Me. I've owned a grand total of 1 PS2, AND I was a game reviewer so the system even had to be modified to play some beta review discs. We're talking thousands of hours of gameplay, and it even served as the main DVD drive for a year or so.
It still runs fine and I have never had an issue.
I'm not claiming everyone had the same luck, and also I can verify that the disc read errors are a very real hardware issue... but to say anything sells 100 million units because they are crap is just silly.. and since it was posted AC, I can imagine it was said just to be an assclown.
A completely speculative piece about Uwe Boll now passes as news. Amazing.
You know, not everyone gives a damn about videogames... shockingly to many people they aren't worth the time of day let alone fanaticism. Games and the games industry, like hollywood, could really care less about everything except money. There are a few exceptions where a few studios really try to push the envelope, make an artistic product, or even just focus on fun... but they are dwindling day by day.
Uwe Boll is mediocre, and works for mediocre pay, and puts out mediocre content. That is all that is needed when you are trying to get a movie to screen in short order and simply capitalizing on an existing franchise. Once you've paid to see the film, they could care less if you enjoy it from there... and they know that no matter how poor the reviews and press that there are a line of dedicated fans that wil lmake it profitable enough.
If you've read a bunch of my posts then you would know I was a reviewer of Sony only games and consoles. I actually LEFT my job due to the lack of direction, innovation, and excitement in Sony's current and future business. So to answer your question, nothing. I am currently only excited about the Nintendo Revolution and even that I am keeping a fair level of aprehension about until more is known.
All that said, Sony's ability to move 100 million PS2's is huge in this industry no matter who's side you are on. And the reason that 10 million is trumped up is because with the current production troubles especially with CPU yields and some current design issues that is a really tall order to move 10 million in one year. I guarantee it won't happen.
It really is pretty astonishing to ship 100 million *anything* let alone a game console. It sure makes that trumped up 10 million Xbox 360's by 2006 statement look like a long shot.
It is because the industry has become so vapid and devioid of any real substance that everyone is grabbing for straws to get some news of any sort. I actually left my job as a reviewer/editor of console (PS2) titles because of this trend.
The powers that be have their eyes set on making the game industry into the next Hollywood and they could give a damn what it actually means to the end user. It is sickening. If you would see it from the other side, you would instantly lose all faith in this industry... I have. The only sliver of hope I see is the Revolution though and they are the only company left focusing on the games.
This article tells nothing that hadn't been known for some time, and is not newsworthy. Think about it though, over the past year basically NOTHING noteworthy has happened. Even the 360 release was pure hype, as it is it has been a super limited release, plagued by a few key design issues, and a handful of homoginized games that have no real soul or "killer app" potential. Yet it has been being trumpeted for almost a year. Even the current consoles have had nothing happening lately in the lull leading up to the next-gen releases. Basically, when you turn an industry into another Hollywood... you get it all the good and the bad... and as anyone can see by Hollywood's current troubles and slumps, it's mostly bad.
Of each point I made you managed to miss every one.
No one said anything about EVERY player gaining housing. And making a big sandbox and allowing player driven quests takes almost no logic and is not that difficult. Also, obviously random monsters means area appropriate random monsters.
The reason it has never been done is because no one takes the simplistic route. Everyone is wrapped up in complexity, and nobody has really tried it yet. MMO's are still young and none have gotten the formula just right... not even WoW.
No one can write a story or game that can compare to letting the game guide itself, it allows for a ever changing and interesting world where you the player has control and attachment. Something lacking in today's MMO's. While it seems simple and would take time to get cooking, it would become a microcosm of the real world in very short order and the possibilities are endless when there are very few limitations and boundaries placed on the players.
Well, if it is of any matter to you i actually have a Slashdot ID in the very low numbers but don't use it in favor of this one... so it doesn't matter at all to me... but AC is just that Anonymous Coward. It's a stupid website, if you really place that much value in karma or any silly shit, then that's your own deal.
If you think Zonk is doing a good job, that is your opinion. I was a game reviewer for many years and I can honestly say Zonk's "reviews" are barely passable and never would have made it past any editor I know of.
