• 10Oct 08

  Blizzard... So it begins

  UPDATE 3: And the other shoe drops.

  "We currently have no intentions to allow LAN games, we are focusing fully on Battle.net, where we not only have the ability to quickly connect with other players, but also to the Blizzard community."

  Source:http://www.diablofans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14332

  And apparently they have plans for DLC, so maybe that comment I made further down this post about pay-per-act might come true. I guess that is that then.

  UPDATE 2:I changed my entry title to reflect the topic better, now that Blizzard has said they plan to monetize Battle.net in some fashion. Battle.net only really offers two features of any use, chat and game operation. I wonder which what they'll charge for? Maybe it'll be something retarded like $20 to play SCII or D3 indefinitely. The most ludicrous part is the reason they gave. No, seriously, it's down right insane. Once againJoystiqhas the details.

  http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/blizzards-wilson-some-battle-net-features-to-be-monetized/#comments

  UPDATE:According to the lead producer on Starcraft II, "Each new single player campaign will come with upgrades and changes to the multiplayer." Both comments seem to contradict. A clear explanation of what they are doing, what the prices are going to be and what is included in each needs to be made available.

  According toJoystiq, Blizzard plans to release Starcraft 2 as a trilogy. I was going to write more in my own words but their description does it perfectly well.

  Here...

  Rob Pardo, executive vice-president of game design at Blizzard announced that the campaign version of the game will be a trilogy, each part focusing on a separate race.
  
  Terrans - Wings of Liberty
  Zerg - Heart of the Swarm
  Protoss - Legacy of the Void

  And here...

  Yes, you'll have to buy separate discs. According to Pardo, "It's a separate product. look at the next two as expansion packs, but will have the feel of stand alone products." Meaning yes, we'll be charging you more money.

  What's next, paying for Diablo 3 by act? No thank you.

  • Posted Oct 10, 2008 4:32 pm PT
  • Category: Games
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• 9Oct 08

  Economic Woes...

  Kind of but not really, though Canadians should take note. Some retailers believe the weakening Canadian dollar may push retail prices back up to what they were about a year ago, before said currency went on a little run. Software was specifically cited as at risk because it is generally stocked in the short term. Basically any time between now and the end of the year don't be surprised if we're paying $10 more for a game again. Canadians contemplating purchases should make the jump sooner rather than later.

  Source:News1130.com

  • Posted Oct 9, 2008 7:27 pm PT
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• 27Sep 08

  Why PC Gaming Will Always be Around

  A short thought this Saturday (early) evening while enjoying a rum and coke shortly before my egress; PC gaming, why I love it and why it will never die. I love PC gaming for one reason that can be described by one simple word, flexibility. No console can (or will ever) provide the kind of flexibility the PC does and this allows for a very strong and vibrant community full of a lot more substance than most consoles. Of course with this flexibility comes the need for more knowledge and responsibility with your machine and its maintenance. It's not plug and play, and despite how many times Microsoft or Apple will try to tell you otherwise it's just not true.

  PC gaming is not dead and will never die so long as people find the need for a personal computer. Unlike the console market, the success of the PC in general does not rest on gaming. In fact, one could argue from the ass that gaming constitutes only a fraction of total computer usage worldwide. In other words, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all heavily rely on the game market for the success of their platforms while the PC is so much more. Any continued technical evolution in consoles will only place them as limited PCs.

  • Posted Sep 27, 2008 5:19 pm PT
  • Category: Games
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