Kiss Your Halo 2 Stats Goodbye

OK, so Bungie hasn't gone on record to offical say they are doing anything to the Halo 2 stats, but what thery havn't said definatly is just as important. In this week's WWWU, the following was asked:
I have heard MANY rumors about you guys resetting our levels on Halo 2 on Xbox live. Is that true? People are saying you guys are resetting the levels because of TOO MANY people using stand by... I hope it isn't true because a lot of people WORK for their levels and do not cheat to get them. Please, PLEASE... reply to this message on the weekly news update. We all want to know what is going on about this, we are scared stiff about it. Thanks Frankie.

And Bungie answered with:

We should have more news about levels, cheats and stuff next week, but you should know that your level is for matchmaking only. It is not a sign of prestige, but rather a way to match you with players of similar skill. If we changed your level to be "Spastic Donkey Sphincter" you'd still get matched against other "Spastic Donkey Sphincters." Even at the highest levels of play, the level number itself is far less relevant than the players sum total of achievements. So really, there's literally nothing to be scared about whether we reset stats or not.

There is no magical prize for being ranked in the number one spot, nor is there any cash to be earned for having a higher level – the reward is an enjoyable game. So people who abuse that system are idiots, with no understanding of what it is they're achieving (nothing). With all that said, we're seriously considering doing just that at some point after the cheats and other ranking problems are fixed.

Heres the most important part: "It is not a sign of prestige". This leads me to belive they are simply going to make the levels invisable. You'll still have the Level, but you will have no clue what the level is.

But Bungie also goes on to say: "We're seriously considering doing just that". Doing what? Restetting the stats? Bungie isn't clear at all on this.

I wouldn't be too pissed if they chose the first way, but I think the second is stupid. Sure alot of people have cheated, but not everyone, not even the majority. By resetting the stats, you blow the entire proportions that the community has set up, and we're forced to start all over again with what were 30's looking like 2's. It would be just like New Years. And it would suck.

So, in summary, I think Bungie is defiantly going to do something with the stats. Exactly what, no one can be entirly sure, but, from a combination of what I like personaly and the facts I see, I thinlk Bungie is going to make the stats invisable. In the end, it might actually make the game more fun.

No Joke, I Mean It

IGN likes to roll out those 9.9's. I know it's near the end and some feel like they need to score a perfect game (cough, OXM, cough), but these 9.9s are just popping our left and right. What I can't figure out is why Halo 2 didn't get one.

Jade Empire just got a 9.9 from IGN. No, the other scores aren't in yet...so it's just one publication, but still, a 9.9?

This comes from a game that flew under the rader for me. I bearly even now what the game is, let alone anything that makes it special. Needless to say, the review has peaked my interest. Enough, at least, to cheek out TeamXbox's score, which I assume will come some time this week. But man, a 9.9. Thats high.

BTW- You did READ the DATE right?

That was just supposed to be a funny joke. Hey, I figure if everyone else does one for April Fools, I should too.

Hahahaha. I know.

But in all seriousness, the other jokes sucked, IMO. TeamXbox did a Lugi in Halo 3. Not funny! IGN... WTF is up with Yaddle? And even Bungie skipped their usual Pimps At Sea joke and instead made a promise for more DLC. That really isn't funny. Don't joke about that Bungie. That's serious stuff right there.

The End of an Era

Today marks the last day I will blog. This is the last entry I shall ever post on this blog.

It has been a great ride, but I feel it is time now to step off. The blog just isn't going anywhere. I've already down everything I can think of. I think it's better to end now, at the top of my game, then to whiddle away.

I wish to thank everyone who has made my blog the success that it is. For that, I thank about two people.

Thanks for the memories.

chris

My B-Day Tomorrow

Feliz Cumplanos a mi!

SC:CT Best Game Ever?

Has the torch passed from Halo 2 to Splinter Cell? It seems like it.

The first sign was the OXM reveiw, giving it a 9.9...almost perfect, and much better then Halo 2's low 9.7 score.

