Calax

Into Darkness

Age of Wushu. First game I've ever seen where You can spend 20 minutes standing in a circle watching as two guys try to figure something stupid out by kicking each others heads in.

Except that he was also shutting off users Kinects

You're right, what consumers are playing will have a huge impact. As for your "it seems like the developers" jab, at this point I'm not even sure what you're talking about. I figured it didn't need explaining that my statement was along the lines of "all else being equal." If PS4 has 80% marketshare, then yeah the PS4 is going to be the platform people develop for. My point about the devs (although it should be aimed more at the Publishers) is that there seems to be a culture of "You will take what we give you AND YOU WILL LIKE IT!" because they control their market so well. And if the Crowd decry's what they don't like, you get developers popping out saying almost exactly that. http://kotaku.com/5892199/stop-thinking-youre-a-producer-former-mass-effect-designer-tells-gamers And yes, there is indie games, but the problem is that they all deal in digital distribution, and have to be vetted by Sony, Valve, or Microsoft to be released, meaning that those indie titles must fit into the publishing model of the three companies. A) So basically people are being babies? No one is forcing them to buy the damn system. So why the outrage? Or is it because there's a fear that other people might not give a crap so those people end up losing (at which point, it's market forces. Sorry). If I may What happens when the system in question requires an online connection? IIRC way back when, PC games weren't swapped as much as console games. And like I mentioned, PC games don't all require an internet connection to actually play. Just for the install (if via steam), and beyond that things like Metro can be played entirely offline. Xbox's update means that people who may have to hit starbucks once or twice a month to get WiFi for their game downloads (yes these people exist) can't play their Xbox anymore. After all, a Laptop is far more portable than a Xbox and it's setup. But it's the only way people think they get heard. It's the same thing with politics, only the fringe groups get seen (or are perceived to be the only groups seen). I've never honestly seen a developer of a non-MMO get into a discussion with fans over systems design or mechanics of a game, instead it's always a one way street with the developers sending a trail of "We Want's" without the players being able to go "Well what about?". And if anyone does ask questions, it's always a member of the gaming media who softball it because of the nature of the relationship between them. I realize that fans being "back seat developers" is not something that's wanted, but it would be nice if devs might actually listen to something other than game reviews and publishers about what the fans actually want. Fans don't want an Xbox that does their bloody laundry and watches them (yes I embellished about always on, but with a camera pointed at you that doesn't have an indicator of when it's on or not is not something I want). Fans don't want an Xbox that's trying to Gameify watching tv, fans don't want an xbox that's "transforming their television experience". Fans want a box that they hit a button and can play Halo on, without having to make sure that the box is hooked up to the internet. Actually, I was looking at this: This is a complete mental fabrication that has no bearing with what we know. There's not a hint of "price control" in the online used market that their discussing. In fact, the link I pointed out straight up stated the you can openly trade games. Hard to take a cut from $0 transactions. I'm sorry, how big is this cut again? You seem to have pulled it out of thin air. Exactly, Microsoft could easily absorb taking a very small cut, because they'd be dealing with volume. Given we don't have any idea what any supposed cut would be, you're doing nothing more than fear mongering at this point, and it's the type of thing that frustrates the hell out of me. Unless something new has come out in the past day, you have zero visibility on the bolded. If gamers are able to choose what they sell their game at, they are not bound by Gamestop's prices and can sell it for whatever they want. This means that the market could very well have the used game price point set at a level where, even after a cut from Microsoft, end users still make more money than they would selling to Gamestop. True, but doubtful. Assuming Gamestop is somehow able to stay in the Used Games business, every tom **** and harry is competing with them to sell their used games. Meaning that the seller needs to get a better deal selling his game online than gamestop gives, and has to punch in a markup for the publisher and developer cut. We can't run numbers (and yes, I was projecting) but it seems to me that if developers and microsoft are getting a cut, they'll have a forceful say in how much of a price there is. And publishers are notoriously reluctant to lower their prices on games. There were a few PS2 games that were selling for 30 new, and in the 5 dollar bin for used back when I worked at gamestop. "On a final note, if it's possible to trade games digitally, the Xbox One would allow me to do something I've never been able to do before: easily lend a game to Calax." Possibly, possibly not. I'm wary of anything a company says is good for me because usually it's stupidly convoluted, or requires something extra. This is Microsoft, the company that requires me to pay them 10 bucks a month for an Xbox Live subscription, to be able to watch Netflix, which I already pay for. I'm not going to pay for freaking Xbox Live just to use my blasted system, but I'm betting they're just gonna leave their online component as is (with free accounts basically being worthless) simply because that's been how they do business for the past 6 years.

From a developers perspective, yeah this might be a good thing, and they might prefer the new system over the PS4 (assuming the PS4 isn't going the same route), but ultimately the consumer is the king. If/when microsoft fails miserably in this competition, it seems like the developers are gonna get a shock in that the consumer isn't just following their path like an sheep. Developers may like it because they get more money, but customers will hate it because they get less. Why would I sell/trade my used game for cheap when it's gonna be price controlled by Microsoft/the company. I'm not gonna be able to play the market (a bit) and sell my used game right before the next one comes out (when the price peaks). And if I sell my game on their market, I'll get a tiny cut of what is my property because part of that sale is turned around and given to the publisher and developer. Retail companies can absorb that becuase they move hundreds of thousands of units a day, but little Timmy will get 2.50 when he sold the game for 12 dollars, because Microsoft and the Developer and Publisher each got their cut. And while Gamestop may be disliked for their prices, they currently give you more value than MS would allow to be given to the consumers (presumably if they're taking their cuts). One of the reasons Steam has been successful as heck is their Summer/Winter sales where they post a good portion of their library on sale for 50-60% off. It gave them a lot of support, and most computers are online. A lot of your computer REQUIRES being online to operate, while most of your consoles do not. And even if your computer is unhooked, you can still play older games (and quite a few new games) offline. Basically people are decrying the fact that A) their system has to be hooked in to the internet to even operate (which not even my PC requires) B) Microsoft and publishers will be able to control the price of every game they ever produce (meaning that the "free market" is dead) and C) They'll have a camera on us at all times weather we like it or not.

