The studios are really about the people. Their names mean nothing without the very people that started them. In most cases when these studios are shut down, the personalities that were important in leading them already left.
For example, how important is BullFrog when most of its key developers and founder leave to form another studio? What's Origin without Richard Garriot or Black Isle without Ferquant (or whatever his name was)?
The bottomline is that's it's really mainly the people that matter. The studios / their names mainly just serve as a marketing vehicle. Unless these developers / designers die - great games will still come from them - just in the form of a different brand / studio.
"There's all sorts of cool stuff in the lab. We have two new games in development right now. One is called The Political Machine, a strategy game where you run for President as well as a future sequel for Galactic Civilizations which won't be out any time soon."
Working for a some big corporations like consulting companies (like Accenture and IBM) and (when jobs were scarce) a gaming company (EA), I have found that while QA isn't perfect for video games; it is much worse for enterprise applications like banking software. Scary thought eh, that GTA is better tested than online bill pay...
Can't they just move their company to a foreign country that allows telemarketing calls to the US? VOIP makes things even cheaper for them, not to mention having cheaper labor.
thinking about this. I wouldn't even sign up for the registry when a computer can now be used to screen your calls. It might just help those offshore telemarketing companies in annoying you at dinner if they can easily access the registry without even paying!
I think the main problem with education in the US is that everything is too centralized in terms of control. There is no competition between any schools below the college level. Basically local public schools have a monopoly and there's really no real incentive for actually improving... Only well to do families have the luxury of being able to choose where to send their kids.
If families were given government vouchers to go to any school that they wanted (including private institutions), this would improve things by introducing competition and eliminating the current monopolies - poor underperforming schools (and teachers/administrators) and allowing middle class and poorer children attend better institutions. Granted this still need affirmative action to work...
"one day they are your best friends, just love linux and do everything, are the market leaders in the linux community"
I can see this also happening with IBM in the future... Alliances shift and change especially in the corporate world. I think OSS's only really permanent and trustworthy ally lies with academia
"because I am not about to plop down $50 for a game that may be utter crap that I can't return. "
Just wondering, where in the world can you still return games if you don't like them? I know EB stopped doing it and I think Gamestop did too. no major retailer I know of, allows it....
"Wake up, smell the coffee, and stop chasing each other to the bottom. Computer companies are like the airlines, they are trying to starve each other out. Look at the air industry, and tell me with a straight face that sort of behavior is healthy."
What about anti-trust laws? Anytime companies engage in "co-opetition", anti-trust laws will almost always apply. One example is record companies collaborating together on keeping music prices artificially high.
I'm not even sure the average person would even get to the point where they figure out there's a big time investment. Most people just want something that's plug and play. Most online games are on a PC that most average people are intimidated and scared of. This doesn't even include the cost of maintaining decent hardware just to play these games. Most people use the computer for word processing, internet surfing, mp3 playing, and not much else beyond that. It's hard to justify spending about 300 - 500 bucks in upgrades when PS2 and Xbox start at 179.99 - 199.99 - and for the most part - they're plug and play (no messing with software installation, OS configuration, patches, etc...)
Basically I don't even think most people even
bother to look at pc games in general - let alone massively multiplayer online pc games
Does anyone remember an old RPG game by Microprose called Darklands?
Darklands was a very different game. It was a game set in Medieval Germany that "generates" infinite "quests" ranging from stealing from Medici merchants, cleansing satanic sites, to helping pilgrims reach the next city safely. The game successfully captures the "feel" of the times and it was very original: the Catholic Church is both holy and full of intellectual elitists (excommunication or something close to it, strongly affects your characters), Christian Saints are treated as demigods you can pray to for miracles (priests in the game were more like clerics should be than in modern D&D video games), witches and satanists were everywhere, aside from prayer the only other magic was alchemy, your characters grow old with age (but you can replace them with younger inexperienced recruits), the seasons change, it was one of the first games employing an rts combat system that bioware now regularly uses, weapons wear down,.... there's probably a lot more that i'm missing but the game didn't really have an ending... just a really big mission which culimates in an animated character saying something through the soundcard! (This was pre-Day of the Tentacle so it was cool. damn I'm old)
This game killed tons of my grade school hours... and still I don't think i explored all of germany
Instead of having to write tests for HttpUnit, you can simply record tests with JMeter. You also have the added benefit of JMeter's load testing capabilities. The only downside is that JMeter's UI isn't very mature (or intuitive for that mature).
man my grammar sucks... What I meant to type:
"I'm surprised that there was no mention of Natural Selection or Savage when they were discussing innovation and the future of RTS gamming. I think having units are that real people that has been one of the biggest changes to the RTS genre."
I'm surprised that no mention of Natural Selection or Savage were mentioned when they were discussing innovation in RTS gamming. I think having units are that real people that has been one of the biggest changes to the RTS genre.
This is exactly the kind of article that Linux needs. This isn't just another article that only appeals mainly to the technical inclined... This article talks to public at large in layman's terms, something pointy haired business executives (and other non-techies who actually make decisions at large organizations) can understand.
yeah the graphics aren't bad, but not jawdropping either - i expected more based on Sony's past
"accidentatlly leaked" information
who knows maybe gameplay will be good...
