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=VG= SemlerPDX

VG Clan Member (Administrator)
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Everything posted by =VG= SemlerPDX

  1. For the People, By the People Bohemia Interactive has just announced a Play & Contribute Beta for Carrier Command: Gaea Mission. Starting April 6th, 2012, players can purchase one of two P&C betas - either the regular version, or the premium Supporter version which will ship with the beta-access, the digital soundtrack of the game, and a full copy of the game from Steam and the BI Studios Store. The price is $40 euros, and sales start tomorrow. Though the beta will not feature the full story line and campaign, players will be able to play and test the true essence of Carrier Command: Gaea Mission in it's free roaming environments, taking control of any unit under their command at any time on the vast planetoid Taurus. Here's what the CEO and founder of Bohemia Interactive, Marek Spanel, had to say about the Play & Contribute Beta: "Our aim is to open up the project so that people will be able to contribute not only in terms of funding, but also by helping us to further improve what we feel is already a great experience. For us, as an independent developer, involving outside enthusiasts like this is extremely valuable and we greatly appreciate the support of everyone willing to join in." "When we started this project in 2008," Marek continued, "we set out to re-imagine the original Carrier Command in a way that captures the spirit of the 8/16-bit classic, while making optimal use of all the technical and game design opportunities available today. It has been a long and exciting journey, and now, after more than 3 years of passionate work, the game is even better than we had envisioned. Still, we remain dedicated to making it as solid as possible. By allowing it some more time and involving gamers directly, we hope to release a game that stands up to its great legacy. We plan to announce more specific release plans for Carrier Command: Gaea Mission by the end of this month." This is a remake of the 1980's classic game, Carrier Command, and Bohemia Interactive is very excited about their version of it. Players reception of this sci-fi real-time strategy gameplay is important to them, and they are rumored to be using this beta to determine if the final release date of the game should be pushed back to September of 2012. I find this a far better business model than to release a product to the public that desperately needs it's first patch to function as advertised. You can read more about Carrier Command: Gaea Mission here: Preview - Carrier Command: Gaea Mission by Aaron Semler, Senior Editor VETERANS-GAMING
  2. =VG= SemlerPDX

    This Saturday

    Well, I'll be there playing Platoon Leader, providing Artillery Support, Logistics, and UAV RECON. !cheers
  3. I plan on spending much more time on the CLAfghan server playing as the Commander. I think a lot of that sever's problem is the logistics end of it. By providing proper RECON and artillery support, it will be much more playable. Also, the idea to host and promote gaming nights is a great idea, and we should start right away. I'll be on later tonite, and again tomorrow.
  4. Yes, it is a good thing! Now, if they can just give the navigator some FLIR, we'll have us a bitchin RECON bird!
  5. Yea, this is for reals. lol It's gonna happen if whether we believe it or not.
  6. Already signed up! That's one hell of a headset! 7.1 surround sound - amazing.
  7. I've been keeping a close eye on this one, and this past week I've done a few tests with that mod. It works, and it rocks! I knew it could be done, and they have pulled it off! !fans
  8. Calv LAN_WROTE ... Been looking at getting something like: http://www.playseat.com/shop/eu/uk/flight-simulator/flight-simulator-chair.html But it's a fair amount to drop at once. Holy crap, yea! I think you could buy you an acetylene torch, and arc welder, a padded seat, and enough 1" square tubing to build one of those for that much money!! Seriously, that is rediculously expensive compared to other "gaming seats" and I don't think it brings that much more to the table anyway. !crazy
  9. Goodbye my darling, hello Vietnam.... Veterans Gaming News: BF2 Project Reality Vietnam Kiss me goodbye and write me while I'm gone...
