I have lost the motivation to keep this site up, so I am likely not going to be posting any more here. I am probably going to discontinue all active blogs I have and maybe even just get rid of the domains.

I appreciate those who have read and I apologize for not actually doing anything worthwhile with this site.

Turbine has decided to let Founder members who chose the Monthly rate ($9.99/mo) to change their subscription to the Founders Lifetime rate ($199). Instead of being stuck with the monthly rate, confirmed founders can now do what was once impossible - upgrade to a Lifetime :D.

The post was made today by Patience - You can read the whole thing here.

Greetings Founders!

We wanted to let you know that we’ve made the $199 Lifetime offer available to our Founders who initially chose monthly pricing plans (Founders are those who pre-ordered LOTRO and carried their subscriptions over into the retail launch). If you are an eligible Founder, you’ll find the Lifetime option available in your account at https://myaccount.turbine.com.

So what are you Monthly founders waiting for?!

Technorati Tags: Turbine, LotRO, Lord of the Rings Online, Founders

Lord of the Rings Online has decided to add a 7-day free trial to their lineup; Similar to the World of Warcraft free trial, this trial will allow new players to experience the world of Middle Earth for 7 days free of charge (The client can be downloaded [its the low res version] from the information page).

There are some limitations with this free trial, the biggest of which is as follows:

Free Trial accounts have restrictions in place that prevent the use certain features and functionality, such as in-game mail, auction houses, trading with other players, and the sending of tells in the Game. Free Trial accounts also have posting limitations on the message boards. All of these limitations are removed once a Free Trial player upgrades to a standard account.

Check out full details & Limitations via this link 

This should help cut down on the ‘Free Trial Spammers’ that some other games see when offers like this go out, and will still allow new players the flexibility to see much of the game and determine if it is for them (Hint: Its a great game!).

Current players can also use a refer a friend key to get their friends into the game, and Founder’s get special keys that they can use to refer friends.

So what are you waiting for?? Jump into the game now with this free trial and see if Middle Earth is the place you have always wanted to be.

Technorati Tags: Lord of the Rings: Online, LotRO, Turbine, Free Trial

At least I think its humor. I stumbled across this nifty picture while browsing through the DR team blogs at www.dungeonrunners.com (link here), the picture is of a flyer to be distributed at Comic-Con by the woefully underfunded DR marketing staff:

( Click here to view the page in context )

Now that flyer just represents the humor that is behind DR so well! I stumbled on this a tad late (it was posted weeks ago) but just had to share it with everyone - I love it!

So, I was going to try out the Demo of Bioshock today. I downloaded the demo through Steam (even Steam has some uses) and got all ready to see what all the hype was about. Now, I have listened to various pod casts this week and read some articles which painted Bioshock in a great light - while also noting that the game ships with that lovely (and controversial) protection schema known as SecuROM. Apparently, a few issues have come up dealing with the decision by 2k (or whoever made that decision) to use the SecuROM protection system - one of which is tied in with how you not only have to have this SecuROM installed -but you have to activate the game online.. and, get this, you only have 2 activations PER KEY. Thats right, as of right now there is no method to ‘un license’ a PC, and installing too much new hardware can invalidate your key activation (much like with Windows activation).

Of the prominent people to talk about SecuROM (which included Leo Laporte and a few other ‘names’ in the ‘biz’) the one that struck a deep chord was Dan Stapleton - Senior Associate Editor at PC Gamer Magazine. In the PC Gamer Blog In Depth coverage, Mr. Stapleton talked about his trials and tribulations with the games DRM; and how, in order to get 2k/SecuROM to unlock his key again, he had to take digital photos of his DVD & User Guide to prove he owned the game.. wow right? This was multiplied as more and more reports came in from users having trouble authenticating their copies of the game, having troubles with SecuROM errors, etc. In its defense, 2k Games has come out and said that they are changing the # of activations from 2 to 5, and are going to be providing a tool to ‘un license’ a computer so that the key can be used again if the game is uninstalled.

Ok, now that some back story is out of the way - I downloaded the demo on Steam; I figured, hey Steam has its own DRM right? The first time I launched the demo it was fine - the initial graphics were amazing and the game was running very smooth. I closed out the demo so that I could get away from the PC to do some things, came back in a bit and launched the game again - should be pie right? Nope. Guess what I was greeted with when I launched the game again?

Thats right - a lovely SecuROM Error. Here is what SecuROM’s website has to say about this error:

SecuROM™ has determined that a Process Explorer program is running in the background.

