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[evlcookie]

Windows 8 PRO $39.99

Special price to upgrade your existing XP, Vista or Win7.

Not available yet. I need to figure out what it really updates, Since I would still like to have a legit key and ISO that I can use when I feel the need to format.

Hopefully it gets released soonish.

 

[jambo]

Finally booked flights for Sydney. We're getting in in the early arvo on Saturday the 10th, so the Sunday night sounds like the best AusGAF catch up time! We just need more people!!!

It will be a 30 minute talk on how STALKER is the best game ever made and whoever disagrees is escorted out of the room and strangled to death.

I agree.

 

[FallbackPants]

The offending passages that were removed (2 journalists that tweeted and threatened Eurogamer)





To say that you cannot quote from a public tweet makes you look guilty as all fuck.

She can seriously get fucked. Another person dragging gaming journalism deeper into the festering shithole.

Bravo. Just outstanding.

Why should a journalist in gaming even give a fuck at this point? They aren't rewarded for doing the right thing, better off taking the bribes, taking the junkets, taking the pre-written previews and just accepting that bank deposit whenever it arrives. Like a fucking addict, desperate for another 300 published and paid words.

That par about tomb raider is a bit dodge I guess. It's pretty much insulting her integrity by reading a lot into a tweet.

Hehe, I'm not upgrading but I guess many over here were interested in Win8.

Also, Engadget surface review.

All the surface reviews have been pretty similar, solid hardware, good OS, no fucking software yet.

 

[reptilescorpio]

That par about tomb raider is a bit dodge I guess. It's pretty much insulting her integrity by reading a lot into a tweet.

You are implying intent though that was never in the original article. He went on to talk about a group of journalists that are indeed shady but said he would not name them, he was not reading anything into her tweets other than exactly what she stated in black and white.

John Walker says it best, as always

He pointed out that when someone vociferously defends a journalist’s right to advertise a game for personal gain, and also has her Twitter homepage emblazoned in images from the forthcoming Tomb Raider game, it could make others ask questions. Never mind that it’s obviously massively stupid and inappropriate for a games journalist to smother an unreleased game all over their personal page – he simply pointed out that in doing so while so enthusiastically arguing that other forms of advertising are fine, people could conflate the two. That would be an entirely reasonable point.
You’d think.

Also

Let me categorically state that Lauren Wainwright certainly doesn’t have her Twitter page emblazoned in images from the forthcoming Tomb Raider game for any reason that could be understood to be corrupt. Yes, she vociferously defended a journalist’s right to promote a game for personal gain – in supporting the PS3 competition – on that Twitter page, and yes, if you were the sort of person who wanted to get threatened, you might mistakenly conflate the two. However, Wainwright states that she is simply a massive fan of this unreleased game, and with what I believe to be naive enthusiasm, hasn’t thought through the negative implications of making her Twitter page look like it’s sponsored. It isn’t. Even though Wainwright publicly lists Square Enix, publishers of Tomb Raider (screencap for when that inevitably gets edited out), as one of her current employers. However, don’t point out that possible confusion.

 

[bodyboarder]

Pre ordered a few games off videoezy last night. Lets see how they go.

Also forza horizon is great, you should all buy it.

John Walker says it best, as always

How bad is it that I automatically thought the first name would be Johnnie.

 

[Jintor]

How far do I need to take this to become satire?

I was thinking something like, and I just woke up so this is still fuzzy, so...

GAMING METAJOURNALISM SILENCED FOREVER
LONDON, ENGLAND - Following an adult, rational discussion regarding the influence of advertising and public relations on the entertainment journalism industry, the dark spectre of libel lawsuits has destroyed gaming metajournalism forever as multiple outlets refuse to directly quote, mention or indeed talk about other journalists for fear of legal action.

"[REDACTED]" says gaming journalist [REDACTED], the man unwittingly at the centre of the entire debacle. "[REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED]".

A picture in the original article showed Mr. [REDACTED] staring forlornly at the camera, sitting by a pile of Doritos and Mountain Dew, while the article attempted to enter into an interesting ethical argument regarding the appearance of commercially-tainted bias on the parts of gaming journalists, whether or not that bias actually existed. However, an un-namable individual missed the point entirely and allegedly initiated threats of legal action against the un-namable publisher that released the original article.

This needs more amp, any suggestions? An alternative was making lawyers into something like fearful hex-casting wizards.

 

[FallbackPants]

How far do I need to take this to become satire?

