most of them are of limited use, but still...) Unless people were willing to spend 10-15 bucks just learning the controls and getting their asses shot off -- and I really don't think most people would be willing to do that -- it would be a rarely played curiosity, at best. Even if they set it up like the old Battletech centers, it still wouldn't do well. They'd have to simplify it quite a bit...but then, it wouldn't be Steel Battalion, would it?.
You do know that was a hoax, right?
A lot of the time, you can get a "free" cell phone or Tivo box with a service agreement. It's not mandatory, of course, but it's a popular thing for companies to do for just the reasons you state. Paying just start up fees is a lot more attractive than paying $150 or so for a phone up front. Just saying.
Hell, I'm still pissed about Steel Battalion: Line of Contact. Talk about screwing the loyal customers. At least I can still play the original...
"In any case, doesn't that make it already legal to made knock-off NES consoles since the system was out in '86?"
Yes it does.
I'd actually like to hear more about this situation, if you could be bothered. I have a friend that's tried to get me into FFXI for about a year now, but I've never committed. I'm curious about the general dynamic. What's everybody's beef? Are Americans just rude in general, is the economy as busted as I've heard, etc.?
Actually, developers reuse game concepts and features in new games all the time. They're called derivative games, released by competitors. Want an alternative to Diablo II? Sacred is pretty good.
It's been said many times before, but it bears repeating: companies go where the money is. Sequels sell, so sequels are made. Blame the ever-so-discerning taste of today's gamer. Vote with your dollar, and all that.
The problem with making a sequel to Starcraft is that the original is just too good. It's too widespread, too entrenched. Any sequel to a game like this had better be the absolute, unadulterated, fucking best RTS ever made, improving upon the original in every conceivable way, or else people aren't going to waste their time. If any review contained the word, "evolution," then Blizzaard would have failed.
There will be a sequel to Starcraft, eventually -- Blizzrard would be fools not to take advantage of one of (if not the) biggest franchises. But why push it out before it's necessary? They're smart in letting the original run its course before getting folks riled up about a new one.
I'm sure I won't be the last one to mention this...it's on their own hardware, no less. I'm disappointed. I'd have thought Nintendo would be above stuff like this.
Are they still in business?
They used to take overlooked Japanese games like this all the time and release them over in the States (when they weren't bringing out Japanese RPGs) -- they were (in)famous for their quirky sense of humor, resonance with fans, crazy in-box and preorder extras, and eternally pushed back release dates (see Magic Knights Rayearth for the Saturn).
Are they gone? Still making games? What's Victor Ireland doing right this minute? What's up?
...was an ad for Manhunt. Jarring, to say the least.
I immediately thought 2 things:
1. "WTF does that have to do with leukemia? Is it some kind of new biological weapon in the game?"
2. When did Lucasarts buy Rockstar?
Funny that I should see this posted today. I just finished The Longest Journey this afternoon, and let me just say that it's a hell of an adventure. The way the writers gave even the most minor characters interesting dialogue is nothing short of amazing. And the main character is completely believable.
This could get made into a movie with a minimum of modification. But, of course, it'll never happen. Guess I'll just have to content myself with the sequel...next year...sigh...
Interesting point. I think that's one of the prime (ahem) reasons why Nintendo is so skittish about going online.
When all is said and done, the image they're trying to project is one of a family company...which is quite different from a kiddy company, despite popular opinion. Making a game online capable requires such freedom of communication that it's impossible to censor it and not cripple the experience. Look at Phantasy Star Online: do you think you'd be able to bond with your buddies as well using only the Symbol Chat interface? And even then, they still managed to "dirty" it up...it seems you can make a lot of questionable images with those symbols.
Even if they stuck on a big, shiny sign covering half the retail box that said, "Hey, people on the net can be assholes, so we're not responsible for hurt feelings incurred playing online!" parents would still bitch the first time little Timmy was told to "fuck off n00b". I guess doing without that grief, and the resultant image shift, is worth the online sales. I disagree, but that may be part of the rationale.