The freebie metal dragon is actually a halfway decent one, but everybody knows it's a freebie and where to get it. A REAL dragon avatar from Daryth is gonna run you $3500L, and that is if you can score one during a hatching (10 eggs per species 4 times a year), as they are limited edition and very sought after. Her wyrmlings look the same and are about half the size of the limited editions, which actually makes them a pretty good choice for mobility as you can fit in most buildings wearing one. They are always available for $2500L. There are other quadruped dragons that are pretty cool (though none modeled as nicely as Daryth's) though they will still run around $2000L, and plenty of anthro dragon choices that are affordable ($250L-$900L.. with the exceptional more expensive one), but nobody wears the freebie and expects to be looked at as anything other than a noob. Spend the dollar or two for a non-free anthro just to get away from that stigma.
Everybody is not in world to generate money, there are a great many that are happy to be there as consumers. One of the draws of the platform is the user created content. Many people are there for many different reasons, though there are a lot that simply enjoy being there and playing around with the creation tools with no interest in trying to make money. It is what you make of it, and that is attractive to many people.
Judging by your comment about sweat-shop gold farms.. sounds like you have no idea what is there to begin with, since there is no way to "farm" anything from the platform.
Which previous posts would it be that indicated to you that I could possibly be a fanboy.. and when did I fly off the handle about anything? Let's recap, shall we?
You:"It would be cool if your character could get a job in this game. I think they wanted me to pay real money to buy stuff or something." Me:"I use a free account, pay no money, make stuff and sell it thereby generating real life income." (Implied "You can too.") You:"whatever. (inane and non sequitur comments and mumbling about 2d platform and self mutilation)" Me:"You're obviously not reading the same post I am (boggles)." You:"Looooooooooooser! Loser loser loooo-oooo-uuusser! PpPfFttT!!11!:P I'm not really a troll, I just play one on teh intarweb! Here eat this peice of paper!!eleven!" Me:(reiterates what I said in a previous post, in slightly greater detail, with some personal info thrown in for good measure) You:"Oh sorry, you smelled like fanboi to me" Me:"WTF?"
So please, which of my posts were fanboy so that I may correct the error of my ways? In my mind, I was simply trying to help you to realize that things to do are not spoon fed to you in SL. There are no preset goals, quests or jobs. It is what you make of it. I have made a business out of it. You have to be able to literally create your own goals. It's not for everyone.
Why am I here instead of there? Again, that seems to be a "game" mentality that says you have to be there, grinding or mining or something to generate income, but as I said, I don't have to BE there to make money. My items sit in their vendors in my shops and people that are shopping buy them from me at any time they please.
If you would really like help, I can certainly point you in the right direction, but if you don't have interest in it, that is fine as well.
I don't "play" Second Life, it is my job. I am a content provider. I make things (using my RL 3D modeling, animation and texturing skills.. not skills leveled up by a character)and people buy them. So while people continue on with their second lives, buying my stuff, I *play* WOW while the money keeps rolling in (from both SL and WOW.. gotta love that). Those of you who insist on calling it a game (though I don't normally harp about that thus the jab in the previous post.. since I never said a word about it being a platform.. you started babbling about it in a most pavlovian way all by yourself) please riddle me this. What are the defining factors something must have to be a game? Would it be things like, built in goals of some type, health meters, progress bars, character levels.. hmm.. enemies? I guess the closest thing Second Life has to any of those would be when the heart shows up on the titilebar to show you are on damage enabled land (where you can play shoot-em-up games created within the second life platform:P ).
The reason I am involved in it is that I am a burned out high end graphics tech support of 15 yrs turned stay at home mom who takes care of my child and my husband who has 3 degrees.. and please don't call me bitch, only my friends are allowed that honor. So guess what? I'm still unimpressed.
BTW, which is the most trollish, a real one or a fake?
and yes, ATM I am a humorless bitch. Glad I could amuse you. It's my good deed for the day.
and again, you miss the mark completely. I have a free account, I create content which I sell and support myself in game through this, renting 6 shop locations plus support a serious shopping habit (Daryth's dragons are expensive) and I always have dollars to spare in my account.. which I can translate to real money in my pocket whenever I want.
