The Dedicated Server Episode

[fishbang]

The Sunday funny-papers edition of In-Game Chat is now on your doorstep (http://ingamechat.net/audio/IGC20090123.mp3).

The newest American President continues, in various ways, to deliver a brand of confidence at home and abroad that many feel has been sadly under-funded by our leadership in recent years. But as the show, we’re most inspired by his own confidence in the domain of science. Regardless what anyone may feel about government in general or policies in particular, it emboldens us to know the most powerful man in the world loves his technology as fiercely as we love our own.

The feature presentation of this episode recalls in part the moldy topic of console vs pc multiplayer, but we remember it this time without all the fireworks and folderol. We find that what we miss most in the otherwise very respectable world of online console gaming is the dedicated server - but as a function of community, instead of performance. Peer to peer systems work well enough for the business of matching player to group, but the “Cheers” dynamic is largely unknown.

Visiting a named server is alike to visiting a known locale, with all of the rules and idiosyncrasies and (most importantly) personalities found to apply in that sovereign space. We’re not offering suggestions on how to migrate a generation of hardware away from peer-hosting, of course. We’d just like to give a nod to the differences, and to point out how nice it is when everybody knows your name.

[Suave Peanut]

Now downloading from iTunes. I shall give it a listen in a little while, when I am tired of study and need a good procrastination break.

Also, this should be front-paged!

[kyrieee]

If you guys need a good value game you should check out Trials 2
It's on Steam and only 9,99$ and SUPER addictive. I've played it 40+ hours
There's a demo which will only cost you some time :)

[Gerbs]

C'mon Psykoboy2, after all that talk for the last four months of games needing to be released outside of the fall season in order to get you dollar you're not going to buy Resident Evil 5? Is there something else coming out in March you're saving your dollars for?

I think we should try to allocate at least 15 minutes an episode for fishbang to rant about something, it's always a good time.

Keep up the good work gentlemen.

[Samitchdoo]

C'mon Psykoboy2, after all that talk for the last four months of games needing to be released outside of the fall season in order to get you dollar you're not going to buy Resident Evil 5? Is there something else coming out in March you're saving your dollars for?

He says that now, but my money says he'll have it on release day.

[Psykoboy2]

The demo could sway me to buy it. We'll see about that tonight, but every time I get to the point of purchase somewhere, I realize I can get it cheaper by either going through GameFly or not buying it at all and just going the rental route.

[phoenyx]

I finally listened to it on my way home today. Did anyone notice that the Netflix comment was actually very prophetic (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gd-MabkghRS0CnXb4uF6DASrWnGgD95V4R2G0)?

Netflix Inc.'s fourth-quarter profit climbed 45 percent to surpass analysts' estimates Monday, propelled by the widening appeal of its relatively inexpensive DVD rental and Internet streaming service during a budget-crimping recession.

[Gerbs]

The demo could sway me to buy it. We'll see about that tonight, but every time I get to the point of purchase somewhere, I realize I can get it cheaper by either going through GameFly or not buying it at all and just going the rental route.

So after playing the demo I think if you were on the fence before the controls are not going to sell you on it. Myself I was sure I would purchase it so the demo merely gave me a taste of the final product. I'm sure you will all weigh in on the controls on the next ep. :D

Has fishbang started Prince of Persia yet? You still need to discuss the ending (I just recently completed it.)

[Iron Past]

I think if MS did a simple Clan Function for Live, that would address some of what you're missing. Obviously it's not exactly what you're looking for, but it seems like it would be a fairly simple thing that could capture some of that feeling as opposed to what I assume would be alot of work and maintenance.

Also, fishbang can't be objective. I know he tries (sometimes), but it doesn't happen. Just sayin'. :)

[Psykoboy2]

He says that now, but my money says he'll have it on release day.

Just watched the Killzone 2 video review over at IGN.

Looks like I just found my first game purchase of 2009.

[Gerbs]

Just watched the Killzone 2 video review over at IGN.

Looks like I just found my first game purchase of 2009.

As long as you buy something.

Unrelated this, but ever since Daniel left the show the artist for your mp3s always shows up as "Unknown Artist" on my player. It used to read "In Game Chat" or somesuch.

[Straximus]

Unrelated this, but ever since Daniel left the show the artist for your mp3s always shows up as "Unknown Artist" on my player. It used to read "In Game Chat" or somesuch.

What player are you using?

[Gerbs]

What player are you using?

It's a 3 year old iRiver player. Maybe it's just me.

[Iron Past]

It's a 3 year old iRiver player. Maybe it's just me.

Nah, my Zune lists it as Unknown Artist/Unknown Album, too. It also doesn't show up under podcasts anymore.

[Psykoboy2]

Nah, my Zune lists it as Unknown Artist/Unknown Album, too. It also doesn't show up under podcasts anymore.

Where is it showing up under?

[Iron Past]

Where is it showing up under?

With the rest of the music. I don't know if other players distinguish between music and podcasts in the menu, though (I'd imagine they do). For a little bit, it would file under podcasts (like Major Nelson's show).

[Straximus]

After a bit of research, I think the problem is that I've been tagging with ID3 v2.4, and some players only support up to v2.3. I'll tag the next ep as v2.3 and we'll see if that fixes it for you guys.

[Samitchdoo]

So after playing the demo I think if you were on the fence before the controls are not going to sell you on it. Myself I was sure I would purchase it so the demo merely gave me a taste of the final product. I'm sure you will all weigh in on the controls on the next ep. :D

I've played the demo both single and co-op now, and while I want to play the main game, I'll probably just Gamefly it. I'm just not feeling the purchase power on this one. Maybe I'll change my tune while playing the full version.

Has fishbang started Prince of Persia yet? You still need to discuss the ending (I just recently completed it.)

I just finished PoP about five minutes ago. The only non-spoiler thing I can say is: what the hell was the point of the ten hours I put into that game?

[Iron Past]

I just finished PoP about five minutes ago. The only non-spoiler thing I can say is: what the hell was the point of the ten hours I put into that game?

"It's the journey not the destination." ;)

Seriously, though.

[Gerbs]

I just finished PoP about five minutes ago. The only non-spoiler thing I can say is: what the hell was the point of the ten hours I put into that game?

Not heavy spoilers but I wanted to play it safe.
Forging a bond between two characters was the point of those hours. I'd play a sequel for sure. I loved how, for me anyway, at a certain point at the end it just hits you what you have to do "Oh fuck, really? Damn." I liked the ending I felt it in no way ruined the game for me.

[Phades]

Have you guys played any Warhawk on the PS3? That has many dedicated servers and I've actually found a lot of that "community" aspect that you were talking about.