Uhm, they did - it's called a Nostromo. See this link: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatSectionView.process ?Section_Id=2071
Admittedly you are not a PC gamer if you were "brought up" on GE and PD. While it is interesting to hear your thoughts, you really aren't able to accurately critique the differences between a controller and mouse/keyboard for fps games.
The idea of playing an fps on a console is, in my opinion, and with some exceptions, generally a poorly concieved notion.
Great post - very honest and somewhat mirrors my own experience.
As a gamer, I've been playing since the 2600. I've played them all. Hell, I own a Jaguar!
When I was in high school, I found myself as an outsider - going from one group to another, but not really belonging to any one of them. I had very few real friends. I don't know if I was picked on any more or less than anyone else, but compounded with the depression I was experiencing, it sure felt like it. I needed an out - for a while that was video games...and to an extent it still is. But I would hesitate to say I was/am addicted.
Eventually, I discovered the local BBS scene and eventually IRC and the web. This was in...probably 93 or 94. That was a wonderful thing! A place where you can be yourself, with no "body" to interfere with people's perceptions! You were judged on intelligence, humor, and maybe your ability to acquire 0-day warez. Of course I created an avatar for myself. This was like therapy, I would say the things I wanted to say rather than think them and say nothing. It was like a great big RPG where all the characters were real life people. (hmmm.....)
The final step was going to college. I knew essentially no one there and no one had any preconcieved notions about me. I was able to take the persona I created...or rather...the persona I always kept tucked away inside, and brought it out. It was wonderful! I kick myself in the ass for not doing it sooner, but I'm convinced that without the net it wouldn't have been possible.
Currently, I do not play any MMORPG's, but I'm tempted on SWG. I have friends who play and it would be good to commincate with them more.
Hmm, I would have to disagree with: "The only reason why we have ever gotten games with our consoles for free is to rathar get rid of extra copies that companies couldn't sell or to make people want to buy the console in the first place. It's mainly used as a very, very good way of attracting attention and to steal sales from other companies. It even builds brand loyalty to an extent."
I think the real reason we used to get games packed into consoles at launch was because people wouldn't have had it any other way.
In the 80's, certainly, buying a video game system was a new thing and the joys of ownership were not completely understood.
I doubt that parents, who (for the sake of arguement) know nothing about video games, would spend $200 on a toy that could not be used unless an additional $50 was spent on a game.
The reason to pack in a game was to sell a fully functional system at the time of purchase and make it easy for everyone. Not only that, but include a good game - ala asteroids, sonic, mario, altered beast, etc etc.
Now, that paradigm has shifted - those kids are today's parents and now it is common to have both the kids and the adults playing games.
What I'm curious to know is what system was first introduced without a game? N64? PS1? Maybe some older system like a Turbografx?
Wow, TSN!!! That network was amazing. I think my progress in online living was - TSN (which was bought out by AT&T??), regular local BBS's, and then the good underground sites which had all the pr0n and warez my childlike, innocent mind could handle, and finally irc, newsgroups, fidonet, and then the web. I sort of remember doing the whole, text based web thing, but thought it kind of sucked. And like you said, this was the early 90's when "going online" was, at best, a vague concept for the average Joe.
The take home message - I wish that someone would host that rpg game. Sure, I can find places to play LORD - but eh, so what!
That doesn't look good at all for this game. Like others have said, a huge game on a 5 year old movie is not a great idea - especially when the last tastes we had of the movie were 2 sub-par films and a shoddy video game.
And before anyone says that Star Wars is over 20 years old and SWG is doing okay, remember that Star Wars was a part of our childhood. The Matrix was a fun movie many of us saw in college - but it ended there.
Metropolis doesn't work. There are lists you can google of dual layered disks that crap out. i gave up on the ps2 as a dvd player anyway - i just use my plextor in my pc. the gf is watching "queer eye for while you were out trading spouses and spaces" all day on the tv.
