Absolutely true! It isn't that computer games arn't popular or "they're dying". The reason for this trend is that there are a handful of EXTREMELY solid titles out right now, and every gamer is playing those handful of games. WoW, BF2, HL2+Mods are all very popular right now, and they have huge player bases. A half-assed game or a non-multiplayer game isn't going to sell as much anymore. For (most) games to have serious selling potential and longevity, they need a strong multiplayer first! And if not everything else better be jaw-dropping.
Honestly, I think what Google was purchasing in this is the people that created the program itself. That entire team, along with Jeff Veen is a great grab for them. By acquiring these people, along with the product itself, they are going to make an even stronger Analytics than before (which IMHO was freakin amazing to begin with). Sure they're buying up the competition, but they're also gettings some of the best minds in the business, great buy Google.
If you don't mod this Insightful, I will come to your houses and shower you with stuffed bears. Oh yes, I'm that serious.
All I'm hoping (may be a bit naive) is that the internet and this technology we're working with now, is known well enough by outsiders (or hackers, whatever you want to call them) that no matter what is thrown at us, we will find away around, or a way to create what we feel is right. How long will we remain in control of these things? Are we loosing it already?
Here's the article from Ars a few weeks back. Talks about the company "Engage Advertising" that was responsible for "pioneering localized in-game advertising programs in targeted markets." Just sounds like Spam to me.
Absolutely. You would expect that most companies would say that adding advertisements would increase their revenue, to provide a better service, but you're never going to see a cut in the price. They'll keep lining their pockets, and before you know it, they'll be uping the price for the subscription, and you'll still be viewing adds, all the while just sitting there going "wtf?". While a bit off-topic, it reminds me of how Dutch-Shell just recently annouced record profits in gasoline sales. Now how did that happen?!? But I'm afraid we all know how. We got sacked, and now we need to pay for it.
In the cases where advertising helps create an added feeling of realism (racing games, as pictured) it's a great addition, and more power to them. However the issue seems to be with game like Counter Strike and other first person shooters where advertising is simply corny or distracting. I don't want to be defusing at basement nuke and see an advertisment for Tampax Heavy's on the wall (Yes I know, not the target audience, won't happen, blah, but I'm being dramatic).
If there was a way to make it not as distracting, but still get the message, I'd go for it. But I don't want to ever see this.
I was referring to PC sales, as opposed to Console based sales. And I agree with you, single player games with a storyline and strong gameplay are still the base for consoles. A game with a good story and good gameplay usually comes before graphics in the minds of most console gamers (hence why I still play Chrono Trigger and Final Fanatasy).
However, I don't know if it's reasonable to say that "your average console gamer doesn't care about WoW". I've found that alot of people move between the two, playing PC games along with Console games (sometimes at the same time). I'm not going to speculate if "your average console gamer" plays WoW or not, but I don't think it's fair to put people in two categories when a most dual-game.
The problem I see happening right now, is that companies are making game "too" fun. If that is actually possible. What I mean by this, is that game like WoW are eating up the marketshare, and keeping the players involved for months (or years). A game like a MMORPG which never ends is always going to have a longer shelf-life then an single player game (People still play UO ffs!). Certain companies are locking up all the players, and there is simply no room for half-assed games. For something to be successful now, it has to completely overtake the previous game of that genre, then the playerbase moves.
Until MMORPGs and other massively multiplayer games die out, I don't think industry can revert.
What I'm wondering is how much his fame as a Tennis Player played in his acquisition by 4 Kings (the Gaming team). Is he really good enough to play competitively, or did they just throw him on the team because he'll get them media coverage (as is happening now).
I for one will be interested to see how he makes out at the CPL and alike. Will he be successful? Will this be a break for competitive gaming? We'll have to wait and see.
I can see this being attempted, no doubt. However I simply cannot see it being accepted by the public. You can't take away something that was free from the public without causing a revolution. I don't think these people have as firm a grasp on the concept of the internet that they think.
