It's obviously got a camera builtin! Just look at it. The camera is behind the internal speaker. You can trade speaker pictures with all your friends online. Their whole online community is based off this concept. As an aside, I hear those pictures can be used for currency in the new Animal Crossing game.....
VMWare made their ESX,GSX products free a few months ago. And yes I'm sure it's in direct retaliation to Microsoft entering the virtual OS market.
VMWare's main focus is now total virtualization meaning their new product doesn't require a host OS. This means you don't have to purchase a server OS from M$ (if they are your vendor choice) just to run these virtuals on and waste more resources. That product is their bread and butter and something MS would be hard pressed to follow in since it would work against their server OS sales, IMO. Anyone else have thoughts on this?
I agree. Not every GTA fan is also into 80's music and look how well Vice City sold if you were going to base your purchase on game "image". In fact, I thought San Andreas was actually less entertaining than the previous games when it came to the storyline. The urban vibe really brought the game down for me. I felt that the whole urban thing was overplayed even then when i played SA for the first time, and I'm a geek with no coolness. The best moments in SA were usually found while exploring the city or doing a random easter egg mission. Which brings me in alignment with your point. The whole GTA experience is totally about the game environment and freedom instead of the "image".
Time to wrap it up, Snoop Dogg, Fo-shizzle! You know you're past your prime when your popularity isn't enough to launch a crappy licensed game.
Really, what's next?! The Gary Shandling Show video game starring Gary Shandling? I hear it comes with a microphone and innovative theme song creator.
But it's only a matter of time before they become unprofitable.
The more market share they lose, the less attention they will get which will equal lower sales. The GC is in last place of the installed console base when compared to its peers and this is directly reflected in their library size and diversity. Their own quality games are the only thing keeping them from extinction.
As for the Wii, my biggest fear is that their controller will be hard to use, which means less console sales and less games by 3rd parties. Their graphics are not on par with the other next gen consoles so that makes them look even less attractive to 3rd party developers who are in competition with each other to make the latest and greatest in a sea of games. I just hope they don't work themselves into obscurity.
The deciding facor to ANY console's future is getting the majority of GOOD 3rd party games.
Shouldn't they work on improving their programming first so that i actually want to want to watch their channel?! --rimshot--
But seriously, folks. It's amazing how pervasive advertising has/is becoming. Just about every popular channel:
- has the volume jump up every time commercials are played.
- cuts, fast fowards or squeezes credits on most channels these days just to squeeze in more commercials.
- have huge obnoxious pop-ups in the middle of a show that take up a third of the screen.
- has their logo superimposed on the right corner blocking content from shows.
- actually embeds ad fragments into certain TV shows (I'm looking at you, FOX with Ice Age 2, *wags finger*)
I'm really hoping the best for Nintendo. They screwed the pooch with the N64 and were almost totally on their own with the GC. I'm genuinely excited for their new system, though. And I haven't been excited over a console debute since the SNES. Wii's controller will either make or break Nintendo. They can't exist in third place for much longer especially if the controller becomes a lame duck. Maybe it's this huge bet that they're gambling on that's really got me jazzed. Or it could be because there's some actual innovation going on instead of just a glut of rehashed franchise titles. It could really be their last hurrah in the console market.
I hope they do this right and get more third party support or at least more desirable multi-console titles. What exclusive ps3 titles are out there? MGS4 is the only one that has me thinking about the ps3. Sorry msft, I just can't get interested in any of your systems for some reason (and i'm not even japanese!).
I don't know if its the rose colored glasses I'm probably looking through, but I think the SNES days were the golden age of console games. I remember the deluge of quality games that made me spend all my free time living like a hermit in front of the glow of my TV.
Oh well...no matter what your opinion is, the games will decide the winner for each of us.
Magazines are great for long trips, bathroom breaks, reading in bed, etc. and tons of other places a laptop is not very comfortable in (I've tried on the john, gets to be a pain in the ass when wiping). They are alot easier to scan too and find what i want instead of a.pdf or a website that is obnoxiously choked with ads and demanding I sign up to to be a member and get more spam. they definitely are lacking in current news, though. But how can you beat the internet?!
I'm an avid EGM subscriber and have been for over a decade. They always seemed to be the most truthful and have some interesting articles and writers like Seanbaby. So there is a trustworthy source to me as they have 3 opinionated reviews per a game.
