I've found that if you call up MS tech support and just play dumb and make yourself enough of a nuisance they'll just give you a one time code to let you move your oem key to a different machine. If the old machine isn't being used why should you have to buy a new copy of the same software?
All the more reason to not delete it from history. Watch it closely and record its downward spiral. This game and APB should serve as cautionary tales to future developers of how not to run your company.
It should be noted that while the website forums were taken down after this breach last week, the game itself has remained online aside from some downtime on Sunday night. I've been seeing a lot of articles lately that just say War Z is offline but that's not very accurate.
I'll admit I pre-ordered this game back in October when I thought the idea had a lot of potential, and didn't realize this was the infamous developer behind Big Rigs. I've had fun with friends and the drama has been bonus entertainment every step of the way, but frankly I hope the hackers just release the game files and someone with a little more ability and creativity takes over. Alternatively, sell it to that Korean company that just buys bankrupt studios' properties and makes them Free2Play.
Based on this comment by frost_knight, I stopped by the same Dunkin' Donuts and found the conditions to be disgusting relative to my standards. I also got a brain freeze from their coffee coolatta that is affecting my ability to work. I demand slashdot reveal frost_knight's true identity so that I same sue for damages! This is simply how we roll here in Maryland. Go Terps!
I wanted a dvd player in 1999 and my dad actually got me one for x-mas, but of course the Circuit City people swindled him into a DIVX player instead. It was excellent, because I watched the 5 free discs it came with, then when the format failed they sent me a $100 rebate which made it cheaper than a comparable DVD player for the time.
"Microsoft is ruining next gen for everyone. No one would care if it was just 360s that were stuck with the crappy version of GTA IV, but Rockstar can't afford to waste money doing two completely different games, one real next gen for the PS3 and PC and a seperate gimped version for the 360."
Rockstar can't afford to redoing it better for PC and Ps3? That's a poor excuse since we know they've got 50 million bucks to play with. They won't beef up the graphics for other systems because they'll be busy sipping margaritas on the island they just bought.
I imagine it's because the PS3's problems are just difficulty in programming, which programmers work hard at and get done. Whereas not having enough space to make your game is an obstacle that you can't really overcome with a little elbow grease.
You don't need proof of purchase? Do you need to show ID that you live in Iowa? If not, that'd almost be worth a road trip for all the win95 and 98 licenses I've got collecting dust.
I realize it's not the same thing, but Major was talking about they're a new company on a new system so everything had to be relicensed. My question is why was redoctane able to license every song for GH1 and distribute it to us via trucks into brick and mortar stores with a custom controller for $80, but now it costs $97 to license those exact same songs for a distribution method that should cost less than shipping discs all over the continent? Someone is raping the consumer over these per-song fees, and it's either Microsoft taking a huge cut of the downloads, or the recording industry jacking up the licensing fee now that guitar hero is popular. So just tell us which so we can make with the flaming!:)
I relate to what you're saying. I always bought arcade sticks for my consoles. NES, Genesis, SNES and finally Playstation 1. Once it got to playstation 1, there were just too many buttons for an arcade stick. Once the dual shock came out I was real happy with it, and i use the dual schock 2 for a lot of pc games. Even the GTA series i'll walk around with keyboard/mouse, then switch to the dual shock to drive with. I can see the use for the dreamcast-style triggers that the xbox, 360 and ps3 use, but frankly when i'm racing it tends to be pedal-to-the-metal anyway, and prefer a normal button.
What I do like about the 360 controller is that it came out far enough before the Wii that they didn't try to integrate some half-assed gyroscope. Every ps3 game I've tried that made use of it just felt forced and unwanted. That being said, I'm sure they'll find a good use for it eventually, I'd just rather use the analog stick to steer than being made to "lean".
"and yes this has been beaten to death point, but again more people have blue ray for the simple fact that its stock in PS3, not because a lot of people have bought specific players. From the numbers there is more stock HD-DVD players sold over stock Blue-Ray players. I just hope Sony realizes they need to avoid the fate of there Beta and actulay allow others to make Blue-Ray players, then they are in a position to actully win out."