I was thinking something like, and I just woke up so this is still fuzzy, so...



This needs more amp, any suggestions?

Sadly it reads less like satire and more like a sensible review of what's happened.

Maybe write it angrily from a PR company's perspective?

 

[Planet_JASE]

Sadly it reads less like satire and more like a sensible review of what's happened.

Maybe write it angrily from a PR company's perspective?

Yeah, maybe write it as a press release from a PR company as a victory of common sense prevailing and that journalist are now free to support whatever companies they choose without fear of persecution.

 

[Jintor]

I think the PR topic isn't really the main thing I want to satirise anymore, it's more the unwarranted deployment of lawyers and Wainswright's increasingly stupid actions. Mainly though i want to be funny, and at the moment it's just
depressing.

/edit huh... actually, not a bad plan, jase.

 

[Omikron]

I think the PR topic isn't really the main thing I want to satirise anymore, it's more the unwarranted deployment of lawyers and Wainswright's increasingly stupid actions. Mainly though i want to be funny, and at the moment it's just depressing.

And the situation is amusing in itself because it is depressing.

 

[Jintor]

GAMING METAJOURNALISM'S DEATH "A VICTORY FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION", SAYS [REDACTED]
LONDON, ENGLAND - The newly-discovered complete inability of the gaming community to discuss questions of journalistic ethics is "an unmitigated victory for freedom of expression", says [REDACTED], following publishing outlet [REDACTED]'s editing of a story critical of the appearance of bias in journalists.

An attempt to have an adult, rational discussion about the noxious influence of public relations and advertising on hard-hitting, informed gaming journalism was defeated within 24 hours by threats of libel action by a journalist quoted directly in the article.

"We are glad that complex, non-understandable legal threats by hex-casting voodoo lawyers has successfully prevented this attempted censorship of a journalist's opinions," said a spokesperson from [REDACTED]. "Even if it was unlikely that there were actual legal grounds for a real case in libel, the power of expensive, drawn-out litigation to achieve end-results without actually having to lift a finger is the very bedrock of a free and fair press."

"We in particular welcome the fact that journalists will continue to have the opportunity to express their love of the excellent Tomb Raider™ franchise, available for sale on the 5th of March, 2013 for a very reasonable price-point, without fear of unwarranted persecution."

What d'ya think

 

[teekun]

Forbes has a good read about the whole situation: http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkai...ence-leaves-eurogamer-after-libel-complaints/

Brings up some interesting points with how broken the UK's libel laws are.

 

[FallbackPants]

What d'ya think

I think you can go more ridiculous.

 

[Omikron]

Personally it should be a title, a location and just a blank article.

 

[Jintor]

There isn't a dedicated "Onion" of gaming, is there? I was thinking of making one. Day Zero Patch or something equally annoying.

I don't know how to get more ridiculous right now

 

[FallbackPants]

There isn't a dedicated "Onion" of gaming, is there? I was thinking of making one. Day Zero Patch or something equally annoying.

I don't know how to get more ridiculous right now

Start it. I'm sure I can find a spare minute to help out. Give me 10 minutes and I'll see if I can try and ridiculoufy it.

 

[Jintor]

The only naming option I really came up with that's snappy enough was Day Zero Patch (I wanted Day One Patch but some forum already has it). I was trying to think up alternatives... On-Disc DLC, something to do with DRM... man, I dunno. Day Zero Patch is rocking though.

 

[Omikron]

irgamesjourno.com

 

[FallbackPants]

There isn't a dedicated "Onion" of gaming, is there? I was thinking of making one. Day Zero Patch or something equally annoying.

I don't know how to get more ridiculous right now

Fuck. This is harder than I thought.

 

[FallbackPants]

VICTORY FOR PRESS CENSORSHIP HAILED

SOUTH London liquor stores have reported a critical shortage of champagne after a mass buy up by video game PR firms.

The companies have been celebrating after a heinous attempt to severe the close ties between PR companies and journalists was halted by swift threats of legal action.

"Serves the pricks right," one company employee said.
"We pay their salaries, we should decide what they write too."

That's all I've got

 

[Jintor]

Politics is so much easier to make fun of

The other article I had in mind was Nintendo Directs being retroactively announced because the time between announcement and release had so drastically diminished

 

[reptilescorpio]

Day Zero Patch sounds fantastic, stick with that!


Also the MCV and offended twitter journalist made more than enough tweets to make that press release seem real

 

[Omikron]

Hey, video game talk.