What you mean like, when you're coming out of an area that you fought your way into, that it should like, look like a totally different area? Dunno about that.. I would think it would pretty much be what I just came through, in reverse order.. maybe that's just me though:/.
And the library ROCKED! Yes, I know there are some malcontents that will complain about it, but it was probably the only map that actually got me confused enough to get a bit lost... and I think that was the point.
I didn't read through all the replies to your post, but what I did look through all missed a vital piece of information pertaining to your query, you've been told what Stargate is (and it's popularity being just shy of Star Trek/Star Wars levels, coming up on the 200th episode), but you've not been told it's relevence to this article, which is that SGC (Stargate Command) is located in Cheyenne Mountain.
I hope you realize that that huge stream of thought you just posted (hint, there is such a thing as a paragraph) was based on a *dirct quote from Microsoft*.
I'll have to say you're right about the BSOD on XP. I've not seen one. It's been replaced with hard lockup or just the sudden reboot instead. Save early, save often.
"Yeah, because offering a peek at the goddamned source code didn't go far enough, right?"
No, because the source code is NOT what was ASKED FOR. How can people not understand this? Go read the halloween papers. You will see why MS went as far as to try giving source instead of actual API documentation, because that is how badly they DON'T WANT to do that, not because they can't, or it's too hard as they say.
Here, feel free to read up on what is actually going on right here... http://www.catb.org/~esr/halloween/halloween1.html then maybe you'll see how much of a bully MS actually is. Anything that would put a stop to that has my full approval.
I do hope that everyone here realizes that the reason MS is fighting so hard to keep their APIs locked up is a direct result of their original halloween paper, in which MS states "Linux can win as long as services / protocols are commodities". Which means, quoting a well known review of the halloween paper...
"Linux can win if services are open and protocols are simple, transparent. Microsoft can only win if services are closed and protocols are complex, opaque."
So here is proof that the closed APIs are not necessary for MS software, as they might state, but a preplanned way to make war with Linux.
And to all you unenlightend peope that will say that MS isn't making war with Linux, that is just the price of doing business, I will direct you to another portion of the same document.. "Long term credibility exists if there is no way you can be driven out of business in the near term. This forces change in how competitors deal with you."
and the translation of that into understandable language..
"Note the terminology used here driven out of business. MS believes that putting other companies out of business is not merely collateral damage -- a byproduct of selling better stuff -- but rather, a direct business goal. To put this in perspective, economic theory and the typical honest, customer-oriented businessperson will think of business as a stock-car race -- the fastest car with the most skillful driver wins. Microsoft views business as a demolition derby -- you knock out as many competitors as possible, and try to maneuver things so that your competitors wipe each other out and thereby eliminate themselves. In a stock car race there are many finishers and thus many drivers get a paycheck. In a demolition derby there is just one survivor. Can you see why Microsoft and freedom of choice are absolutely in two different universes?"
Ok, I googled just to see what it would show, and there was a total of 1 incorrect definition (which judging by it's wording I'm guessing was written before plasma or LCD TVs) that had 1 repeat. For those that do not know, the ways to view TVs are - direct, and projected. All flat panel TV's (along with CRTs) are direct view. Projection sets, rear or front are, well, projected, as in not viewed directly. Then again, that's beside the point. The guy said "direct view *MEANS* CRT" full stop. Then he gives a link, which says "Direct view is how industry insiders refer to any television that doesn't use projection technology.", and "flat-panel TVs will eventually replace tubes as the direct-view televisions of choice". So he says something as if it were fact, then attempts to back it up (I guess?) with a link that contradicts him? I mean, geeze.
Yes, sad that the Oddworld series was overlooked. I'm not sure what criteria was used to pick, other than the article suggest that they sat around tying to think of good looking 2d games (like that would be such a hard job). I'm not very convinced that they were actually attempting to do what the title of the article says, since the first game listed is actually a 3d game, and the Yoshi game, while cute, I believe the graphics to be 3d rendered 2d sprites, and while that's cute I consider it cheating when you're talking about 2d.