Wouldn't that be because most people interested in getting blu-ray would rather just get a ps3, even if they're not into gaming? It costs less than stand-alone players so why pay more for less? I wouldn't assume that ps3 owners are going to be any less inclined to buy/rent blu-ray discs thand stand-alone owners just because they're also into high-def gaming.
I ended up getting a PS3, and I also ended up with a lot of best buy gift certificates from relatives. I really wanted a Wii, and didn't buy a single PS3 game, just the free demos and rented blu-ray discs. I still want a Wii, but if I can't find it at Best Buy I'm not going to get it, and if some good PS3 games start coming out before the Wii is available, then my gift certificates will get used up (Motorstorm!) So yes, unable to buy a Wii 3 months after launch, the "magic" is dying. As long as Nintendo is selling every unit they produce, do they really care?
Well I love both GH and DDR, but one major difference I'd say is GH has fairly decent covers of a lot of good songs, whereas DDR is largely filled with instrumental techno junk and j-pop. So I guess it's more of a matter of what type of music you like. You also compare GH to a hand-based DDR, then call GH the cheater's DDR, so I assume you're saying it's for people too lazy to use the foot controller, not a hand one. While I fully admit that I sweat a lot more playing DDR above level 7 than I do playing GH on hard, you have to respect that there's a lot of people out there with a lot more dexterity in their fingers due to typing a lot than there are people with enough stamina or coordination in their legs to find an hour of DDR enjoyable.
What I really like is Stepmania, which you can play really difficult levels on a keyboard or hook up your dance pad, and you just download whatever type of music you like. Variety is nice, because after a day of snowboarding or a class of Tae Kwon Do, I'd rather grab that toy guitar than strain my knees playing DDR, sorry if that makes me a "cheater."
I would tend to agree with what you've said. GTA: San Andreas was the most fun of the series just because the environment kept getting bigger since GTA3, but I was definitely constantly aware that I was a black guy. It didn't bother me at all or make me like it less, but being in this drug dealing gang-banging compton-esque environment was central to the game so it was always in your face. In terms of being more "comfortable" playing a caucasian male, I find that when it comes to fighting games I normally end up preferring the females of any race. They always seem to be the small fast ones which I prefer. I hope it doesn't say too much about my sexuality that I prefer manipulating Chun Li on a tv screen than Zangief. Also I like asian chicks:)
First Let me just say that Debbie Does Dallas: The Next Generation is the only porn dvd I've bought, so I'm actually considering this third one, assume there's only three?
My question in the movie format war, is how big a role do you think Sony Picture's exclusive movies will play? If some people haven't bought a movie they like yet, and see that it's only out on blu-ray, would they be more likely to buy a blu-ray player, or a ps3 instead of an xbox? I haven't looked up what movies those are, and the only reason I bought two brd's is because best buy had a two for one sale. Frankly I don't really want to give brd my support until I know this format war is going to turn out okay, and not have one format "win" and the other become obsolete. Although I am renting brd's through netflix now, I hope people don't check those kind of statistics.
If anyone is interested in download time, i hooked the ps3 up via ethernet to 15mbps fios and it took about 10 minutes to download. Which means it wasn't getting maximum speed, but i assume a lot of other people were downloading it on x-mas afternoon.
And this is after two wretchedly slow and failed attempts at downloading the firmware update via wi-fi on the same connection, then downloading the firmware to a usb drive that when put in the ps3, recognized the drive but no updates on it. Why is the firmware the ps3 shipped with not capable of even browsing the playstation network? Ah well, I just hope it's not something we're all having to update every other week.
And for the record i really wanted a Wii.
R:FOM, ridge racer and that genji? game. I didn't open a single one, and plan on returning them. It took me hours of trial and error trying to update the firmware so i could connect to the ps store and get the gt hd and motorstorm demos, which i finally did. They're great demos, and i'll enjoy those for a while and start renting brd's through netflix, but aside from that i'll continue playing guitar hero 2 on my ps2 until some good ps3 games come out. Guess i won't get that Wii i really wanted.