Actually, this is more growing out of the technology not being ready. Even in the late 2000's it required more high end monitors and graphics cards to be able to hook into TV's. And the Telephone is something you wanted to be able to easily move around the house, and until recently (well, comparatively recently) the Computer---> Phone has been kinda iffy. VOIP has been around but only with Skype did it really become good enough to hold true phone calls over.

It's got a soundtrack from Jay Z

What... microsoft not being greedy ****? HAH!

Sony went up 8 points, but MS only dropped 2/3rds of a point.

The more I learn (I didn't watch the reveal) the more I feel like Microsoft's PR division just went "people want a cable box? We can do that. People want to play games? We can do that. People want to watch movies? We can do that. People want to facebook and multitask? We can do that". They're spreading themselves way to thin and are alienating to many people. It's a game system, not some incredible wondermachine, and they need to learn this. Edit: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA On a whim I went and looked at Microsofts "Jobs" page. One of the listings is "Technological Evangelist".

I get the feeling MS just lost a LOT of their marketshare. And don't realize just how stupid they're being. Which seems par for the course for them, given Windows 8 and a few other things.

Condolences TN I am apparently under attack by tornados. Two severe storm warnings and a tornado siren has been used. Crammed everyone in my store into the cooler for a while until the storm passed.

Well, turns out I'm one of two up for the slot at the adult shop now. Lower pay, better conditions, still have the application in with the bus company (have an exam with them at the start of next month) but I don't think they'll be happy with me as an employee because I'm an active student.

http://mmogrinder.net/2013/04/30/age-of-wushu-episode-42/

Just got back from Trek II Spoilers are spoilery as **** so... don't look unless you've seen.

There's a boss later on that will eat all your ammo unless you do it right

True, although I think that you'd need to have speech bubbles to properly make that work given all the incidental discussions going on in the towns.

Why does everyone assume it's the sex scene itself that's stupid? It's the relationship between the two characters that is. You see the woman all of 2 times (well three, but in one she's just background) in the game, one of which she's constantly demeaning you. The next time you see her basically has her as the damsel in distress before you rescue her, and she just goes "Hey, let's bone!". I'd have believed a gay romance between you and Pavel (You meet him in the second level) before this girl decides that she wants you. Bascially I'm saying that it's about as realistic as the hooker in Boomtown who makes the question "You want to sleep with me?" literal. Either way, the game needed somebody to come in and adjust the pacing a bit. The setting seems ripe for a Borderlands Esque (more serious mind you) MMO.

Metro Last Light. Has one of the most awkward and unnecessary sex scenes known to man. I could undestand the stripper earlier (long story, but having your player get a lap dance makes sense in context) but the actual sex scene comes later. Basically the only female character in the game (well, beyond the extras) is stuck with you, laments the fact that she feels alone and probably won't survive what's coming, and sits on your lap. Then it's "Go ahead, have some fun" and the screen whites out. No reason for it to be there, beyond "Crap, we need another naked breast!"

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1989083_2137368,00.html Browse the photos of the horrible prisons! OOooooOOOooooOOOoooOO! And ultimately, if you allow certain crimes and (even worse) certain criminals to trigger the revokation of rights and to be considered uniquely evil, then you're just asking for justice not to be applied equally. And even under the assumption that they decided this, is it a case by case basis? or are all crimes that fulfill a certain set of criteria considered "truly terrible"? To give a really..... dark example, imagine two guys are put on trial for the exact same crime, they raped a girl and then killed her. They didn't know or care about their victims age, but one was 20 and one was 17. Does the one who went after the 17 year old automatically get punished worse than the other guy even though both crimes are the exact same barring that detail (including means, motive, and opportunity. It's a thought experiment).

That's really not what I said at all. I said they are getting nutritious meals and cable television. They get to join rodeos and boxing teams. Basically I'm saying the State and taxpayers foot the bill for a fairly comfortable existence. What they can't control is the other inmates, particularly given the overcrowding issues. You do realize that ultimately treating people better in prison means that there is a lower recidivism rate right? I think it's Norway that has their "prison" is actually a little village where all the inmates are monitored, but have their own homes with TV etc. And because they're respected and the prison has enough resources, the offenders don't re-offend.

Started playing last light and HOLY HELL is this an atmospheric game. Although i think the devs need to go back in and retool SOMETHING because THIS keeps happening http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/560974708319183589/C26D30B0D0BFBFFB5F34F79BB31E68C14AFBC537/ It's the flickering of the light and I assume it's based around the fact that it can't really refresh very well but I donno.

It is a consideration, albeit a small one, that even if I'm not one of their leading candidates, upper management may take note of those who display some measure of ambition, which can lead to opportunities elsewhere. I hesitate to add that there is another guy in particular who I suspect might apply for it, and who appears to be "in" with upper management moreso than I am. (With good reason-- he's had some more experience running a high-profile office-wide endeavor, and has been better about volunteering to help other teams and such.) In the long run, I'd probably be fine with working for him, because I have a lot of respect for his intelligence and work ethic. But it would probably take me a bit to get over the ego bruise, because he started this job on the same day I did. (Also, we sometimes attend the same after-work poker game, which could get awkward.) So there isn't really anything to be lost by applying, and if you're noticed applying within the same group, if the next boss doesn't work out they may just tap you to be promoted.