Archive for April, 2010

Google moving in to gaming realm?

April 16th, 2010 Cliff Riseborough

It certainly appears that way, with Mark DeLoura starting work as Google’s developer advocate for games. Add this to such endeavours as Google Android and issuing their own open source 3D API, and it certainly looks like another giant company is dipping a toe in to the gaming industry waters. DeLoura was a lead engineer at Nintendo, the VP of Technology at GreenScreen Interactive, then moved on to executive jobs with Ubisoft and Sony Computer Entertainment. He’s also the ex Editor-in-chief of Game Developer magazine, and has spent the past 3 years doing technology consulting work and writing.

“I personally feel that Google hiring someone specifically to focus on games is a signal from the company that they recognize the growing importance of games as a medium,” said DeLoura in a statement to Gamasutra.

He continued, “In this time of great disruption in the game industry, there are a huge number of opportunities for developers. It can be difficult for traditional games companies to navigate the new possibilities provided by mobile platforms, social networks, and alternative business models. I’m looking forward to working with both traditional games companies and new game developers to talk about how Google can help, and the platforms and projects Google is working on.”

The fact that major corporations like Google are showing an interest in joining the games industry just reinforces how big that industry is becoming. And if they can help support some of the smaller independent developers out there and assist them in getting their product out, all the better.

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Entertainment industry has some hard core plans for dealing with piracy

April 15th, 2010 Cliff Riseborough

The entertainment industry has sent a series of proposals to the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator at the request of the Coordinator. The reason for that request was to get some ideas of the industry’s viewpoint on intellectual property policing as work begins on forming the Joint Strategic Plan for IP enforcement.

Some of the ‘highlights’ of the industry submissions (thanks to the EFF for putting these up) include :

There are several technologies and methods that can be used by network administrators and providers…these include [consumer] tools for managing copyright infringement from the home (based on tools used to protect consumers from viruses and malware).

Oh boy! We all know how well installed content management DRM programs tend to run! And, is this software going to be determining what is and isn’t allowed on someone’s system? Is it HAL 9000? It would have to be to be able to make those determinations…and I don’t really want my home PC to start plotting to kill me.

Did you pay for that copy of Superbad, Dave?

(more…)

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Liam Gallagher has something to say about music downloaders

April 15th, 2010 Cliff Riseborough

I want to spend a few moments discussing the literary works of Jack Kerouac, and their impact upon the development of social culture!

I know, I know…Liam Gallagher voices opinion…SHOCKING! Still, this one was a bit different from what you might be expecting. It came up in an interview with ShortList.

Do illegal music downloaders bother you?
Downloading’s the same as what I used to do – I used to tape the charts of the songs I liked [off the radio]. I don’t mind it. I hate all these big, silly rock stars who moan – at least they’re f*ckin’ downloading your music, you c*nt, and paying attention, know what I mean? You should f*ckin’ appreciate that – what are you moaning about? You’ve got f*ckin’ five big houses, so shut up.

Now, I tend to find Liam Gallagher annoying. Hell, I think a large reason for the respect I have for his brother Noel is Noel’s insulting and beating up his brother last year. However, it’s always interesting to see a big name buck the usual trend and state that he has no problem with downloaders. I’m also in awe of his ability to drop that many obscenities in to such a small number of sentences and not having it seem to be ‘too much’.

Of course, Liam’s earnestness will soon be called in to question. According to TorrentFreak, the Oasis discography has become the most popular BitTorrent download since Liam’s comments went public.

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Alpha Protocol will use Uniloc for DRM UPDATED May 2nd

April 14th, 2010 Cliff Riseborough

Okay, I've got the drop on him. Now to load these shotgun shells in to my pistol, and...crap.

UPDATE : Sega has released details on their forums about how the version of Uniloc used on Alpha Protocol will function.

-The game will use regardless of where it is purchased.

-The game will use online activation the first time you run it, and can be activated simultaneously on up to 5 computers at once. If you de-activate before uninstalling, that activation will be returned to the pool. De-activation is automatic if you uninstall the game from a computer with an Internet connection. Otherwise, you will be able to access a list of systems the game is installed on from another computer, and simply remove the computer you’ve uninstalled the game from.