Add to that the constant posts covering the exact same subject matter, the dupes, and the fact that most "news" is at least a day late on the games section... and you have a pretty poor section. And no matter your view on Zonk, there is absolutely NO reason for one of his wonderful "reviews" to be on the front page news. NONE.
Please, do tell the "Big Percentage" of bad... I'll wait, and I'll even start you off with the Virtual Boy... oh, yeah, there really isn't that much over the *25* years of Nintendo. I would venture to say they have had less flops over 25 years than Sony and MS combined in about 10-15.
However, we all now will be modded downward so that this intelligent discussion never sees the light of day. I mean who wants to see and hear some real discussion when there are so many "insightful" and "funny" replies to mod up?
I know it is a panacea, but it really wouldn't take much to turn this place around and right the ship. Now, don't get me wrong I don't miss the Natalie Portman/Hot Grits/Goatse days, but at least they were good fun and the place was alive and kicking... it just seems so sterile and bland these days.
Why MMO creators try to use bastardized versions of proven failed market systems is beyond me.
To me the ultimate MMO is actually very easy to create. *A market driven economy
*player world interaction (building homes, villages, guilds, shops)
*player driven content (I want a new sword that can only be had in the depths of a cave that I can't get, I put out a quest and a reward, raids on other villages, and completely random monster and loot placement)
That's all, basically the MMO creator just needs a basic storyline with a few warring factions and a big interactive sandbox in which the players can live and play with randome monster placements. They just need to come at it from a new more simplistic angle.
Actually I meant in games like Tennis and Ping Pong in real life, the games are designed to give the players frequent breaks in the action. I didn't write it the clearest.
When you are holding a real raquet and having to run and strike the ball with force no one complains that it is impossible to keep up for more than ten minutes... yet, somehow, to hold a couple ounce controller with no force or running involved is *outrageous* and no one could possibly do *that*. We really are a nation of candy asses... quite litterally.
I fully understand and wholeheartedly agree with you, however for months now I've been trying to get this same message across and all it got me was mysteriously temp. banned from the site for a month and a loss of all my karma (as if I care).
I'm a long time/. reader and I have never seen this place such a mess of "reviews" that state nothing but the bleeding obvious, advertisement, and junk. I used to come here for really cool tech stories and cool homebuilt projects and even the occasional dupe... but now it is just mind-numbing and it seems the management - if it exists - is not just asleep at the wheel but most likely dead.
Best of luck to you, but most likely you will just go down the same road I did.
Everyone keeps referring to the quick Nintendo video showing the exaggerated motions with the new controller. They weren't real. They were just that, exaggerated motions to better illustrate the new controller.
The fact is that all reports point to being able to use it resting your arm with minor motions, just like current controllers. Sure some games will allow for the dramatic sword fights and whatnot... but it is no big deal. Think about it... have you ever played tennis or ping pong? No massive forearm strength is needed, plus the game has built in pauses to rest.
There are many more examples, but for christ's sake even if you are a geek I think you should be able to wave a 4-6oz. controller around for a couple hours even with no massive strain - we aren't talking about a cinder block here. If you are too weak to handle that, then it is really time to put the game console away and go excercise.
The CPU was just finalized and delivered to undisclosed dev studio's. I do know of three games in development right now so developers are working on some form of basic hardware.
One title is a racing game that IMO looks every bit as high quality as PGR3 and based on the popular "Test Drive" series.
I understand it is not the least intrusive technology, but I don't mind it using some pre-set info for me to show me local restaurants or areas of interest. I don't mind it sending incoming info based on a profile but I don't want it sending outgoing info except location. I understand I'm asking a lot in this day and age, but I know it could be done without too much intrusion.
I have no worldly idea WTF you are talking about. I am talking about your standard free/cheap phone with year contract but a contract that offers fair usable minutes for say $19.99 a month. or even $9.99 a month. It isn't the phone that matters it is the monthly contract costs that are out of hand.