It bothers me that the government is having such a field day with all these search engines, blasting them about censoring for China. Yet that same government wants to completely try to contain the internet for the capital gain and exploitation of certain telecom companies?
The internet is the biggest creation of our time, I really hope people won't lie down and let this happen. Use your voice people, do something, I know I will.
While I agree that sure, we'll adapt! I think you may be missing the point.
Sure, I can stop using the my bathroom, and just start shitting on my carpet, it'll start to smell bad, and I'll lose alot of friends, but hey, I'm human, I'll adapt!
When we have a chance to do something about it, I think we should do something, and no just "adapt" and give up. I feel that all we're creating with that mentatility is a lazy society (I know we have one now, but thats how we got in this mess!)
I hate to speculate here on Slashdot (as I'll probably get flamed), but I don't think we should just assume that an increase in sea levels and a increase of a "couple of degrees" will be the only effects of this. An example that always crossed my mind is this:
An increase in temperature in the tropical regions could (should) increase the temperatures of the seas in those regions. Increased sea temperatures act as a higher octane fuel for hurricanes and storms, possibly creating more intense and more frequent hurricanes/storms in those areas.
Why screw up our world when we have the chance not to? Thats my only question.
Easy! They simply add together the IQ scores of their 50 or so PR Reps and Marketing Officals (36 + 42+ 15 + 3.6) and then add 6 zeroes to that final figure! For exameple: This year, piracy has cost the Music Industry 1,625,000,000 USD in lost revenue.
The movie industry is quite similiar, see what they do is take the gross sales of the collection of all studios and multiply it by 2.
But seriously, anyone who actually believes these magical numbers they create needs to move towards the light. It really reminds me of how they've recently started changing judging CD sales by the sales in the US, and compare them to sales in the entire world. For example when they say "Eminem sold 5 million copies of his latest record (this could be false, I don't follow Eminem), which is hard to do in this age of downloading". And then they spill to you about how Michael Jackson sold 45 Million copies of "Thriller" in the 80s, except they leave out the worldwide part.
OTOH, if all they were doing is looking for jihadists, then I'm not going to march on Washington just yet. I'm concerned about the word 'terrorist' being expanded to include people who smoke weed, bitch about the government, and download.mp3s 'illegally'.
Kinda like this then eh? They're never going to tell you who exactly they're watching. The only way people will find out anything if is someone from the inside comes forward, as this person did. I only hope that people who "blow these whistles" do not find themselves in precarious positions inside or outside of the country.
The article states the the picture taken by those astronauts wasn't of high resolution, therefore nothing could really be seen from the photo (other than the fact that it was there). It was more the fact that the photo itself was taken against the rules laid out and that they were able to take the photo and see where it was.
Yea, I agree. This list isn't what I was expecting. I was hoping this was a list of the "most interesting people in gaming", being the people who play games. For example, Leeroy, FPS Doug, Fatal1ty and maybe some members of the CPL Counter Strike teams or other popular E-Sports teams. I don't really think a Top Ten list for gaming should have the names of Politicians, Lawyers or ESRB Executives. While these people may have done alot this year in "gaming", it's kind of lame IMHO.
You'd be amazed what people can do with sticks and rocks when the people in authority are not allowed to use deadly force. By using force you are only going to incite more violence (Especially with the situation that supposedly led to those riots). If the population (or part of a population) of any country decided to rise up against the government, you would most likely see that government fall quite quickly.
As much as we dislike him, he does give an awful lot of money to charity, so well done Billy.
Of course the other argument is that, percentage wise he doesn't actually give that much...
I think he's doing it the best way it could be done, personally. By giving small amount on a continous basis, he's making sure that the effort can continue, and this way he knows where his money is going. If he were to simply dump 5 billion on AIDS without knowing exactly where it was going, there is a good chance that the money would endup in the wrong hands or would be misspent.