Then Major Nelson did his "Splinter Cell: CT" Spectacular show and made us all drool.

And then, TeamXbox gave it a 9.8...lower than Halo 2.

So, which is better?


They are two entirly differant games...but in the end, are still games. SC:CT offers very specialized gameplay that is not for everyone. Whiule it is a good game, it lacks the "pick up and play" aspect of Halo 2/. It is not a game for everyone, and thus, it creates diverese opinions.

I like CT. It is a great game, just another tick on the list of the great UBI games.

Tivo Tests Ad Scam

Last weekend, Tivo started testing their new ad idea. Most customers, myself included, just record a show, wait till it finishes, and then fast foward through the commericals. But Tivo wants to change that.

Now, when customers fast foward through the commercials, a "pop up" ad will cover the screen, over the TV show going fast. If the customer pushes up on the remote, he/she is then taken to a screen with more information on the product.

Iyt dosn't seem that bad, but, I would rather not have pop ups on my TV. Also, Tivo is having problems getting the ads to only pop up during the commericals. If a pop up comes during my CSI, I'll be pissed.

AOTS Verdict

After watching the rest of AOTS, I have very mixed feelings. Heres my summary

POSITIVES
+ Same Cast
+Like the Couch idea
+The Feed is still there
+ Dark Deals and Gems are still there
+Still chat
+Nice set

NEGITIVES
-Bad title.
-Hate the bands
-It's on G4
-The opening is cheesy
-The constant graphic introducing each new sceene are stupid, boring and annoying
-Will we get any real tech news?
-Since when is a dino a tech news item?

Overall, it is no TSS. But, essentially, there is no real differance between the last TSS epsiode and this one, save for the set. I probably will still watch, dispite how much my heart tells me not to. And yes, I got a season pass.

Sin City: What a Movie

Last night I had the chance to get into a "early" screening of Sin City. It is, by far, the best movie I've seen this year.

What stands out most is the unique visual style. Most of the flim is in black and white, with splashes of color thrown in to add emphasis, like the red of fire or the blue in an eye. It really makes the flim look like the orginal graphic novels.

The cast, story, and music all are incrediable. This is a really good movie to see, but, hey, it is rated R and it is very violent. And bloody. So the 10- and 65+ croud may want to steer clear, but, it's perfect for everyone else. Hey, take the wanna-be tween too, let them puke or pass out!

Video Games Recalled

Two video game "recall" news caught my attention today.

• PS2 was recalled becuase of a pattent issue. I'm not sure if this makes PS2 illegal or what, but it dosn't sound good for Sony. E-mail me if you understand what this really means for the gamer, becuase I don't
• The Xbox recall of power cords was, as VGN calls it "a BS liability scam" VGN says the cords don't neccessary fix the problem, which was do too falty sawdering on the cord, resulting power surges and blow outs, but instead just limits the porblem down to your Xbox. Which, I geuss, is better than nothing for those LCD HD 80" rich Xbox bastards, but only just hurts the rest of us. Would it have been that hard to just fix the problem MS?

Did you watch AOTS Today?

Attack of the shw, the replace-er of TSS, premired today on G4. Did you watch?

I saw the first 15 minutes or so, untill I ran out of Tivo fast-foward power. I'll watch the rest tomorrow. It seems just how I thought it would: a clone of E! or Access Hollywood.

It is sad to bid TSS good-bye. It is even sadder to know that this is what is was replaced by. Maybe I should just move to Canada and watch Leo and Call for Help. And get free medical care. Sounds good to me. I could learn to say "eh" and "aboot".

Star Wars: Republic Commando Review

OK, so I just finished SW:RC and I thought I'd post a little "review" of the game. Older timers will note that I treid this before, but I just couldn't keep up with the new releases. I actually play the games, all the way through, before I publish a review. That takes time.

Singleplayer
The SP experiance was great. I think it's probably the best Star Wars action ever. You really feel like your part of a large-grand scale battle.