  10. PR:Vietnam is no joke! Exactly two years ago from yesterday, the Project Reality Team seemingly teased gamers with the announcement of an upcoming addition to their award winning modification of Battlefield 2, Project Reality. The fact that it came on April Fool's Day had many players wondering if Project Reality: Vietnam was in fact a Reality. Again, just yesterday, Project Reality Dev AncientMan posted a PR:Vietnam announcement on the RealityMod forums. Is this just another cruel joke, or has the joke been on us this whole time? The answer is yes - PR: Vietnam HAS been in development for 2 years, and IS going to release it's first public playable version this Friday, April 6th, 2012. This Friday, we will finally get a chance to experience Battlefield 2 Project Reality style gameplay in a recreation of the battlefields of the Vietnam War. Fighting as the US Army, United States Marine Corps, and North Vietnam Army, players will struggle for territory and control points in 2 new maps made specifically for PR:Vietnam, as well as 2 PR:BF2 maps modified for Vietnam gameplay. Plenty of Vietnam-era weapons, equipment, and vehicles will be at our disposal in what is sure to be the coolest Vietnam mod and game mode to ever grace the EA and DICE blockbuster that is Battlefield 2. The mod will be available for download on April 6th, and in the future will be integrated into the main Battlefield 2 Project Reality build in the version 1.0 coming soon. Check out this awesome new game mod this Friday, and be sure to check back here as we will most certainly have many screenshots and some videos of Project Reality: Vietnam! by Aaron Semler, Senior Editor VETERANS-GAMING
  11. Calv LAN_WROTE ... Couldn't connect to the I44 server, had everything installed/updated via sixupdater but still no joy. :( I have deleted my keys, @i44 mod, and @CBA mod folders - and am currently using Six Updater to reinstall both (dang, big long test here at 2.5GB!) Gonna get to the bottom of that error. Also, making SixUpdater basic tutorial including how to keep it from auto-updating to a non-stable release candidate instead of 2.8 (the current stable version). Once we get our SixUpdater portal for our servers, joining any match we host should be as simple as choosing us in SixUpdater's Arma Server's list and clicking Install/Update/Join Server. Eazy Peazy. (of course, I always close SixUpdater, even though it only uses less than half a GB of RAM, Arma 2 uses 2GB, and I have 8 total). Needless to say, SixUpdater is an amazing tool, and in it's current version, a very easy to use, powerful piece of equipment for any Arma player! !2cool
  12. Outlanders =VG= LAN_WROTE ... ACE is amazing. But i think if we host it, we need one person, dedicated for it. For updates, maintenance and other things. I am happy to donate my full attention to getting it up and running and keeping it so. We will also release a host of tutorials and training ops, as well as simplify all aspects of mod dowloading and syncing such as SixUpdater, and proper use of Armarize. There are several others here who are also happy to dedicate themselves to getting this up and running. !fans
  13. Yes! This was a very popular game mode, and with the new additions and improvements that ACE, ACRE, ShackTac HUD, and even Insurgency have received over the last year this could prove to be the next biggest thing. We should be hosting i44 and/or Zombie game modes as events - for a persistant server, I strongly feel that ACE is the way to go. I'll personally release tutorial videos, and get us "synced" into the SixUpdater universe with help from Savage.
  14. A Balancing Act for a Small Fee The much anticipated Battlefield 3 Patch has released, and DICE has proudly touted this as a package that will make the game "more stable, fairer, and more balanced". Covering a very wide range of changes, fixes, and improvements, this is a BF3 patch to beat all before it. Most notable is the new and improved Commo Rose with it's intuitive design and interface features such as improved functions and readability. The mouse movement is now centered in the middle when the Commo Rose is displayed (by holding down Q), and moving the mouse from center to a selection, players can now activate that action by simply releasing the Q button. This will make for a much faster interaction, a great help to these call-outs for ammo, medic, or spotting an enemy - especially now that all these call-outs will be globally broadcast to every player on your team. Another immediately apparent addition is the new mini-map styles choices. Either a satellite view, a map view, or a hybrid of the two will show buildings and terrain features to better help the digital war fighter navigate his area of operations. Another big one that noOb flyboys are sure to love - flares are no longer an unlock item, but usable by anyone piloting an aircraft. These all seem like great improvements to a game that is all about earning rank and unlocking special weapons and gear, a system which makes for a very desirable degree of recognition that rewards the diligent, frequent player and his ever improving skills. The idea to limit certain weapons, equipment, and abilities is not a new concept in video games, and Battlefield 3 makes for a grand arena for such gameplay to flourish - putting more