Re: Your favorite animal thread (1 year ago)

Koalas:

"They're herbivorous, nocturnal marsupials."
"In English!"
"Um... they eat leaves, the females carry the babies in pouches, and they sleep all day"
"Oh, they're hippies."

- My Brother facebook post.

Re: Interesting/amazing news (1 year ago)

As the Rudd camp kept saying yesterday, down at Liberal HQ enough material has been recorded in the past 24 hours to make lethal attack ads for every day of the next election campaign.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/a-gift-to-liberals-mad-men-20120223-1tqt6.html#ixzz1nEuOw2Zo



Its hard to argue........................

Re: 3DS Friend Code Exchange Thread (1 year ago)

3ds: 2449-4788-0799

Re: guild war 2 beta applications are live (1 year ago)

was for me? There recent facebook update http://www.facebook.com/GuildWars2 shows international sign-ups aplenty?

In other news:

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/guild_wars_2/b/pc/archive/2012/02/20/guild-wars-2-is-the-mmo-revolution-that-star-wars-the-old-republic-promised.aspx

This is the actual MMO revolution we’ve been waiting for.

Guild Wars 2 continues the recent MMO trend of attempting to make story meaningful and important in an online setting, but Your personal story is based entirely on your choice of race rather than class, and classes are not race-restricted.

Part of that approach to storytelling comes in character creation. Unlike other games, you aren’t just tweaking your character’s visuals at the start. You’ll also make several personality choices that affect dialogue options and, eventually, the direction of your story altogether.


Every race’s tutorial area ends with a boss encounter meant to teach how the open-world group events work. In this case, I was joined by three or four other level one characters in a small mountain enclosure where we encountered a ton of tiny wurms. After taking out enough of these burrowing menaces, the giant wurm that Whitebear spoke of burst from the ground.

Guild Wars 2’s event system scales dynamically based on how many players are in the area, but regardless of group size, encounters like this are immediately challenging.

The first NPC you run into outside of the capital city is a scout. Scouts are peppered across the landscape and are plainly marked on your map. Upon talking to them, they’ll reveal a certain area of your map, point out important landmarks, and (this part is key) mark tasks in the area that you can complete.

Tasks are the Guild Wars 2 equivalent of quests. As soon as you enter an area with an incomplete task, you will instantly and automatically have it on your quest tracker. The world map keeps track of how many tasks you’ve finished in each area and even has a "World Complete" percentage that’s sure to drive completionists like myself crazy.

Even from the start, tasks are wildly varied and often involve more than just "kill x enemies." For example, the early norn tasks are based around paying honor to the various animal spirits that the norn worship. To honor the wise raven, I answered riddles posed by raven statues and helped gather raven eggs. To honor the leopard, a shaman transformed me into the animal, allowing me to scare prey out of bushes and hunt them.

One of the coolest parts of this system is how quickly and smoothly tasks can transform into random world events. At one point, I was near the bear shrine, performing the task of fighting off trappers and disarming the bear traps they sent. Suddenly an ice drake broodmother appeared marching down a nearby river. I decided to fight it, and three other nearby players joined me. By the time we took the beast down, I ran back to the bear shrine to discover it was under attack. The trappers had mounted an offensive, and I decided to help defend the shrine against waves of attackers.

All of this happened naturally as I explored the world without needing to talk to an NPC and skip a bunch of boring dialogue. Guild Wars 2’s quest design rewards exploring the world and helping other people. In other words, it embraces the things that actually make it an MMO rather than just trying to imitate a single-player experience.

I especially love that Guild Wars 2 features a travel system, arguably making it the first MMO that genuinely respects your time.

For a while now, MMOs have been convincing me that all I want is a mostly single-player experience with chat room functionality. Guild Wars 2 reminds me of the joy that can come from having this huge world to explore full of other people to team up with, and it does so without sacrificing any of the approachability or care for storytelling that other games have focused on. This is the revolution that we deserve.

TLDR: SOLD!

guild war 2 beta applications are live (1 year ago)

on phone sorry no link but it's available on their Facebook page.

Re: Memoirs of a PAL RPG gamer. (News/releases/etc) (1 year ago)

Game uk has cancelled its last story special edition pre-orders (and won't be stocking some VITA launch titles)

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-21-game-scraps-the-last-story-special-edition-days-before-launch

My ozgameshop copy has shipped according to this mornings emails

Re: FFXIII-2 (1 year ago)

Things aren't weird enough?

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/02/20/rumor-mass-effect-themed-costume-dlc-coming-to-final-fantasy-xiii-2.aspx

Late last year, we heard that Final Fantasy XIII-2 would be receiving Assassin's Creed clothing for main character Noel as DLC. That seems strange enough, but apparently Square isn't stopping the cross-company, cross-franchise add-ons there. A new rumor suggests that Mass Effect costume DLC is on the way for FF XIII-2.

Re: The magic dragon lives by the sea...opps I mean Spyro (1 year ago)

Wave 3 was sigthed at GAME parramatta today. (Cynder / Ice exp 3 pack / Dble Trouble)

If you can wait (and take the risk) Cynder will also appear in a 3 pack sometime around Easter.

