>If someone here in the states went to a 12 step program to try and kick a destructive gameing habit I think they would be laughed right out of the clinc.
Only if they were lucky. There are plenty of quacky 12-step programs in the states to "treat" damn near anything you can think of. And by "treat" I mean take your money and time while feeding you BS and catchy slogans.
You're right, OCD can be a real problem. A problem that should be treated by a real expert, not something you should "give to god" (she's got enough to deal with).
Apple is going for low-hanging fruits...
on
It's No Game At Apple
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· Score: 3, Informative
The "Mac isn't a toy" idea may have been true in the 1980s, but then Apple tried Pippin and Game Sprockets.
IMHO, Apple wouldn't mind having a game market but, unlike Microsoft, they are not willing to suffer to get it. The first 2-3 versions of DirectX sucked! The first version of Game Sprockets made more sense than DX3. But Apple gave up when large numbers of game developers didn't immediately switch to Sprockets.
I think now Apple would rather fight for markets that it sees open (i.e. the ones Microsoft doesn't own yet).
>(You don't really think what your government has done is worse, do you?)
I was mostly being cheeky. I'd like to think we are doing some good, but sometimes I have to wonder. But I'd like to stay on subject, talking about Iraq is more of a Fark post.
>strikes me as odd since they can't see R-rated movies in a theater without a parent.
Common mistake, but there isn't any law against that either. Most movie theaters follow the movie guidelines set forth by the MPAA, but they don't legally have to do that.
>After all, you can always turn it off, right?
>
The trick is to never turn your TV on in the first place. Most of the crap they show on TV (Fox, ABC, CBS, etc.) is sensationalist garbage dumbed down for the lowest common denominator.
I haven't seen hard-core porn in the local newspaper, but I have seen death, destruction, and other disturbing images, sometimes right on the front page. Porn would be nicer.
As far as the Iraqi executions, yes. I'd like people to see what our government is up to.
Your post sounds almost word-to-word like my notes from the DirectX Days at the GDC. And you point out the reasons why I can't ignore DX10. If it wasn't for the high system requirements (DX10 requires hardware that doesn't exist yet) and the DRM/TC stuff, I would totally drink the Microsoft Cool-aid!
"Because Microsoft pays them if they'll release the game DX10 exclusive."
Really? Where do I sign up for that!
I've received a lot of free stuff from Microsoft for being a Windows game developer (joysticks, T-Shirts, mouse pads), but I've *never* had them pay me for releasing a product.
Again, I think this generation of consoles has been rushed. In 2-4 years, BluRay and HD-DVD will be cheaper and more desirable to home consumers. By then, we will start seeing games bigger than 1 DVD in size, and new block-buster movies will be released in HD for the home. But, in 2006, BluRay is not worth the cost.
So the question is, will the "HD Future" come in time to save the PS3 (2007-2008). Or will it arrive just in time for the "Next-Next Generation" (2009-2010)?
I think Disney did the best they could do. This model of entertainment just doesn't work in the US market. As a *huge* fan of Location Based Entertainment (LBE), I wish it was otherwise...
I own a set of these (yes, the big Tesla pods) and I can tell you from my own market research, they just can't make enough money to be worth the space they take up (800-1000+ sqf), the man power (at least one semi-skilled employee for each set of units), and the repair/upgrade cost.
The units are fun-as-hell to play but the type of people that has the interest and money to play them is too damn busy playing WoW or on XBL.
Maybe somebody could get them to work, but I've hired some smart people and they sure can't figure it out...
"Weren't we JOKING about them making Halo 3 Vista-only to boost sales?"
I never joked about that, I figured that was their plan when they started buying up the popular game development houses. Unless something major happens, expect all their content to be Vista-Only by 2007.
PC game developers outside of Microsoft will probably continue writing non-Vista games for a little while yet. But Microsoft is already encouraging us to "make the switch" to Vista-Only. And I have to agree that Vista-Only features like DX10 and "Live Anywhere" are damn tempting from a developer's point of view...
It can be a good thing for Big Business, just not for small developers or the Open Source movement.
Imagine what would happen if 50% of these warez-Photoshop users went will a cheaper or free package? Maybe Adobe wouldn't completely own the market. What would happen if 60% of China used Open Source rather than warezed goods? It could change the world.
"Most wouldn't download Gimp, they wouldn't know what Gimp is. They would stop using their PC for photo editing."
Huh? If there was a market for a cheap/free photo editing tool, somebody would fill it. In fact, there are several lower cost (and free) photo editing tools made by small companies that sell to people who don't need/can't afford Photoshop. And *these* are the companies that get screwed over when people warez software.
Joe six-pack may not spend $600 on Photoshop, but he would probably buy a $19.95 alternative (or his buddy might show him where to find Gimp). But if he can just get the top-of-the-line product for free, why the hell would he bother trying anything else?
In short, it isn't Adobe taking the lose as much as the independent and Open Source developers.
Why do I never have mod points when they are needed?
Parent is correct. I think the real issue is Nintendo made it look like they had production Wii hardware on the floor while Sony actually went out of their way to have big glass cases showing that they were not using retail hardware (which didn't make much sense to me, but bravo Sony for showing just how far of your Spring 2006 release date was).
Personally I don't think it's a big deal. Almost everything you see at E3 is 90% hype, or just plain lies (I'm looking at you Phantom). You should trust anything you see at E3 about as much as you would trust anything said by a used car salesman.
> potentially a store could be fined..for selling an E game to a minor..(obviously not likely)?
>
Unless that game had content the ESRB missed. Or, post-Hot Coffee, I would not be surprised if you could get in trouble if somebody found a way to edit in violent content after the sale.
