Joystiq

Ubisoft says always-on DRM is 'a success,' fans are confused

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST

Ubisoft riled the masses with news that Driver: San Francisco will have always-on DRM, requiring that players be constantly connected to the internet for the game to function. Ubisoft has used constant DRM in previous titles, such as Assassin's Creed 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction, arguing it combats piracy. Players argue DRM is an unfair, frustrating hassle, and Ubisoft is now counter-arguing this point, with the announcement that always-on DRM has been "a success."

Ubisoft said it has seen "a clear reduction in piracy of our titles which required a persistent online connection, and from that point of view the requirement is a success," speaking with PC Gamer. Ubisoft has also successfully angered many fans, who say its DRM policies only hurt those who pay for the game, and citing previous DRM titles that have been cracked, pirated and hacked anyway.

Ubisoft has previously removed DRM from its titles, but this year the restriction is making a comeback -- and we'll get to decide if it's on the level of Justin Timberlake or Vanilla Ice.

Ubisoft says always-on DRM is 'a success,' fans are confused originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSN Tuesday: UnderGarden, Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:31:00 EST

This week's PSN update adds The UnderGarden and Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2, two titles that didn't review all too well on our little corner of the internet. Although, not all is lost, if you somehow missed out on playing one of the best games of 2009, Assassin's Creed 2 is available for $30. The "Deluxe Edition" includes the core game along with all the DLC.

Check out the Fight Night Champion demo if you're looking to play something punchy. The full PSN update can be found after the break... and please try to ignore the crickets hanging out in the PSP section.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading PSN Tuesday: UnderGarden, Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2

PSN Tuesday: UnderGarden, Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon offering some great games for $20 or less

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:25:00 EST

Despite what you may think, it would be actually criminal to miss out on today's incredible Amazon game deals. Batman: Arkham Asylum (not the Game of the Year edition, alas) for $15? Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for just $20? Chrono Trigger for $15? It's kind of like a fire sale over there.

You can peruse the entire list for yourself right here, and read our suggestions after the break. Frankly, we're inclined to buy each person on our holiday shopping list a copy of Assassin's Creed 2. It's only $20!

Continue reading Amazon offering some great games for $20 or less

Amazon offering some great games for $20 or less originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JoyStats: 40% of players finished Assassin's Creed 2 campaign

David Hinkle — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, In The News, Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

During a recent press event, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood mission director Gaelec Simard disclosed to Joystiq that 40 percent of Assassin's Creed 2 players finished the game -- "which is huge," he added. The figure is up roughly 5 percent from the estimated 35 percent completion percentage of AC1 players on Xbox Live, who were tracked through their Achievements.

Ubisoft's AC2 data paints a more complete, cross-platform picture of the total player base's completion rate, as it was provided by the game's built-in Uplay service, which tracks gameplay statistics (in addition to providing a platform through which players can unlock in-game content). Still, players must have their consoles connected to the internet and must register Uplay accounts before the service begins tracking their data.

While 40 percent completion might seem low, especially for one of the best games of 2009, it's still significantly higher than the less than 30 percent rate of completion among a sampling of GTA IV players, as found in a study published by Gamasutra a year ago. "In the industry, the number of games that are finished is more like five to ten percent," Simard figured. "We all think people finish games, but when you start asking around, you'll find that a lot of people don't get to the end. We want the player to experience the whole package, so that's something we're trying to push."

JoyStats: 40% of players finished Assassin's Creed 2 campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Splinter Cell Conviction and Assassin's Creed 2 sneaking to Mac by September

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Apple fans can expect two more games on their shiny Mac computers from Ubisoft in the coming months. Ubisoft updated its product lineup for its fiscal Q2, featuring Mac versions of the not-very-Microsoft-exclusive Splinter Cell Conviction and Assassin's Creed 2. Given the timespan of the fiscal quarter, that means these games will be available as early as July, or as late as September.

The Mac version of Assassin's Creed 2 is currently listed as an EMEA release, which means it's planned for release in Europe, Middle East and Africa. We'll contact Ubisoft to see if a North American release is in the works as well.

Splinter Cell Conviction and Assassin's Creed 2 sneaking to Mac by September originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XBL Deal of the Week: Assassin's Creed 2 DLC and Avatar gear

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:20:00 EST

Just this once, we promise not to rely on killing metaphors to describe Assassin's Creed 2 deals. It's too easy. Instead, let's say that the AC2 DLC and Avatar items are at least 25 percent cheaper for Xbox Live Gold members this week. Suffice it to say that the prices have been cut ... Damn.