-A Web activation system will also be available for those without a direct Internet connection on their gaming system, detailed as follows :

Web Based Activation may also be of interest to if you are a user with no internet connection, have an unreliable internet connection or a firewall that will not allow even web browsing and you can still activate the software via another computer that does have web access.

This process involves saving a file and transporting it to the computer that does have web access. Using that computer you upload the file to a website and in response save another file out and transfer it back to the machine you wish to activate software on. A local network, USB memory stick, floppy disk or other writable media are ideal for the purposes of transferring the files between the two computers involved.

In all cases please proceed to install the game on the computer of your choice and you be provided with full guidance to assist you in activating through the web page. The URL is provided at that time.

-There will be no need for the disc in the drive during play, or for any sort of online connection after initial activation. All on all, doesn’t sound to bad at all.

Eurogamer has been told by SEGA that the PC version of upcoming espionage RPG Alpha Protocol will use Uniloc for DRM.

If that name seems familiar, it may be because Uniloc was previously used by SEGA as protection for Football Manager 2009. How did that go? Erm…

“The incorporation of Uniloc’s copy-protection system for the game has unfortunately caused a number of unexpected difficulties which SEGA would like to explain to any customers who may have experienced problems authenticating their copy of Football Manager 2009 since it launched on Friday November 14th.”

“SEGA and Sports Interactive would like to unequivocally apologise to any customers who have experienced difficulties in authenticating their game, restate their desire to solve every issue encountered in the process, and enable all customers to be able to play and enjoy Football Manager 2009.”

Now, things weren’t helped by a DDoS attack on the system’s authentication servers, but when a company has to apologize to customers because the DRM is that broken, it’s typically not a good thing. When a company decides to return to that DRM system again…well, it had better be A LOT better.

As for gamer reaction…

YOU'VE RUINED MY LIFE!

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A chat with Fredrik Wester

April 13th, 2010 Brad McGraw

paradoxinteractive-logo

Paradox Interactive is best known for its Hearts of Iron and Europa Universalis series of games, both deep historical strategy games and this is an area where Paradox shines. When I have described the Hearts of Iron series to people its very easy to do, it’s Axis & Allies on crack. It is as addicting too, ‘just one more turn’ turns into an all night affair. If you are a strategy gamer and you haven’t picked up a Paradox game, you are definitely missing out.

Paradox is a company of gamers who are in the business of making games, not businessmen running a game company. This shows up in the amount of interaction they have with their fans. This is one of the things that sets Paradox apart from other game companies; the time they spend on their own forums.

Recently the Paradox forums passed their 200,000 user mark and to celebrate they offered discounts, had contests to win free games and an ‘Ask Paradox (almost) anything’ thread. In fact even though the 200k celebration is over, they are still answering questions, and it seems they intend to keep this as an active thread. While I never asked for an interview in the thread itself, I did see it as an opportunity to approach them and see if we could grab an interview. Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox, was kind enough to answer our questions.

(more…)

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Russian Starcraft II buyers will pay to play online

April 13th, 2010 Cliff Riseborough

Soon to be Supreme Overlord over the people of Korea

 

Blizzard has previously said they would make Starcraft II pricing decisions on a regional basis. Apparently, Russian gamers are big fans of paying in regular instalments, because they’ll have to to play the game online.

The base game will cost less than in other regions. However, the multiplayer out of the box will be time limited, and playing with other European based gamers will be blocked. The DVD will come with a year of multiplayer access to other Russian gamers only, while the jewel case version will have the limited multiplayer for only 120 days.

Beyond that, a monthly fee will have to be paid to maintain multiplayer access, and extend it beyond the borders of Russia itself. Or, you can pay more than you did for the game to ‘upgrade’ it to allow permanent multiplayer.

Will this be used in other markets? Maybe, maybe not. What it does prove is that the new Battle.net client is clearly set up to allow monthly payments for game play beyond just World of Warcraft.

