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1352
Community News / Re: Weekly Show: [Insert Name Here]
« on: February 26, 2011, 09:31:38 PM »I said danger room, then a few days later SRK releases a show with that name lol
Maybe you could sue 'em
1353
Match Videos and Streams / Re: "What Stream is on?" Thread
« on: February 26, 2011, 05:55:20 PM »
HK vs SG casuals have started:
http://www.justin.tv/sgfighter#/w/907345264
Tourney begins at 7.00pm AU time.
http://www.justin.tv/sgfighter#/w/907345264
Tourney begins at 7.00pm AU time.
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Random Discussion / Re: Expanding the less mainstream titles
« on: February 26, 2011, 05:47:04 PM »
My understanding is that quite a few from Australia play the older games online via GGPO.
Sometimes at GGs a couple of guys bring in laptops and run emulators for local sessions of older games but to be honest in the shadow in SSFIV and MVC3 and the arcade cabs at GGs, these games don't really get a great amount of attention despite having a few fans of them.
Next time there's a post mentioning a gathering at GGs (typically its every Friday) maybe chime in with your suggestions to field numbers/interest. Space is a bit of a premium at GGs on Friday though (as the place is typically shared with card wizards) with any available room the fighting game fans get to secure being dedicated to SSFIV and MVC3.
The annual OHN tourney tends to attract a few to the DYI tournies, which often see the older/classic games you mention being played. If you were really keen, you could organsie and put on a tourney at OHN to cover the classic fighters and I'd be willing to bet a few people would be keen to both give you a hand and participate.
Sometimes at GGs a couple of guys bring in laptops and run emulators for local sessions of older games but to be honest in the shadow in SSFIV and MVC3 and the arcade cabs at GGs, these games don't really get a great amount of attention despite having a few fans of them.
Next time there's a post mentioning a gathering at GGs (typically its every Friday) maybe chime in with your suggestions to field numbers/interest. Space is a bit of a premium at GGs on Friday though (as the place is typically shared with card wizards) with any available room the fighting game fans get to secure being dedicated to SSFIV and MVC3.
The annual OHN tourney tends to attract a few to the DYI tournies, which often see the older/classic games you mention being played. If you were really keen, you could organsie and put on a tourney at OHN to cover the classic fighters and I'd be willing to bet a few people would be keen to both give you a hand and participate.
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Random Discussion / Re: Mortal Kombat, Banned in AU by Classification Board
« on: February 25, 2011, 11:54:16 PM »
You guys aren't thinking about the children.
Won't someone think of the children?
Won't someone think of the children?
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Random Discussion / Re: Mortal Kombat, Banned in AU by Classification Board
« on: February 25, 2011, 05:55:27 PM »
Oh man I can't wait to see Kabal
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Random Discussion / Re: Mortal Kombat, Banned in AU by Classification Board
« on: February 25, 2011, 04:33:05 PM »
The censorship rules get really fickle when the violence is depicted against 'humans' in games though. In one fell swoop they can easily refuse it.
What I found interesting was how God of War 3 dodged this bullet easily. Anyone who's played that game knows its brimming with gore and violence and also has its fair share of brutality against human characters. What separates it from the others? I personally think Sony's deep pockets did a decent job at swaying (or convincing) shot callers otherwise, 'cos using GOW3 as an example really showcases some glaring inconsistencies with what is considered OK and what isn't.
Hell, only five minutes into GOW3 you had Kratos turning some dude's face into puree complete with a cut to the kill-cam view of him receiving his come uppence.
Another example of how malleable to standards are with respect to human depictions is in Dead Space where a lot of the violence is directed at 'monsters' and so on. Even the little baby creatures were skewed enough to dodge this and were actually the subject of a discussion I had with some concept artists in the USA talking about their methods of wrangling the guidelines of the US rating system so as to get their titles into a rating bracket that favoured better sales. Some brackets cut out a market of cashed up customers so the idea is to balance things so you can sell to them also. Funny how this becomes another layer of concern entirely even when you have a sensible rating system.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma on the PS3 was really funny when it came to beheadings. You could lop the noodles off demons and monsters, but the human opponents noggins were permanently attached, regardless of how much slashing one did. This was solely due to the ratings guidelines for its release here.
Anyone remember the nonsense that vomited from the mouths of irrational nannies when it was revealed that Mass Effect's character customisations in effect permitted lesbian sex scenes and so on? That shit was face-palm material at its finest. Likewise for the AU release of GTA4.