Uh, Mitch has written published books for RPGs. He knows how to roll Nd6.
I love pen & paper games, but they're making a game for the XBox360 here. Most people don't want to roll a gob of 6 siders on their $400 Next-Gen console.
I was *really* hoping on seeing a RPG too, but I'm not surprised they went with this after what they did with MechWarrior. Even their table-top games have been replaced with a collectible action figure "Clix" games.
Slashdot Mirror
Only if they were lucky. There are plenty of quacky 12-step programs in the states to "treat" damn near anything you can think of. And by "treat" I mean take your money and time while feeding you BS and catchy slogans.
You're right, OCD can be a real problem. A problem that should be treated by a real expert, not something you should "give to god" (she's got enough to deal with).
IMHO, Apple wouldn't mind having a game market but, unlike Microsoft, they are not willing to suffer to get it. The first 2-3 versions of DirectX sucked! The first version of Game Sprockets made more sense than DX3. But Apple gave up when large numbers of game developers didn't immediately switch to Sprockets.
I think now Apple would rather fight for markets that it sees open (i.e. the ones Microsoft doesn't own yet).
I was mostly being cheeky. I'd like to think we are doing some good, but sometimes I have to wonder. But I'd like to stay on subject, talking about Iraq is more of a Fark post.
But, seriously, I don't see this happening. It makes a nice dream, but it is right up there with "If Superman and Wolverine combined their DNA..."
Common mistake, but there isn't any law against that either. Most movie theaters follow the movie guidelines set forth by the MPAA, but they don't legally have to do that.
BTW: The MPAA isn't a government organization, it's 12 people in LA who watch movies.
>
The trick is to never turn your TV on in the first place. Most of the crap they show on TV (Fox, ABC, CBS, etc.) is sensationalist garbage dumbed down for the lowest common denominator.
I haven't seen hard-core porn in the local newspaper, but I have seen death, destruction, and other disturbing images, sometimes right on the front page. Porn would be nicer.
As far as the Iraqi executions, yes. I'd like people to see what our government is up to.
Goodbye YouTube.
Horahhhhhhh!
Your post sounds almost word-to-word like my notes from the DirectX Days at the GDC. And you point out the reasons why I can't ignore DX10. If it wasn't for the high system requirements (DX10 requires hardware that doesn't exist yet) and the DRM/TC stuff, I would totally drink the Microsoft Cool-aid!
*Sigh*
Really? Where do I sign up for that!
I've received a lot of free stuff from Microsoft for being a Windows game developer (joysticks, T-Shirts, mouse pads), but I've *never* had them pay me for releasing a product.
It would be less upsetting except for the fact that DX10 is a *really* good idea. As is Live Anywhere.
Microsoft has us game developers and players by the short hairs. :(
Yes, Microsoft has already said exactly that. See XNA and Live Anywhere.
Yes. Now they are totally-unfounded rumors that you can buy for the low low price of $2490!
So the question is, will the "HD Future" come in time to save the PS3 (2007-2008). Or will it arrive just in time for the "Next-Next Generation" (2009-2010)?
I think Disney did the best they could do. This model of entertainment just doesn't work in the US market. As a *huge* fan of Location Based Entertainment (LBE), I wish it was otherwise...
The units are fun-as-hell to play but the type of people that has the interest and money to play them is too damn busy playing WoW or on XBL.
Maybe somebody could get them to work, but I've hired some smart people and they sure can't figure it out...
I never joked about that, I figured that was their plan when they started buying up the popular game development houses. Unless something major happens, expect all their content to be Vista-Only by 2007.
PC game developers outside of Microsoft will probably continue writing non-Vista games for a little while yet. But Microsoft is already encouraging us to "make the switch" to Vista-Only. And I have to agree that Vista-Only features like DX10 and "Live Anywhere" are damn tempting from a developer's point of view...
Imagine what would happen if 50% of these warez-Photoshop users went will a cheaper or free package? Maybe Adobe wouldn't completely own the market. What would happen if 60% of China used Open Source rather than warezed goods? It could change the world.
Huh? If there was a market for a cheap/free photo editing tool, somebody would fill it. In fact, there are several lower cost (and free) photo editing tools made by small companies that sell to people who don't need/can't afford Photoshop. And *these* are the companies that get screwed over when people warez software.
Joe six-pack may not spend $600 on Photoshop, but he would probably buy a $19.95 alternative (or his buddy might show him where to find Gimp). But if he can just get the top-of-the-line product for free, why the hell would he bother trying anything else?
In short, it isn't Adobe taking the lose as much as the independent and Open Source developers.
Toto, tata, titi. ;)
Parent is correct. I think the real issue is Nintendo made it look like they had production Wii hardware on the floor while Sony actually went out of their way to have big glass cases showing that they were not using retail hardware (which didn't make much sense to me, but bravo Sony for showing just how far of your Spring 2006 release date was).
Personally I don't think it's a big deal. Almost everything you see at E3 is 90% hype, or just plain lies (I'm looking at you Phantom). You should trust anything you see at E3 about as much as you would trust anything said by a used car salesman.
>
Unless that game had content the ESRB missed. Or, post-Hot Coffee, I would not be surprised if you could get in trouble if somebody found a way to edit in violent content after the sale.
I love pen & paper games, but they're making a game for the XBox360 here. Most people don't want to roll a gob of 6 siders on their $400 Next-Gen console.
I was *really* hoping on seeing a RPG too, but I'm not surprised they went with this after what they did with MechWarrior. Even their table-top games have been replaced with a collectible action figure "Clix" games.