Heres an imporant note: RC is a differant kind of SW game. There is no crawl at the begining. There is actual bands playing the soundtrack. You never feel like your fighting the entire batte of Geonosis or something, but instead, that you are a part of a small team, working together to accomplish some task, that, while small, will help the Republic win the battle.

Towards the end, the game gets a little repitive, but the ending is top-notch.

Graphics
There is nothing spectacular here, but they don't hold the game back by any means.I really like the effects they used your helmet, with things like rain, smoke and blood getting stuck there and using a virtual wiper to clear it off.

Multiplayer
The game does ooffer some classic FPS games, like Deathmatch, Team DM, CTF and Assualt (Bring your falg into enemy's base), but it never feels like they really ment it. Sure, it's there, but there nothing special in it. The Live play lags and it's hard to get into a good game. The splitscreen is cool...but becuase there are no sit-out times after you die...it's rather hard to play CTF or Assualt, becuase the enemy just respawns right in front of the flag.

Overall
RC isn't a bad game, there just not a whole lot to justify a purchuse at it's current price of $49.99. I would either rent it over the weekend and just beat the SP, or wait a couple of months and get it when the price goes down. While it is a nice prelude to Epsiode III, only serious, hardcore SW will buy it for that. Others should consider the game as a solid FPS worthy of about $10.
Rent It

Halo 2.5 Not May be, Now Definatly, a Reality

As I said before, Halo 2.5 looks like it will be coming. Today, in a special WWW Update, all was reveiled. In my mind, heres what it means:

• A total of nine maps are being made for Halo 2.
• The first two will be free to XBL people, available in April.
• Two additional maps will come out on the same day, in April, but will cost 4.99
• Then, in June, a disc will be made available, that will include all nine maps, all XBL updates, and some special movie things.
• On that same day, the other five maps will be available to Download, for $11.99, over XBL
• At some point in late summer (think September) all Maps will be free to DL over Xbox Live.

Bungie also said they will deal with the pemium issue, in that not everyone will have the maps and that could potentialy destroy matchmaking, by creating a special playlist for the premium maps.

Another playlis- 2 Vs. 2, was also reveiled as in the making.

For pics, the offical press release, more legal stuff, and ome more issues, visit Bungie.com

In my mind... I think summer is a tad bit late, but April seems fine. This plan actually sounds reasonably smart to me.

Halo 2.5 May Be a Reality

All signs point to a Halo 2.5.

-Bungie has statewd week after week it wants non-Live members to get the maps
-EBgames has it on its listing
-Korea has it listed on www.xbox.com

So, it really looks like this Friday, that's what Bungie is going to announce. The question is: when the hell will it come out? Some are thinking a summer 2005 release...thats wayyyy to far off in my book. I'd like to see an early May at the earliest.

The other question is: will Xbox Live members get something special? I really hope it's not just the maps for free latter on in the year. Because most of us will have alreadly bought them.

So, maybe this is a good thing....but it definatly has the potential to really piss me off.

TSS No More

Here is a perfect example of what coroporate America can do.

Act I
TechTV is created. The world is good. The Screen Savers is at its heyday with both Leo and Pat.

Act II
Leo quits/is fired (still not really sure what happen) TSS gets worse and worse.

Act III
With TechTV at its end, G4 swoops in and buys it out. Looks good at first.

Act IV
Set moved to LA. Pat quites. Show is getting more mainstream. Looks bad.

Act V
By now, TSS and Access Hollywood are the same thing. We've got things like "Band Fridays" and "Sponsered by..." and it's now just G4, not G4techTV

Act VI
TSS is canceled. It's replaced by Attack of the Show!

I thought that G4 would mean a good thing for TechTV. I thought it would mean less reruns. But no. G4 just took the TechTV veiwer audiance, not the network. The only remaining show is now X-Play...and I bet that will go soon to.

What happened to the good shows, like Call for Help, Tech Live and that Martin Sargent show? Even the good G4 shows are gone now, like that Areana. They seem to be replaced by Judgement Day's from 2002 and reruns of "Icons".