Bioware just released a MAC client for Neverwinter Nights!
There are currently hundreds of mods (ranging from traditional D&D, Diablo hack fests, and even RTS ) and dozens of virtual server worlds... not to mention being able to play with your Windows and Linux buddies.
From my experience here are the differences between Western and Eastern RPGs:
JRPGS:
Mostly console only which results in:
-You put the damm disc into the machine and it magically works! (though lately console games are begining to crop bad bugs)
-Graphics: Typically jrpgs are visually more pleasing than wrpgs, even though wrpgs run on much better hardware
-Extremely linear storyline: some people like it and some people don't, I think this stems from most consoles not having a harddrive and also from Asian culture in general...
Being Asian myself and having experienced both Western and Eastern cultures all my life, what I found is people in the East typically like following the group line more than being a bit more individualistic. That being said most gamers in Asia care more about aestetics and a linear engaging storyline than more freedom to do what you want in a game. This might change since the advent of MMORPGs, Capcom's translation of GTA, and maybe even a J - KOTOR port... inspiring change in jrpg game design
-replayabilty: really really limited, unless you have a lot of time on your hands (or are too poor buy a new game and too conscientious to pirate one) to unlock secrets (of which are important to some and not important to most people) or replay the same exact game experience over and over over again. Game times are also typically also around 20-30 hours.
WRPGS:
Mostly PC only which results in:
-Bugs galor! Patches and Driver downloads are very common.
-Graphics: Graphics in game are now almost par
(The exception is Morrowind) but still not as good as JRPGs. Cinematic movies typically suck or are nonexistent (if you consider Diablo an rpg then that's the exception) compared to JRPGs.
-A living storyline: freedom. With a harddrive, games like the Fallout and the Baldur's Gate series allow an unmatched amount of freedom to do things in their worlds. In Baldur's Gate II it's not just your actions that changes the storyline, but also the party members you pick to join you that changes the it. From scanning forums, I was surprised that even playing a different gender changes the storyline. I mean you could even choose your love interest in baldur's gate as opposed to being assigned one in the FF series. The only JRPG that I've played that was good that somewhat allowed for this (but not really) was Ogre Battle.
-Extreme replayability: since in one game you could save the world... in another you could either conquer or destroy it hehehe Game times are also enormous. Baldur's Gate 2 could easily net you 120 hours to finish! This definitely lasts you a year and unlike a JRPG, could kill any productivity you have
Personal Opinion:
While I have grown up playing stuff like the FFs and Phantasy Stars and largely ignored the Ultimas (mainly b/c when I was an elementary school kid VGA monitors were pricey), I like WRPGS (expecially the baldur's gate series) much more than I do JRPGs. Aside from aestithics (which are incredible), JRPGS haven't really evolved. You have to do and be everything that a game designer has already decided for you. For me, it's very hard to get lost in a world where you don't have any choice as to actually changing it with your own chosen actions. I'll happily apply patches and play with a less eye candy just to have that freedom. On the bright side, I could actually put down a JRPG after 2 hours and actually get work done. JRPGs are probably better for society since they're less addicting
Still it really depends on what you value most personally.
There are a lot of technical articles of why not to cower to SCO... unfortunately I think the main audience is being ignored: executive, business people in charge of the cash money. I would think most techies know SCO is full of it. A lot of execs (but not all) don't and are pretty clueless. Sadly, I rarely see any articles on the Wall Street Journel or Forbes with this article's message.
Slashdot Mirror
The studios are really about the people. Their names mean nothing without the very people that started them. In most cases when these studios are shut down, the personalities that were important in leading them already left. For example, how important is BullFrog when most of its key developers and founder leave to form another studio? What's Origin without Richard Garriot or Black Isle without Ferquant (or whatever his name was)? The bottomline is that's it's really mainly the people that matter. The studios / their names mainly just serve as a marketing vehicle. Unless these developers / designers die - great games will still come from them - just in the form of a different brand / studio.
http://www.stardock.com/products/polmachine/
Working for a some big corporations like consulting companies (like Accenture and IBM) and (when jobs were scarce) a gaming company (EA), I have found that while QA isn't perfect for video games; it is much worse for enterprise applications like banking software. Scary thought eh, that GTA is better tested than online bill pay...
thinking about this. I wouldn't even sign up for the registry when a computer can now be used to screen your calls. It might just help those offshore telemarketing companies in annoying you at dinner if they can easily access the registry without even paying!
If families were given government vouchers to go to any school that they wanted (including private institutions), this would improve things by introducing competition and eliminating the current monopolies - poor underperforming schools (and teachers/administrators) and allowing middle class and poorer children attend better institutions. Granted this still need affirmative action to work...
Everything was PERFECT... except for the fighting choreography, too slow.
ummm this is great for console games, but Gamefly doesn't rent PC games. I don't play console games =) so this still sucks
Just sign up for 'free' access to a porn site that requires your email.