In my opinion, if you are dedicated enough to go in and try to fix these systems/games, then you should be willing to shell out the 10 bucks or whatever for the Nintendo screw bit(s). You can get them on Ebay for pretty cheap - I got a cool set with both Nintendo bits and a whole bunch of other "security" bits for $20. (My guess is that you already did, my comment is for that guy out there who spent 2 hours trying to open a cart and ended up with a badly damaged case and a broken screwdriver).
As far as cleaning, you are right, but it is worth replacing the internal connector in a NES. Again, it's $10 and it will be better then the one in the system after 20 years of use. I suppose you could just take out the old one, clean it, and then try to rebend all the connectors so they fig snugly, but who has time for that?
I have been meaning to replace some batteries, but I haven't dont it yet.
As someone who used to work in the tradeshow industry, and also as someone who occasionally exhibits at tradeshows, I can tell you that the rules you speak of are not based on E3's desires, but on the exhibition hall and the (typically) union workers who staff them. Also, the hall and all of the booths have to conform to local safety and fire codes.
Do you know it costs ~$100 to rent a $3 trashcan for 3 days at a tradeshow? Typically, you cannot use a screwdriver at your booth. You cannot use a power strip (you have to rent them for $$$) and sometimes, you can't even plug in electronic devices. You cannot use a handcart to move something - you must have a surly union worker push it for you. There are rules regarding booth height, lighting, sound, staff / performers, etc etc.
My point: what you are talking about is valid, but, unfortunately, is unlikely to change.
Well, the helicopters shouldn't be able to withstand the abuse from several RPG's and machine gun fire. The armor is way too powerful. They should have damage specific zones.
Woah, hold on a second. Wisdom Tree made some okay games for the NES - mainly I'm talking about some game with Moses where you shoot big W's (the word of god) at the enemies and solve on-screen puzzles. Not to mention thier SNES game - what was it? Wolfenstein Redux? Sure, they preached some nonsense at you, but that just seemed like part of the charm.
This macrovision thing happened to me with Battlefield Vietnam.
Most of the games I play I get from places other than the store. I have *never* had a problem installing or playing those games (well, except for the menu in Simpsons Hit & Run). 90% I play for an hour and its deleted. Actually, when I think about it, probably 75% I never play at all.
I go out and buy BFV and install it. Keep in mind that I could have easily obtained a copy (and had actually already done so). I click the icon and I get some nonsense about the right drive or cd (I forget the specifics).
An email to tech support goes unanswered (obviously) and it takes the knowledge of my peers on IRC to figure it out.
Keep in mind that nowhere on the EA site does it reference the virtual drive thing. Besides that, who the hell decided that this accomplishes something? I don't think it's a stretch to assume that someone using somewhat obscure cd burning software like clonecd or alcohol 120% probably has a CD-R and/or DVD-R and isn't afraid to use it.
You're right, I chose the worst death possible for that guy so I guess the game could be less offensive. You raise an interesting point - just because I can kill the hooker doesn't mean I have to. I think most people (who play action games) would select the graphic violence option over the happy fluffy bunny option.
Son, I was playing on my Atari 2600 when you were suckin on yer mommy's teat.:)
No, you have a point, it isn't all bush's fault. The Muslims have always hated us and America has almost always been more tolerant of violence than sex (See: The A Team, professional wrestling, boxing, western movies). That said, it is sad that this country spends almost 10 billion dollars a year on porn but throws a hissy fit at video games that are sexually suggestive. Curse the Moral Minority.
So I just started playing the latest (?) Rockstar offering: Manhunt. By far, this is the most violent game I have ever played. It deserves no less than an AO rating, yet it recieves an M because it is just violence and swearing (but no sex). Last night I (virtually) killed someone by ripping out their throat and then punching a hole in thier head - all with a crowbar. Another death involved beating someone with a baseball bat. When they eventually fell to the ground and begged for thier life, I popping thier head with my boot (and hearing brains et al squish across the floor and onto the far wall). Somehow, I think that deserves a stronger rating than an M.
Now we have a game with digital (and more than likely, not highly detailed) boobs, butts, and crotches and it's the beginning of the downfall of man. What a sad commentary on our society. Although not surprising in the days of Bush's FCC.