They're whole scheme for selling cars and tracks individually took a lot of slack from fans. I think they got enough work done on GT HD and people complained enough about the online selling of cars and tracks that they just said hey, we've got all the cars ready, lets just release some stuff for free, make a few new tracks then call it GT5. Which suits me just fine. I wasn't excited about GT4 HD at all, but between GT5 and the next GTA, I might one day actually buy a ps3.
I had a ton of fun with the first Guitar Hero, and after a while I figured rather than keep playing these same levels over and over to get good enough to handle the "Hard" levels (forget about expert!) I figured I'd be better off just learning bass guitar since it was always a passing interest for me. Well that and a girl I liked started dating a drummer. Anyway I'm not much good at GH or bass, but they're both a fun way to kill some time in the evenings, and I already picked up GH2 so I don't intend to put in much practice time on bass the next few weeks. Frankly I hope they don't do the expansion pack idea or I'll never get better at bass guitar.
After the fun I had with the first Guitar Hero it reminded me how I always wanted to play bass guitar when I was younger, but never bothered, so this summer I went out and got one and started taking lessons. While its sort of nice to be able to play an instrument, it certainly hasn't proven to be a "usefull skill" as of yet. Playing a game is more fun and what is really usefull is kicking your friends asses at yet another fun game. I'm definitely looking forward to the bass support and the Dick Dale song. On a side note the last time I saw Dick Dale live he also played drums, then played the bassists' guitar with the drumsticks. That guy's crazy:P
How do you all suppose this new generation and price structure of game systems will affect the rental market? Between Hollywood Video/Blockbuster and online services like gameznflix and netflix's game division which they refuse to just integrate into netflix (bastards,) how do you suppose they'll all react to higher prices for some consoles games and not others? Higher rental fees in the brick and mortar stores but no change for the online services? Stocking less copies of the pricier games? Just thought it would be interesting to hear some ideas.
Slashdot Mirror
I've found that if you call up MS tech support and just play dumb and make yourself enough of a nuisance they'll just give you a one time code to let you move your oem key to a different machine. If the old machine isn't being used why should you have to buy a new copy of the same software?
All the more reason to not delete it from history. Watch it closely and record its downward spiral. This game and APB should serve as cautionary tales to future developers of how not to run your company.
It should be noted that while the website forums were taken down after this breach last week, the game itself has remained online aside from some downtime on Sunday night. I've been seeing a lot of articles lately that just say War Z is offline but that's not very accurate. I'll admit I pre-ordered this game back in October when I thought the idea had a lot of potential, and didn't realize this was the infamous developer behind Big Rigs. I've had fun with friends and the drama has been bonus entertainment every step of the way, but frankly I hope the hackers just release the game files and someone with a little more ability and creativity takes over. Alternatively, sell it to that Korean company that just buys bankrupt studios' properties and makes them Free2Play.
I guess that's just not the way it's meant to be played.
Based on this comment by frost_knight, I stopped by the same Dunkin' Donuts and found the conditions to be disgusting relative to my standards. I also got a brain freeze from their coffee coolatta that is affecting my ability to work. I demand slashdot reveal frost_knight's true identity so that I same sue for damages! This is simply how we roll here in Maryland. Go Terps!
I wanted a dvd player in 1999 and my dad actually got me one for x-mas, but of course the Circuit City people swindled him into a DIVX player instead. It was excellent, because I watched the 5 free discs it came with, then when the format failed they sent me a $100 rebate which made it cheaper than a comparable DVD player for the time.
How can a game be a rip-off if it's created by the same people?
"Microsoft is ruining next gen for everyone. No one would care if it was just 360s that were stuck with the crappy version of GTA IV, but Rockstar can't afford to waste money doing two completely different games, one real next gen for the PS3 and PC and a seperate gimped version for the 360." Rockstar can't afford to redoing it better for PC and Ps3? That's a poor excuse since we know they've got 50 million bucks to play with. They won't beef up the graphics for other systems because they'll be busy sipping margaritas on the island they just bought.
