I think the feeling of desolation is completely intentional. The world you are in is not supposed to feel natural and full of life. You constantly feel like you don't belong there.
As for the graphical quality of the game, I can somewhat agree with you. When I described the game to a friend, I said: "It looks like total ass, and it is beautiful." I got the impression that they overstepped the bounds of the system. The textures were just too detailed for the PS2 to handle, as there was no AA or Ansio to bring out their clarity. But overall the artistic style of the game is rock solid. They did an amazing job with what they had to work with.
I cannot imagine how good that game would have looked on next-gen hardware, but I bet it would have been beautiful.
Here's what you're ignoring: MICROSOFT IS NOT THE IP HOLDER. They are up against the same IP restrictions as anyone else trying to set up a similar service. Microsoft is just the first to set up a working business model DESPITE the IP restrictions. Just because noone got it working before doesn't mean Microsoft is 'bad' for pulling it off.
I'm up for Microsoft bashing as much as the next guy, but you're not making sense here.
Bach's Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor would sound damn cool on electric guitar/bass. Of course, that piece sounds damn cool on ANYTHING. (Heard a recording of a kazoo ensemble play it once)
The point is: Live! would operate exactly the same if the games were Public Domain. You say that Microsoft is subverting the system, but I fail to see how what they do on Live! affects copyright and Public Domain at all.
Hell, I'm sure Microsoft would be thrilled if all the games they're pushing on Live! were PD, because it means they wouldn't have to pay anyone for the right to sell them.
You realize that public domain != Free, don't you?
Last time I bought a CD of Mozart sonatas, which are public domain, I still had to purchase the recording. The difference, is that whoever made the recording did not have to pay royalties to the original copyright holder.
Even if these games were public domain, the company providing them would be completely entitled to ask a fee for that service.
Copyright means I can restrict who profits from my work. Public Domain means ANYONE can profit from my work.
I had an allergic reaction to a medication a while back that caused some very alarming swelling of my extremedies. First step was to call the emergency on-call from my physicians office. This was near midnight. He responded to my page and gave me relevant medical instruction, saving me a trip to the ER.
WoW is not designed to have the same amount of concurrent users Eve is. Honestly, WoW would suck with 24k concurrent users on one shard even if the servers could handle the load. Just imagine how crowded the game world would be...
Okay, I can see your point here, but I think you're over exaggerating it. Name ANY game that isn't the same each time you play it. The end boss in Doom 3 was the same the second time through, but you don't see people complaining that the game isn't fun.
It comes down to sheer logistics. The developers spend months creating these end game dungeons, tweaking and balancing the fights. Players simply defeat these faster than they can be created. It is not possible in ANY game to continually provide new, QUALITY content at the rate that players will burn through it. (Especially MMO players)
With my limited experience of the End-Game encounters in WoW (No MC yet, but we're running Zul'Gurub regularly) is that the fights are interesting. We've taken down some of the bosses a dozen times, but I'm not bored with it yet, because we keep refining our tactics and getting better. It may be the same content, but the way we approach it changes. Personally, I enjoy watching a group of 20 people evolve into a coordinated, effective group. But that's just me, YMMV.
I see what you're saying. The original post seemed like a blanket statement that the only people who don't choose Linux are idiot AOL users. I don't like being lumped in with AOL users.:)
It's a shame that Linux doesn't fit my needs yet. I'd love to remove anything Microsoft related from my machine.
I keep seeing this mentioned, and I can't figure out why this is a determining factor in anything.
"But, EverQuest has 65 levels!"
So? The pace of those levels and the content available is all that matters. If there is equal content in DDO's 10 levels as there is in 65 levels of EQ, then it ceases to be an issue.
I'm not really venting anger. Moreso that I want to provide my point of view on the situation. From what I've seen so far in this thread alone, it seems that people assume too high a level of user copetency, and assume install conditions when touting it as an alternative. When I tried switching, I found that I had to recompile ATI drivers to work with the *nix flavor I was using. (Debian on recommendation from a co-worker) For *nix to ever have a chance at being mainstream on the consumer level, stuff like that should never happen. It doesn't matter if 10 people can install it without a hitch, if the 11th gets into something like I did.
Don't get me wrong, I hope Linux becomes a viable consumer desktop alternative. I would love to see someone topple the Windows regime. It just hasn't reached the point where that's possible in my mind.
bad choice of words on my part. It's been about 9 months since I tried it, and I just remember it being a trial to get a GUI in the first place. Then the GUI was limited to 640x480. If I tried a different res, it would dump to a command line which is the worst place for someone new to the system. I didn't even get
Yes, the driver issue is on ATI for the most part. I'll admit that I'm not the most technical guy around, but if I feel out of my league just installing the thing a normal user will run screaming.
I'll take your word for it. And if it is easier, I'm glad to hear it. But honestly, I'm just not inclined to try again. I can't think of a good reason to do so except sheer curiosity.
Perhaps I'll dig a second machine out of my closet and mess with that.
Slashdot Mirror
I think the feeling of desolation is completely intentional. The world you are in is not supposed to feel natural and full of life. You constantly feel like you don't belong there.
As for the graphical quality of the game, I can somewhat agree with you. When I described the game to a friend, I said: "It looks like total ass, and it is beautiful." I got the impression that they overstepped the bounds of the system. The textures were just too detailed for the PS2 to handle, as there was no AA or Ansio to bring out their clarity. But overall the artistic style of the game is rock solid. They did an amazing job with what they had to work with.