I used to work for a company that owned cell towers and the costs since the switch to digital went down by 8 times. That is 800% LESS cost to maintain the same level of service. Yet, when I had a cell phone in the very early 90's with Bell Atlantic Mobile (now Verizon) I only paid $19.99 a month for 300 daytime/unlimited night and weekend on my Motorola Teletac. So now costs are roughly 800% less yet I have to pay $49.99 to get the same deal with less signal strength... that is my point.
Yes, I agree it is not all done just to warm their hearts, but it is still a lot more than MS is doing. Sony always does an OK job here too, but this time around they are dropping the ball a bit.
The nice thing though is that I can buy Mario Party 7 or Twighlight Princess regardless if I buy a Revolution or not. They are giving people options, and most likely they will have some sort of bonus content built into Zelda when played on the Revolution.
This is where brand loyalty/fanboy's kill me, they are so loyal to a big corporation that could care less about them. However, that being said, consistently Nintendo has done the most for its customers and if any company would engender loyalty it should be Nintendo. Especially this round where MS/Sony are all about greed/hype/flash/DRM/etc. and Nintendo is trying to appeal to indie developers and the wide spectrum of gamers with a focus on gameplay, design, and value.
I've been expecting this actually for over a year. Cell phone costs have actually risen as the costs have decreased dramatically for providers. What needs to happen is that either people need to start to complain at the rediculous prices or a new entrant to the market needs to come in low priced.
A single company to come in low would kill off all pre-pay providers as well as gain all of the older folks and hold outs who won't pay $40+ for a cell phone now. That is a very large market.
Greed, as always, will cause the market to collapse... I'm just waiting for the day it tumbles. Once it is no longer "cool" and ubiquitous or a new technology comes out, I can see the bubble bursting.
I was just as amazed. I thought something must be wrong, or the devil is now wearing ear muffs and mittens.
MTV's overdrive is actually pretty solid all around, which is pretty noteworthy... however it could also be that it is just new and they haven't figured out how to crap it up yet.
You sure got me, I'm so bummed some anonymous internet person doubts me. Wah... dude I could care less, this is/. I'm not here to wow you with my credentials and give a fucking dissertation including footnotes and references.
Everyone seems to forget that The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess is yet to debut, which alone will raise profits substantially. Also Mario Party 7 is virtually sold out everywhere right now and is not included in these numbers.
Nintendo has had a bit of a weak run, but it is ramping up for one hell of a send-off for the console. Profits are just fine, not record-breaking but they are doing just fine compared to some competition. Also, think of current Xbox owners they got barely 4 years and now they have nothing to look forward to without upgrading... at least Nintendo has stuck with the GC till the very end and continues to product top content. I'll take customer loyalty over profit numbers any day.
Umm, there is the new Zelda coming out which will be huge, Mario Party 7 is sold out most everywhere, and a slew of other titles are selling just fine. Just because it doesn't get much coverage doesn't mean it isn't selling... and once Zelda releases Nintendo's profits will be up again.
Wow, who died and made you king of what can and cannot be posted to slashdot. Did you notice you offered NOTHING, you offered no contrary facts, you offered nothing of value at all, all you look like is a whiney bitch.
I have a number of friends and colleagues in Japan. Gee, I have a direct insight to the Japanese popular opinion and it is all about the same... I didn't realize I needed to disclose their names, addresses, phone numbers so you some anonymous/. dork could fact check me. Oh, and by the way to act as if Japan doesn;t matter is the MOST STUPID comment anyone could make, even MICROSOFt has stated time and time again that Japan is their biggest hurdle and the most important. Notice how they built a whole 360 lounge, and hired Japanese dev teams, and are kissing Japanese ass right now? Yeah, Japan doesn't matter... take another hit from your crack pipe.
Obviously sarcasm is lost on you, with the on one hand comment, it was like to make a point at how few launch titles there are.
I've already answered in this thread where the 30% defective number comes from. I'm not arguing the matter, the real numbers will be known soon enough... then you can lick my hairy nut sac.
Sorry I stepped on your fanboy toes with my comments, go back to your parents basement and whack off to midget pr0n.
Slashdot Mirror
Me. I've owned a grand total of 1 PS2, AND I was a game reviewer so the system even had to be modified to play some beta review discs. We're talking thousands of hours of gameplay, and it even served as the main DVD drive for a year or so.
