Bioshock

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

that's why i bought it from Steam, no securerom crap here. and speaking of Steam, there was an update for Bioshock today that was fairly sizable (34mb) but the update news was blank. i wonder what changed

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Geez guys, differentiate between developers and publishers. It's more than likely that the publishers and not the people who actually put in the hard work to make the game that forced the condition of that form of copy protection.

Securom and Starforce, etc. and all their evils will become even more and more prevalent on retail purchased games. Remember that copies downloaded off Steam (and technically circumventing publisher/distributer) will be able to copied from computer to computer ad infinitum.

I had the understanding that the securom is part of the steam download as well, which was the main reason I haven't purchased it through steam. http://forums.steampowered.com/forum...d.php?t=589874

edit: Reading further, it appears now that the securom on the steam download has been changed from 2 installs allowed to 5. This is better in my opinion but I still don't like the fact it is there. If this type of protection existed on all my games, none of the games would be useable any longer (Diablo, Diablo II, etc...). This protection is great in the short term when most copying takes place, but if you play games years down the road like I do, thus requiring lot's of reinstalls, it's not so great.

And I do know the difference between developers and publishers and that the publisher is the one that puts the copy protection in the software. However, that doesn't make a lick of difference whether I buy it or not, as my money will still be going towards the publisher. If the developer doesn't like that, then choose a different publisher.
While other games do have the securom on them, I'm not sure of any others that are as restrictive as this.

edit #2: Looks like 2kgames changed it to 5 installs for all version (steam/dvd) and also creating an application that will release one of the installs #'s when you uninstall the game. Much better in my opinion and they obviously looked at the backlash and acted on it.

http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/pc_faq.html

How many computers can I activate this game on at once?
2K increased the maximum computers you can install the game simultaneously on from 2 to 5. We are also preparing a new “revoke application” that will allow you to de-authorize computers so that you may move the game to another computer without "using up" one of these activations. This increase in the limit will cover most users' issues, and the revoke application should alleviate remaining concerns. Of course, if you still experience any issues, please feel free to contact support.

How many times can I reinstall this game on the same computer?
2K increased the maximum installs on the same computer from 3 to 5, before you need to seek customer support. The revoke application we will release will make this irrelevant - as long as you revoke before you install again, you will have no issues.

I just may end up buying it now. Keyword may.

[LockedOut]

Anyone think it's a matter of time before this happens to consoles also. Maybe not possible this generation but maybe the next where a copy of a game will be tied to a specific machine and you'll only be able to play each copy on a small number of machines. With this approach the publishers will try and squeeze out the used games market, rentals and sharing with too many people. I think Sony was thinking of allowing this option with the PS3 some time ago.

[photon]

I think the latest I read was that they're going to patch out the securom entirely.. great if they do it.

I hate this stuff. People who pirate games don't get this kind of abuse.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by photon

I think the latest I read was that they're going to patch out the securom entirely.. great if they do it.

I hate this stuff. People who pirate games don't get this kind of abuse.

that is why i have never paid for a version of windows. with all the activation crap it's just not worth it. i can get more out of the software without worrying about anything shutting down on me if i simply download the cracked version

irony at it's finest, the more copy protection companies put on their stuff the more people get fed up and grab the illegal versions without it

[Neeper]

Has anyone had problems with this game freezing??? I played for 2 hours made huge progress and then it froze, and I have to start again. I'm pissed beyond words right now. I don't even want to play this game anymore.

[RyZ]

Games like Bioshock and Gears of War make the Halo 3 gameplay footage look dated and average.

[NuclearFart]

Does anybody else think this game is a little over-rated? It's actually quite short, it's very linear and aside from an interestingly bizarre/creative environment, it's pretty derivative. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not really picking up on alot of innovation, and there is a serious lack of replay value once you've finished it. I personally think this is a rental game, rather than a game to buy.
________
Make A Vaporizer

[Cliche]

Originally Posted by NuclearFart

Does anybody else think this game is a little over-rated? It's actually quite short, it's very linear and aside from an interestingly bizarre/creative environment, it's pretty derivative. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not really picking up on alot of innovation, and there is a serious lack of replay value once you've finished it. I personally think this is a rental game, rather than a game to buy.

Would you kindly tell us what plasmids that you use?

And how you kill the Big Daddies? and what do you do with the little sisters?

Have you played System Shock 2 before?

Me personally, I've finished it, and will be playing it again..

As I just went straight through, although with the bathypheres, it looked as if you could back track so it'll be interesting to see if there's more to it or not.

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

that is why i have never paid for a version of windows. with all the activation crap it's just not worth it. i can get more out of the software without worrying about anything shutting down on me if i simply download the cracked version

irony at it's finest, the more copy protection companies put on their stuff the more people get fed up and grab the illegal versions without it

Also with windizupdate, you get everything you need as well, without the WGA checks and all that.

The thing is, RIAA, movie industry and the software developers always quote made-up figures of how badly pirating is hurting them. But, CD sales + MP3 sales are up, movie industry just had a record summer, and gaming is still an 80 billion dollar industry.

How badly is it REALLY hurting them?

[NuclearFart]

Originally Posted by Cliche

Would you kindly tell us what plasmids that you use?

And how you kill the Big Daddies? and what do you do with the little sisters?

Have you played System Shock 2 before?

Me personally, I've finished it, and will be playing it again..

As I just went straight through, although with the bathypheres, it looked as if you could back track so it'll be interesting to see if there's more to it or not.

I tried all the plasmids a few times (save/reloading), but used mostly lightning, decoy, telekenesis and enrage.

Killing the big daddies a number of ways. Lightning + shock buck, crossbow electro-traps + grenades, chemical gun lightning thing (2nd easiest), enrage alot of other guys (daddy vs daddy is the best), using that camera-bullseye plasmid (easiest way), and freeze wrenching....probably a few other ways I can't remember.

