You'll find freaks who take things too seriously in every online experience whether it be Second Life, Live, WoW, or what have you.
Granted, the open nature and user driven content makes the deviant aspects of Second Life stand out a bit more since they can be visually represented. I think that you'll find a larger portion of the user-base to be quite "normal" if you can look past this.
I don't see this as being a way to open things up for hackers since the viewer is what has been open sourced. All content and databases still reside on the Linden Labs owned servers. What it will allow people to do is make modifications to the existing viewer to (hopefully) be more friendly to new users as the interface is fairly archaic and complex.
It's not uncommon to not understand SL. Many people who give it a shot go into it thinking of it as a game because of it's graphical nature and are surprised to find that it's not. This is also a huge complaint, as many people don't spend the time to discover what it truly is... an open environment. You aren't limited to a narrative or linear course like actual games (WoW, EQ, etc). There's always something new to do since it's the users who are in control of the content. Chat with friends, explore, visit any number of RP sims for playing games, etc.
But being user content driven is also it's core problem due to technical as well as ethical issues. The content all has to stream from the servers as it changes constantly... leading to slow loading and lag. Adult content is also rampant (but can be avoided if desired).
The mainstream media has been jumping on the SL bandwagon mainly due to trying to pick up on the "next big thing", much like the internet in the 90's. That, coupled with Linden Lab's press releases, SL users like Ansche Chung making headlines (both in good and bad ways), higher education taking a look at it for teaching, and corporations hoping to capitalize on another market to exploit for advertising are what's fueling it's current popularity.
SL is certainly has it's good and bad. I went into it about 2 weeks before Christmas and was confused at the welcome island... spent some time there, got out into the grid and began to explore. Found some impressive sims and met some really nice (normal) folks and have been hooked on it since. Just don't make the mistake of thinking that it's a "game".
I shouldn't have to "go console". If a game is released on the PC it should work. This is just another of the "release now, patch later" titles. And the problem is not hardware compatibility but sloppy programming. The game is missing many features that made it interesting (individual system management, customization of ships, and a little thing called strategy).
It doesn't matter if you pick it up on console or PC... it's an unfinished, buggy game. "Going console" isn't going to fix that.
@ burn:
Thank you for your note. I think I'll still be passing on it (especially since you noted that there is still a show-stopper). With the quietly removed features, it's just an action game with not strategy.
Terrible game... buggy, broken garbage. Picked it up on the PC last week... luckily I was able to return it as the manager also had high hopes that were dashed after playing it so he understood.
Steer clear. If you must play it, I suggest renting it. If you REALLY want to buy it, just wait a little bit... it'll be in the bargain bin soon.
And Gamestop's list is the end-all-be-all of release dates and prices?
Where's the fine print stating "pricing and availability may vary due to publisher".
No dates or pricing has been officially announced. Heck, Best Buy lists Madden 07 as being released on 11/16... they also list Wii games coming out on 11/3. Guess we can count on those dates as well then.
Second Life abuzz with source code release [update 1]
Jan 8th 2007 7:13PM (Joystiq)You'll find freaks who take things too seriously in every online experience whether it be Second Life, Live, WoW, or what have you.
Granted, the open nature and user driven content makes the deviant aspects of Second Life stand out a bit more since they can be visually represented. I think that you'll find a larger portion of the user-base to be quite "normal" if you can look past this.
I don't see this as being a way to open things up for hackers since the viewer is what has been open sourced. All content and databases still reside on the Linden Labs owned servers. What it will allow people to do is make modifications to the existing viewer to (hopefully) be more friendly to new users as the interface is fairly archaic and complex.
Second Life abuzz with source code release [update 1]
Jan 8th 2007 4:25PM (Joystiq)It's not uncommon to not understand SL. Many people who give it a shot go into it thinking of it as a game because of it's graphical nature and are surprised to find that it's not. This is also a huge complaint, as many people don't spend the time to discover what it truly is... an open environment. You aren't limited to a narrative or linear course like actual games (WoW, EQ, etc). There's always something new to do since it's the users who are in control of the content. Chat with friends, explore, visit any number of RP sims for playing games, etc.
But being user content driven is also it's core problem due to technical as well as ethical issues. The content all has to stream from the servers as it changes constantly... leading to slow loading and lag. Adult content is also rampant (but can be avoided if desired).
The mainstream media has been jumping on the SL bandwagon mainly due to trying to pick up on the "next big thing", much like the internet in the 90's. That, coupled with Linden Lab's press releases, SL users like Ansche Chung making headlines (both in good and bad ways), higher education taking a look at it for teaching, and corporations hoping to capitalize on another market to exploit for advertising are what's fueling it's current popularity.
SL is certainly has it's good and bad. I went into it about 2 weeks before Christmas and was confused at the welcome island... spent some time there, got out into the grid and began to explore. Found some impressive sims and met some really nice (normal) folks and have been hooked on it since. Just don't make the mistake of thinking that it's a "game".
New games this week
Dec 11th 2006 5:15PM (Joystiq)I shouldn't have to "go console". If a game is released on the PC it should work. This is just another of the "release now, patch later" titles. And the problem is not hardware compatibility but sloppy programming. The game is missing many features that made it interesting (individual system management, customization of ships, and a little thing called strategy).
It doesn't matter if you pick it up on console or PC... it's an unfinished, buggy game. "Going console" isn't going to fix that.
@ burn:
Thank you for your note. I think I'll still be passing on it (especially since you noted that there is still a show-stopper). With the quietly removed features, it's just an action game with not strategy.
New games this week
Dec 11th 2006 12:46PM (Joystiq)Star Trek Legacy = NO NO NO NO.
Terrible game... buggy, broken garbage. Picked it up on the PC last week... luckily I was able to return it as the manager also had high hopes that were dashed after playing it so he understood.
Steer clear. If you must play it, I suggest renting it. If you REALLY want to buy it, just wait a little bit... it'll be in the bargain bin soon.
Engadget Black Friday giveaways (part 1): Xbox 360 Premium pack!
Nov 24th 2006 8:00PM (Engadget)GameStop memo lists 36 PS3 games at $59.99, 19 potential launch titles
Aug 28th 2006 5:48PM (Joystiq)Where's the fine print stating "pricing and availability may vary due to publisher".
No dates or pricing has been officially announced. Heck, Best Buy lists Madden 07 as being released on 11/16... they also list Wii games coming out on 11/3. Guess we can count on those dates as well then.