There was an interesting article on Gamespy recently about gaming in Japan. In fact, they have a word to describe Western products and from what I recall, it doesn't connotate high quality. One (of the main) reason(s) the XBox has done so poorly in Japan is because of this cultural factor.
"Ever tried to live a perfect life? It's bloody hard. I bet you can't find anyone in history---not even Ghandi or Mother Theresa---who has lived a perfect life. "
You are assuming that one wants to live by the codes of christianity. If you free your mind of all that mumbo jumbo you will find that you aren't constantly "failing", you're just living.
Okay, I didn't RTFA since Gamespy is blocked at work, but if it wasn't mentioned, Ducktales is an excellent NES game that deserves mention. I tried part 2 but couldn't get to a certain level on an emulator. D'oh!
That guy must be crazy. A front loading NES with a ton of games is probably anywhere from $50 - $75 depending on what accessories and games are included. A barebones system is most likely $25 bucks. A top loading NES is generally above $100 for just the system. For $400 that better include sealed original Zelda's and Metroid's and a prototype or two!
Congratulations - you have just described Nintendo's business model. A perfect example of this would be Soul Calibur II. It's fun as hell even if you don't know a single combo and becomes even better if you take the time to learn. Example #2, Mario Kart - sit down and drive, as you learn the courses and some tricks, it gets even better. Both the first and 100th time you play are still fun. My point is that I'm old (26). I have a limited amount of time to "waste" playing video games. I want to sit down, not read anything, and start playing. It should be easy. I've been playing games for at least 20 years - I find the history of videogames, with this sordid tales of lawsuits and the 80's "crash" to be fascinating. When I see some of the issues with modern games, I get the feeling that current developer's are ignoring history.
I hate to make a "me too" sort of posting, however you're right. I'm only 26, but I don't have friends that will come over to my house in the burbs to play video games. Hell, even if I did have local people that would be interested, I wouldn't want them over on a worknight in the first place.
That said, I am a fan of the GC - the single player games are great - and so are games like Mario Kart and Soul Calibur II.
Slashdot Mirror
Uhm, they did - it's called a Nostromo. See this link: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatSectionView.process ?Section_Id=2071
Admittedly you are not a PC gamer if you were "brought up" on GE and PD. While it is interesting to hear your thoughts, you really aren't able to accurately critique the differences between a controller and mouse/keyboard for fps games.
The idea of playing an fps on a console is, in my opinion, and with some exceptions, generally a poorly concieved notion.
Great post - very honest and somewhat mirrors my own experience.
As a gamer, I've been playing since the 2600. I've played them all. Hell, I own a Jaguar!
When I was in high school, I found myself as an outsider - going from one group to another, but not really belonging to any one of them. I had very few real friends. I don't know if I was picked on any more or less than anyone else, but compounded with the depression I was experiencing, it sure felt like it. I needed an out - for a while that was video games...and to an extent it still is. But I would hesitate to say I was/am addicted.
Eventually, I discovered the local BBS scene and eventually IRC and the web. This was in...probably 93 or 94. That was a wonderful thing! A place where you can be yourself, with no "body" to interfere with people's perceptions! You were judged on intelligence, humor, and maybe your ability to acquire 0-day warez. Of course I created an avatar for myself. This was like therapy, I would say the things I wanted to say rather than think them and say nothing. It was like a great big RPG where all the characters were real life people. (hmmm.....)
The final step was going to college. I knew essentially no one there and no one had any preconcieved notions about me. I was able to take the persona I created...or rather...the persona I always kept tucked away inside, and brought it out. It was wonderful! I kick myself in the ass for not doing it sooner, but I'm convinced that without the net it wouldn't have been possible.
Currently, I do not play any MMORPG's, but I'm tempted on SWG. I have friends who play and it would be good to commincate with them more.
Hmm, I would have to disagree with: "The only reason why we have ever gotten games with our consoles for free is to rathar get rid of extra copies that companies couldn't sell or to make people want to buy the console in the first place. It's mainly used as a very, very good way of attracting attention and to steal sales from other companies. It even builds brand loyalty to an extent."