As for how the average Russian gamer probably feels about this, one can guess…

Rise, comrades! We march on Blizzard!

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Gamersgate/PayPal issues

April 12th, 2010 Cliff Riseborough

GG

Last week, a small but significant change occurred on the Checkout screens for Gamersgate. For purchases of any newer Ubisoft titles, or any EA games at all, PayPal was no longer a purchase option. The same held true for buying any quantities of Gamersgate’s own ‘Blue Coins’ currency. Not only that, but when one reached the Checkout screen with one or more of those items in their cart, the following statement was displayed :

Please note that PayPal is not a valid payment option for one of your selected products due to high risk of frauds.

Being a little puzzled at this change without notice, and a bit alarmed after reading that, we asked Gamersgate CEO Theo Bergquist what was behind the change.

The change was only temporary due to some fraud issues that occurred. With a successful virtual currency, we try to make it as easy and fast from reward to purchase and sometimes defrauders try to test that.

He also stated that they are upgrading their PayPal system to deal with the problems they’ve been having.

Hopefully, the situation will be back to normal as quickly as possible. We’ll let you know when that happens. In the meantime, PayPal is still an option on 99.9% of your purchases at Gamersgate, as well as any of their other payment methods (Click and Buy, Moneybookers eWallet, Credit card).

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Netflix puts one month delay on Fox and Universal new releases

April 10th, 2010 Cliff Riseborough

In January, Netflix signed a deal with Warner Bros. that put a 28 day delay on  Netflix adding WB new releases to their catalogue. In exchange, Warner Bros. gave Netflix more favourable financial terms. A similar deal has now been struck between Netflix and both 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures.

Whenever a new Fox or Universal movie releases on DVD, Netflix will hold off on adding it to their distribution catalogue for a period of 28 days. As with the earlier WB deal, Netflix will receive more favourable financial terms. Much of the cash saved in these deals will be used to beef up their digital streaming distribution system.

The studios believe that delaying Netflix availability will also delay widespread piracy of their new releases, and also help to maintain the market for physical outlets like Blockbuster, who also recently signed a deal guaranteeing continued access to new release movies with Warner, Fox and Sony Pictures.

It’s quite likely that similar deals will be struck between Netflix and the other major movie studios.

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UK passes Digital Economy Bill

April 8th, 2010 Cliff Riseborough

Pip pip, cheerio, pass the crisps!

In a session that was attended about as well as your average Tripe Fair would be (actually, we are talking about the British here…hmmm…), the House of Commons has passed the Digital Economy Bill. 

It was passed in a session that could be politely described as ‘not well attended’ late Wednesday night, passing two votes on its content and receiving a third reading that is required to gain royal assent and become law.

Removed during the debate on the bill was clause 18, which would have granted the High Court extensive powers to force ISPs to block access to any online location if a ‘substantial portion’ of the location infringed on copyright (with ISPs also forced to pay all court fees accrued in bringing the case to court in the first place). It was somewhat replaced by an earlier, reworded clause :

The new clause allows the secretary of state for business to order the blocking of "a location on the internet which the court is satisfied has been, is being or is likely to be used for or in connection with an activity that infringes copyright".

The problem with that as it’s worded is that it could impact the ability of whistleblowers to release suppressed information, since whatever government body or corporation that was suppressing it in the first place could claim that its release infringed on their copyright. The entire whistleblower website could then technically be ordered blocked by the government, regardless of whether or not the information released was beneficial to the public.

As well, copyright holders can still send ‘copyright infringement reports’ to an ISP, with that ISP then required to pass it along to the accused. ISPs are also required to pass along lists of all suspected infringement to copyright holders on request. There is also a clause allowing for speed blocks, site blocking, account suspensions and bandwidth shaping against individual users suspected of illegal downloading. ISPs failing to go along with these rulings can be fined up to 250,000 pounds per incident.

Among many other clauses (which are listed on The Guardian’s site here), the PEGI game ratings system is now officially recognized as the UK’s lone rating system for games.

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