I imagine it's because the PS3's problems are just difficulty in programming, which programmers work hard at and get done. Whereas not having enough space to make your game is an obstacle that you can't really overcome with a little elbow grease.
You don't need proof of purchase? Do you need to show ID that you live in Iowa? If not, that'd almost be worth a road trip for all the win95 and 98 licenses I've got collecting dust.
I realize it's not the same thing, but Major was talking about they're a new company on a new system so everything had to be relicensed. My question is why was redoctane able to license every song for GH1 and distribute it to us via trucks into brick and mortar stores with a custom controller for $80, but now it costs $97 to license those exact same songs for a distribution method that should cost less than shipping discs all over the continent? Someone is raping the consumer over these per-song fees, and it's either Microsoft taking a huge cut of the downloads, or the recording industry jacking up the licensing fee now that guitar hero is popular. So just tell us which so we can make with the flaming! :)
I relate to what you're saying. I always bought arcade sticks for my consoles. NES, Genesis, SNES and finally Playstation 1. Once it got to playstation 1, there were just too many buttons for an arcade stick. Once the dual shock came out I was real happy with it, and i use the dual schock 2 for a lot of pc games. Even the GTA series i'll walk around with keyboard/mouse, then switch to the dual shock to drive with. I can see the use for the dreamcast-style triggers that the xbox, 360 and ps3 use, but frankly when i'm racing it tends to be pedal-to-the-metal anyway, and prefer a normal button.
What I do like about the 360 controller is that it came out far enough before the Wii that they didn't try to integrate some half-assed gyroscope. Every ps3 game I've tried that made use of it just felt forced and unwanted. That being said, I'm sure they'll find a good use for it eventually, I'd just rather use the analog stick to steer than being made to "lean".
Strider, darkest depths of Mordor, and ring wraith sride in black?
"and yes this has been beaten to death point, but again more people have blue ray for the simple fact that its stock in PS3, not because a lot of people have bought specific players. From the numbers there is more stock HD-DVD players sold over stock Blue-Ray players. I just hope Sony realizes they need to avoid the fate of there Beta and actulay allow others to make Blue-Ray players, then they are in a position to actully win out." Wouldn't that be because most people interested in getting blu-ray would rather just get a ps3, even if they're not into gaming? It costs less than stand-alone players so why pay more for less? I wouldn't assume that ps3 owners are going to be any less inclined to buy/rent blu-ray discs thand stand-alone owners just because they're also into high-def gaming.
I ended up getting a PS3, and I also ended up with a lot of best buy gift certificates from relatives. I really wanted a Wii, and didn't buy a single PS3 game, just the free demos and rented blu-ray discs. I still want a Wii, but if I can't find it at Best Buy I'm not going to get it, and if some good PS3 games start coming out before the Wii is available, then my gift certificates will get used up (Motorstorm!) So yes, unable to buy a Wii 3 months after launch, the "magic" is dying. As long as Nintendo is selling every unit they produce, do they really care?
Well I love both GH and DDR, but one major difference I'd say is GH has fairly decent covers of a lot of good songs, whereas DDR is largely filled with instrumental techno junk and j-pop. So I guess it's more of a matter of what type of music you like. You also compare GH to a hand-based DDR, then call GH the cheater's DDR, so I assume you're saying it's for people too lazy to use the foot controller, not a hand one. While I fully admit that I sweat a lot more playing DDR above level 7 than I do playing GH on hard, you have to respect that there's a lot of people out there with a lot more dexterity in their fingers due to typing a lot than there are people with enough stamina or coordination in their legs to find an hour of DDR enjoyable. What I really like is Stepmania, which you can play really difficult levels on a keyboard or hook up your dance pad, and you just download whatever type of music you like. Variety is nice, because after a day of snowboarding or a class of Tae Kwon Do, I'd rather grab that toy guitar than strain my knees playing DDR, sorry if that makes me a "cheater."