I think the real reason we used to get games packed into consoles at launch was because people wouldn't have had it any other way.
In the 80's, certainly, buying a video game system was a new thing and the joys of ownership were not completely understood.
I doubt that parents, who (for the sake of arguement) know nothing about video games, would spend $200 on a toy that could not be used unless an additional $50 was spent on a game.
The reason to pack in a game was to sell a fully functional system at the time of purchase and make it easy for everyone. Not only that, but include a good game - ala asteroids, sonic, mario, altered beast, etc etc.
Now, that paradigm has shifted - those kids are today's parents and now it is common to have both the kids and the adults playing games.
What I'm curious to know is what system was first introduced without a game? N64? PS1? Maybe some older system like a Turbografx?
Wow, TSN!!! That network was amazing. I think my progress in online living was - TSN (which was bought out by AT&T??), regular local BBS's, and then the good underground sites which had all the pr0n and warez my childlike, innocent mind could handle, and finally irc, newsgroups, fidonet, and then the web. I sort of remember doing the whole, text based web thing, but thought it kind of sucked. And like you said, this was the early 90's when "going online" was, at best, a vague concept for the average Joe. The take home message - I wish that someone would host that rpg game. Sure, I can find places to play LORD - but eh, so what!
That doesn't look good at all for this game. Like others have said, a huge game on a 5 year old movie is not a great idea - especially when the last tastes we had of the movie were 2 sub-par films and a shoddy video game. And before anyone says that Star Wars is over 20 years old and SWG is doing okay, remember that Star Wars was a part of our childhood. The Matrix was a fun movie many of us saw in college - but it ended there.
Metropolis doesn't work. There are lists you can google of dual layered disks that crap out. i gave up on the ps2 as a dvd player anyway - i just use my plextor in my pc. the gf is watching "queer eye for while you were out trading spouses and spaces" all day on the tv.
In my opinion, if you are dedicated enough to go in and try to fix these systems/games, then you should be willing to shell out the 10 bucks or whatever for the Nintendo screw bit(s). You can get them on Ebay for pretty cheap - I got a cool set with both Nintendo bits and a whole bunch of other "security" bits for $20. (My guess is that you already did, my comment is for that guy out there who spent 2 hours trying to open a cart and ended up with a badly damaged case and a broken screwdriver).
As far as cleaning, you are right, but it is worth replacing the internal connector in a NES. Again, it's $10 and it will be better then the one in the system after 20 years of use. I suppose you could just take out the old one, clean it, and then try to rebend all the connectors so they fig snugly, but who has time for that?
I have been meaning to replace some batteries, but I haven't dont it yet.
As someone who used to work in the tradeshow industry, and also as someone who occasionally exhibits at tradeshows, I can tell you that the rules you speak of are not based on E3's desires, but on the exhibition hall and the (typically) union workers who staff them. Also, the hall and all of the booths have to conform to local safety and fire codes.
Do you know it costs ~$100 to rent a $3 trashcan for 3 days at a tradeshow? Typically, you cannot use a screwdriver at your booth. You cannot use a power strip (you have to rent them for $$$) and sometimes, you can't even plug in electronic devices. You cannot use a handcart to move something - you must have a surly union worker push it for you. There are rules regarding booth height, lighting, sound, staff / performers, etc etc.
My point: what you are talking about is valid, but, unfortunately, is unlikely to change.
Well, the helicopters shouldn't be able to withstand the abuse from several RPG's and machine gun fire. The armor is way too powerful. They should have damage specific zones.
Woah, hold on a second. Wisdom Tree made some okay games for the NES - mainly I'm talking about some game with Moses where you shoot big W's (the word of god) at the enemies and solve on-screen puzzles. Not to mention thier SNES game - what was it? Wolfenstein Redux? Sure, they preached some nonsense at you, but that just seemed like part of the charm.
the precursor to RvB.
This macrovision thing happened to me with Battlefield Vietnam.