Continue reading XBL Deal of the Week: Assassin's Creed 2 DLC and Avatar gear

XBL Deal of the Week: Assassin's Creed 2 DLC and Avatar gear originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buy Assassin's Creed 2 on Impulse, get AC1 free

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:40:00 EST

Do you have a penchant for murder? Really athletic murder? Then you'd probably like to know that Impulse has a two-for-one deal on parkour-infused assassination this weekend. Snag Assassin's Creed 2 for $40 and you'll also get the original Assassin's Creed for free. No leap of faith required!

Buy Assassin's Creed 2 on Impulse, get AC1 free originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed 2 Ezio figure sneaks into view

David Hinkle — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Looking to intimidate all of the other figurines on your toy shelf? You may want to check out Hot Toys' 1/6th scale recreation of Assassin's Creed 2 protagonist, Ezio Audisomethingorother -- which comes complete with a set of interchangeable hands, knives, swords and even a ponytail.

There's no word on price right now, but the figure is planned to launch in Q3. Considering its 30 points of articulation, 30cm height, real metal weapons and complex uniform -- not to mention the going rate on some of Hot Toys' other figures -- you'll probably want to start saving your Florins right now.

Gallery: Assassin's Creed 2's Ezio figure (from Hot Toys)

Assassin's Creed 2 Ezio figure sneaks into view originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed 2 ships close to 9 million, Conviction sales reach 1.8 million

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:50:00 EST

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot was fairly pleased to report during today's investor's briefing that two of the company's biggest games of the past year have been flying both onto and off of store shelves at breakneck speeds. According to Guillemot, Assassin's Creed 2 has shipped nearly 9 million units during the fiscal year, while Splinter Cell: Conviction, which only just launched April 13, has hit 1.8 million in sales.

Guillemot is banking on the continued sales of the latter title to increase Q1 revenues 75 percent year-over-year. We doubt the company will have any problem with that. Games which task the player with discreetly dispatching enemies are apparently in no danger of going out of style.

Assassin's Creed 2 ships close to 9 million, Conviction sales reach 1.8 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 May 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed 2 enters Guinness World Records 2010

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:45:00 EST

Yes, Assassin's Creed 2 has been awarded with a Guinness World Record. You might be surprised, however, to learn that it has nothing to do with how good the game is. No, Assassin's Creed 2 has been awarded the world record for "being the most cover-featured video game." In other words, it appeared on more magazine covers between April 2009 and April 2010 than any other game.

According to the press release, Assassin's Creed 2 appeared on 127 covers throughout 32 different countries. Said Gaz Deaves, editor of the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition, "I'm sure plenty of commentators (including myself) would have predicted another well-known game winning the title instead, and this achievement is even more impressive in view of the other 2009 releases that Assassin's Creed 2 was able to beat."

While it's an impressive feat by any standard -- and one Ubisoft marketing must be proud of -- we have to wonder if the record would hold up to closer scrutiny of games released before 2009. After all, there aren't as many gaming magazines around as there used to be, and a few games -- Street Fighter, Tomb Raider and Mortal Kombat come to mind -- appeared on quite a few magazine covers in the past. What do you say, Ubisoft competitors? Anyone want to do some research and challenge the record?

Assassin's Creed 2 enters Guinness World Records 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed 2 takes seven at MI6 Awards

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:15:00 EST

As if Assassin's Creed 2 hadn't already taken enough prestigious awards (not to mention a number two spot in our best of 2009 list), the MI6 released word today that the game also earned seven gold awards in marketing at the fifth annual MI6 Awards on April 1 in San Francisco. From "Outstanding Overall Integrated Marketing Campaign" (though all the cool kids call it the "OOIMC" -- pronounced "oo-imp-ka") to "Outstanding TV or Theatrical Ad Campaign," AC2 swept the awards show, only closely lead by Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles and NBA 2K10 at four each (remember folks, these are awards for marketing).

If you'd like, the whole list is available here (in PDF format, so you know). And yeah, if you hadn't already guessed, the Darkside Chronicles shirt was totally voted "Best Swag." Deservedly so.

Assassin's Creed 2 takes seven at MI6 Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed Space coming to PlayStation Home

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:13:00 EST

One of the coolest aspects of Joystiq's #2 Game of 2009, Assassin's Creed II, had to be the search for "the truth." The meta game was hidden across the entire experience, and had players solving puzzles in an effort to unlock a video that would explain one of the franchise's biggest mysteries. That mystery and intrigue is coming to Sony's online community this week, in a brand new Space for PlayStation Home.

The Personal Space will include a multiplayer tower defense game that "pits Assassins against Templars," and includes access to developer blogs, concept art, the Animus 2.0 database, and the full "Assassin's Creed: Lineage" live action short film. The Space will cost $4.99, but for hardcore Assassin's Creed fans, the ability to have your Home Avatar walk around the Hideout from ACII may be worth the price of entry.