I do understand the point of the article, which is that 3d does not automatically mean good looking graphics.
They missed the most beautiful game ever , Legend of Mana. Drop dead gorgeous.
ALL game companies need to opt-out of the ratings race. When no games are rated, then the retailers who won't put up non-rated games will have no choice if they want to sell games. This whole system need a big reboot.
"Innovation doesn't mean much if it isn't necessary to retain to retain dominant market share."
If innovation is not required to maintain dominant market share, well then that screams to me that the market is STAGNANT.
"OS X and arguably Linux have been far superior to Windows for a long time, but nobody seems to care because those operating systems don't run Windows apps"
Nobody seems to care because those operating systems don't run all the current games. That is changing.. not that they are running that many more games, but games are moving to consoles, since consoles have finially caught up to pc's in gaming power. That will no longer be the deciding factor for many (as it clearly has been for years now).
"Microsoft can continue to produce the most boring OS on the face of the planet so long as they retain that monopoly on the killer app pool."
The killer app pool, for home users, is games. I'll repeat, games are moving to console. I bought my XBox in order to limit or possibly negate my game time on the pc. Other than specialized software that a minority are required to run, (AutoCAD.. and... uhhh, well I know there's more.. oh yeah, games). It's just as simple as that.
"In the words of the late great Leonard Nimoy, fascinating."
Good grief man, Leonard Nimoy isn't dead, don't use "late" like that. I went running looking for news after I read this... are you trying to give me a heart attack?!?
Has nothing to do with slashdot rules or bad editing. It says, in the Gamespot article, "$4,250". Which to me reads as four thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars.
Slashdot Mirror
The freebie metal dragon is actually a halfway decent one, but everybody knows it's a freebie and where to get it. A REAL dragon avatar from Daryth is gonna run you $3500L, and that is if you can score one during a hatching (10 eggs per species 4 times a year), as they are limited edition and very sought after. Her wyrmlings look the same and are about half the size of the limited editions, which actually makes them a pretty good choice for mobility as you can fit in most buildings wearing one. They are always available for $2500L. There are other quadruped dragons that are pretty cool (though none modeled as nicely as Daryth's) though they will still run around $2000L, and plenty of anthro dragon choices that are affordable ($250L-$900L.. with the exceptional more expensive one), but nobody wears the freebie and expects to be looked at as anything other than a noob. Spend the dollar or two for a non-free anthro just to get away from that stigma.
Everybody is not in world to generate money, there are a great many that are happy to be there as consumers. One of the draws of the platform is the user created content. Many people are there for many different reasons, though there are a lot that simply enjoy being there and playing around with the creation tools with no interest in trying to make money. It is what you make of it, and that is attractive to many people.
Judging by your comment about sweat-shop gold farms.. sounds like you have no idea what is there to begin with, since there is no way to "farm" anything from the platform.
Which previous posts would it be that indicated to you that I could possibly be a fanboy.. and when did I fly off the handle about anything? Let's recap, shall we?
:P I'm not really a troll, I just play one on teh intarweb! Here eat this peice of paper!!eleven!"
You:"It would be cool if your character could get a job in this game. I think they wanted me to pay real money to buy stuff or something."
Me:"I use a free account, pay no money, make stuff and sell it thereby generating real life income." (Implied "You can too.")
You:"whatever. (inane and non sequitur comments and mumbling about 2d platform and self mutilation)"
Me:"You're obviously not reading the same post I am (boggles)."
You:"Looooooooooooser! Loser loser loooo-oooo-uuusser! PpPfFttT!!11!
Me:(reiterates what I said in a previous post, in slightly greater detail, with some personal info thrown in for good measure)
You:"Oh sorry, you smelled like fanboi to me"
Me:"WTF?"
So please, which of my posts were fanboy so that I may correct the error of my ways? In my mind, I was simply trying to help you to realize that things to do are not spoon fed to you in SL. There are no preset goals, quests or jobs. It is what you make of it. I have made a business out of it. You have to be able to literally create your own goals. It's not for everyone.