I have been receiving Game Informer and it seems like their mag is written by the advertisers themselves as some of the lamest games will actually get on the cover and/or an in-depth article. Gamestop gave me this subscription for free when i joined their used game program for trade-ins,...hmm. They almost always never rate a game below a 7 either (unless there's no way to hide a complete failure, I guess) so it seems like they pad the number. But their page sizes are larger and make screenshots more compelling as a positive note.
It's interesting to compare the two each month and see where they stand.
Same difference, as i think he is saying 1 user = 1 PC. He also fails to mention if he is using alternate means (custom security policy, compatws.inf template, etc.) to ensure those apps run. I have run across alot of apps that need admin rights to run or to function correctly and have had to make significant changes to ensure that a typical "user" can run correctly. I think TMM meant installed apps with no "tweaking". Please verify that you mean the same or not.
I think tweaking instead of just giving admin rights is worth it in the end. I no longer have an endless stream of phone calls related to spyware or have to worry about spyware involvement in a troubleshooting scenario since everyone is locked down. Makes your typical day alot more quiet. Of course, there is a bevy of other issues, like a laptop user who can't install a printer driver for his home network and needs "assistance". But overall, it is worth it.
IE is uninstallable as is Windows Media Player and Outlook Express. You have to select Add/Remove Windows Components on the side menu while in Add/Remove Programs. I doubt Windows will function as smoothly especially if Office is installed as that program plus others have a dependancy on IE. But technically, it can be removed.
The biggest problem is coming up with great stories for each individual player. Then somehow managing all that into the current game involving all the players. You can't have a great story without some kind of changes to your character and the environment in general. That's what I would expect. like a story where your group disposes of a dragon or wipes out a troll army or stops a pirate fleet. Now that dragon or troll army or fleet is gone forever and those implications should affect the game world for everyone to be realistic. There are environmental effects to take into consideration in order to make each story individual and still have meaning. Oh well, maybe some day. I don't think you'll ever see a MMORPG with that ambition. It would probably be best for a MMORPG to have multiple copies of the main gaming world which could have only so many players (250-1000 depending on scope and size). And kind of like the old Sliders TV show, each "dimension" has its own history of events that have or will have taken place. Just think you could create implications that affect the gaming world for everyone playing. And, if you don't like it, you could jump to another dimension with your gruff school teacher. This would definitely make everyone feel more involved. These casual/cookie cutter quests that are run through in the typical MMORPG don't make an RPG in my opinion.
It's in Gamestop/EB/any store's best interest to sell to anyone who has money. They won't restrict a purchase by being asked to card customers. They need to be told. And in this case, the best way to tell them and make sure they adhere is to make a law.
The ESRB sounds like a good idea on paper. But the critical flaw is that they have no power. Having coporations (yes, i said corporations since the gaming industry is a multi-billion dollar industry)"police" themselves is a sham.
They can rate a game whatever they want. That doesn't stop a kid from buying the new GTA game at his local game store.
As much as it pains me to admit, you need some small laws like this to get rid of the grey area that the media/politicians/activists use for news spin.
How is this marked Insightful??? The parent comment is completely uninformed!!!
You can play with others at LAN parties without using Battlenet. Just select Local Area Network when creating a game.
You only need Battlenet to play against others if you're going OVER the internet. I don't know what the big deal is. If Blizzard wants to check my key to make sure its legal when I use their FREE service (Battlenet) to play online then it's their right.
The bulk of you complainers are just bitching because you can't play with your buddies and their illegal copy.
Stand on your soapbox all you want and argue about OSS but doesn't Blizzard have a right to protect their product!?! Especially when they never meant it for open source. Protest in the proper fashion. If you don't like it, then don't buy it.
You've got to remember that everyday people, those who don't play video games, those that are 35-40 and up in age still view video games as entertainment for kids. They say GTA, Bully, etc. is marketed to kids. Why? Because game stores will have posters up for them? Or video mags run ads for them? Well, I hate to tell ya, but not JUST kids read those mags or visit those stores! As a video games publisher, where would I correctly advertise my game other than the market it was created for?! BTW, I've never seen a TV ad for GTA run before 9 at night, and never on Nickelodeon, Disney, Cartoon Network, etc.
Out of all this nonsense, the only thing i agree with is that the ratings system is failing. The ESRB must lay down the heavy hand and prove that it can handle it's own policing, thus keeping these clueless idiots from taking advantage of situations like this.