Still these things sell out pretty quickly at the moment.

(There are rumors that a change in production will see figures supplied more regularly from March)

Re: Interesting/amazing news (1 year ago)

Well - maybe market socialism? Though I tend to oppose any ism to the exclusion of an others as I don't think any one person can claim an ultimate system/truth. Surely there is a middle ground?

Re: Interesting/amazing news (1 year ago)

I think that the whole issue also requires reflection on society structures. Copyright basically exists so that creators of works are able to receive fair reward for their creation. However, in this age of wiki and as information itself is a commodity, the value of shared knowledge in creating greater returns Vs single entity ownership and control of information raises issues.

An example on todays news is the discovery of gene related to cancer, and its discover is claiming sole legal right to research an use the gene in working towards a cure (obviously to patent and monopolise the eventual sale of thier results) - The capitalistic drive has lead to investment in discoverys such as these and thus deserves fair returns, but how much is research slowed because results are only available to the selected few minds (or those willing to pay for it)

It like the conflict of ideal between encouraging group work and brain storming in students, but have a instant failure penatly foe plagiarism of anothers ideas or where our testing methods call such sharing cheating. Is it cheating to teach others what we know and develop our own ideas further through the input provided by other in return? Which are we wanting: Shared knowledge or individual reward? How can both be balanced? The issue is MUCH bigger than just stopping pirates and protecting corporates (although these objectives do drive most policy as the corporates aim to protect their positions in the market)

TLDR: Copyright slows advancement and seeks mainly to protect profits, but is essential in a capitalistic society, and thus the question for future generations is what society values do we want?

EDIT: It needs to be said though that capitalism has fostered fast and large changes in technology and development, thus countering the suggestion that corporate copyright isn't valuable..........

Re: Nintendo 3DS General Discussion (1 year ago)

How much difference does the 2nd stick make? I'm tempted to get the game, but at this stage I'm thinking I'll wait for the US release of the inevitable console redesign so I can have a system for both regions and the stick built in. Mistake? Is it worth getting now?

Re: The OSCARS of the internet! (1 year ago)

Was tempted to use this:

Re: FFXIII-2 (1 year ago)

Australian based DLC region locking is rare. I know of less that 5 titles this effects including: Uncharted 2, Modnation Racers and prince of persia '08.

Re: Gaming Bargains V2 (1 year ago)

cant find it on the site??

Re: Great iPod Touch/iPhone Apps (1 year ago)

More 99c titles

Scrabble for iPad
Monopoly for iPad
Fifa Soccer 12 for iPad
Fifa Soccer 12
The Sims 3
Shift 2 Unleashed for iPad
Dead Space
Reckless Racing HD
Mirror's Edge for iPad
Command & Conquer Red Alert for iPad
Trenches II
Tony Hawk 2
GTA 3
GTA:chianatown wars

Re: Memoirs of a PAL RPG gamer. (News/releases/etc) (1 year ago)

The European publisher Ghostlight has revealed on its official blog that it will be reviving a pair of classic Atlus games on the PlayStation Network. These two games, Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga and its immediate sequel, Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2, will be available for purchase and download from the European PSN sometime soon, though Ghostlight has not clarified the timeframe beyond "the near future." http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2012/021712a.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

Re: What are you watching? (TV Discussion) (1 year ago)

Sherlock season 2 (screening Wednesdays on the tube, but I got the UK blu-rays yesterday)

Good is good but its seems like they tried to hard with this one (The woman - episode 1)

PS2 games now on PSN (1 year ago)

Not much worth getting right now? Maybe godhand: PS2 Classics (Compatible with PS3 only): http://games.on.net/article/14918/PS2_Game_Downloads_Debut_on_the_PSN

• A Train 6 (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 613MB

• Arcade Classics Vol. 1 (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 208MB

• Bust-A-Bloc (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 150MB

• Cel Damage Overdrive (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 395MB

• Chicken Little (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 1.9GB

• Disney Princess Enchanted Journey (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 4GB

• God Hand (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 16
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 164MB

• Golden Age of Racing (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: Not available in Belgium, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Ukraine
File Size: 164MB

• Gungrave Overdose (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 4.2GB

• International Super Karts (£2.99/€3.59)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: Not available in Belgium, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Ukraine
File Size: 104MB

• Kim Possible: What’s the Switch? (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 7
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 1.7GB

• Maximo (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 2.2GB

• Maximo vs Army of Zin (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 1.2GB

• Meet the Robinsons (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 7
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 4.1GB

• Mr. Golf (£5.49/€6.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: Not available in Belgium, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Ukraine
File Size: 598MB

• MX World Tour (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 509MB

• Neo Contra (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 2.3GB

• Noble Racing (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: Not available in Belgium, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Ukraine
File Size: 209MB

• Road Trip Adventure (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 611MB

• Seek & Destroy (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 583MB

• Skyscraper (£1.99/€2.49)
Rating: PEGI 16
Availability: Not available in Belgium, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Ukraine
File Size: 363MB