I cannot imagine how good that game would have looked on next-gen hardware, but I bet it would have been beautiful.
I put on my cloak and wizard hat...
(Old, I know)
Spare time spent in Silithus over the course of about 3 weeks got me my epic. Depends on your class, of course.
Here's what you're ignoring: MICROSOFT IS NOT THE IP HOLDER.
They are up against the same IP restrictions as anyone else trying to set up a similar service. Microsoft is just the first to set up a working business model DESPITE the IP restrictions. Just because noone got it working before doesn't mean Microsoft is 'bad' for pulling it off.
I'm up for Microsoft bashing as much as the next guy, but you're not making sense here.
Bach's Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor would sound damn cool on electric guitar/bass. Of course, that piece sounds damn cool on ANYTHING. (Heard a recording of a kazoo ensemble play it once)
The point is: Live! would operate exactly the same if the games were Public Domain. You say that Microsoft is subverting the system, but I fail to see how what they do on Live! affects copyright and Public Domain at all.
Hell, I'm sure Microsoft would be thrilled if all the games they're pushing on Live! were PD, because it means they wouldn't have to pay anyone for the right to sell them.
You realize that public domain != Free, don't you?
Last time I bought a CD of Mozart sonatas, which are public domain, I still had to purchase the recording. The difference, is that whoever made the recording did not have to pay royalties to the original copyright holder.
Even if these games were public domain, the company providing them would be completely entitled to ask a fee for that service.
Copyright means I can restrict who profits from my work. Public Domain means ANYONE can profit from my work.
It was just the first thing that popped in my head. I just never hear the complaint that XYZ game sucked because the end guy is the same every time.
I was referring to what a significant other can do to you while you play WoW...
In my apartment, we always know when his cellphone is about to ring, as a few seconds before his subwoofer emits a series of tones.
Every time.
I had an allergic reaction to a medication a while back that caused some very alarming swelling of my extremedies. First step was to call the emergency on-call from my physicians office. This was near midnight. He responded to my page and gave me relevant medical instruction, saving me a trip to the ER.
I guess that situation doesn't make sense?
The game is exactly the same. Blocks fall from the top of the screen at increasing speed. THe only change is how you perform within the game.
WoW is not designed to have the same amount of concurrent users Eve is. Honestly, WoW would suck with 24k concurrent users on one shard even if the servers could handle the load. Just imagine how crowded the game world would be...
Two words: WoW Head.
That limitation is only on PvP servers. PvE Servers allow you to have chars on both factions.
Okay, I can see your point here, but I think you're over exaggerating it. Name ANY game that isn't the same each time you play it. The end boss in Doom 3 was the same the second time through, but you don't see people complaining that the game isn't fun.
It comes down to sheer logistics. The developers spend months creating these end game dungeons, tweaking and balancing the fights. Players simply defeat these faster than they can be created. It is not possible in ANY game to continually provide new, QUALITY content at the rate that players will burn through it. (Especially MMO players)
With my limited experience of the End-Game encounters in WoW (No MC yet, but we're running Zul'Gurub regularly) is that the fights are interesting. We've taken down some of the bosses a dozen times, but I'm not bored with it yet, because we keep refining our tactics and getting better. It may be the same content, but the way we approach it changes. Personally, I enjoy watching a group of 20 people evolve into a coordinated, effective group. But that's just me, YMMV.
Cheating on a hacked server, I never would have guessed...
I see what you're saying. The original post seemed like a blanket statement that the only people who don't choose Linux are idiot AOL users. I don't like being lumped in with AOL users. :)
It's a shame that Linux doesn't fit my needs yet. I'd love to remove anything Microsoft related from my machine.
I'll check Ubuntu out. Thanks!
"But, EverQuest has 65 levels!"
So? The pace of those levels and the content available is all that matters. If there is equal content in DDO's 10 levels as there is in 65 levels of EQ, then it ceases to be an issue.
I'm not really venting anger. Moreso that I want to provide my point of view on the situation. From what I've seen so far in this thread alone, it seems that people assume too high a level of user copetency, and assume install conditions when touting it as an alternative. When I tried switching, I found that I had to recompile ATI drivers to work with the *nix flavor I was using. (Debian on recommendation from a co-worker) For *nix to ever have a chance at being mainstream on the consumer level, stuff like that should never happen. It doesn't matter if 10 people can install it without a hitch, if the 11th gets into something like I did.
Don't get me wrong, I hope Linux becomes a viable consumer desktop alternative. I would love to see someone topple the Windows regime. It just hasn't reached the point where that's possible in my mind.
bad choice of words on my part. It's been about 9 months since I tried it, and I just remember it being a trial to get a GUI in the first place. Then the GUI was limited to 640x480. If I tried a different res, it would dump to a command line which is the worst place for someone new to the system. I didn't even get
Yes, the driver issue is on ATI for the most part. I'll admit that I'm not the most technical guy around, but if I feel out of my league just installing the thing a normal user will run screaming.
I'll take your word for it. And if it is easier, I'm glad to hear it. But honestly, I'm just not inclined to try again. I can't think of a good reason to do so except sheer curiosity.
Perhaps I'll dig a second machine out of my closet and mess with that.
I'm not buying a nVidia card to get an alternative OS working. Running my desktop in 640x480 with no hardware acceleration is not a viable option.