I can see this also happening with IBM in the future... Alliances shift and change especially in the corporate world. I think OSS's only really permanent and trustworthy ally lies with academia
"because I am not about to plop down $50 for a game that may be utter crap that I can't return. " Just wondering, where in the world can you still return games if you don't like them? I know EB stopped doing it and I think Gamestop did too. no major retailer I know of, allows it....
What about anti-trust laws? Anytime companies engage in "co-opetition", anti-trust laws will almost always apply. One example is record companies collaborating together on keeping music prices artificially high.
Basically I don't even think most people even bother to look at pc games in general - let alone massively multiplayer online pc games
This game killed tons of my grade school hours... and still I don't think i explored all of germany
Instead of having to write tests for HttpUnit, you can simply record tests with JMeter. You also have the added benefit of JMeter's load testing capabilities. The only downside is that JMeter's UI isn't very mature (or intuitive for that mature).
wasn't that already around before the 1900's?
Am I missing something? Does this hurt or affect anything but pride?
man my grammar sucks... What I meant to type: "I'm surprised that there was no mention of Natural Selection or Savage when they were discussing innovation and the future of RTS gamming. I think having units are that real people that has been one of the biggest changes to the RTS genre."
I'm surprised that no mention of Natural Selection or Savage were mentioned when they were discussing innovation in RTS gamming. I think having units are that real people that has been one of the biggest changes to the RTS genre.
This is exactly the kind of article that Linux needs. This isn't just another article that only appeals mainly to the technical inclined... This article talks to public at large in layman's terms, something pointy haired business executives (and other non-techies who actually make decisions at large organizations) can understand.
hmmm... did Sony pay IGN for this article? Reminds me of in show commercials popping up more often to combat stuff like TIVO...
yeah the graphics aren't bad, but not jawdropping either - i expected more based on Sony's past "accidentatlly leaked" information who knows maybe gameplay will be good...
There are currently hundreds of mods (ranging from traditional D&D, Diablo hack fests, and even RTS ) and dozens of virtual server worlds... not to mention being able to play with your Windows and Linux buddies.
http://nwn.bioware.com
I think the site is currently down till tommorow though....
JRPGS:
Mostly console only which results in:
-You put the damm disc into the machine and it magically works! (though lately console games are begining to crop bad bugs)
-Graphics: Typically jrpgs are visually more pleasing than wrpgs, even though wrpgs run on much better hardware
-Extremely linear storyline: some people like it and some people don't, I think this stems from most consoles not having a harddrive and also from Asian culture in general...
Being Asian myself and having experienced both Western and Eastern cultures all my life, what I found is people in the East typically like following the group line more than being a bit more individualistic. That being said most gamers in Asia care more about aestetics and a linear engaging storyline than more freedom to do what you want in a game. This might change since the advent of MMORPGs, Capcom's translation of GTA, and maybe even a J - KOTOR port... inspiring change in jrpg game design
-replayabilty: really really limited, unless you have a lot of time on your hands (or are too poor buy a new game and too conscientious to pirate one) to unlock secrets (of which are important to some and not important to most people) or replay the same exact game experience over and over over again. Game times are also typically also around 20-30 hours.
WRPGS:
Mostly PC only which results in:
-Bugs galor! Patches and Driver downloads are very common.
-Graphics: Graphics in game are now almost par (The exception is Morrowind) but still not as good as JRPGs. Cinematic movies typically suck or are nonexistent (if you consider Diablo an rpg then that's the exception) compared to JRPGs.
-A living storyline: freedom. With a harddrive, games like the Fallout and the Baldur's Gate series allow an unmatched amount of freedom to do things in their worlds. In Baldur's Gate II it's not just your actions that changes the storyline, but also the party members you pick to join you that changes the it. From scanning forums, I was surprised that even playing a different gender changes the storyline. I mean you could even choose your love interest in baldur's gate as opposed to being assigned one in the FF series. The only JRPG that I've played that was good that somewhat allowed for this (but not really) was Ogre Battle.
-Extreme replayability: since in one game you could save the world... in another you could either conquer or destroy it hehehe Game times are also enormous. Baldur's Gate 2 could easily net you 120 hours to finish! This definitely lasts you a year and unlike a JRPG, could kill any productivity you have
Personal Opinion:
While I have grown up playing stuff like the FFs and Phantasy Stars and largely ignored the Ultimas (mainly b/c when I was an elementary school kid VGA monitors were pricey), I like WRPGS (expecially the baldur's gate series) much more than I do JRPGs. Aside from aestithics (which are incredible), JRPGS haven't really evolved. You have to do and be everything that a game designer has already decided for you. For me, it's very hard to get lost in a world where you don't have any choice as to actually changing it with your own chosen actions. I'll happily apply patches and play with a less eye candy just to have that freedom. On the bright side, I could actually put down a JRPG after 2 hours and actually get work done. JRPGs are probably better for society since they're less addicting
Still it really depends on what you value most personally.
There are a lot of technical articles of why not to cower to SCO... unfortunately I think the main audience is being ignored: executive, business people in charge of the cash money. I would think most techies know SCO is full of it. A lot of execs (but not all) don't and are pretty clueless. Sadly, I rarely see any articles on the Wall Street Journel or Forbes with this article's message.
I remember the president of GT made a similar statement when the RIAA wolves came down on us