syntheticgerbil

And green cellophane grass! I think this may be the most interesting Rock Band thread on the internet.

Oh god, the laughter hurts!

I support the United States copyright law until it's being wielded by large corporations against one individual who is not making a profit with the intent of making said individual bankrupt or sending them to jail. I think that aspect of the law needs to be tweaked with some sort of protection for caught individuals who are not profiting off of someone else's intellectual property. I don't support US copyright law extending into other countries. I think it's up to every country to make their own decisions of what defines their own copyright law, whether it is modeled after ours or not. I don't think there's some standard moral and ethical rule concerning copyright that everyone should intrinsically follow on an international scale. It can get so incredibly complicated that rules constantly get bent either way in the US. Usually the sides with the most money and the best lawyers will win. I just don't always see a black and white issue in the US and definitely don't see it as something that the rest of the world should have to follow, even if they are infringing on the intellectual property of a company or citizen of another country. Copyright law gets consistently broken in other countries that have high rates of poverty or low GDP where DVDs, CDs, and video games aren't well distributed and many times aren't even published. It's easier for someone in India to bootleg a ton of movies on crappy Memorex DVD-Rs and sell them on the street for the equivalent of one US dollar, and yet the MPAA and RIAA is not probably not ever going into the streets to stop these guys. One of my good friends grew up in the Phillipines. Many video games did not make it there, so he has a collection of many "30 games in 1" type cartridges for the SNES and NES. Copyright law generally means nothing to these people, and I don't think it necessarily should. I agree it is unethical as well. In fact, I go through great lengths to buy and own legal official copies of things. I'm one of those dorks who import CDs from Japan for extra tracks, since I'd rather have them on a physical CD than have them in a music file. I have a region free DVD player and sometimes pay too much money for import DVDs, something else the MPAA could go after me for. I would rather buy a book, read it, and trade it back to a Half Priced Books if I didn't like it instead of going to a library. But come on, you must have downloaded or pirated something one way or another at one point in time?

Well that's sort of the problem as well. I'll bet everyone here who is defending the MPAA (or RIAA) has pirated some sort of media in one way or another at some point in time. If you were to be suddenly subpoenaed by one of these companies facing the possibility of a fine that will completely bankrupt you as well as jail time, you will be singing a completely different tune over US copyright law being used fairly. It's funny how these companies always want to make an example of someone in order to discourage further downloading, yet it never will completely end piracy. Another part of the problem in the United States is that it's been so deregulated that we are now living in a culture where the corporation is seen as an individual in a property loss situation, no matter how big, and can collect on their loses as an individual would. Read this: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9829296-38.html I also read somewhere else that this particular guy tried to settle twice before for something like a fine of $7500 and $5000, which were both rejected. To me even those fines are still unreasonable. Yet if you turn it around and someone tries to sue a corporation for a crime it has commited, the individuality of the company is more often than not lost, and responsibility is diffused until an individual employee within the corporation is convicted. I'd like to make it clear that I am completely in support of anyone taking the steps to protect your intellectual property. I don't agree with the people who claim upon facing any sort of DRM, they uninstall something and return it, as if making a point. They should use some understanding on why the DRM is in the firstplace. But if Stardock took someone to court, they definitely would not be asking for $150,000 (or more) in damages from an individual. Well I personally wouldn't even pirate them, but thanks. That's all speculation that you can't prove. Not even in court. I don't buy your argument about Dreamworks being prevented from ever taking any experimental risks. That's just not going to happen. They have a studio model that for some reason hires 10 directors and 10 writers for one animated film. They do not have a model for film "auteurs." It's just not going to happen, ever. Even under the right kind of circumstances, they will never be Studio 4C and that's fine, they serve their purpose. The bottom line is, it's called the MPAA not the MPAS. They shouldn't be able to bully themselves into Sweden and change legislation through lobbying and hiring the other country's government officials. There's more than enough of us in the United States to bully around instead.