Slashdot Mirror
Absolutely true! It isn't that computer games arn't popular or "they're dying". The reason for this trend is that there are a handful of EXTREMELY solid titles out right now, and every gamer is playing those handful of games. WoW, BF2, HL2+Mods are all very popular right now, and they have huge player bases. A half-assed game or a non-multiplayer game isn't going to sell as much anymore. For (most) games to have serious selling potential and longevity, they need a strong multiplayer first! And if not everything else better be jaw-dropping.
Honestly, I think what Google was purchasing in this is the people that created the program itself. That entire team, along with Jeff Veen is a great grab for them. By acquiring these people, along with the product itself, they are going to make an even stronger Analytics than before (which IMHO was freakin amazing to begin with). Sure they're buying up the competition, but they're also gettings some of the best minds in the business, great buy Google.
If you don't mod this Insightful, I will come to your houses and shower you with stuffed bears. Oh yes, I'm that serious.
All I'm hoping (may be a bit naive) is that the internet and this technology we're working with now, is known well enough by outsiders (or hackers, whatever you want to call them) that no matter what is thrown at us, we will find away around, or a way to create what we feel is right. How long will we remain in control of these things? Are we loosing it already?
I used Media Player Classic with the Real Alternative addon. Then I just plugged this link in (Copy Link Location).
Here's the article from Ars a few weeks back. Talks about the company "Engage Advertising" that was responsible for "pioneering localized in-game advertising programs in targeted markets." Just sounds like Spam to me.
Absolutely. You would expect that most companies would say that adding advertisements would increase their revenue, to provide a better service, but you're never going to see a cut in the price. They'll keep lining their pockets, and before you know it, they'll be uping the price for the subscription, and you'll still be viewing adds, all the while just sitting there going "wtf?". While a bit off-topic, it reminds me of how Dutch-Shell just recently annouced record profits in gasoline sales. Now how did that happen?!? But I'm afraid we all know how. We got sacked, and now we need to pay for it.
In the cases where advertising helps create an added feeling of realism (racing games, as pictured) it's a great addition, and more power to them. However the issue seems to be with game like Counter Strike and other first person shooters where advertising is simply corny or distracting. I don't want to be defusing at basement nuke and see an advertisment for Tampax Heavy's on the wall (Yes I know, not the target audience, won't happen, blah, but I'm being dramatic).
If there was a way to make it not as distracting, but still get the message, I'd go for it. But I don't want to ever see this.
I was referring to PC sales, as opposed to Console based sales. And I agree with you, single player games with a storyline and strong gameplay are still the base for consoles. A game with a good story and good gameplay usually comes before graphics in the minds of most console gamers (hence why I still play Chrono Trigger and Final Fanatasy).
However, I don't know if it's reasonable to say that "your average console gamer doesn't care about WoW". I've found that alot of people move between the two, playing PC games along with Console games (sometimes at the same time). I'm not going to speculate if "your average console gamer" plays WoW or not, but I don't think it's fair to put people in two categories when a most dual-game.
The problem I see happening right now, is that companies are making game "too" fun. If that is actually possible. What I mean by this, is that game like WoW are eating up the marketshare, and keeping the players involved for months (or years). A game like a MMORPG which never ends is always going to have a longer shelf-life then an single player game (People still play UO ffs!). Certain companies are locking up all the players, and there is simply no room for half-assed games. For something to be successful now, it has to completely overtake the previous game of that genre, then the playerbase moves.
Until MMORPGs and other massively multiplayer games die out, I don't think industry can revert.
What I'm wondering is how much his fame as a Tennis Player played in his acquisition by 4 Kings (the Gaming team). Is he really good enough to play competitively, or did they just throw him on the team because he'll get them media coverage (as is happening now).
I for one will be interested to see how he makes out at the CPL and alike. Will he be successful? Will this be a break for competitive gaming? We'll have to wait and see.
Staying slightly On-Topic, if anyone didn't catch the 60 minutes special on Fatal1ty and Professional gaming, check it out. I found it quite interesting.