Assassin's Creed Space coming to PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed 2 ships 8 million, next game returns to Rome

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:10:00 EST

Speaking in an investor call, following the release of Ubisoft's fiscal third-quarter financial results, company CEO Yves Guillemot made it abundantly clear as to why another Assassin's Creed will unsheathe its stabby things before April 2011. According to Guillemot, Assassin's Creed 2, which launched in November 2009 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, has shipped 8 million copies. The original Assassin's Creed had sold just as many by June 2009 -- roughly 18 months after its debut.

Although details regarding the new Assassin's Creed -- set to star Ezio and some online friends -- remain slim, Guillemot wasn't mum on milieu: "This time, [Ezio] will strike directly against the templar's order in Rome." Can this Rome be built in a year, just in time for Holiday 2010?

Assassin's Creed 2 ships 8 million, next game returns to Rome originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New costumes, spaces are Home-ward bound

Mike Schramm — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST

Sony's official Playstation blog has posted a rundown of what's new in Home this coming week, and it looks like you'll have a few different costumes, personal spaces, and even a couple of contests to pick from. First up, the costumes: Not only will the Bioshock suit finally be available, but there's a special edition Ezio costume from Assassin's Creed II as well. There's a brand new personal space named London Pub created by VEEMEE, complete with dart game, beer taps, and working restrooms. And there are new items for the Paris Clock Tower personal space, as well as Fantasy and Victorian clothing bundles to buy.

As for contests, they're currently running MAG contests in Central Plaza (where you can get free t-shirts of the game's factions), and Zombieland contests that ask you to answer trivia questions posted around the environment. Other than those promotions, new stuff ain't cheap: The London Pub is $5.99, and the other items and costumes will cost you, too. But what's the cost of one beer at a swanky authentic pub when you could buy a virtual copy of the whole place?

New costumes, spaces are Home-ward bound originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed 2 DLC 'Battle of Forli' available Jan. 28

David Hinkle — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:35:00 EST

Ubisoft has just tweeted what we've all been waiting for: the release date of the first promised bit of DLC for Assassin's Creed 2, "Battle of Forli." The add-on will be out next Thursday, January 28, for a meager sum of 320 / $3.99 on Xbox Live and PSN. We say "meager" because, well, Ubisoft could totally get away with charging us more. We very much liked that Assassin's Creed 2 game, but shh, don't tell them that! We wouldn't want to give them any ideas for pricing the "Bonfire of Vanities" DLC next month!

The "Battle of Forli" has players defending the Forli base against the attacking Orsi brothers. Ezio enlists the aid of Machiavelli and Caterina Sforza in this task across the segment of six new playable memories.

Assassin's Creed 2 DLC 'Battle of Forli' available Jan. 28 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq's Top 10 of 2009: Assassin's Creed II

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST

When he reviewed Assassin's Creed II, Justin assured, "If you were burned by the first Assassin's Creed and are worried about getting bored by the sequel, I understand your skepticism, but trust me: it's misplaced." Did I trust him? Of course not.

I slogged through the first Assassin's Creed until the bitter end. And boy was I bitter. The tiny sliver of hope I held for the game -- for the franchise -- had been buried by disappointment, and then ultimately by disinterest. Assassin's Creed was dead to me.

Imagine my surprise, then, when hope was unearthed -- nay, resurrected! -- in an experience this callous critic can only describe as a miracle. Actually, scratch that. Assassin's Creed II is not miraculous, but rather it's the result of meticulous design. It's big-budget development at its finest, its most daring, in an era when sequels seek not to challenge their predecessors but to clone them.

Sure, Assassin's Creed II borrows heavily from the first game, but it builds up that core experience -- and then leaps from the edge! Short of Grand Theft Auto III's revolutionary move away from GTA2's simple top-down perspective, there hasn't been a sandbox-style sequel that has trumped its precursor as soundly as Assassin's Creed II defies the original. If taking the empty shell of a game that was the first Assassin's Creed and bringing it to life (with customization, coordination and character) is the cake, then let us not forget the icing.

What seals Assassin's Creed II as one of 2009's very best for me is the game's unlikely side task of becoming a pseudo-historian. This brilliant addition is really two-fold: the hands-on exploration of Renaissance Italy and the puzzling mystery of a massive holy conspiracy-war. That, since playing Assassin's Creed II, I've started several conversations by suggesting, "Did you know, in Italy, back in the day they ...," is a testament to the design team's engaging recreation -- from scalable architecture to someday-priceless works of art -- of a vibrant historical place and period, which the developers have padded with colorful, encyclopedic entries built into the gameplay. While not certifiable "edutainment," Assassin's Creed II is the start of a blueprint for how we might one day learn history.