• SSX On Tour (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 4.5GB

• Swords of Destiny (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: Not available in Australia, Germany, New Zealand
File Size: 4.4GB

• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 7
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 3GB

• Walt Disney’s Donald Duck Quack Attack (£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales
File Size: 865MB

• WWI: Aces of the Sky (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: Not available in Belgium, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Ukraine
File Size: 215MB

• WW2: Battle Over The Pacific (£3.99/€4.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: Not available in Belgium, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Ukraine
File Size: 168MB

Re: FFXIII-2 (1 year ago)

Re: Great iPod Touch/iPhone Apps (1 year ago)

Gameloft's Valentine's sale is now live – 10 games available for just $0.99

Gangstar Rio: City of Saints
The Settlers HD
Brain Challenge
Driver
Earthworm Jim
Eternal Legacy
Hero of Sparta II
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
The Adventures of Tintin – The Game


ALSO:

league of evil 2 - 99cents http://itunes.apple.com/app/league-of-evil-2/id493832593?mt=8

Re: The OSCARS of the internet! (1 year ago)

No sig? Hang on...wait... that should be no signature... better clarify, no signature image. Yeah that's it. Thank goodness I edited alot or I might have been in the running for the engrish award (which is proberbly the main reason I edit) - wait... is it? Damn, that might actually be defamatory. Damn......

Re: Gaming Bargains V2 (1 year ago)

FF XIII-2 approx $35 ($25 pound) zavi (also now $68ebs) http://www.zavvi.com/offers/final-fantasy-xiii-2.list

Re: An open letter to all PALGN users (1 year ago)

All this post demonstrates is that the chaos IS reflecting badly on Roland et.al. which is kinda the reason its been layed on so thick.

Those of us that feel burned wanted the consequences of the situation to fall where at the feet of those who caused it. Clearly the current ownership is trying to prevent the fallout sticking to them by calling for a new calm. I am glad that in "the last week you've got the attention of both journalists in the Australian gaming media, and publishers" as its these people who have the power we don't to effect pressure on the management team to consider their actions (through affects of ad revenue / cross-promotion support decisions and writer contribution consideration)


Having said that.... I think what we have seen here is genuine grief. We have seen evidence of Shock (though this was diminished as we knew something was up long ago); expressions of pain and guilt; plenty of anger - and we are moving into the reflection stages.

Acceptance will come (and obviously can't come soon enough for some) but this outpouring demonstrates to me the genuine love we have had for PALGN and the genuine concern we have felt that its community has been attacked by those with only self-interest in mind.

Re: Interesting/amazing news (1 year ago)

Any death is sad for those who loved and knew the person. Accidental deaths are tragic (and not examples resulting from behaviors I've suggested)

If someone KNOWINGLY engages in an activity that puts their life at risk and then finds themselves with their life at risk, whose fault is it?

Lets be clear.. I include my own choice to risk diabetes and heart disease through poor diet and lack of exercise in this. Should I develop these conditions, than I have only myself to blame, and I shouldn't expect sympathy for what is a scientifically predictable outcome.

Re: Interesting/amazing news (1 year ago)

Ah benza, how your opinions bait me. I never know if your trolling or we just don't see eye to eye. I also have no sympathy for hoons, drunk/drugged drivers, drag racers, unlicensed drivers, over-tired truckies, speeders and any other person who isn't driving with safety in mind - who I am fairly confident contribute to the vast majority of driving deaths - Please note deaths here - I am sure there have been genuine accidents resulting in fatalities where these things aren't a factor, but I'm yet to hear of them. Pain for those they injure and kill by the buckets, sympathy for idiots..nil.

Edit - obviously deaths as the result on mechanical failure - where the vehicle has been regularly maintained and serviced - are genuine tragedies for all concerned......

Re: Interesting/amazing news (1 year ago)

^^ I'm not saying they were legally contractors but ALL employees are on a "contract"..... Development studios (and presumably their staff) have to pitch ideas to get funding. If the idea wasn't funded or seen as viable (either by external or internal funding sources), then the project didn't happen.

Any company wants to retain their staff to recupe the investments they have placed in them, but if the projects not sustainable then the employment "contract" has to end resulting in redundancies. As noted, its not just the games industry.

Does this mean that I am not saddened that industry investment and innovation isn't occurring, of course not. I'm just saying that any employee that believes a job is for life is fooling themselves.........

Re: Interesting/amazing news (1 year ago)

Re: Kootaku - Developer staff are really contractors engaged with employee benefits that are retained on a project by project basis. Does it suck, sure; but it like hiring a builder to build your house and then he complains because you aren't letting them develop a housing precinct.

Damn - aren't I supposed to be leaving? Might see that extra 499 after all.......

Re: BOOM! (1 year ago)

..........as is my reduction in posts apparently......

Re: BOOM! (1 year ago)

......I'm also pretty sure a gaming diet will be about as effective as my food one......

Re: BOOM! (1 year ago)

I might have inflated that figure for effect................