It still runs fine and I have never had an issue.
I'm not claiming everyone had the same luck, and also I can verify that the disc read errors are a very real hardware issue... but to say anything sells 100 million units because they are crap is just silly.. and since it was posted AC, I can imagine it was said just to be an assclown.
A completely speculative piece about Uwe Boll now passes as news. Amazing.
You know, not everyone gives a damn about videogames... shockingly to many people they aren't worth the time of day let alone fanaticism. Games and the games industry, like hollywood, could really care less about everything except money. There are a few exceptions where a few studios really try to push the envelope, make an artistic product, or even just focus on fun... but they are dwindling day by day.
Uwe Boll is mediocre, and works for mediocre pay, and puts out mediocre content. That is all that is needed when you are trying to get a movie to screen in short order and simply capitalizing on an existing franchise. Once you've paid to see the film, they could care less if you enjoy it from there... and they know that no matter how poor the reviews and press that there are a line of dedicated fans that wil lmake it profitable enough.
If you've read a bunch of my posts then you would know I was a reviewer of Sony only games and consoles. I actually LEFT my job due to the lack of direction, innovation, and excitement in Sony's current and future business. So to answer your question, nothing. I am currently only excited about the Nintendo Revolution and even that I am keeping a fair level of aprehension about until more is known.
All that said, Sony's ability to move 100 million PS2's is huge in this industry no matter who's side you are on. And the reason that 10 million is trumped up is because with the current production troubles especially with CPU yields and some current design issues that is a really tall order to move 10 million in one year. I guarantee it won't happen.
It really is pretty astonishing to ship 100 million *anything* let alone a game console. It sure makes that trumped up 10 million Xbox 360's by 2006 statement look like a long shot.
It is because the industry has become so vapid and devioid of any real substance that everyone is grabbing for straws to get some news of any sort. I actually left my job as a reviewer/editor of console (PS2) titles because of this trend.
The powers that be have their eyes set on making the game industry into the next Hollywood and they could give a damn what it actually means to the end user. It is sickening. If you would see it from the other side, you would instantly lose all faith in this industry... I have. The only sliver of hope I see is the Revolution though and they are the only company left focusing on the games.
This article tells nothing that hadn't been known for some time, and is not newsworthy. Think about it though, over the past year basically NOTHING noteworthy has happened. Even the 360 release was pure hype, as it is it has been a super limited release, plagued by a few key design issues, and a handful of homoginized games that have no real soul or "killer app" potential. Yet it has been being trumpeted for almost a year. Even the current consoles have had nothing happening lately in the lull leading up to the next-gen releases. Basically, when you turn an industry into another Hollywood... you get it all the good and the bad... and as anyone can see by Hollywood's current troubles and slumps, it's mostly bad.
Of each point I made you managed to miss every one.
No one said anything about EVERY player gaining housing. And making a big sandbox and allowing player driven quests takes almost no logic and is not that difficult. Also, obviously random monsters means area appropriate random monsters.
The reason it has never been done is because no one takes the simplistic route. Everyone is wrapped up in complexity, and nobody has really tried it yet. MMO's are still young and none have gotten the formula just right... not even WoW.
No one can write a story or game that can compare to letting the game guide itself, it allows for a ever changing and interesting world where you the player has control and attachment. Something lacking in today's MMO's. While it seems simple and would take time to get cooking, it would become a microcosm of the real world in very short order and the possibilities are endless when there are very few limitations and boundaries placed on the players.
Well, if it is of any matter to you i actually have a Slashdot ID in the very low numbers but don't use it in favor of this one... so it doesn't matter at all to me... but AC is just that Anonymous Coward. It's a stupid website, if you really place that much value in karma or any silly shit, then that's your own deal.
If you think Zonk is doing a good job, that is your opinion. I was a game reviewer for many years and I can honestly say Zonk's "reviews" are barely passable and never would have made it past any editor I know of.
