NS is a Half-Life 1 mod. Just about any computer can play it.
I installed it, connected to a sever... but then it moaned about not being able to work in software mode. I wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but I'm guessing an incompatible video card. Since then I've not got round to trying it again.
but then it moaned about not being able to work in software mode
That means you weren't using any hardware video acceleration at all. Just configure your video settings properly in the relevant menu, as gamers have had to do for most every PC game until very, very recently. You're not -that- young. ^_~
but then it moaned about not being able to work in software mode
That means you weren't using any hardware video acceleration at all. Just configure your video settings properly in the relevant menu, as gamers have had to do for most every PC game until very, very recently. You're not -that- young. ^_~
Yay for F5, now I don't have to write it out. Anyways, good luck Luke, it'll take some time getting used to the game, and then you have to learn the maps. Which are confusing as heck.
EDIT:
Further to my wanting a CBSU&J;:G podcast...
You know what, why the hell not, I loved the Fast Karate episode on it, and I haven't even played the game!
but then it moaned about not being able to work in software mode
That means you weren't using any hardware video acceleration at all. Just configure your video settings properly in the relevant menu, as gamers have had to do for most every PC game until very, very recently. You're not -that- young. ^_~
I did look at all the options. But it wouldn't accept my card for hardware acceleration. You're right, I'm not that young. I don't think I've ever played a game where I've NOT had to adjust hardware acceleration.
I did look at all the options. But it wouldn't accept my card for hardware acceleration. You're right, I'm not that young. I don't think I've ever played a game where I've NOT had to adjust hardware acceleration.
I did look at all the options. But it wouldn't accept my card for hardware acceleration. You're right, I'm not that young. I don't think I've ever played a game where I've NOT had to adjust hardware acceleration.
Is the driver set up right?
No idea. I never got that far. I bought all the parts for a new computer, put it all together, then only used it about three weeks before buying a new laptop. I didn't buy it for online FPSing as it isn't something I've been into since 2001 when my and my friends were into Duke Nukem and Unreal Tournament. It runs Half Life 1 well enough though. Now the computer is sitting in the living room as a media player.
No idea. I never got that far. I bought all the parts for a new computer, put it all together, then only used it about three weeks before buying a new laptop. I didn't buy it for online FPSing as it isn't something I've been into since 2001 when my and my friends were into Duke Nukem and Unreal Tournament. It runs Half Life 1 well enough though. Now the computer is sitting in the living room as a media player.
You probably didn't install the driver. Go to Nvidia or ATi's web site, depending on which card you have, and download and install the appropriate driver for the card. Also do Windows updates and make sure your DirectX is setup properly.
Quick way to test that would be: Try dragging a window around. If it moves fine your card is working. If it judders then you're running on CPU rendering.
I've tried to play NS twice, but I just can't seem to get into it. It's confusing, and most of the time I'm just blindly going where other people are going. I don't have a strategy other than shoot and follow. I die so easily on either side, and I barely know what is going on, and what to do. I read about the game, and I know about evolving, and the commander, and how it works. I just can't seem to put everything together. An in-game tutorial would be in order, at least so that I can get a fundamental grasp on everything before being thrust into this alien world. I even tried joining a game that Rym was playing, as maybe it's because I joined servers which weren't any good. But still, I did not like it that much. It's just too much info at the same time. I just can't get into it. It feels like the learning curve is a giant cliff.
But still, I did not like it that much. It's just too much info at the same time. I just can't get into it. It feels like the learning curve is a giant cliff.
That's because it's now only a high-level game. Everyone playing is a veteran, and there are no more noob-friendly servers to hold your hand and teach you how to play. (I'll note that Tribes 2 is 100x more complicated than NS). No one has bothered with a tutorial, because NS is eventually going to give way to NS2.
More to the point, games like NS are the reason I can't stand games like Team Fortress 2 or Halo. What you see as complexity, I see as increased skill cap. I have to think while I play NS. It's extremely difficult. Small mistakes are costly. Tactics are numerous. Strategies are subtle. NS challenges my FPS skills, my strategic thinking skills, and my tactical assessment skills a great deal, making the experience extremely rewarding for me.
But if you think NS is too complicated to play, you will never be able to effectively play Tribes 2.
The skill barrier to entry isn't insurmountable. I went from not being able to hit a skulk to knifing a fade (that was a kind of fluke) in a few months and it was kinda fun. You're going to have to learn the tricks people use, lurks are especially tricky. If you join the Steam chat room, we can play a game and I'll show you the ropes.
So when are you guys planning to go see the DDR musical? Me an a few friends are talking about going to see it on Dec. 20th since that's our first day of winter break.
Back to the discussion of sales numbers for games that appeal to the "hardcore" gamer. You guys kept referring to Fallout 3 as an example of a large scale production game that may not exists in a couple years. Well, just to let you know, it sold over 4.5 million copies it's first week, grossing about $300 million.
Back to the discussion of sales numbers for games that appeal to the "hardcore" gamer. You guys kept referring to Fallout 3 as an example of a large scale production game that may not exists in a couple years. Well, just to let you know,it sold over 4.5 million copies it's first week, grossing about $300 million.
Back to the discussion of sales numbers for games that appeal to the "hardcore" gamer. You guys kept referring to Fallout 3 as an example of a large scale production game that may not exists in a couple years. Well, just to let you know,it sold over 4.5 million copies it's first week, grossing about $300 million.