I kind of figured after I wrote that you would be the first to chime in your ever snarky and contrary opinion. So first off, thanks for patronizing me as someone who is always out to stick it to the "man" etc. I'll write what I can in the following paragraph, but it probably won't make a difference to you either way. This whole case is not really about whether piracy is right or wrong. Of course I obviously don't think there are hardworking filmmakers, music makers that need money as well for their effort. The problem is here that the MPAA has lobbied their way into Sweden to a grey area of copyright law that owners of Pirate Bay couldn't have previously be convicted of. The outcome, see here: http://torrentfreak.com/major-opposition-to-new-swedish-copyright-law-090317/ I don't think it's the MPAA's business, funded by major studios and circulating large quantites of money, to go after another country's legal system to suit it's own needs. Nor does the RIAA need to convict individuals for more than their year's salary and beyond for sharing some crappy music file. And yes, if a major studio produces garbage, I think their chance of being ripped off increases. The majority of the sort of people who would watch Shrek (which was mentioned at some point during the trial) are probably the sort of people who just need something to pass the time with the kids or out of boredom of anything else to watch. I don't think people downloading Shreak are actively out to make Jeffrey Katzenberg less rich than he already is. They also likely don't give a shit about animation, it's principles, and what makes good animation. They don't have to. There's always going to be media like that and people who aren't interested beyond what's popular. I understand. And of course people don't have to watch whatever they don't want to, as I wasn't arguing anything otherwise. My belief is if you produce high quality work, not as many people will pirate it. Things that are beloved whether they are books, movies, and music tend to eventually sell out of retail stock until they are being sold for large fees at second hand shops. So therefore that would lead me to believe there is value over other work in consumer, without going into subjective examples and basing it solely on supply and demand. And since this is a subjective topic and will not get past the theory stage, it is simply my personal belief that high quality work will equal less pirating. So no I don't pump my fist, but it was funny to read the cases on the Pirate Bay legal page (if it's still up there) when representatives from major music labels or movie corporations where sending them cease and desist letters and getting upset when finding out that it was out of their hands. All that taunting is what has led to this case instead of the MPAA going after every other website that offers links to illegal torrent files. Every single one of those questions are condescending and worded to be answered with a resounding no. I just don't feel sorry for major entertainment corporations. Major music labels don't deserve my sympathy since they are notorious for milking profits from the actual artists and giving it to the higher up middle men who don't do anything. I don't see why anyone else should care if Universal or a similar body made less profits on their Britney Spears record than they should have acording to the sales information from her last album 4 years ago. I'm really not interested in arguing all of this back and forth. To make a long story short, I get my information from writings and interviews by Ian MacKaye, Chuck D, and Steve Albini and I feel like many of the things they say are right over Chris Remo. So I don't know what you expect.

I just don't even want to think about that...

I have a feeling something else went on here that's not being reported. I mean is this just chafing damage, was something set on fire, or what?

I hope Dr. Pepper promises free cans of soda to everyone in the United States if it were to actually be released.

Not that I regularly use the Pirate Bay or really care about these guys, but I was hoping this wouldn't happen simply because it was fun to see the MPAA get their panties in a twist when they weren't able to do anything about their (generally vapid (Shrek 3)) movies being distributed. I don't know all the specifics of Swedish law, but my understanding, for a while at least, is these guys were supposed to be immune. This outcome basically says that big United States dollars can be thrown around in other countries until they bribe and hire people within their government to manipulate and change legislation to the the favor of big business. Makes me sick. All this bellyaching the big labels, studios, and corporations within the RIAA and MPAA have been doing the past year or so about losing profits is so ridiculous. Why should any average citizen care about their CEO or stock holders?

I hate the clique type feeling I get at work between me and the older designers/artists/programmers where even though we all know and can discuss the same types of video games or artists, I somehow get the vibe that I should be quiet since I'm like 7 years younger than everyone, so what do I know? Eh, whatever, I really shouldn't care since I'm trying to get together a new portfolio and trying to find a new job. Yet I get major anxiety imagining putting in my two weeks. Feel like I would let everyone down. Also my mom may be cheating on my dad. Woohoo!