How the hell did the movie industry get past crap like this? I believe the same/similar method should be used.
And another thing, game stores SHOULD be held responsible for selling games directly to minors. There should be an age check done. Just like the movie theatres.
If the ESRB asserted itself more and game stores enforced the age limits, then these instigators would have a less compelling argument to preach. Because no matter what spin they put on the stories of indecency in video games, a miniscule percentage of their complaints do make sense. So lets knock-out the credible arguments they do have...
When are you people going to take the hint?! You've got to stop using unsecure browsers like Firefox with all its vulnerabilities. They call it Open Source for a reason!!!
Internet Explorer is way more secure and reliable. I went to a porno site yesterday and a pop-up asked me if I'd like to learn how to increase my penis size! How'd they know?!!! They must be reading my mind!
The next day, IE automatically took me to that site when I opened it up! In fact this page showed me a list of other sites I might like to visit like explicit hentai, rape videos, and scat! It was as if me and my browser mind-melded!
I like that when I was asked to pay for the penis-enhancing pills that I was redirected to site 135.34.65.256 instead of having enlargeyourlittlemember.com in my history list (wanna surprise the wife..)
It's been three months and I haven't got my pills yet. I think the postman is swiping them. (always wondered how he could steer his mail jeep and hand out mail at the same time.)
Where was I? Oh yeah, Firefox is a more secure browser, just don't use monkey grease.
That was my reaction at first then after reading WW's rebuttal, I started to see a little of their side of it. They are not after your typical gaming geek friends who come over and play. They are trying to regulate the people who run and coordinate the bigger games (as I understood it).
And to some degree, I sympathize. You see, I used to play Vampire and Werewolf (tabletop) They are cool games with lots of fun to be had. And a couple of times, I even tried the Live-Action Mind's Eye Theatre stuff.
And I hated it.
The people running those games did a horrible job. I understand it is a huge task to run a live-action rpg with at least 20 players and to expect to actually accomplish anything substantial. Let alone make 1/2 the crowd happy.
But overall, it was a horrible experience akin to a bad Murder-Mystery Dinner Theatre as alot of the paying participants were just standing around as witnesses.
I think that too many people complaining about bad games is part of this licensing crap (besides the obviuo$). The Camarilla membership seems to offer good benefits. And it really seems like the big game coordinators could use as much help as possible.
Will this expand or susequently diminish the FCC's censorship of the "free" channels?
I'm a little confused on the alternatives. Basically the gist is that you won't be able to receive transmissions without cable/satellite, right? Will digital TVs receive antenna signals? please clarify for me. My assumption was that there would be no use of broadcasting spectrum by television signals. Let me know if I'm incorrect in my assumption.
I don't see how they could police the major television networks (free tv) if they aren't using the FCC's airwaves anymore. Wasn't that the catch 22 of the past?
Looks like I'm gonna have to stop downloading games now. First the MPAA, then RIAA, now ESA. I'm running out of content that's not protected by a consortium or group! What's left? software and ebooks?!
Slashdot Mirror
It's obviously got a camera builtin! Just look at it. The camera is behind the internal speaker. You can trade speaker pictures with all your friends online. Their whole online community is based off this concept. As an aside, I hear those pictures can be used for currency in the new Animal Crossing game.....
VMWare's main focus is now total virtualization meaning their new product doesn't require a host OS. This means you don't have to purchase a server OS from M$ (if they are your vendor choice) just to run these virtuals on and waste more resources. That product is their bread and butter and something MS would be hard pressed to follow in since it would work against their server OS sales, IMO. Anyone else have thoughts on this?
Time to wrap it up, Snoop Dogg, Fo-shizzle! You know you're past your prime when your popularity isn't enough to launch a crappy licensed game.
Really, what's next?! The Gary Shandling Show video game starring Gary Shandling? I hear it comes with a microphone and innovative theme song creator.
The more market share they lose, the less attention they will get which will equal lower sales. The GC is in last place of the installed console base when compared to its peers and this is directly reflected in their library size and diversity. Their own quality games are the only thing keeping them from extinction.
As for the Wii, my biggest fear is that their controller will be hard to use, which means less console sales and less games by 3rd parties. Their graphics are not on par with the other next gen consoles so that makes them look even less attractive to 3rd party developers who are in competition with each other to make the latest and greatest in a sea of games. I just hope they don't work themselves into obscurity.