Add to that the constant posts covering the exact same subject matter, the dupes, and the fact that most "news" is at least a day late on the games section... and you have a pretty poor section. And no matter your view on Zonk, there is absolutely NO reason for one of his wonderful "reviews" to be on the front page news. NONE.
Please, do tell the "Big Percentage" of bad... I'll wait, and I'll even start you off with the Virtual Boy... oh, yeah, there really isn't that much over the *25* years of Nintendo. I would venture to say they have had less flops over 25 years than Sony and MS combined in about 10-15.
Amen and pass the gravy!
However, we all now will be modded downward so that this intelligent discussion never sees the light of day. I mean who wants to see and hear some real discussion when there are so many "insightful" and "funny" replies to mod up?
I know it is a panacea, but it really wouldn't take much to turn this place around and right the ship. Now, don't get me wrong I don't miss the Natalie Portman/Hot Grits/Goatse days, but at least they were good fun and the place was alive and kicking... it just seems so sterile and bland these days.
Wow, 7 years and you don't have the balls to post your little pat on the back as yourself but as an AC... That makes it all so credible. *rolls eyes*
Why MMO creators try to use bastardized versions of proven failed market systems is beyond me.
To me the ultimate MMO is actually very easy to create. *A market driven economy
*player world interaction (building homes, villages, guilds, shops)
*player driven content (I want a new sword that can only be had in the depths of a cave that I can't get, I put out a quest and a reward, raids on other villages, and completely random monster and loot placement)
That's all, basically the MMO creator just needs a basic storyline with a few warring factions and a big interactive sandbox in which the players can live and play with randome monster placements. They just need to come at it from a new more simplistic angle.
Actually I meant in games like Tennis and Ping Pong in real life, the games are designed to give the players frequent breaks in the action. I didn't write it the clearest.
When you are holding a real raquet and having to run and strike the ball with force no one complains that it is impossible to keep up for more than ten minutes... yet, somehow, to hold a couple ounce controller with no force or running involved is *outrageous* and no one could possibly do *that*. We really are a nation of candy asses... quite litterally.
I fully understand and wholeheartedly agree with you, however for months now I've been trying to get this same message across and all it got me was mysteriously temp. banned from the site for a month and a loss of all my karma (as if I care).
/. reader and I have never seen this place such a mess of "reviews" that state nothing but the bleeding obvious, advertisement, and junk. I used to come here for really cool tech stories and cool homebuilt projects and even the occasional dupe... but now it is just mind-numbing and it seems the management - if it exists - is not just asleep at the wheel but most likely dead.
I'm a long time
Best of luck to you, but most likely you will just go down the same road I did.
Everyone keeps referring to the quick Nintendo video showing the exaggerated motions with the new controller. They weren't real. They were just that, exaggerated motions to better illustrate the new controller.
The fact is that all reports point to being able to use it resting your arm with minor motions, just like current controllers. Sure some games will allow for the dramatic sword fights and whatnot... but it is no big deal. Think about it... have you ever played tennis or ping pong? No massive forearm strength is needed, plus the game has built in pauses to rest.
There are many more examples, but for christ's sake even if you are a geek I think you should be able to wave a 4-6oz. controller around for a couple hours even with no massive strain - we aren't talking about a cinder block here. If you are too weak to handle that, then it is really time to put the game console away and go excercise.
The CPU was just finalized and delivered to undisclosed dev studio's. I do know of three games in development right now so developers are working on some form of basic hardware.
One title is a racing game that IMO looks every bit as high quality as PGR3 and based on the popular "Test Drive" series.
I understand it is not the least intrusive technology, but I don't mind it using some pre-set info for me to show me local restaurants or areas of interest. I don't mind it sending incoming info based on a profile but I don't want it sending outgoing info except location. I understand I'm asking a lot in this day and age, but I know it could be done without too much intrusion.
I'd accept that. It is useful and if done to minimize intrusiveness I would be 100% fine with that.
I have no worldly idea WTF you are talking about. I am talking about your standard free/cheap phone with year contract but a contract that offers fair usable minutes for say $19.99 a month. or even $9.99 a month. It isn't the phone that matters it is the monthly contract costs that are out of hand.