Of course, sewn into the fabric of Assassin's Creed II's Renaissance Italy is a fictional thread of intrigue. Pieced together through a series of brain twisters, which are an abrupt, yet wonderful departure from the dashing and dueling, and sneaking and stabbing, the franchise's mystery is no longer an idea hovering over the game world, but one woven within it. Assassin's Creed II is an extraordinary achievement of playable narrative and, really, you must play it.

Gallery: Assassin's Creed II

<< Back(3) | Comment | 1. Among the best >>

Joystiq's Top 10 of 2009: Assassin's Creed II originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed II costumes go on sale in LittleBigPlanet, Home

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:45:00 EST

You may be nearing the end of your assassinating adventures with Ezio in Assassin's Creed II. But, what are you supposed to do as you agonizingly wait for the upcoming DLC? Make your own AC2 adventures in PlayStation Home and LittleBigPlanet, of course!

The LBP Ezio costume will be available today on the PlayStation Store worldwide for £1.59 / €1.99 / US $1.99 / AUS $ 3.45 / NZD $3.90. Unfortunately, this costume set doesn't include any hidden wrist blades, so you'll have to make do with slapping your friends silly.

PlayStation Home's offering is a little less adventurous. The virtual Mall will feature "Renaissance costumes pulled straight from 15th Century Italy." In other words, you can dress like a courtesan (essentially, a fancy way for saying "prostitute"). Once again, no lethal weapons will be included, so instead of killing, you'll have to make do with ... um, dancing.

Source - Assassin's Creed II Costume - LittleBigPlanet
Source - This Week in PlayStation Home - PlayStation.Blog

Assassin's Creed II costumes go on sale in LittleBigPlanet, Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vote for your favorite Assassin's Creed 2 achievement

Xav de Matos — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST

On its official forum, Ubisoft is giving gamers the chance to vote for a future Achievement/Trophy in Assassin's Creed 2 -- otherwise known as one of the few games not delayed into 2010. The choices are:

"The Taste of Revenge" -- Kill X Brutes (heavy guard)
"Weapon Master" -- Use all weapons at least once
"Victory Lies in Preparation" -- Get all available upgrades for Ezio
"Mighty Traveler" -- Travel X kilometers within the game

Currently, "Victory Lies in Preparation" is leading the pack with 45% of the vote. While the available choices are your garden variety in-game accomplishments, the contest gives gamers a chance to participate in the wonderful world of game development! Seriously. Look for your name in the credits ... it will totally be there. Voting ends August 17, so get to it.

Vote for your favorite Assassin's Creed 2 achievement originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft: Assassins Creed 2, new Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon by March 2010

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

In a recently released Ubisoft sales report, the company revealed its plans for its upcoming fiscal year 2009, which begins in April and ends in March 2010. Seven franchises are to be launched, including the sequel to Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell Conviction, Anno and a new entry in the Ghost Recon series. Four licensed games are in the works, including James Cameron's Avatar. Finally, the company expects to launch three new brands and expand its casual games library.

Of the seven franchise titles, only the four above are explicitly named, leaving the rest a mystery. We're going to hope, along with Joystiq, that one of those is Beyond Good & Evil 2.

Ubisoft: Assassins Creed 2, new Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon by March 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed 2 officially confirmed, with us by March 2010

Jem Alexander — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Ubisoft's third quarter earnings report has finally officially confirmed that the sequel to 2007's best selling assassinate-em-up, Assassin's Creed, will be available before the end of March 2010. While technically impressive, Assassin's Creed was a bit lacking in the gameplay department, we felt. A great proof-of-concept, but without enough fresh content to keep from getting stale after a while. Something we're hoping to see improved in the sequel. Ready for another year of seeing Jade Raymond wherever you turn?

The report also mentions that there will be seven franchise titles being released during the fiscal year starting this April, including Splinter Cell Conviction (which we can assume is still 360 exclusive), Ghost Recon and, as we've already mentioned, Assassin's Creed 2. There will also be three new IPs, including I Am Alive. No other games in these categories were mentioned, so no doubt Ubisoft has a few more surprises up its sleeve.

Assassin's Creed 2 officially confirmed, with us by March 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft confirms no stealthy Assassins 2 this year

Dustin Burg — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Filed under both the "frowny face" and "umm, duh?" news categories is confirmation from Ubisoft that there will be no Assassin's Creed sequel releasing in 2008. Laurent Detoc, the uber rich president of Ubisoft North America, told Forbes that " there's no new 'Assassin's Creed' this year, despite its sales success," but that "when we bring it back, there will be more anticipation for it." And even though you're semi-sad about the news, it isn't like you expected to be assassinating in 2008 anyway ... right? Don't kid yourself kiddo.

[Via Eurogamer]

Ubisoft confirms no stealthy Assassins 2 this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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