MK's fatalities truly are on a whole new level though - its pretty crazy what they've come up with. And while Dead Space 2 managed to squeeze through, some of the death sequences in that game are pretty nuts yet it got permitted here.
I'm expecting a pretty funny 'clean' release of MK. I bet when you uppercut them the floor gets splattered with 'vote Stephen Conroy' ballot papers and the Pit stage uppercuts see the opponent fall through an extended chasm with Bob Jane T-mart, Target and K-mart ads stewn across the walls before they land on a bedset advertised by Harvey Norman. Zing.
What I found interesting was how God of War 3 dodged this bullet easily. Anyone who's played that game knows its brimming with gore and violence and also has its fair share of brutality against human characters. What separates it from the others? I personally think Sony's deep pockets did a decent job at swaying (or convincing) shot callers otherwise, 'cos using GOW3 as an example really showcases some glaring inconsistencies with what is considered OK and what isn't.
Hell, only five minutes into GOW3 you had Kratos turning some dude's face into puree complete with a cut to the kill-cam view of him receiving his come uppence.
Another example of how malleable to standards are with respect to human depictions is in Dead Space where a lot of the violence is directed at 'monsters' and so on. Even the little baby creatures were skewed enough to dodge this and were actually the subject of a discussion I had with some concept artists in the USA talking about their methods of wrangling the guidelines of the US rating system so as to get their titles into a rating bracket that favoured better sales. Some brackets cut out a market of cashed up customers so the idea is to balance things so you can sell to them also. Funny how this becomes another layer of concern entirely even when you have a sensible rating system.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma on the PS3 was really funny when it came to beheadings. You could lop the noodles off demons and monsters, but the human opponents noggins were permanently attached, regardless of how much slashing one did. This was solely due to the ratings guidelines for its release here.
Anyone remember the nonsense that vomited from the mouths of irrational nannies when it was revealed that Mass Effect's character customisations in effect permitted lesbian sex scenes and so on? That shit was face-palm material at its finest. Likewise for the AU release of GTA4.
MK's fatalities truly are on a whole new level though - its pretty crazy what they've come up with. And while Dead Space 2 managed to squeeze through, some of the death sequences in that game are pretty nuts yet it got permitted here.
I'm expecting a pretty funny 'clean' release of MK. I bet when you uppercut them the floor gets splattered with 'vote Stephen Conroy' ballot papers and the Pit stage uppercuts see the opponent fall through an extended chasm with Bob Jane T-mart, Target and K-mart ads stewn across the walls before they land on a bedset advertised by Harvey Norman. Zing.
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Random Discussion / Re: Mortal Kombat, Banned in AU by Classification Board
« on: February 25, 2011, 03:28:49 PM »
People should have seen this coming a mile off. Given the amount of gore and violence depicted against people in the game, it comes as no surprise it would be banned here.
I recall a preview of the game being shown on some Euro gaming page a while back that had a reduced amount gore, (though interestingly the X-ray attacks were still present with teeth flying out and all sorts) suggesting a revised and pussified version for residents of nanny-states is being prepared. Think Australia, Germany, et al.
Its kinda brings the old arguments back to the surface which really only stand to point out that Australia still hasn't got its shit together at all despite a swathe of hyperbole surrounding the recent rating system review discussions.
While laws and ratings systems here maintain their standards and practices over the classification of films (porn, violence, gore, adult themes, etc) the argument for games remains exactly the same: its simply another form of entertainment and should be subjected to the same classification standards. While I feel a couple of additional criteria might be worthwhile considering given the interactive and multiplayer aspect to games, the mediums remain quite comparable and should be rated as such.
Unfortunately, in this country special interest groups and unparalleled ignorance tends to have the loudest (and often most motivated) voices in this debate so they tend to have the final say coupled with their far reaching and affiliated supporters. What also doesn't help is the knee-jerk bullshit a lot of moronic 'gamers' also tend to throw into the mix which is often cherry picked to represent us when such discussions get tossed about in the media.
My opinion?
1.) Establish a sensible guideline for games with respect to a ratings system, draw on established film rating systems where feasible.
2.) Identify key areas which differentiate interactive and gaming entertainment from traditional film and so on which may invoke additional areas of consideration for ratings. Online multi-player (while a slippery slope) I think might be worthwhile considering here as an example of how games can differ significantly from 'traditional' rated entertainment.