I now officaly hate G4. I probably will still watch AOTS, but I canceled my TSS season pass, and did not renew it with AOTS. I just don't think I can handle 5 hours a week of reruned slashdot news a week.

I'm Still Not Dead

I know the posts have been few and far between the last two weeks. There are two, wait, three reasons for this.

Reason One: I had finals last week. Finals=No time at all, with a side of big headache.

Reason Two: I was hooked one Republic Commando.

Reason Three: No one really cares. Except me.

But, now, I',m free and will make up for it. I promise. I really do.

The Highest Score

OXM gave SC:CT a 9.9. Thats really, really, REALLY high. Halo 2 only got a 9.7, so by comparison, CT is about .2 better than Halo2. If you trust OXM, that is.

That does make Splinter Cell the highest rated series on the Xbox, receiving scores of 9.6, 9.5 and now 9.9, all respectivly.

I'll wait for the Big Three's to come in before I dub it better than Halo 2...but I've alreadly preordered it...so I do hope it's good.

GDC- The Mostly Bad Key

J gave a nice keynote speech today at GDC. MajorNelson was nice enough to put out the thing in a nice MP3 and .wav file format for us all to hear.

However, nothing "huge" was reveild. But some "bad" things were.

Games seem to be changing from "How do we do this new" to "how do I make the most money off of this". I know it's bussiness and they have to eat too, but I think they are starting to lose the creativity in favor of corpral settings.

Jay's highlight was the new XBL features. One of them bing renewed support for PDLC. Really, thats all there was. Hello, we alreadly have this. They just want to make it smaller, like only one car, or one tire. I geuss this is the reaction fro the XBL Arcade deal...what a reversal.

Other highlightes were more universal connections...it seems that all Xenon (Jay did use this term...so now, little annoying kids that feel the need to correct all the differant terms like Xbox 2, Xenon or Xbox 360....eat it) games will have a univeral dashboard to play custom music and access freinds. All this seems so, 2002-ish. That was cool back then...but now, gamers have more important things they want...like better online infustracture, more patches, and new ways to play online.

I was majorly disappointed with the speech. He speaks of the HD Era. Thats cool. I don't have an HDTV...but I geuss 1,000 of attendes do now.

I hope E3 goes better...something jsut seems old about Xenon...where was anything new? Maybe it's because,as a gamer, I care more about actual games than avatars and freind's lsit. Their cool...but it comes down to the quality of the actual games, not all the extras, when I stand at Circuit City. In a lot of ways...Xenon looks less "hardcore" and more "universal". If thats the case, it's a sad, sad day.

Before the Storm

The Xbox keynote is tomorrow. MN is over there, blogging away about everything over at his personal blog, www.majornelson.com .

Wha I expect to happen is a lot of hints, teasers, little screen shots, if you will, of the Xbox Next's power. I don't expect anything close to a full reveil, more like a cinematic teaser of whats sure to come at E3.

XNA, as it is a developer's tool, and this is GDC (Developers, remember), will take a big chunck of the future of Xbox and gaming in general. I have a feeling we are going to get a lot of "in general"s tomorrow.

Also, I think universal encorporation-like a media center-will take the primary focus of the entire conferance. The next-gen (Now thats Next Gen III) will do more than play games...at least I geuss thats what the population wants.

I probably won't blog the results...as I'm sure all the others will do a better, quicker job of that. I might give my reaction, f anything big happens.

I Hate This, Wk 2

This week really only deals with men. Spefically, the Men's Bathroom.

Why do guys not like to flush the damn things? It's so gross to walk into a sall-or worse, a urnel-and see the yellow stuff still in there. Why can't you take the extra, what, two seconds and flush the thing? No, instead you leave it there for me to deal with. It's enough to make me puke. But it's also so obvious...you walk out, I walk in. I KNOW it was you.One of these days I'm going to walk out and make you flush it with your mouth.

I know it's gross becuase there are the sick ones out there who gvet a kick by peeing on the handel...but just wash your hands. You shoudl anyway.

I hate all who can't flush the John.