powerful items in the hands of seasoned players. Unfortunately for those dedicated players who worked so hard for their unlocks, the Battlefield is about to be leveled with the newest and most controversial concept of purchasing said upgrades outright from EA just as one would the game itself. In my opinion, and many others, this is a very contradictory concept, seemingly moving the core idea of Battlefield 3 online multiplayer gameplay in the completely opposite direction. For an additional $40, one can immediately have access to each and every unlock in the game - or for smaller fees, they can simply buy the unlock set that appeals to them. Now, I know many are going to jump and say that this is a good balancing feature due to the fact that anyone who buys the game today, with a desire to play online against others, would otherwise be at a severe disadvantage given the number of long time players who have already unlocked a number of powerful items and weapons now populating the online battlefields. In a game that features tracked stats, ranks, unlocks, and achievements, one must also argue that selling such achievements that would be gained over time through actual gameplay comes very close to unbalancing the fairness of the game in that now many, many more of these unique weapons or powerful gameplay features will now plague the battlefields, many in the hands of players who never had to work hard or learn to use any other weapon to achieve such a level of presence on said battlefield as a proven e-warrior. In my opinion, all the elements exist in Battlefield 3 to simply balance the fairness of the "unlocks paradox", not by merely selling unlocks to lazy, or more appropriately, casual players desiring full access to game features, but by ordering their ranked servers by rank itself. One of my favorite PvP online wargames of the past was the Socom series for the Playstation. Sure, there were plenty of ranked servers that had no rank restrictions - Ensigns fought alongside Captains, albeit in much shorter life spans - but also just as popular were servers such as Ensigns Only, Lt.'s Only, or servers barring lower or higher ranks. Surely this is a better system than flooding the game universe with each and every unlockable item/weapon/feature to anyone with a bit of green. Imagine how quickly those gamers without a large budget will be outclassed by players who haven't any more experience than they do at the game, or time spent online, but just a fatter wallet. Of course, Electronic Arts immediately stepped to defend this obvious profit motivated concept, and had this to say in a statement made to GameSpy regarding their editorial on the subject: "Yesterday we released new content for Battlefield 3 that included the ability for players to purchase a shortcut that unlocks earnable content in the game. The shortcuts are meant to encourage players to brave new territory. We want to offer newcomers a chance to catch up with the veterans that have been playing the game for the last five months. These shortcuts do not create an unfair advantage for any players ? new or veteran. In fact, withholding these shortcuts would actually put newcomers in a pretty steep uphill climb, splitting the community. We understand that everyone plays differently. Some gamers want to earn the unlocks, and they can continue to do so. Others have been wishing for a shortcut, which is now available. We're happy to be able to serve both types of players." What do you think about this new idea to sell the very unlocks that make the game a rewarding experience to play? Do you think that by selling these features to other players that those trying to work at it through gameplay will be disheartened and frustrated as they see other players left and right with paid for unlock packs? Will this force those players to purchase the unlocks themselves just to be able to compete on this new level where most all players have access to everything but they themselves? Please write your opinions in the comments section below! by Aaron Semler, Senior Editor VETERANS-GAMING
  15. I wonder just what they mean by "RAID upgrade"... They may be refering to a Stripped Mirror array - I can't imagine that they would configure it as a simple 2 disk RAID 0 as it would risk total data loss if one of the drives were to fail. If not RAID 0 Striped, they may upgrade us to a 4 disk RAID 1+0 (RAID 10) or RAID 0+1 which would mean serious performance increase in terms of data transfer for our many game servers on that box. I am a big fan of RAID and know a bit about it, I just wish I knew what AN means by it.
  16. I am currently doing my own little analysis of the Arma player's focus, what is popular, what is played, mods vs. non-mods, etc. I'm going at this with some serious nerditude, and I'm sure when I'm done I'll have a much more clear picture of these demographics that will help us determine how to/what to run on our 2nd Arma server so as not to waste money on a game no one plays. I expect to have a proposal by this weekend - Savage and I have also been looking into getting "signed" with SixUpdater, but again, this is a discussion in progress between the administration. Our main goal will be to get players into that server and keep it populated as a persistent battleground of missions like PR. Patience...