Anyone played XCOM MP, what is it exactly?

 

[Neverender]

Hey, video game talk.

Anyone played XCOM MP, what is it exactly?

I played a few custom games with my housemate. Basically the game allocates each player a certain amount of points (or unlimited if you specify) to spend on buying and upgrading up to 6 units. You can buy human soldiers and upgrade them with items and skills from single player. You can also buy alien units but they can't be upgraded or altered. After you've customised your squad it basically plays exactly like you'd expect a multiplayer game of Xcom to go. It's fun.

 

[FallbackPants]

Attempt 2

SOUTH London liquor stores have reported a critical shortage of champagne after a mass buy up by video game PR firms.

The companies have been celebrating after a heinous attempt to sever the close ties between PR companies and journalists was halted by swift threats of legal action.

"Serves the pricks right," one company employee said.
"It's hardly fair for someone to be directly quoted on something they've publicly said. It's just shoddy journalism."

The win for censorship has also been hailed by other video game journalists.

"Objectivity is for pussies," one prominent UK journalist said.
"If I want a free fucking PS3 and talk about how much I love the games of a company I used to work for, I should be able to. Christ, it's not like my job description says I can't be in someone's pocket."

 

[Jintor]

It demonstrates how sound the tactical portion of XCOM is, personally.

 

[Choc]

THE UK GAMES MEDIA IS A FUCKING DISGRACE. THEY ARE ALL A BUNCH OF FUCKWITS THAT HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT ANYTHING. THE LAST TWENTY FOUR HOURS HAS PROVEN THAT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY IN THE UK NEEDS TO FUCK OFF AND DIE AND RETURN IN A BETTER STATE.


I've always felt the UK media was a bunch of spoiled kids now i know its true.

 

[Planet_JASE]

Attempt 2

I like this one more. Putting my editor cap on, shouldn't it be "sever the tie" instead of "severe the tie"?

 

[FallbackPants]

Yes it should. I'll fix that

 

[Shaneus]

So this blew up a bit. The writer has 'stood down' from writing for Eurogamer after they received threats of law suits because of content in the article and Eurogamer edited out that content.

Robert Florence is standing by his original article, clearly.

Fucking ridiculous situation.

Is there anywhere where this article is still posted in it's entirety? I bookmarked it to read it but now that it's blown up, I want to read it with the edits in line with the rest of the article.

 

[reptilescorpio]

:/

Attempt 2

Needs something about how gaming journalists shouldn't be held to the same standards as other journalists because they aren't paid well.

Is there anywhere where this article is still posted in it's entirety? I bookmarked it to read it but now that it's blown up, I want to read it with the edits in line with the rest of the article.

A few places have it up, otherwise the removed passages are EVERYWHERE now.

 

[Jintor]

Full text is still on page one of the gaf thread

 

[FallbackPants]

Needs something about how gaming journalists shouldn't be held to the same standards as other journalists because they aren't paid well.[/QUOTE]

Good call. But journalists everywhere aren't paid well.

 

[teekun]

Full text is still on page one of the gaf thread

Jesus, that thread is hard to read. 90% of the posts are still on an insane witch hunt.

 

[Shaneus]

Full text is still on page one of the gaf thread

Oh, there's a GAF thread? (duh)

Also, I saw this picture come up on news.com.au and I thought it looked just like trollface.gif:

So I make Blow The Cartridge. You tell me an old game, I make a comic about it. The first print collection of these went on sale earlier this year, and now the second issue will be here for Supanova! It contains over 30 pages of full colour retro gaming goodness. People seem to like it, I guess?

Oh shit, I have a suggestion for a game for you to do that I was reminded of from your latest comic: Life & Death by Software Toolworks. It's just obscure enough that it might just work!

Also, WTF I just looked at how cheap your comic is (the first BtC) and think I want to buy. Any chance you could do a double-pack and maybe throw in a Gazunta-style drawing of Frankin Fizzlybear inside one of the covers? I'd pay good money. VICTORIAN money.


Edit: I've just read that article, and holy fuck is that damning. Paints an incredible mental image of all these gluttonous, selfish, greedy gaming "journalists" that have their mouths in the troughs and can barely get their eye level above the slop to look at what game they're reviewing. I love it. I suspect the journalists who give similar reviews to the one like I posted about a short while back (the WRC3 one where the guy was clearly clueless about the genre) are probably cut from the same cloth, if not the same people.