I would tend to agree with what you've said. GTA: San Andreas was the most fun of the series just because the environment kept getting bigger since GTA3, but I was definitely constantly aware that I was a black guy. It didn't bother me at all or make me like it less, but being in this drug dealing gang-banging compton-esque environment was central to the game so it was always in your face. In terms of being more "comfortable" playing a caucasian male, I find that when it comes to fighting games I normally end up preferring the females of any race. They always seem to be the small fast ones which I prefer. I hope it doesn't say too much about my sexuality that I prefer manipulating Chun Li on a tv screen than Zangief. Also I like asian chicks :)
Then why is Speed $35? I'll admit to buying two blu-rays because best buy had a buy one get one free sale on select titles.
First Let me just say that Debbie Does Dallas: The Next Generation is the only porn dvd I've bought, so I'm actually considering this third one, assume there's only three? My question in the movie format war, is how big a role do you think Sony Picture's exclusive movies will play? If some people haven't bought a movie they like yet, and see that it's only out on blu-ray, would they be more likely to buy a blu-ray player, or a ps3 instead of an xbox? I haven't looked up what movies those are, and the only reason I bought two brd's is because best buy had a two for one sale. Frankly I don't really want to give brd my support until I know this format war is going to turn out okay, and not have one format "win" and the other become obsolete. Although I am renting brd's through netflix now, I hope people don't check those kind of statistics.
If anyone is interested in download time, i hooked the ps3 up via ethernet to 15mbps fios and it took about 10 minutes to download. Which means it wasn't getting maximum speed, but i assume a lot of other people were downloading it on x-mas afternoon. And this is after two wretchedly slow and failed attempts at downloading the firmware update via wi-fi on the same connection, then downloading the firmware to a usb drive that when put in the ps3, recognized the drive but no updates on it. Why is the firmware the ps3 shipped with not capable of even browsing the playstation network? Ah well, I just hope it's not something we're all having to update every other week. And for the record i really wanted a Wii.
R:FOM, ridge racer and that genji? game. I didn't open a single one, and plan on returning them. It took me hours of trial and error trying to update the firmware so i could connect to the ps store and get the gt hd and motorstorm demos, which i finally did. They're great demos, and i'll enjoy those for a while and start renting brd's through netflix, but aside from that i'll continue playing guitar hero 2 on my ps2 until some good ps3 games come out. Guess i won't get that Wii i really wanted.
They're whole scheme for selling cars and tracks individually took a lot of slack from fans. I think they got enough work done on GT HD and people complained enough about the online selling of cars and tracks that they just said hey, we've got all the cars ready, lets just release some stuff for free, make a few new tracks then call it GT5. Which suits me just fine. I wasn't excited about GT4 HD at all, but between GT5 and the next GTA, I might one day actually buy a ps3.
I had a ton of fun with the first Guitar Hero, and after a while I figured rather than keep playing these same levels over and over to get good enough to handle the "Hard" levels (forget about expert!) I figured I'd be better off just learning bass guitar since it was always a passing interest for me. Well that and a girl I liked started dating a drummer. Anyway I'm not much good at GH or bass, but they're both a fun way to kill some time in the evenings, and I already picked up GH2 so I don't intend to put in much practice time on bass the next few weeks. Frankly I hope they don't do the expansion pack idea or I'll never get better at bass guitar.
After the fun I had with the first Guitar Hero it reminded me how I always wanted to play bass guitar when I was younger, but never bothered, so this summer I went out and got one and started taking lessons. While its sort of nice to be able to play an instrument, it certainly hasn't proven to be a "usefull skill" as of yet. Playing a game is more fun and what is really usefull is kicking your friends asses at yet another fun game. I'm definitely looking forward to the bass support and the Dick Dale song. On a side note the last time I saw Dick Dale live he also played drums, then played the bassists' guitar with the drumsticks. That guy's crazy :P
How do you all suppose this new generation and price structure of game systems will affect the rental market? Between Hollywood Video/Blockbuster and online services like gameznflix and netflix's game division which they refuse to just integrate into netflix (bastards,) how do you suppose they'll all react to higher prices for some consoles games and not others? Higher rental fees in the brick and mortar stores but no change for the online services? Stocking less copies of the pricier games? Just thought it would be interesting to hear some ideas.