3.) Formalise the issue via a government funded campaign bringing the issue to the public's conscious. Show the many facets of games and interactive entertainment so as to showcase the diversity gaming involves. Not all games are about violence, blood, guts, explosions, terrorists, guns, swords, dragons, Pokemon.
4.) Finally, cast the whole issue to the public to decide. Not just to some narrow-minded and conservative special interest group(s) who don't properly understand the issue nor the technologies involved. How do you do this? Quite simple really - you take the issue to a public referendum. While I've been living in Australia I've actually been quite surprised at how rarely (i.e. so far, never) public referendums occur. This is an issue (much like carbon trading, the middle east involvement, broadband network, Internet filter, etc) that really needs the people and not a select few to decide upon. Or, at the very least, be given the chance to have their voices heard so the statistics and general public opinion/consensus can be captured.
No Australian government so far (Liberal, Labor) has given this issue (and many others the public clearly are interested in) any real consideration worth a damn and instead have dodged it entirely, ignored it, or paid it some minimal limp-dicked, lip-service attention and then promptly dropped it. Is it an important issue? In some senses, no, not at all - there are bigger fish to fry. However, the ratings system debate for games I don't see so much as an issue about games, but moreso about the wider-reaching idea of living in a somewhat free society where we as citizens are afforded the ability to make informed decisions for ourselves as to what we consider acceptable to our tastes - whether it be games, movies, music, live shows, whatever. Right now we are denied that choice in this arena, meanwhile other avenues remain perfectly fine for showing it. I can flick on free to air TV and see violence and gore comparable to that shown in L4D, Mortal Kombat, Ninja Gaiden II (the AU version got censored), etc yet if I want to play a game that showcases the same flavour of material, the government says I can't. gg.
That makes no sense to me. But moreso, it says to me that the laws binding all this simply haven't been revised nor updated to reflect a society rapidly changing with the development of technology. Rather than address this, its ignored.
Maybe someone ought to explain to these guys that games actually make a lot of money and rake in a lot in sales. Maybe that will help them rethink their policies, as seems to be the case with a lot of other government motivations.
Maybe they should propose a "gaming gore and violence tax" but knowing Australia's government, they might take me seriously.
I recall a preview of the game being shown on some Euro gaming page a while back that had a reduced amount gore, (though interestingly the X-ray attacks were still present with teeth flying out and all sorts) suggesting a revised and pussified version for residents of nanny-states is being prepared. Think Australia, Germany, et al.
Its kinda brings the old arguments back to the surface which really only stand to point out that Australia still hasn't got its shit together at all despite a swathe of hyperbole surrounding the recent rating system review discussions.
While laws and ratings systems here maintain their standards and practices over the classification of films (porn, violence, gore, adult themes, etc) the argument for games remains exactly the same: its simply another form of entertainment and should be subjected to the same classification standards. While I feel a couple of additional criteria might be worthwhile considering given the interactive and multiplayer aspect to games, the mediums remain quite comparable and should be rated as such.
Unfortunately, in this country special interest groups and unparalleled ignorance tends to have the loudest (and often most motivated) voices in this debate so they tend to have the final say coupled with their far reaching and affiliated supporters. What also doesn't help is the knee-jerk bullshit a lot of moronic 'gamers' also tend to throw into the mix which is often cherry picked to represent us when such discussions get tossed about in the media.
My opinion?
1.) Establish a sensible guideline for games with respect to a ratings system, draw on established film rating systems where feasible.
2.) Identify key areas which differentiate interactive and gaming entertainment from traditional film and so on which may invoke additional areas of consideration for ratings. Online multi-player (while a slippery slope) I think might be worthwhile considering here as an example of how games can differ significantly from 'traditional' rated entertainment.
3.) Formalise the issue via a government funded campaign bringing the issue to the public's conscious. Show the many facets of games and interactive entertainment so as to showcase the diversity gaming involves. Not all games are about violence, blood, guts, explosions, terrorists, guns, swords, dragons, Pokemon.
4.) Finally, cast the whole issue to the public to decide. Not just to some narrow-minded and conservative special interest group(s) who don't properly understand the issue nor the technologies involved. How do you do this? Quite simple really - you take the issue to a public referendum. While I've been living in Australia I've actually been quite surprised at how rarely (i.e. so far, never) public referendums occur. This is an issue (much like carbon trading, the middle east involvement, broadband network, Internet filter, etc) that really needs the people and not a select few to decide upon. Or, at the very least, be given the chance to have their voices heard so the statistics and general public opinion/consensus can be captured.