Why am I here instead of there? Again, that seems to be a "game" mentality that says you have to be there, grinding or mining or something to generate income, but as I said, I don't have to BE there to make money. My items sit in their vendors in my shops and people that are shopping buy them from me at any time they please.
If you would really like help, I can certainly point you in the right direction, but if you don't have interest in it, that is fine as well.
I don't "play" Second Life, it is my job. I am a content provider. I make things (using my RL 3D modeling, animation and texturing skills.. not skills leveled up by a character)and people buy them. So while people continue on with their second lives, buying my stuff, I *play* WOW while the money keeps rolling in (from both SL and WOW.. gotta love that). Those of you who insist on calling it a game (though I don't normally harp about that thus the jab in the previous post.. since I never said a word about it being a platform.. you started babbling about it in a most pavlovian way all by yourself) please riddle me this. What are the defining factors something must have to be a game? Would it be things like, built in goals of some type, health meters, progress bars, character levels.. hmm.. enemies? I guess the closest thing Second Life has to any of those would be when the heart shows up on the titilebar to show you are on damage enabled land (where you can play shoot-em-up games created within the second life platform :P ).
The reason I am involved in it is that I am a burned out high end graphics tech support of 15 yrs turned stay at home mom who takes care of my child and my husband who has 3 degrees.. and please don't call me bitch, only my friends are allowed that honor. So guess what? I'm still unimpressed.
BTW, which is the most trollish, a real one or a fake?
and yes, ATM I am a humorless bitch. Glad I could amuse you. It's my good deed for the day.
No wonder you can't enjoy it. Lack of reading comprehension FTW!
Run along now and play your game.
and again, you miss the mark completely. I have a free account, I create content which I sell and support myself in game through this, renting 6 shop locations plus support a serious shopping habit (Daryth's dragons are expensive) and I always have dollars to spare in my account.. which I can translate to real money in my pocket whenever I want.
What you mean like, when you're coming out of an area that you fought your way into, that it should like, look like a totally different area? Dunno about that.. I would think it would pretty much be what I just came through, in reverse order.. maybe that's just me though :/.
And the library ROCKED! Yes, I know there are some malcontents that will complain about it, but it was probably the only map that actually got me confused enough to get a bit lost... and I think that was the point.
I didn't read through all the replies to your post, but what I did look through all missed a vital piece of information pertaining to your query, you've been told what Stargate is (and it's popularity being just shy of Star Trek/Star Wars levels, coming up on the 200th episode), but you've not been told it's relevence to this article, which is that SGC (Stargate Command) is located in Cheyenne Mountain.
"It just takes too long to type "blockquote""
Or you could just use quotemarks.
Might not parse for you, but we're here, and we're WAY too smart to pick a boyfriend (husband) dumb enough to not know what a pad is.
Damn. Just... damn. Are all Anonymous Cowards as stupid as you?
I hope you realize that that huge stream of thought you just posted (hint, there is such a thing as a paragraph) was based on a *dirct quote from Microsoft*.
I'll have to say you're right about the BSOD on XP. I've not seen one. It's been replaced with hard lockup or just the sudden reboot instead. Save early, save often.
Of course if you're a MS shareholder, it probably has sucked to be you since 2000. Trust me on this one. Bail outta that puppy.
"Yeah, because offering a peek at the goddamned source code didn't go far enough, right?"
l
No, because the source code is NOT what was ASKED FOR. How can people not understand this? Go read the halloween papers. You will see why MS went as far as to try giving source instead of actual API documentation, because that is how badly they DON'T WANT to do that, not because they can't, or it's too hard as they say.
Here, feel free to read up on what is actually going on right here...
http://www.catb.org/~esr/halloween/halloween1.htm
then maybe you'll see how much of a bully MS actually is. Anything that would put a stop to that has my full approval.
I do hope that everyone here realizes that the reason MS is fighting so hard to keep their APIs locked up is a direct result of their original halloween paper, in which MS states "Linux can win as long as services / protocols are commodities". Which means, quoting a well known review of the halloween paper...
"Linux can win if services are open and protocols are simple, transparent. Microsoft can only win if services are closed and protocols are complex, opaque."