• Please close this program and reboot your machine before you start the application.

If the application still won’t start, please send a SecuROM™ analysis file to support@securom.com (see Support Info section on how to prepare and send an analysis file).

Well, isn’t that nice? SecuROM doesn’t like Process Explorer because it has capabilities to dump process activities to file - so people could figure out what SecuROM is doing I guess; Ya wanna know the best part? I DIDN’T HAVE THIS PROGRAM RUNNING! I run it now and then, but it was not running when I went to launch the demo - the ONLY way for SecuROM to know it was there would be to do some snooping in my registry; something that I am not too keen on.

So thats that, I am not even going to think about playing this demo - or even consider purchasing (when I have cash) the game; no matter how great it looks and how great the game play reviews are. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for game developers not getting screwed out of revenue by Pirates - even if it means using annoying DRM schemes; but this is just too much (I am not alone, a Google search for this type of issue brings up tons of pages - 2k’s forums are abuzz with complaints [very little company response as well - but at least they did announce something]).

You lost me at the Demo 2k. You lost me at the Demo.

I will close with two hypothetical musings: 1) Why the hell does a DEMO have a full SecuROM schema active? and 2) Why in hell does the Steam version use this damn DRM when it has its own?

Technorati Tags: Bioshock, 2k Games, SecuROM, Steam, Demo

You might have noticed a new link in the Blog Roll; it is a link to a blog of 2 Turbine employees that talks of a cross country trip to PAX with stops all along the way. They are driving a car emblazoned with the Lord of the Rings Online logo and carrying along a neurotic doll that seems to see ‘Men in Black’ with Swords everywhere - if you are going to PAX you might want to stop by the Turbine area and say hello.

Technorati Tags: Lord of the Rings Online, LotRO, Blog, Turbine, PAX

Thats right, yesterday Turbine (in conjunction with their partners @ Codemasters) announced the imminent arrival of the next free update to Lord of the Rings Online - Book X (10 for those normal people out there :)). Some of the upcoming features include a customizable UI, more monster play upgrades, and a reputation system. Announcement below:

TURBINE AND CODEMASTERS ONLING GAMING UNVEIL
BOOK 10: THE CITY OF THE KINGS
FOR THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™

Major Content Update to Hit MMO to be Available on August 20th

WESTWOOD, MA - August 13, 2007 - Turbine, Inc. and Codemasters Online Gaming announced the details of the second free content update for subscribers to The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™. Book 10: The City of the Kings continues the epic story, adds over 100 new quests, implements significant enhancements to monster play and introduces the Reputation and Bartering systems. Book 10: The City of the Kings will be available to subscribers of The Lord of the Rings Online on August 20, 2007.

“Our first update significantly expanded the world of Middle-earth with new story arcs, quests, and exciting new kinds of gameplay,” said Jeffrey Anderson, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “For Book 10 we continue the epic story and introduce a ton of new content, but we also are introducing legendary play, a completely new way to experience monster play that enables you to play as a powerful Ranger of the North or a terrible Troll.”

Beginning August 20th, heroes can join the battle in Book 10: The City of the Kings, the second of many free updates to The Lord of the Rings Online.

NEW FEATURES:

• The Epic Continues! - Amarthiel, introduced in Book 9: Shores of Evendim, has reclaimed the palantir of Carn Dûm and is now seeking to make Annúminas her new seat of power as she searches for her lost ring of power: Narchuil. The Dúnedain stands against her as the Rangers mount a last, desperate attempt to wrest the palantir from Amarthiel. Before she can find Narchuil, a most dangerous opportunity presents itself that may give the Dúnedain the advantage they need to blind the eye of Angmar.
• Legendary Play - Once in the Ettenmoors, players can experience monster play in a completely new way by spending their Destiny Points to play as a powerful Ranger of the North or a terrible Troll to offer a strategic advantage to their allies in the battle for control of the Ettenmoors.
• Critter Play - Friendly barnyard animals love squawking around the landscape, exploring chicken coops, hunting for worms and more! Players can now explore Middle-earth from a different - and sometimes unexpected - viewpoint as a chicken, the first of many new playable critters that will be added to the game in the future.
• New Reputation and Bartering Systems - Book 10 introduces the Reputation and Bartering systems. The Reputation system enables players to earn positive and negative standing with different races and groups in Middle-earth based on both monster kills and quest completions. The Bartering system allows players to trade trophies earned in battle for rewards such as armor sets or mounts.
• Over 100 New Quests - The story continues for players as they aid the Fellowship and encounter new adventures, new dungeons and over a dozen new monsters.
• Enhanced User Interface - The game’s UI is now customizable. In addition to being able to skin your UI with a unique look, Book 10 will enable players to access sliders in their ‘Options’ panel to scale the size of individual elements of the UI to their liking.