No Australian government so far (Liberal, Labor) has given this issue (and many others the public clearly are interested in) any real consideration worth a damn and instead have dodged it entirely, ignored it, or paid it some minimal limp-dicked, lip-service attention and then promptly dropped it. Is it an important issue? In some senses, no, not at all - there are bigger fish to fry. However, the ratings system debate for games I don't see so much as an issue about games, but moreso about the wider-reaching idea of living in a somewhat free society where we as citizens are afforded the ability to make informed decisions for ourselves as to what we consider acceptable to our tastes - whether it be games, movies, music, live shows, whatever. Right now we are denied that choice in this arena, meanwhile other avenues remain perfectly fine for showing it. I can flick on free to air TV and see violence and gore comparable to that shown in L4D, Mortal Kombat, Ninja Gaiden II (the AU version got censored), etc yet if I want to play a game that showcases the same flavour of material, the government says I can't. gg.
That makes no sense to me. But moreso, it says to me that the laws binding all this simply haven't been revised nor updated to reflect a society rapidly changing with the development of technology. Rather than address this, its ignored.
Maybe someone ought to explain to these guys that games actually make a lot of money and rake in a lot in sales. Maybe that will help them rethink their policies, as seems to be the case with a lot of other government motivations.
Maybe they should propose a "gaming gore and violence tax" but knowing Australia's government, they might take me seriously.
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Street Fighter IV - General Discussion / AE guide incoming?
« on: February 24, 2011, 11:51:05 PM »
http://www.versuscity.net/2011/02/22/new-super-sf4-mook-on-the-way/
"Capcom’s e-commerce site recently put up a listing for the latest Super Street Fighter 4 mook, which will include all of the changes for Arcade Edition. Officially titled Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition Book of Discipline, the guide will be released on March 2nd, but it’s unknown what will be covered.
The mook will be published by Arcadia, and if their previous guides are any indication this new guide will include frame data for all of the new characters. Oddly enough, the guide is not yet listed on EBten.jp or Arcadia’s homepage, although it’s assumed that it will be up for sale at all regular places shortly."
http://www.e-capcom.com/ec/srDispProductDetailCsLink/doColorSizeLink/1/1/A10002899/10/10/srDispProductDetail/1
Neato. Though I am kinda hoping AE sees a bit of a revision before it hits consoles as I think Yun and Yang spoil an otherwise pretty tight balance.
"Capcom’s e-commerce site recently put up a listing for the latest Super Street Fighter 4 mook, which will include all of the changes for Arcade Edition. Officially titled Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition Book of Discipline, the guide will be released on March 2nd, but it’s unknown what will be covered.
The mook will be published by Arcadia, and if their previous guides are any indication this new guide will include frame data for all of the new characters. Oddly enough, the guide is not yet listed on EBten.jp or Arcadia’s homepage, although it’s assumed that it will be up for sale at all regular places shortly."
http://www.e-capcom.com/ec/srDispProductDetailCsLink/doColorSizeLink/1/1/A10002899/10/10/srDispProductDetail/1
Neato. Though I am kinda hoping AE sees a bit of a revision before it hits consoles as I think Yun and Yang spoil an otherwise pretty tight balance.
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Random Discussion / Re: [MELB] ISP discussion
« on: February 24, 2011, 01:59:06 PM »
Internode kicks ass.
I pay $60 per month for 150Gb. That includes both incoming and outgoing traffic, though I barely clip over 20Gb outgoing each month meaning I ostensibly pay $60 for ~130Gb via a quality ISP. Not bad. They also have lots of unmetered mirrored content (Steam, Linux distros, etc) which is very handy for me.
I hear good things about iiNet also, who were my second choice.
Previously I was with TPG. I feel the same way about TPG as I do about herpes.
I pay $60 per month for 150Gb. That includes both incoming and outgoing traffic, though I barely clip over 20Gb outgoing each month meaning I ostensibly pay $60 for ~130Gb via a quality ISP. Not bad. They also have lots of unmetered mirrored content (Steam, Linux distros, etc) which is very handy for me.
I hear good things about iiNet also, who were my second choice.
Previously I was with TPG. I feel the same way about TPG as I do about herpes.