Most of the games I play I get from places other than the store. I have *never* had a problem installing or playing those games (well, except for the menu in Simpsons Hit & Run). 90% I play for an hour and its deleted. Actually, when I think about it, probably 75% I never play at all.
I go out and buy BFV and install it. Keep in mind that I could have easily obtained a copy (and had actually already done so). I click the icon and I get some nonsense about the right drive or cd (I forget the specifics).
An email to tech support goes unanswered (obviously) and it takes the knowledge of my peers on IRC to figure it out.
Keep in mind that nowhere on the EA site does it reference the virtual drive thing. Besides that, who the hell decided that this accomplishes something? I don't think it's a stretch to assume that someone using somewhat obscure cd burning software like clonecd or alcohol 120% probably has a CD-R and/or DVD-R and isn't afraid to use it.
You're right, I chose the worst death possible for that guy so I guess the game could be less offensive. You raise an interesting point - just because I can kill the hooker doesn't mean I have to. I think most people (who play action games) would select the graphic violence option over the happy fluffy bunny option.
No, you have a point, it isn't all bush's fault. The Muslims have always hated us and America has almost always been more tolerant of violence than sex (See: The A Team, professional wrestling, boxing, western movies). That said, it is sad that this country spends almost 10 billion dollars a year on porn but throws a hissy fit at video games that are sexually suggestive. Curse the Moral Minority.
So I just started playing the latest (?) Rockstar offering: Manhunt. By far, this is the most violent game I have ever played. It deserves no less than an AO rating, yet it recieves an M because it is just violence and swearing (but no sex). Last night I (virtually) killed someone by ripping out their throat and then punching a hole in thier head - all with a crowbar. Another death involved beating someone with a baseball bat. When they eventually fell to the ground and begged for thier life, I popping thier head with my boot (and hearing brains et al squish across the floor and onto the far wall). Somehow, I think that deserves a stronger rating than an M. Now we have a game with digital (and more than likely, not highly detailed) boobs, butts, and crotches and it's the beginning of the downfall of man. What a sad commentary on our society. Although not surprising in the days of Bush's FCC.
There was an interesting article on Gamespy recently about gaming in Japan. In fact, they have a word to describe Western products and from what I recall, it doesn't connotate high quality. One (of the main) reason(s) the XBox has done so poorly in Japan is because of this cultural factor.
"Ever tried to live a perfect life? It's bloody hard. I bet you can't find anyone in history---not even Ghandi or Mother Theresa---who has lived a perfect life. " You are assuming that one wants to live by the codes of christianity. If you free your mind of all that mumbo jumbo you will find that you aren't constantly "failing", you're just living.
Okay, I didn't RTFA since Gamespy is blocked at work, but if it wasn't mentioned, Ducktales is an excellent NES game that deserves mention. I tried part 2 but couldn't get to a certain level on an emulator. D'oh!
That guy must be crazy. A front loading NES with a ton of games is probably anywhere from $50 - $75 depending on what accessories and games are included. A barebones system is most likely $25 bucks. A top loading NES is generally above $100 for just the system. For $400 that better include sealed original Zelda's and Metroid's and a prototype or two!
Congratulations - you have just described Nintendo's business model. A perfect example of this would be Soul Calibur II. It's fun as hell even if you don't know a single combo and becomes even better if you take the time to learn. Example #2, Mario Kart - sit down and drive, as you learn the courses and some tricks, it gets even better. Both the first and 100th time you play are still fun. My point is that I'm old (26). I have a limited amount of time to "waste" playing video games. I want to sit down, not read anything, and start playing. It should be easy. I've been playing games for at least 20 years - I find the history of videogames, with this sordid tales of lawsuits and the 80's "crash" to be fascinating. When I see some of the issues with modern games, I get the feeling that current developer's are ignoring history.
I hate to make a "me too" sort of posting, however you're right. I'm only 26, but I don't have friends that will come over to my house in the burbs to play video games. Hell, even if I did have local people that would be interested, I wouldn't want them over on a worknight in the first place. That said, I am a fan of the GC - the single player games are great - and so are games like Mario Kart and Soul Calibur II.