I remember Commander Keen 1 being short, although all the sequels get progressively longer. I don't think I've ever successfully beaten Keen 5, as I found that one to be the hardest one. Also you have some Commander Keen games in two different places. Out of this World can be beaten in less than an hour if you know what to do and don't die. You can beat the classic Prince of Persia in less than an hour too, if you know what to do. Of course I realize the game has a time limit of an hour as well, but you'll be dying tons of times before that. Prince of Persia 2 has a two hour limit, but I don't like that one as much, so have never beaten it. I remember Quest for Glory 1 and 3 being completed very quickly by myself. The only reason 1 took longer was because of a learning curve to understand exactly how the system works, but once you know that, you can quickly get through all of them. I never finished 5 though, it was ugly and seemed too overwhelming. King's Quest 1-4 are all really short, but prepare to have a walkthrough out. I think they are all not designed very well. I remember King's Quest IV having something ridiculously frustrating in a cave or something. King's Quest VII is extremely easy, but will probably take a longer amount of time to complete. I really don't like VII though. None of the Game Gear Sonic games will take you very long in the Mega Collection if you utilize the save states. Same thing on the Sonic Gems collection of Game Gear games. Space Quest 1-3 are all very short, but can be frustrating if you forget items. They are significantly less frustrating than King's Quest games. Space Quest IV is a short game, but there's a lot to explore, and there are some really obnoxious parts that require precision mouse clicking that might lengthen game time. Worms 2 has a very small amount of developer made missions/levels, so that shouldn't take you too long. The main appeal of that game was playing multiplayer online or with a friend. Armageddon had really impossible missions that I have never beaten forcing me to completely gave up on that game. So good luck. I see you have Earthworm Jim on Sega CD. If you were to get the PC version of the Special Edition, it would go much faster, as you can start from whatever level you left off on, hard, medium, and easy, making the game easy to complete within a matter of hours. Also good luck completing Chu Chu rocket on Game Boy Advance. There's like 3000 levels. If you don't use a guide, it'll take you forever. If you do use a guide, then what's the point of finishing the puzzle game other than to make the ridiculously high level count finish faster? I didn't try to answer the question and gave up on this game. The Dreamcast version on the other is rather short, so you should give that one a go.

Yeah I have really vague memories of Ninja Gaiden of being hard but I have not bothered to play any of the series since when I owned my original NES in my elementary school era. I think I'll try to pick up Henry Hatsworth one day. I mean, if it's more generous than Zelda II in lives, which was actually a major problem for me in that game because once you collect your extra lives in that game, it's saved on there, so there is no way add extra lives if you have to continue a game from a save after dying. You pretty much have to know that ahead of time so you can collect the lives all at once for the last palace. The knights in the palaces though I think were pretty cheap as they were made to somehow block every hit, only seeming to stay open to attack at completely random and brief times. Maybe it was my skill, but to me it just seemed like luck whether or not I could beat a knight without losing tons of health. But other than those sorts of things (and the grinding) I think deep down it was a good game. You should keep us updated when you finish or as you play. You may not have as much of a hard time as Remo did. The podcasters did admit they all in one way or another did not usually finish games, so maybe it would be easier to understand the difficulty from the perspective of someone who usually did finish things to completion. Anyone else pick up Henry Hatsworth?

As a sidenote, the art on that cover is really ugly.

Thanks, very cool! I like all the different renderings the artist tried of the same level as well.

Okay, I will keep it in mind. I mean I've never been able to get anywhere in a Megaman game, at least the old ones, but if it's less hard than that, then it may be okay. But like if it's harder than Zelda II, Super Mario Bros. 2 (Lost Levels), or maybe Wario's Woods (SNES version), which are all games I remember I stuck it out until the end for despite the extreme difficulty, I don't know I may still have to pass. The gameplay and graphics on Henry Hatsworth look both novel and charming though. Arghhhh decisions!

