COD Modern Warfare 2 Free Multiplayer on Steam
If you haven't played Modern Warfare 2 online multiplayer yet, this weekend is your lucky day. Steam is offering a 3 day pass to online multiplayer this weekend starting sometime today (April 8th).The game will be free to play presumably until sometime on Sunday evening; there isn't a specified starting or ending time. Check the Store section of steam for the pre-load link and start downloading.
I finally get to try out some Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer; I'm still not happy about the lack of dedicated servers but at least I can try it for free. I played the single player on the console at the local game center, but I was unimpressed with much of it: Why helllooo red jam smeared all over the screen.. why couldn't that have gone the route of L4D2 blood smears?
I'm going to give multiplayer a solid try, but I'm not expecting it to change my mind on purchasing Modern Warfare 2. Plus, I'm probably going to get rocked by all the people with their weapons unlocked.
PS3 Firmware 3.21 removes Linux support
Sony is releasing the 3.21 PS3 firmware on April 1 and it's no April fools joke: PS3 owners will lose support for Linux and the 'OtherOS' install. The PS3 3.21 firmware does nothing else-no added features, game support-it just removes functionality. Sony is citing 'security concerns' but we all know that is a codeword for piracy.SCEA's Patrick Seybold explains that the removal of said functionality is necessary "due to security concerns ... [and] will help ensure that PS3 owners will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from SCE and its content partners on a more secure system." I call bullshit on this one, Sony is out to squash the OtherOS exploit before it can be used for piracy.
If you wish to keep your Yellow Dog, or any other Linux install going on your older PS3 you will have to opt out of the 3.21 firmware update. The downside is that you lose the ability to play back DRM protected video stored on a media server OR play any future PS3 titles that require the 3.21 (or higher) firmware. PS3 owners who opt out of the 3.21 firmware update also can't sign into the PlayStation Network, which means no more online play or chat.
This reminds me of the constant battle that Sony has been fighting with home brew/piracy on the PSP. It seems that they update the firmware every other day to try and they still are unable to prevent people from using the PSP how they want. It's sad to see Sony start down this path with the PS3 and removing a feature because it MAY lead to home brew or piracy. Why not let patch the exploit in a way that still allows the OtherOS?
If you are looking for how to install Linux on your PS3 before the firmware update, check out Popular Mechanics.
GameCrush: Girl Gamers for Desperate Nerds
The Internet never ceases to amaze me, with all the weird services and startups that try to capitalize on lonely and desperate male gamers. I have been seeing ads for GameCrush all over and curiosity got the better of me and I went to see what the hubbub was. Well, it turns out that Gamecrush is focused on getting lonely videogame nerds to pay to have lovely girl gamers play with you-no, not like Geek2Geek, but VIDEOGAMES.
The Gamecrush service costs $6.60 for 500 'credits' that can be used to play a game online with a GIRL or have a video chat. A game session usually lasts from 6 to 10 minutes and leaves enough GameCrush credits for the gamer to tip his PlayDate. GameCrush will also have social tools that allow PlayDates to post profiles complete with picture galleries, video clips, blogs and text chat. PlayDates can make up to $30 or more per hour while having fun playing online games. After a game session is completed, Players rate their gaming experience, and top-rated PlayDates are rewarded with enhanced site promotion and additional benefits.
GameCrush says that the cost of their service equates to something along the lines of buying a girl a drink. Now, you could argue if it is a real girl behind your 'PlayDate', but I suppose the video chat part would sort that out quick. Who knows if this will take off, but I have seen desperate gaming nerds pay for weirder things. That and their public beta was overwhelmed in minutes hints at high demand. How embarrassing would it be to have your 'PlayDate' kick your ass? Hint: Very funny, unless you are into that kind of thing.
If you want to read the GameCrush PR, you can do so here, but try to keep your sanity in check.
So, what's your thoughts on this new 'service' for gamers?
Left 4 Dead 2 DLC Expansion details surface
Not too long ago, Valve announced that they were going to feature two DLC expansions for Left 4 Dead 1 and 2. The Passing is going to be Left 4 Dead 2's first DLC and will feature the four survivors from Left 4 Dead (no, you can't play them) who will help out the L4D2 cast during the third act of the DLC campaign. The Passing will also include new arenas for Survival, Versus and Scavenge modes, and a new co-op challenge mode. Players will also encounter a new "uncommon common" infected, dubbed the Fallen Survivor, which can drop random items when killed. Expect to see the L4D 2 DLC sometime in "late March".
Not to leave anybody hanging, Valve will explain how the Left 4 Dead survivors made it all the way to rural Georgia through a DLC/Expansion for the original L4D. The major SPOILER alert here is that the tagline in the L4D 2 DLC is "No one survives forever" and it has been confirmed that one of the orginal L4D survivors will end up sacrificing his/her self in the events of the L4D campaign DLC. They must have ran out of rescue closets. No idea on who dies, but speculate away.