  17. I've looked into this before. This thing is amazing! Imagine the level of immersion especially with these war games we play! I've jumped in my seat already, quietly sneaking near enemy territory with friends online, and BAM! Man Down! If the sound also came from my seat, I think I'd get in a habit of covering it with plastic (if you get my drift) !haha
  18. Wow - that looks pretty cool, especially for a BF2 mod! I am impressed! !2cool
  19. A Most Realistic Threat... In the year 2035, as the US defends the Pacific in proxy-wars with China, NATO struggles to retain members as more and more leave to join a growing Eastern alliance. Following the aggressive military expansion by Iranian Armed Forces, stopped narrowly by a treaty ratification in 2034, the small Greek Island of Limnos has become the focal point of a tense global conflict that threatens a world war of epic proportions. The Aegean Sea is the new frontline, with Iran occupying Greek sovereign lands. Battle scars still show on this little island of less than 300 square kilometers - wounds left from the Iranian invasion in 2033. Bohemia Interactive has spent a great deal of time creating a very real, very detailed feel to their upcoming military shooter, Arma 3. They have painstakingly fleshed out a seemingly possible near-future world caught on the verge of a gripping scenario featuring actual real world powers. The very thought of such an Iranian resurgence is almost a bit too close to home, but in that it gives us a more understandable battleground that doesn't patronize it's audience with a mere generic "terrorist" style enemy threat. It is true that many reviews and player comments of Arma 2 note the difficult learning curve, and because of the vast game modes and missions, may have a hard time figuring out "how to play". Bohemia Interactive, as a result, will release Arma 3 with a greatly enhanced GUI, giving the player a much more usable interface, along with better tutorial and training complements to round out the player and get them into the game. Players will enjoy a new degree of control and interaction with their characters, and the environment itself, with such concepts as diving underwater, and customizable gear down to the uniform itself. As in previous Arma games, Arma 3 will have factions of BLUFOR, OPFOR, and Civilians. The campaign will also feature Greek Resistance cells including units from the Hellenic Armed Forces who remained after the invasion of Limnos, and are rumored to have CIA and SIS support. The Iranian Armed Forces comprise the OPFOR faction, of course, and have taken control of several key facilities and strategic positions throughout the island of Limnos. The BLUFOR operatives supporting the region are comprised of NATO's Mediterranean Joint Force Command which include the US 7th Infantry Division and British Special Forces groups. Players will begin by taking the role of Cpt. Scott Miller of British Special Forces, in command of a small NATO taskforce security team for the Combat Technology Research Group. Arma 3 will show remarkable improvements with it's updated Real Virtuality 4 engine, and it will be complimented by Nvidia's PhysX engine for more realistic collision detection and vehicle handling. Improved flight models are being adopted from Take On Helicopters, and players will still have full head tracking support and TrackIR support that will make flying through volumetric clouds over picture perfect terrain a breathtaking experience. DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 will be supported to help show off the staggering view distances varying from 6-20 kilometers. I am personally looking forward to ragdoll physics - there'll be nothing like shooting a guard out of a tower and laughing as he tumbles to the ground like a sack of digital meat! More information is sure to come soon on Arma III, and we have the Community Alpha to look forward to this Summer, and a Beta directly following that. No need to freeze yourself and risk having to fight a bunch of intelligent atheist sea otters in the future! by Aaron Semler, Senior Editor VETERANS-GAMING
  20. A Decade of Waiting... Announced way back in June of 2008, Blizzard Entertainment will soon release the much anticipated Diablo III, over a decade after the last Diablo game product. Development for Diablo III started in 2001, by Blizzard North, but greatly differs from the original design back then. They have departed from the Havok Physics Engine, and using their own custom in-house physics will allow for in-game damage effects in destructible environments. A full 3D environment will see enemies crawling up walls, and other such utilization of the world around. Sanctuary is the name of the fantasy world of Diablo, and has aged twenty years since the end of the last game, Diablo II. The world's geography has been changed by events in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. Two large continents separate the seas, dotted with tiny islands to the Northwest. Players will begin to explore Sanctuary starting May 15th, 2012, but only in a singleplayer mode at first. In an effort to release the game and avoid further launch delays, Blizzard has pulled integration of their Player versus Player arenas. A future patch will include PvP at a later date, and players will be able to choose existing characters they have used in cooperative and single player games. They will have all the skills and gear they have earned, and can participate in unranked and ranked games that unlock rewards and titles, as well as multiplayer achievements. The public beta testing is currently underway, and the impressions of the players are generally good. Five character classes include a Wizard, a Witch Doctor, a Monk, a Demon Hunter, and of course, a Barbarian. Players have noted right away that the button mashing tactics of the past have been replaced with a clear need to use the in-game skills to prevail. Even gold is picked up automatically - gone are the days of playing Diablo with a "turbo" button! The game will launch with 300,000 Collector's Edition units for a price of $99.99 and will include a USB key holding Diablo II and it's expansion, a book with concept art, a soundtrack CD, and even a documentary DVD. The standard edition will cost $59.99, but those who took advantage of the "annual pass" for World of Warcraft promotion by Blizzard will receive Diablo 3 free as a digital download once it is released. Not a bad incentive for keeping an active WoW account for one full year. It is worth noting that a constant internet connection to Blizzard's Battle.net service will be required even for single player gameplay. This is sure to be an amazing game, and Blizzard is proud of it's achievement. Mike Morhaime, co-founder and CEO of Blizzard Entertainment had this to say: "After many years of hard work by our development team and months of beta testing by hundreds of thousands of dedicated players around the world, we're now in the homestretch. We look forward to putting the final polish on Diablo III over the next two months and delivering the ultimate action-RPG experience to gamers worldwide starting on May 15." by Aaron Semler, Senior Editor VETERANS-GAMING
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