I can see this being attempted, no doubt. However I simply cannot see it being accepted by the public. You can't take away something that was free from the public without causing a revolution. I don't think these people have as firm a grasp on the concept of the internet that they think.
It bothers me that the government is having such a field day with all these search engines, blasting them about censoring for China. Yet that same government wants to completely try to contain the internet for the capital gain and exploitation of certain telecom companies?
The internet is the biggest creation of our time, I really hope people won't lie down and let this happen. Use your voice people, do something, I know I will.
While I agree that sure, we'll adapt! I think you may be missing the point.
Sure, I can stop using the my bathroom, and just start shitting on my carpet, it'll start to smell bad, and I'll lose alot of friends, but hey, I'm human, I'll adapt!
When we have a chance to do something about it, I think we should do something, and no just "adapt" and give up. I feel that all we're creating with that mentatility is a lazy society (I know we have one now, but thats how we got in this mess!)
I hate to speculate here on Slashdot (as I'll probably get flamed), but I don't think we should just assume that an increase in sea levels and a increase of a "couple of degrees" will be the only effects of this. An example that always crossed my mind is this:
Why screw up our world when we have the chance not to? Thats my only question.
....on Slashdot at work and FINALLY! RESULTS!
Nettwerk is Avril's management company. Therefore they are looking out for her interests individually.
they have to go and make things so Complicated?
Easy! They simply add together the IQ scores of their 50 or so PR Reps and Marketing Officals (36 + 42+ 15 + 3.6) and then add 6 zeroes to that final figure! For exameple: This year, piracy has cost the Music Industry 1,625,000,000 USD in lost revenue.
The movie industry is quite similiar, see what they do is take the gross sales of the collection of all studios and multiply it by 2.
But seriously, anyone who actually believes these magical numbers they create needs to move towards the light. It really reminds me of how they've recently started changing judging CD sales by the sales in the US, and compare them to sales in the entire world. For example when they say "Eminem sold 5 million copies of his latest record (this could be false, I don't follow Eminem), which is hard to do in this age of downloading". And then they spill to you about how Michael Jackson sold 45 Million copies of "Thriller" in the 80s, except they leave out the worldwide part.
Kinda like this then eh? They're never going to tell you who exactly they're watching. The only way people will find out anything if is someone from the inside comes forward, as this person did. I only hope that people who "blow these whistles" do not find themselves in precarious positions inside or outside of the country.
The article states the the picture taken by those astronauts wasn't of high resolution, therefore nothing could really be seen from the photo (other than the fact that it was there). It was more the fact that the photo itself was taken against the rules laid out and that they were able to take the photo and see where it was.
Yea, I agree. This list isn't what I was expecting. I was hoping this was a list of the "most interesting people in gaming", being the people who play games. For example, Leeroy, FPS Doug, Fatal1ty and maybe some members of the CPL Counter Strike teams or other popular E-Sports teams. I don't really think a Top Ten list for gaming should have the names of Politicians, Lawyers or ESRB Executives. While these people may have done alot this year in "gaming", it's kind of lame IMHO.
You'd be amazed what people can do with sticks and rocks when the people in authority are not allowed to use deadly force. By using force you are only going to incite more violence (Especially with the situation that supposedly led to those riots). If the population (or part of a population) of any country decided to rise up against the government, you would most likely see that government fall quite quickly.
You must be from the U.S.A.
I'm sorry, but if I'm allowed to swap my wife with a buddy of mine, I sure as hell should be able to swap my music.
Cached. http://www.thetechzone.com.nyud.net:8090/?m=show&i d=469
As much as we dislike him, he does give an awful lot of money to charity, so well done Billy. Of course the other argument is that, percentage wise he doesn't actually give that much...
I think he's doing it the best way it could be done, personally. By giving small amount on a continous basis, he's making sure that the effort can continue, and this way he knows where his money is going. If he were to simply dump 5 billion on AIDS without knowing exactly where it was going, there is a good chance that the money would endup in the wrong hands or would be misspent.
Google buys RIAA.