I used to work for a company that owned cell towers and the costs since the switch to digital went down by 8 times. That is 800% LESS cost to maintain the same level of service. Yet, when I had a cell phone in the very early 90's with Bell Atlantic Mobile (now Verizon) I only paid $19.99 a month for 300 daytime/unlimited night and weekend on my Motorola Teletac. So now costs are roughly 800% less yet I have to pay $49.99 to get the same deal with less signal strength... that is my point.
Yes, I agree it is not all done just to warm their hearts, but it is still a lot more than MS is doing. Sony always does an OK job here too, but this time around they are dropping the ball a bit.
The nice thing though is that I can buy Mario Party 7 or Twighlight Princess regardless if I buy a Revolution or not. They are giving people options, and most likely they will have some sort of bonus content built into Zelda when played on the Revolution.
This is where brand loyalty/fanboy's kill me, they are so loyal to a big corporation that could care less about them. However, that being said, consistently Nintendo has done the most for its customers and if any company would engender loyalty it should be Nintendo. Especially this round where MS/Sony are all about greed/hype/flash/DRM/etc. and Nintendo is trying to appeal to indie developers and the wide spectrum of gamers with a focus on gameplay, design, and value.
I've been expecting this actually for over a year. Cell phone costs have actually risen as the costs have decreased dramatically for providers. What needs to happen is that either people need to start to complain at the rediculous prices or a new entrant to the market needs to come in low priced.
A single company to come in low would kill off all pre-pay providers as well as gain all of the older folks and hold outs who won't pay $40+ for a cell phone now. That is a very large market.
Greed, as always, will cause the market to collapse... I'm just waiting for the day it tumbles. Once it is no longer "cool" and ubiquitous or a new technology comes out, I can see the bubble bursting.
I was just as amazed. I thought something must be wrong, or the devil is now wearing ear muffs and mittens.
MTV's overdrive is actually pretty solid all around, which is pretty noteworthy... however it could also be that it is just new and they haven't figured out how to crap it up yet.
You sure got me, I'm so bummed some anonymous internet person doubts me. Wah... dude I could care less, this is /. I'm not here to wow you with my credentials and give a fucking dissertation including footnotes and references.
Everyone seems to forget that The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess is yet to debut, which alone will raise profits substantially. Also Mario Party 7 is virtually sold out everywhere right now and is not included in these numbers.
Nintendo has had a bit of a weak run, but it is ramping up for one hell of a send-off for the console. Profits are just fine, not record-breaking but they are doing just fine compared to some competition. Also, think of current Xbox owners they got barely 4 years and now they have nothing to look forward to without upgrading... at least Nintendo has stuck with the GC till the very end and continues to product top content. I'll take customer loyalty over profit numbers any day.
Umm, there is the new Zelda coming out which will be huge, Mario Party 7 is sold out most everywhere, and a slew of other titles are selling just fine. Just because it doesn't get much coverage doesn't mean it isn't selling... and once Zelda releases Nintendo's profits will be up again.
Wow, who died and made you king of what can and cannot be posted to slashdot. Did you notice you offered NOTHING, you offered no contrary facts, you offered nothing of value at all, all you look like is a whiney bitch.
/. dork could fact check me. Oh, and by the way to act as if Japan doesn;t matter is the MOST STUPID comment anyone could make, even MICROSOFt has stated time and time again that Japan is their biggest hurdle and the most important. Notice how they built a whole 360 lounge, and hired Japanese dev teams, and are kissing Japanese ass right now? Yeah, Japan doesn't matter... take another hit from your crack pipe.
I have a number of friends and colleagues in Japan. Gee, I have a direct insight to the Japanese popular opinion and it is all about the same... I didn't realize I needed to disclose their names, addresses, phone numbers so you some anonymous
Obviously sarcasm is lost on you, with the on one hand comment, it was like to make a point at how few launch titles there are.
I've already answered in this thread where the 30% defective number comes from. I'm not arguing the matter, the real numbers will be known soon enough... then you can lick my hairy nut sac.
Sorry I stepped on your fanboy toes with my comments, go back to your parents basement and whack off to midget pr0n.