“We are working very hard to deliver the most content and best experiences to our subscribers and it is extremely satisfying to see such a large number of players embracing the game and joining us in Middle-earth,” added Anderson. “We intend to continue our long established reputation of delivering frequent and substantial updates to our players with the release of Book 11 this Fall which will offer players the opportunity to live in their very own house in Middle-earth!”

The Lord of the Rings Online delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the quaint surroundings of the Shire to Angmar, the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before. The Lord of the Rings Online is now available for purchase at major retailers across North America and Europe. For more information about The Lord of the Rings Online, please visit http://www.lotro.com/ or http://www.lotro-europe.com/.

[ View the full post ]

So put on your war face Hobbit Folks! The new update is on its way! (Oh, and did you notice the little blurb about Housing coming in Book XI? :D)

Well the newest games hit GameTap late last week, including Overlord (Must… Destroy… Peasants! GO MINIONS!), and with it came an updated list of upcoming games. You will notice a few changes from last weeks update - some dates got moved around and names changed.

8/16:

Hitman: Blood Money
Fatal Fury 3
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2
Athena
Imperial Glory

8/23:

Jaws Unleashed
Atlantis Evolution
Enemy Engaged 2
Beach Life
The King of Fighters 2003
Garou: Mark of the Wolves

8/30:

Thief: Deadly Shadows
Praetorians
Hospital Tycoon
Delta Force Task Force Dagger
Delta Force Xtreme
Championship Wrestling

9/6:

Infernal
Daikatana
Morning’s Wrath
Blast Miner
Startopia

*Note: The dates shown are tentative and can be changed at any time due to various reasons. For up to date information be sure to check out the GameTap forums.

Technorati Tags: GameTap, Strategy First, Thief, Hitman

Yesterday NCSoft announced that pre-orders for their upcoming game “Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa®”. This game, set in a future where mankinds hope is dwindling in face of overwhelming alien odds, is set to release this fall and has alot of promise to it.

For those of you who don’t know, Richard Garriott, also known as Lord British, is the creative genius (or psychotic role player if you will) behind the (in)famous Ultima series. His goal with this game was to break out of the mold of the current MMO structure, and come up with something innovative and exciting. He might just be able to pull it off too!

Official Announcement (permalink):

 

Tabula Rasa Pre-Order Begins

08 / 09 / 2007

 

NCSoft is thrilled to announce that the pre-order bonus pack for Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa® has been shipped out to retailers. Players who purchase the pre-order for Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa not only get a three-day head start on the live service, they also receive exclusive character emotes, exclusive in-game pets to accompany their characters, access to the beta test, and a DVD with the game client, bonus wallpapers and art. You can purchase a copy online at the PlayNC Store starting on Friday 8/10 or at your favorite game shop as soon as it hits the shelves. So be sure you get your copy ASAP Soldier!!!

This announcement corresponded with a GameDaily hands on preview of the game (read it here) that paints it in a great light.

One of the benefits of pre-order? Well, it seems that Beta access & a 3 day head start top the list of benefits; along with a pet and item exclusive to pre-order customers.

Keep your eyes open people, the AFS is looking for recruits and the battle will be coming to a computer close to you in the near future.

Technorati Tags: MMO, Tabula Rasa, NCSoft, Richard Garriott, Pre-Order

Here is a list of the games due to be released on GameTap over the next 3 weeks* - some pretty good stuff in here!

8/9:

Just Cause
Police Quest: In Pursuit of Death Angel - This was one of the few PC Games I played through and Beat. I can’t Wait!
Pyramid Magic Special
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
Fatal Fury 2
Overlord - This has lots of people going Gaga; a pretty darned new game by Codemasters! [See my post on the Codemasters deal]

8/16:

Hitman: Blood Money
Fatal Fury 3
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2

8/23:

Jaws Unleashed
Atlantis Evolution
Enemy Engaged 2
Beach Life
The King of Fighters 2003
Garou: Mark of the Wolves

*Note: The dates shown are tentative and can be changed at any time due to various reasons. For up to date information be sure to check out the GameTap forums.

Technorati Tags: GameTap, Overlord, CodeMasters, Police Quest, Sierra