1361
Tournament Announcements / Re: [Syd GGS] 25 Feb 2011 - MvC3 or SSF4AE Tournament
« on: February 24, 2011, 10:27:19 AM »1362
Tournament Announcements / Re: [Melb] Shadowloo Showdown 2k11: June 25th-26th
« on: February 23, 2011, 11:02:55 PM »
Dude.
Probably a bit premature to ask right now, but I was curious if you could give us some hints as to who the international guests might be or perhaps their country of origin?
That hype. Crank it.
Probably a bit premature to ask right now, but I was curious if you could give us some hints as to who the international guests might be or perhaps their country of origin?
That hype. Crank it.
1363
Tech Talk / Re: Six Buttons
« on: February 23, 2011, 11:01:32 PM »
A lot of folks usually lop off the two right buttons so you're left with the angled cluster of six (which reflects most arcade setups).
Top three = punches, bottom three = kicks.
As for menus, you don't need them to zip around but they are required if you like to tinker with your titles and icons (though you can just plug a pad in to do that stuff anyways).
On my TEs I've just left them there as they don't bother me anyways and I just set the buttons to 'no action' in the control menu which still leaves them functional for the icon/title stuff outside of matches. The VLX sticks have a simple unplug mechanism so you can pop 'em out and then just replace them with the supplied plugs which is kinda cool.
If you're migrating to a stick from a pad, I'd recommend setting stuff up to reflect the arcade - that way you can transition to and from the arcade and participate in locals without the whole thing feeling foreign and odd if you chop and change setups. Learning the stick from using a pad is a bit of an uphill battle at first but you'll quickly become accustomed to it provided you're willing to take a few licks in the process.
Top three = punches, bottom three = kicks.
As for menus, you don't need them to zip around but they are required if you like to tinker with your titles and icons (though you can just plug a pad in to do that stuff anyways).
On my TEs I've just left them there as they don't bother me anyways and I just set the buttons to 'no action' in the control menu which still leaves them functional for the icon/title stuff outside of matches. The VLX sticks have a simple unplug mechanism so you can pop 'em out and then just replace them with the supplied plugs which is kinda cool.
If you're migrating to a stick from a pad, I'd recommend setting stuff up to reflect the arcade - that way you can transition to and from the arcade and participate in locals without the whole thing feeling foreign and odd if you chop and change setups. Learning the stick from using a pad is a bit of an uphill battle at first but you'll quickly become accustomed to it provided you're willing to take a few licks in the process.
1364
Random Discussion / Re: Good night Vietnam
« on: February 23, 2011, 08:34:17 AM »
Haha, wow. The reaction from this would be hilarious.
If they want to see some negative impacts, they should go ahead with this. I'll watch the highlights on Youtube while eating popcorn.
If they want to see some negative impacts, they should go ahead with this. I'll watch the highlights on Youtube while eating popcorn.
1365
Community News / Re: Weekly Show: [Insert Name Here]
« on: February 22, 2011, 09:15:44 PM »
Oh shit, I meant to also mention this:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/benq_xl2410t.htm
The BenQ XL2410 screens in your clip are reviewing extremely well among the anti-lag campaigners. The current average is 5.6ms which is exceptionally good - the older BenQ 24" LCDs weigh in at around 7 - 10ms.
They're retailing for around $485 here in Australia.
I really want to get my hands on one to test as I'm very keen to check out the 120Hz feature. If you can hook me up I'll crank out a lengthy review
I am curious though - do you know if BenQ have any plans to release a 27" (or larger) version? Thats kinda my target size right now as I've exhausted the favourable 32" offerings available here in Australia which have all insofar tested kinda poorly. The next step down for larger lag free screens in 27" and so far Viewsonic's VX2739wm is looking pretty good and on par with the 24" BenQ LCDs.
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/benq_xl2410t.htm
The BenQ XL2410 screens in your clip are reviewing extremely well among the anti-lag campaigners. The current average is 5.6ms which is exceptionally good - the older BenQ 24" LCDs weigh in at around 7 - 10ms.
They're retailing for around $485 here in Australia.
I really want to get my hands on one to test as I'm very keen to check out the 120Hz feature. If you can hook me up I'll crank out a lengthy review
I am curious though - do you know if BenQ have any plans to release a 27" (or larger) version? Thats kinda my target size right now as I've exhausted the favourable 32" offerings available here in Australia which have all insofar tested kinda poorly. The next step down for larger lag free screens in 27" and so far Viewsonic's VX2739wm is looking pretty good and on par with the 24" BenQ LCDs.