So here is proof that the closed APIs are not necessary for MS software, as they might state, but a preplanned way to make war with Linux.
And to all you unenlightend peope that will say that MS isn't making war with Linux, that is just the price of doing business, I will direct you to another portion of the same document.. "Long term credibility exists if there is no way you can be driven out of business in the near term. This forces change in how competitors deal with you."
and the translation of that into understandable language..
"Note the terminology used here driven out of business. MS believes that putting other companies out of business is not merely collateral damage -- a byproduct of selling better stuff -- but rather, a direct business goal. To put this in perspective, economic theory and the typical honest, customer-oriented businessperson will think of business as a stock-car race -- the fastest car with the most skillful driver wins. Microsoft views business as a demolition derby -- you knock out as many competitors as possible, and try to maneuver things so that your competitors wipe each other out and thereby eliminate themselves. In a stock car race there are many finishers and thus many drivers get a paycheck. In a demolition derby there is just one survivor. Can you see why Microsoft and freedom of choice are absolutely in two different universes?"
I don't think the hackers would take very long at all to go public with a patch for that one.
Ok, I googled just to see what it would show, and there was a total of 1 incorrect definition (which judging by it's wording I'm guessing was written before plasma or LCD TVs) that had 1 repeat. For those that do not know, the ways to view TVs are - direct, and projected. All flat panel TV's (along with CRTs) are direct view. Projection sets, rear or front are, well, projected, as in not viewed directly. Then again, that's beside the point. The guy said "direct view *MEANS* CRT" full stop. Then he gives a link, which says "Direct view is how industry insiders refer to any television that doesn't use projection technology.", and "flat-panel TVs will eventually replace tubes as the direct-view televisions of choice". So he says something as if it were fact, then attempts to back it up (I guess?) with a link that contradicts him? I mean, geeze.
"Also, direct view *MEANS* CRT."
Bzzzzt. Wrong answer. Please play again.
Yes, sad that the Oddworld series was overlooked. I'm not sure what criteria was used to pick, other than the article suggest that they sat around tying to think of good looking 2d games (like that would be such a hard job). I'm not very convinced that they were actually attempting to do what the title of the article says, since the first game listed is actually a 3d game, and the Yoshi game, while cute, I believe the graphics to be 3d rendered 2d sprites, and while that's cute I consider it cheating when you're talking about 2d.
I do understand the point of the article, which is that 3d does not automatically mean good looking graphics.
They missed the most beautiful game ever , Legend of Mana. Drop dead gorgeous.
ALL game companies need to opt-out of the ratings race. When no games are rated, then the retailers who won't put up non-rated games will have no choice if they want to sell games. This whole system need a big reboot.
"Innovation doesn't mean much if it isn't necessary to retain to retain dominant market share."
If innovation is not required to maintain dominant market share, well then that screams to me that the market is STAGNANT.
"OS X and arguably Linux have been far superior to Windows for a long time, but nobody seems to care because those operating systems don't run Windows apps"
Nobody seems to care because those operating systems don't run all the current games. That is changing.. not that they are running that many more games, but games are moving to consoles, since consoles have finially caught up to pc's in gaming power. That will no longer be the deciding factor for many (as it clearly has been for years now).
"Microsoft can continue to produce the most boring OS on the face of the planet so long as they retain that monopoly on the killer app pool."
The killer app pool, for home users, is games. I'll repeat, games are moving to console. I bought my XBox in order to limit or possibly negate my game time on the pc. Other than specialized software that a minority are required to run, (AutoCAD.. and... uhhh, well I know there's more.. oh yeah, games). It's just as simple as that.
"In the words of the late great Leonard Nimoy, fascinating."
Good grief man, Leonard Nimoy isn't dead, don't use "late" like that. I went running looking for news after I read this... are you trying to give me a heart attack?!?
Live long and prosper.
Has nothing to do with slashdot rules or bad editing. It says, in the Gamespot article, "$4,250". Which to me reads as four thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars.
Well, since submission to the ESRB is voluntary (from what I understand), if you don't submit it, there's no reason to put AO on it.