Showing posts with label Free Action Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Free Action Games. Show all posts
Saturday, October 22, 2011
News Battlefield 3 Launch Trailer
This time next week, you'll be knee deep in Battlefield 3. And as a reminder that DICE's anticipated shooter is right around the corner, the official launch trailer is here. See below for a healthy dose of Battlefield 3's single-player storyline.
Friday, October 21, 2011
L.A Noire delayed again.
Ok, I'm blogging this because no websites seem to have picked up on this. At the end of the new trailer released this week, and found at: http://www.youtube.com/watc...
is, once again a new release date of next Autumn.
Only a few days ago, we got a Spring 2011 release date.
is, once again a new release date of next Autumn.
Only a few days ago, we got a Spring 2011 release date.
If It's So Awful, Why Are We So Fascinated?
I just don't get it, I guess. We read articles on this site, and then we post comments accusing them of being either flamebait, or trolls, or fanboys.
Yet, not only does the flamebait fanboy troll article get approved, it gets some good heat. Here I am looking for well thought out, well written articles and the FTF (Flamebait Troll Fanboy) articles are getting more heat.
For the record I'm not referring to the stories that get hot because they're actually big news. I don't begrudge "Latest Uncharted 3 gameplay footage" or something similar hitting 500 degrees. What is bugging me is the articles that have 54 comments on them when 30 of those comments are calling the author a troll. You're giving hits to a story then complaining that the story was written to generate hits. Or saying "the author is obviously a ps3/360/wii fanboy"
Just so you know, COMMENTS GENERATE HEAT. So if you're looking for well written, reasonably fair articles, comment on one when you find it. Leave the FTF articles alone. If you can tell by the summary that the author is a troll, don't click on the "Read Full Story" link. If you're a contributor, there is a "Trolling" option in the Report menu. Don't let it get posted. Alternately you could refuse to submit an FTF article.
Yet, not only does the flamebait fanboy troll article get approved, it gets some good heat. Here I am looking for well thought out, well written articles and the FTF (Flamebait Troll Fanboy) articles are getting more heat.
For the record I'm not referring to the stories that get hot because they're actually big news. I don't begrudge "Latest Uncharted 3 gameplay footage" or something similar hitting 500 degrees. What is bugging me is the articles that have 54 comments on them when 30 of those comments are calling the author a troll. You're giving hits to a story then complaining that the story was written to generate hits. Or saying "the author is obviously a ps3/360/wii fanboy"
Just so you know, COMMENTS GENERATE HEAT. So if you're looking for well written, reasonably fair articles, comment on one when you find it. Leave the FTF articles alone. If you can tell by the summary that the author is a troll, don't click on the "Read Full Story" link. If you're a contributor, there is a "Trolling" option in the Report menu. Don't let it get posted. Alternately you could refuse to submit an FTF article.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Crunch Time: The Necessary Evil
With the past overtime policies of EA and the recent turmoil at Team Bondi, there has been a lot of uproarious discussion regarding overtime in the game industry. If you are familiar with the industry you know that overtime has even been given its own name of “Crunch”. Crunch happens when developers are approaching a milestone in the development of a project but are unable to achieve the goals of that milestone during a normal 40 hour work week.
Crunch is a difficult thing to endure. There are times where the lines of legality regarding work hours are blurred. Sometimes the developer will say “This is the deadline, get it done.” and it is up to the individual to effectively use their time to complete the tasks with overtime becoming mandated if they do not close to their goal as the deadline approaches. Publishers also want to ensure that the millions of dollars they spent on a games development result in a marketable product. Something outsiders need to realize before they judge the “poor working conditions” of the game industry is that many times the developer’s hands are tied. They don’t want to work these poor people to death. There is a project, and there is a deadline. It’s as simple as that.
It seems like when reports come out about crunch that they neglect to mention all of the great perks that usually come with working at a game studio. There is often times free snacks, bonuses, giveaways, free soda and even free meals provided during crunch. One could argue that the reason the studio offers these things is to keep the development team at their desk working rather than having to leave for a meal. Even if that is the case, the many perks that come with working at a game developer are definitely greater than the sum of their parts.