And how much did it cost to make?
I'm going to guess it probably cost around $50 million to $100 million. Likely closer to 50 then 100. Even then that's a $200 million profit before DLC, or expansions.
I'm going to guess it probably cost around $50 million to $100 million. Likely closer to 50 then 100. Even then that's a $200 million profit before DLC, or expansions.
Make sure that when you calculuate the cost to develop the game, you also add in advertising costs and production costs. Also, the $300 million dollar figure is the retail price. So you have to shave off the Gamestop/Wal-Mart/Target/Steam profits as well. Also remember it took them multiple years to make this game.
In that same amount of time they could have made numerous smaller games. Even though each individual game would have lower total profits, the margins would be much higher, and the time they take to turn over would be much shorter. In other words, you can make probably make more money faster with smaller games than with huge hits. That of course discounts things like subscriptions, DLC, etc. Which is exactly why pretty much every big game nowadays is doing both of those and more.
In response to the question of this episode, I think you guys in particular go back to these older games instead of playing new games because you enjoy the social aspect of playing these games. If it's not playing with other like-minded people online, it's talking about DS Castlevania and whatnot with the Front Row Crew.
In response to the question of this episode, I think you guys in particular go back to these older games instead of playing new games because you enjoy the social aspect of playing these games. If it's not playing with other like-minded people online, it's talking about DS Castlevania and whatnot with the Front Row Crew.
They could just as easily talk about newer games. I think it's mostly a combination of replayability and a natural resistance to change. For them games like NS, Punch Out, Mega Man, and Bionic Commando can be almost endlessly enjoyable, so what's the point in learning a new game when you could just go back to the old ones?
They could but fact is, they don't. This is a certain group of people, they have their own area of geek they reside in, and I think that certain games attract a certain type of crowd. I think that Rym or Scott could be playing Gears of War 2 and have tons of fun with that, but it's still NS talk. Maybe because they, like any adult with some intelligence, do not enjoy being part of that young audience who scream profanity when not dismissing entire races of people.
They could just as easily talk about newer games. I think it's mostly a combination of replayability and a natural resistance to change. For them games like NS, Punch Out, Mega Man, and Bionic Commando can be almost endlessly enjoyable, so what's the point in learning a new game when you could just go back to the old ones?
Just listened to the podcast and wanted to add a comment. On your "buy it in retail to get X" there is even a SIMPLER way of doing it. When you buy a game, there is a postcard with the code, you enter the code in the game, connects to the server, checks that it is valid, gives you the downloadable content, and makes that key void for everyone else. See NBA 2K9 with their DNA feature for players.
Also some game retailers are not returning games anymore, they consider it used whether or not you had a receipt and force you to sell it for less then what you bought it, and they sell it at the same prince (see Play N Trade).
No idea. I never got that far. I bought all the parts for a new computer, put it all together, then only used it about three weeks before buying a new laptop. I didn't buy it for online FPSing as it isn't something I've been into since 2001 when me and my friends were into Duke Nukem and Unreal Tournament. It runs Half Life 1 well enough though. Now the computer is sitting in the living room as a media player.
So last night I had a bit of time (I'd written enough words of my NaNoWriMo) so got my old PC out again. It turns out it was all down to the drivers, which was funny, because I'd played Half Life 1 with the same setup but no drivers.
So I connected to a Natural Selection server at random and joined a game. I selected aliens, became a biting little mother fucker and... died. So I respawned, ran forward and... died. I didn't stick with it much longer because it was already pretty late, but I think next time I'll join as a marine. It has been a loooong time since I played an online FPS, so actually having a gun to point might be a bit of an easier way in.
Tomorrow I'll see if the Left 4 Dead demo works on my PC. I have a feeling RAM might be an issue.
Comments
EDIT:You know what, why the hell not, I loved the Fast Karate episode on it, and I haven't even played the game!
More to the point, games like NS are the reason I can't stand games like Team Fortress 2 or Halo. What you see as complexity, I see as increased skill cap. I have to think while I play NS. It's extremely difficult. Small mistakes are costly. Tactics are numerous. Strategies are subtle. NS challenges my FPS skills, my strategic thinking skills, and my tactical assessment skills a great deal, making the experience extremely rewarding for me.
But if you think NS is too complicated to play, you will never be able to effectively play Tribes 2.
If you join the Steam chat room, we can play a game and I'll show you the ropes.
In that same amount of time they could have made numerous smaller games. Even though each individual game would have lower total profits, the margins would be much higher, and the time they take to turn over would be much shorter. In other words, you can make probably make more money faster with smaller games than with huge hits. That of course discounts things like subscriptions, DLC, etc. Which is exactly why pretty much every big game nowadays is doing both of those and more.
Also some game retailers are not returning games anymore, they consider it used whether or not you had a receipt and force you to sell it for less then what you bought it, and they sell it at the same prince (see Play N Trade).
So I connected to a Natural Selection server at random and joined a game. I selected aliens, became a biting little mother fucker and... died. So I respawned, ran forward and... died. I didn't stick with it much longer because it was already pretty late, but I think next time I'll join as a marine. It has been a loooong time since I played an online FPS, so actually having a gun to point might be a bit of an easier way in.
Tomorrow I'll see if the Left 4 Dead demo works on my PC. I have a feeling RAM might be an issue.