The deciding facor to ANY console's future is getting the majority of GOOD 3rd party games.
But seriously, folks. It's amazing how pervasive advertising has/is becoming. Just about every popular channel:
- has the volume jump up every time commercials are played.
- cuts, fast fowards or squeezes credits on most channels these days just to squeeze in more commercials.
- have huge obnoxious pop-ups in the middle of a show that take up a third of the screen.
- has their logo superimposed on the right corner blocking content from shows.
- actually embeds ad fragments into certain TV shows (I'm looking at you, FOX with Ice Age 2, *wags finger*)
I hope they do this right and get more third party support or at least more desirable multi-console titles. What exclusive ps3 titles are out there? MGS4 is the only one that has me thinking about the ps3. Sorry msft, I just can't get interested in any of your systems for some reason (and i'm not even japanese!).
I don't know if its the rose colored glasses I'm probably looking through, but I think the SNES days were the golden age of console games. I remember the deluge of quality games that made me spend all my free time living like a hermit in front of the glow of my TV.
Oh well...no matter what your opinion is, the games will decide the winner for each of us.
Magazines are great for long trips, bathroom breaks, reading in bed, etc. and tons of other places a laptop is not very comfortable in (I've tried on the john, gets to be a pain in the ass when wiping). They are alot easier to scan too and find what i want instead of a .pdf or a website that is obnoxiously choked with ads and demanding I sign up to to be a member and get more spam. they definitely are lacking in current news, though. But how can you beat the internet?!
I'm an avid EGM subscriber and have been for over a decade. They always seemed to be the most truthful and have some interesting articles and writers like Seanbaby. So there is a trustworthy source to me as they have 3 opinionated reviews per a game.
I have been receiving Game Informer and it seems like their mag is written by the advertisers themselves as some of the lamest games will actually get on the cover and/or an in-depth article. Gamestop gave me this subscription for free when i joined their used game program for trade-ins, ...hmm. They almost always never rate a game below a 7 either (unless there's no way to hide a complete failure, I guess) so it seems like they pad the number. But their page sizes are larger and make screenshots more compelling as a positive note.
It's interesting to compare the two each month and see where they stand.
Same difference, as i think he is saying 1 user = 1 PC. He also fails to mention if he is using alternate means (custom security policy, compatws.inf template, etc.) to ensure those apps run. I have run across alot of apps that need admin rights to run or to function correctly and have had to make significant changes to ensure that a typical "user" can run correctly. I think TMM meant installed apps with no "tweaking". Please verify that you mean the same or not. I think tweaking instead of just giving admin rights is worth it in the end. I no longer have an endless stream of phone calls related to spyware or have to worry about spyware involvement in a troubleshooting scenario since everyone is locked down. Makes your typical day alot more quiet. Of course, there is a bevy of other issues, like a laptop user who can't install a printer driver for his home network and needs "assistance". But overall, it is worth it.
think sarcasm....
IE is uninstallable as is Windows Media Player and Outlook Express. You have to select Add/Remove Windows Components on the side menu while in Add/Remove Programs. I doubt Windows will function as smoothly especially if Office is installed as that program plus others have a dependancy on IE. But technically, it can be removed.
Der article stated that a stand-alone will be available for Windows XP SP2 also.
The biggest problem is coming up with great stories for each individual player. Then somehow managing all that into the current game involving all the players. You can't have a great story without some kind of changes to your character and the environment in general. That's what I would expect. like a story where your group disposes of a dragon or wipes out a troll army or stops a pirate fleet. Now that dragon or troll army or fleet is gone forever and those implications should affect the game world for everyone to be realistic. There are environmental effects to take into consideration in order to make each story individual and still have meaning. Oh well, maybe some day. I don't think you'll ever see a MMORPG with that ambition. It would probably be best for a MMORPG to have multiple copies of the main gaming world which could have only so many players (250-1000 depending on scope and size). And kind of like the old Sliders TV show, each "dimension" has its own history of events that have or will have taken place. Just think you could create implications that affect the gaming world for everyone playing. And, if you don't like it, you could jump to another dimension with your gruff school teacher. This would definitely make everyone feel more involved. These casual/cookie cutter quests that are run through in the typical MMORPG don't make an RPG in my opinion.
when politicians are spending more time with video games then the kids that play them....