Many gamers are unsure what stance to take on the issue of heavy crunch. While everyone can agree that is it uncomfortable, some see how crunch is necessary. Fewer still realize that the negative effects of crunch are not limited to just developers and their families. When a game slips past its release date and gets delayed, that is a considerable about of cash that is added to the game’s budget. If a 50 developer team making 60k a year gets delayed by six months that adds 1.5 million dollars to labor ALONE. That’s not to mentioning all the other costs that are accrued over the course of a regular development period. Who do you think is going to pay that additional cost in the end? Not the corporate big wigs who balance the budget. It will be us gamers that paying the cost. Be it through increased game prices next generation or having to pay for game services (Multiplayer, CoD Elite, ETC), gamers are paying the bill.
Nobody likes that crunch is happening but the reality of it is that overtime will always be present in a deadline based industry. The main concern is how MUCH crunch there is and how the issue is being addressed. Publishers and developers are consistently looking for ways to alleviate the problem but it is not a black and white issue. How do you motivate salaried employees to do their job on time? There has been many instances of a game being delayed simply because a few select developers were too lazy to do their jobs efficiently. While is it becoming a rarity, many times developers are laid off after a major project ships. What incentive do they have to finish as quickly as they can?
The only thing we can hope for out of this whole Team Bondi situation is a clearer understanding of why crunch happens and maybe slowly work our way towards a solution. Anybody have any ideas?
Crunch is a difficult thing to endure. There are times where the lines of legality regarding work hours are blurred. Sometimes the developer will say “This is the deadline, get it done.” and it is up to the individual to effectively use their time to complete the tasks with overtime becoming mandated if they do not close to their goal as the deadline approaches. Publishers also want to ensure that the millions of dollars they spent on a games development result in a marketable product. Something outsiders need to realize before they judge the “poor working conditions” of the game industry is that many times the developer’s hands are tied. They don’t want to work these poor people to death. There is a project, and there is a deadline. It’s as simple as that.
It seems like when reports come out about crunch that they neglect to mention all of the great perks that usually come with working at a game studio. There is often times free snacks, bonuses, giveaways, free soda and even free meals provided during crunch. One could argue that the reason the studio offers these things is to keep the development team at their desk working rather than having to leave for a meal. Even if that is the case, the many perks that come with working at a game developer are definitely greater than the sum of their parts.
Many gamers are unsure what stance to take on the issue of heavy crunch. While everyone can agree that is it uncomfortable, some see how crunch is necessary. Fewer still realize that the negative effects of crunch are not limited to just developers and their families. When a game slips past its release date and gets delayed, that is a considerable about of cash that is added to the game’s budget. If a 50 developer team making 60k a year gets delayed by six months that adds 1.5 million dollars to labor ALONE. That’s not to mentioning all the other costs that are accrued over the course of a regular development period. Who do you think is going to pay that additional cost in the end? Not the corporate big wigs who balance the budget. It will be us gamers that paying the cost. Be it through increased game prices next generation or having to pay for game services (Multiplayer, CoD Elite, ETC), gamers are paying the bill.
Nobody likes that crunch is happening but the reality of it is that overtime will always be present in a deadline based industry. The main concern is how MUCH crunch there is and how the issue is being addressed. Publishers and developers are consistently looking for ways to alleviate the problem but it is not a black and white issue. How do you motivate salaried employees to do their job on time? There has been many instances of a game being delayed simply because a few select developers were too lazy to do their jobs efficiently. While is it becoming a rarity, many times developers are laid off after a major project ships. What incentive do they have to finish as quickly as they can?
The only thing we can hope for out of this whole Team Bondi situation is a clearer understanding of why crunch happens and maybe slowly work our way towards a solution. Anybody have any ideas?
Rusty Hearts Limited Prize Pack Giveaway
Earlier today, Perfect World Entertainment announced that they will be showcasing Rusty Hearts at Anime Expo this weekend. In celebration, they are hosting a special Rusty Hearts Limited Prize Pack giveaway valued at $170 USD.
Beginning on July 1 and ending on July 3, 11:59 pm PT, all players who redeem a Rusty Hearts closed beta key - or who have already redeemed a key will be entered to win one of three limited prize packs that include 1 Logitech G510 keyboard ($119.99), 1 Logitech F710 gamepad ($49.99) and 1 Limited Edition Rusty Hearts bear. For the info: http://rustyhearts.perfectw...
Beginning on July 1 and ending on July 3, 11:59 pm PT, all players who redeem a Rusty Hearts closed beta key - or who have already redeemed a key will be entered to win one of three limited prize packs that include 1 Logitech G510 keyboard ($119.99), 1 Logitech F710 gamepad ($49.99) and 1 Limited Edition Rusty Hearts bear. For the info: http://rustyhearts.perfectw...
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