I just figured he reposted it, but now I see what he did as well. I guess that means there's one less shopper, especially in the market for mana drinks?

Oh hey Remo, any chance of you posting the Braid 2005 shots? I've seen some from 2006, but not that far back. I get really interested in early production elements in games.

I'm still listening, but I'm loving Remo's description of how it is to try to beat an impossible game to completion. As someone who is a completist when I play games and therefore have a backlog because of it, I try really hard to get everything a game has in terms of unlockables, secret levels, and different paths. Sometimes to the point of masochism, although it's hardly satisfying in some games, like the one time a while back that I got an A rank on everything in Sonic Adventure 2, but I've learned my lesson trying to get through shoddy games like that. It's more compulsive than anything. Because of this I often try to avoid playing games I know are going to be problematic for me. Something like Beyond Good and Evil is just a sigh of relief as something I can finish, collect everything the game has, and enjoy it the whole time I'm playing. Zelda games sometimes push it, especially with Windwaker and the figure collecting, but really none of them are anywhere near as frustrating as something as simple as Zelda II. Had Windwaker let me hold more photos on my camera or didn't make me do some stupid quest to make my camera shoot color photos, I would have been much happier, but then again, a lot of it is also my fault for attempting to get as many photos as I could early on without realizing later in the game I would be able to warp my boat around and easily collect everything. Games I know ahead of time that only require me to beat it straight through in like 20 hours or don't have a shitload of unlockables are automatically appealing to me, as well as indie games that tend to be both short and amazing. This is probably what pushed me towards PC gaming when I was young over any kind of console, even though I had an NES and Genesis. Like Remo said about NES unfairness, it's really just bad design when you can't beat levels just because of ridiculous odds, until you actually win and get some arbitrary screen that just says "Congratulations." I realize back then the designers felt you were supposed to get your enjoyment and money's worth by mastering such ridiculous toughness since most 8 bit and 16 bit console games were short. But on the PC (or Macs and Amigas or whateever) during that era, most games seemed to be geared towards completing and having an actual climax and step ladder type design, as well as taking advantage of a save function, thus giving you a much more satisfying experience and for the most part insuring your completion at one point or another. Too bad about Henry Hatsworth, I was really looking forward to this, but it sounds like I'll have to avoid it. I get the feeling it may be one of those games where the developers don't actually play through it themselves. At my job I notice some of the programmers can't really beat some of the games they made themselves, but they know what happens either way, so it's not a big deal. I think I heard on a different podcast you guys mention that a lot of developers aren't good at games, so I'm wondering if Kyle Gray has a hard time playing Henry.

You could play the Gameboy Color version Super Mario Bros. Deluxe. That has all sorts of medals and high scores you have to earn. It's kind of not fun after a while, but I think I mastered it.

Oh wow, this is looking even better. I've gotta play this. I'm getting a Lost Vikings vibe from this now, even though people are playing simultaneously. That's always a good thing.

Hahaha, yes! It took me a second to notice, but then it was all worth it.

Well if I really sit here and think about it, I really could stand to care less about it. So what I'm going to do is edit my post to say, "I should care less" and then we will all be in love. They also say, "You go girl!" This is the stock phrase that people use when they are writing for a younger woman/teen and have no clue what it is they actually say. I think it's generally used less these days, but that phrase and variations of it keep popping up in the contracted scripts for the edutainment games/shorts at my work.

Joss Whedon in the way he really doesn't have a clue how women really talk and interact? Anyways, I think the guy gets a lot of hype for a lot of nothing. He's a lot like David Cage to me. Or Charles Cecil. Or Benoit Sokal. The love is bountiful at adventuregamers.com, but I should care less. I also finished that Casper game Tornquist made in the 90s a while back. Even then you can see how he has good ideas to base his design, but it all kind of explodes into a nonsensical mess. All of that with hardly any dialogue.

Cool, thanks for that lengthy explanation. Now to go play in photoshop sooner or later.

I am also interested in how you made this, Stevan.