I saved the little girls...I'm sure there is an alternate ending if you harvest them, I guess that's some replay value but I'm not sure I enjoyed the game that much that I'd be willing to waste the time doing it again for that.

No, I never did play system shock 1 or 2, although I am familiar with both.

It sounds like you quite enjoyed your playthrough, but did you think it was worthy of all the hype? Would you kindly please do tell
________
Mercedes-benz om601 engine

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by LockedOut

Anyone think it's a matter of time before this happens to consoles also. Maybe not possible this generation but maybe the next where a copy of a game will be tied to a specific machine and you'll only be able to play each copy on a small number of machines. With this approach the publishers will try and squeeze out the used games market, rentals and sharing with too many people. I think Sony was thinking of allowing this option with the PS3 some time ago.

Doesn't this happen already on the Wii, when you download games from the virtual arcade to a memory stick? I thought I remembered reading that you can't use them on another machine.

[Cliche]

Originally Posted by NuclearFart

I tried all the plasmids a few times (save/reloading), but used mostly lightning, decoy, telekenesis and enrage.

Killing the big daddies a number of ways. Lightning + shock buck, crossbow electro-traps + grenades, chemical gun lightning thing (2nd easiest), enrage alot of other guys (daddy vs daddy is the best), using that camera-bullseye plasmid (easiest way), and freeze wrenching....probably a few other ways I can't remember.

I saved the little girls...I'm sure there is an alternate ending if you harvest them, I guess that's some replay value but I'm not sure I enjoyed the game that much that I'd be willing to waste the time doing it again for that.

No, I never did play system shock 1 or 2, although I am familiar with both.

It sounds like you quite enjoyed your playthrough, but did you think it was worthy of all the hype? Would you kindly please do tell

I had previously played system shock 2 so many of the game play mechanics were familliar. FPS's as they stand right now are pretty derivative, as the primary goals are usually go through the environment and reach the goal.

I haven't really read any of the hype, and was just getting it on past experience with system shock 2.

I like it because you can use the environment against your enemies, and that you are no longer the single lone warrior verses the unending legions of the big bad™ with the requisite BFG™. Nor is it YAWW2S* with scripted sequences. The AI still has problems with different elevations, and the pathfinding could have been better, but for the obstacles placed in your way they did work for the art deco environment. Setting off the camera alarm and spending 20 bucks to shut down the sentry robots sent your way makes for a nifty way of getting spawns to do escort duty. I enjoyed the themes presented in the game, as they helped provide the moral background for the later half.

However, this game isn't without it's warts. the openness of the world lends to aimlessly wandering the halls wondering where to go next. Some of the goals take away from exploration time. No vehicles. No rail shooting sequences. Variety of enemies isn't all that great(could have used 1 or 2 more different mobs rather than reusing the splicers). No real annoyance enemies that suddenly leap out of nowhere. (Spider splicers don't really count.)

Overall it was worth full retail price for me, for story and environment. If there is an expansion for this I'll be getting that too. It also passed the second most important test of a game for me, the amount of time before I get bored of it and want to cheat(either via trainer or code) I'm on my 2nd playthrough and have no inclination on finding cheats or trainer. (no disc however is probably high up on the list)

I didn't have a problem with the securom activation on my system. I ran everything on high with 2x anti aliasing @1024x768

My system specs are as follows

A8N-SLI Premium
Athlon AMD S939 3800+ Oc'd to 2.4 ghz.
2 GB DDR400 Micron
EVGA 7800GT 256mb
Seagate 320GB 7200RPM
SoundBlaster Audigy 2ZS
LG DVDwriter


-----------------
*YAWW2S-Yet Another World War 2 Shooter

[Burninator]

To Catch A Predator: Rapture



http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic

[Flashpoint]

I just finished it a few hours ago. I got the "good" ending for saving the little sisters. I have also seen a video for the bad ending that showed an armed missile and some spider splicers.

Is that it? Just the two?

I have to agree with NuclearFart. I don't see much replay value here. Without a death penalty, the game is much too easy.

[Human Torch]

Yeah I started a bad game awhile ago but after an hour or so had no desire to play it anymore. Gonna trade it in for NHL08 I think. Still a great first experience.

[phaneuf_train]

Originally Posted by Neeper

Has anyone had problems with this game freezing??? I played for 2 hours made huge progress and then it froze, and I have to start again. I'm pissed beyond words right now. I don't even want to play this game anymore.

Are you playing on 360? I think I have one of the faulty disks that has been out. When I finished the Fort Frolic level I had issues with 1-5 second lag/delay/freezing. I searched it up on the xbox.com forums and a lot of people are having this problem. It is really making the game unplayable which blows because I was having so much fun playing this game until this happened, now its just frustrating.

[RW99]

Originally Posted by Human Torch

Yeah I started a bad game awhile ago but after an hour or so had no desire to play it anymore. Gonna trade it in for NHL08 I think. Still a great first experience.

How do you get to do that?

I just finished 'Good' on the easy level and it sure was easy. I haven't died yet, so I don't know how the chambers work I think I'll play it again on the hardest setting and being 'Bad'. Hopefully there's enough reply in that.

[cSpooge]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Games like Bioshock and Gears of War make the Halo 3 gameplay footage look dated and average.

Halo 3 looks just as good. I was at PAX last weekend and they had the first live action of Halo 3 and it does look killer.

[showtime]

That lag issue is the caching on the HD for the 360. If when you boot the game up hold LB and RB till the 2K thing goes away it clears the cache and you shouldn't have anymore issues. If it still doesnt' work try it without the HD in.

[Flashpoint]

Slightly funny (and critical) review of Bioshock.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/arti...ation-BioShock