The ESRB sounds like a good idea on paper. But the critical flaw is that they have no power. Having coporations (yes, i said corporations since the gaming industry is a multi-billion dollar industry)"police" themselves is a sham.
They can rate a game whatever they want. That doesn't stop a kid from buying the new GTA game at his local game store.
As much as it pains me to admit, you need some small laws like this to get rid of the grey area that the media/politicians/activists use for news spin.
You can play with others at LAN parties without using Battlenet. Just select Local Area Network when creating a game.
You only need Battlenet to play against others if you're going OVER the internet. I don't know what the big deal is. If Blizzard wants to check my key to make sure its legal when I use their FREE service (Battlenet) to play online then it's their right.
The bulk of you complainers are just bitching because you can't play with your buddies and their illegal copy.
Stand on your soapbox all you want and argue about OSS but doesn't Blizzard have a right to protect their product!?! Especially when they never meant it for open source. Protest in the proper fashion. If you don't like it, then don't buy it.
I had the same problem. All text ran off on the left side of the browser.
Out of all this nonsense, the only thing i agree with is that the ratings system is failing. The ESRB must lay down the heavy hand and prove that it can handle it's own policing, thus keeping these clueless idiots from taking advantage of situations like this.
How the hell did the movie industry get past crap like this? I believe the same/similar method should be used.
And another thing, game stores SHOULD be held responsible for selling games directly to minors. There should be an age check done. Just like the movie theatres.
If the ESRB asserted itself more and game stores enforced the age limits, then these instigators would have a less compelling argument to preach. Because no matter what spin they put on the stories of indecency in video games, a miniscule percentage of their complaints do make sense. So lets knock-out the credible arguments they do have...
Businessman:"So tell me, Awesom-o, are you a pleasure model?" Awesom-o: LAME...LAME...DOES NOT INPUT!!!
I'm glad that our senators are listening to the people and not worried about their own asses. Great way to sell us out, bastards!!!!
Internet Explorer is way more secure and reliable. I went to a porno site yesterday and a pop-up asked me if I'd like to learn how to increase my penis size! How'd they know?!!! They must be reading my mind!
The next day, IE automatically took me to that site when I opened it up! In fact this page showed me a list of other sites I might like to visit like explicit hentai, rape videos, and scat! It was as if me and my browser mind-melded!
I like that when I was asked to pay for the penis-enhancing pills that I was redirected to site 135.34.65.256 instead of having enlargeyourlittlemember.com in my history list (wanna surprise the wife..)
It's been three months and I haven't got my pills yet. I think the postman is swiping them. (always wondered how he could steer his mail jeep and hand out mail at the same time.)
Where was I? Oh yeah, Firefox is a more secure browser, just don't use monkey grease.
And to some degree, I sympathize. You see, I used to play Vampire and Werewolf (tabletop) They are cool games with lots of fun to be had. And a couple of times, I even tried the Live-Action Mind's Eye Theatre stuff.
And I hated it.
The people running those games did a horrible job. I understand it is a huge task to run a live-action rpg with at least 20 players and to expect to actually accomplish anything substantial. Let alone make 1/2 the crowd happy.
But overall, it was a horrible experience akin to a bad Murder-Mystery Dinner Theatre as alot of the paying participants were just standing around as witnesses.
I think that too many people complaining about bad games is part of this licensing crap (besides the obviuo$). The Camarilla membership seems to offer good benefits. And it really seems like the big game coordinators could use as much help as possible.
Dihydrogen Monoxide!? I remember a show detailing the horrors of DHMO. it even said that we should petition and ban it but I call that Bullshit!
Will this expand or susequently diminish the FCC's censorship of the "free" channels?
I'm a little confused on the alternatives. Basically the gist is that you won't be able to receive transmissions without cable/satellite, right? Will digital TVs receive antenna signals? please clarify for me. My assumption was that there would be no use of broadcasting spectrum by television signals. Let me know if I'm incorrect in my assumption.
I don't see how they could police the major television networks (free tv) if they aren't using the FCC's airwaves anymore. Wasn't that the catch 22 of the past?
Looks like I'm gonna have to stop downloading games now. First the MPAA, then RIAA, now ESA. I'm running out of content that's not protected by a consortium or group! What's left? software and ebooks?!
It's a shame that it took the world trade tower blasts for an average ignorant American like me to finally feel sympathy about terrorist attacks.