Can we get a list of people worth following (gaming journalism-wise) and those who aren't? I'd hazard a guess that almost all Australian-based ones are okay, possibly because they're never really in the running for the sorts of things the US-based PR folk are dishing out. Regardless of the reason, I honestly can't recall any Australian ones that are unequivocally bad, in fact some are outright awesome (hi Serrels and the rest of KotakAU! Hi old Hyper guys and some of the new ones!). Yet I can reel off several names who are definitely suspect.

 

[reptilescorpio]

Good call. But journalists everywhere aren't paid well.

Hmm good point. Well maybe that they shouldn't be considered journalists, so they can't get called out on their pieces!

Jesus, that thread is hard to read. 90% of the posts are still on an insane witch hunt.

What?

 

[codswallop]

Bought a GTX670!

...thought I had a 600w PSU, it's a 420.

I'm probably going to end upgrading this whole PC this weekend because nothing will be compatible with anything else.

 

[Ruthless_Barbarian]

Assassin's Creed 3 leaked for 360. Pirates getting early access. :X

 

[reptilescorpio]

No different to every other game ever DeathJnr. Halo 4 has been out for more than a week now!

Bought a GTX670!

...thought I had a 600w PSU, it's a 420.

I'm probably going to end upgrading this whole PC this weekend because nothing will be compatible with anything else.

Sounds like a lot of work.

Just send me your GTX670 instead!

 

[Fredescu]

called out on their pieces!

I feel the same way about "pieces" as JASE does about BBQ.

 

[Ruthless_Barbarian]

No different to every other game ever DeathJnr. Halo 4 has been out for more than a week now!

I know, a friend finished it last week and said it was the best Halo yet. Too bad I don't really give a crap about Halo.

 

[Shaneus]

I feel the same way about "pieces" as JASE does about BBQ.

Why doesn't it surprise me that Jase doesn't like BBQ? Everyone likes BBQ!

Spoiler

BBQ

On the topic of damning, somewhat controversial journalism, read this speech by Tracey Spicer on the misogynism (is that even a word?) that she encountered in her workplace. Pretty gutsy stuff.

Also, everyone read the comments on this article re: that gaming journo story. The woman called out in it has apparently removed a reference to Squeenix as a previous employer on her Journalisted entry. Tops work!

 

[jambo]

Anyone else excited for the Black Ops II Season Pass? =D

 

[FallbackPants]

I know, a friend finished it last week and said it was the best Halo yet. Too bad I don't really give a crap about Halo.

Yeah? Awesome. Mega keen. I loves me some Halo. Where's my boy Serrells? We can have Halo chats while everyone shits on it.

Why doesn't it surprise me that Jase doesn't like BBQ? Everyone likes BBQ!

Spoiler

BBQ

On the topic of damning, somewhat controversial journalism, read this speech by Tracey Spicer on the misogynism (is that even a word?) that she encountered in her workplace. Pretty gutsy stuff.

That was awesome hey? Absolutely blasted the bastards.

 

[reptilescorpio]

I feel the same way about "pieces" as JASE does about BBQ.

I was stuttering for the correct word, opinions didn't feel right. My work mindset doesn't transfer well into good writing, too many loaded words and shortcuts I have to use in the language here to get what I want. Maybe creative work would have been better.

I know, a friend finished it last week and said it was the best Halo yet. Too bad I don't really give a crap about Halo.

Livestream made me want to pick it up Day One. Still holding back the urges.

That was awesome hey? Absolutely blasted the bastards.

Did you originally link to her piece on another website? Or maybe that was Jintor. Great read.

 

[Omikron]

Anyone else excited for the Black Ops II Season Pass? =D

$70?


looooooooooooooooooooooooooool

 

[Fredescu]

I was stuttering for the correct word

Articles? Pieces is correct too, I just have an irrational dislike for it.

 

[FallbackPants]

Did you originally link to her piece on another website? Or maybe that was Jintor. Great read.

Must have been Jint. I saw it on the Brisbane Times twitter this morning.

 

[Jintor]

I only just read it cos someone linked it on facebook

SOCIAL MEDIA

Actually, link media. I wonder if anybody's done a comprehensive study on hyperlinking and its effect on the world just yet.

 

[Shaneus]

Anyone get a copy of the tweets that are linked in the GAF thread for that journalistic thing? The woman mentioned in it has now set her Twitter feed to private.... bahahahaha. Like someone said in the thread, Streisand effect in full... effect.