Crackdown 2 Review

Hey guys, Reporting in that me and Foe did a video review of Crackdown 2 today. Hope you enjoy! Also look forward to BossTalk coming out on Friday!

RE: RE: Blizzard Using Real Names

So remember how I said a lot can be found out about a person, based only on their name? I've been reading up all day on the different opinions of different people, and have read at least one big one that I really, really don't like and didn't think about. Someone brought up the fact that if people are applying for a job with a resume, someone can google their name and pull up the posts. While gaming is more accepted, a lot of people don't understand that while the act of playing an MMO is generally considered to be one of isolation, there is a lot of socialization and teamwork that takes place.

Oh yeah, and there's this article that I found over at WoW Riot. This explains about how one of the employees tried to alleviate concerns about using their real name, and posted his.


The employee's user name is Bashiok, and his real name is Micah Whipple. From this, the WoW Riot pulled up his address, phone number, people living in his house (it's odd, because as the article comments, it seems like he's still living with his mother...how much does Blizzard pay their employees?). Some people even pulled up a google streetview map of the house he lives in.



So yeah, scary stuff. I mean, the more common your name is the lesser chance that you'll have of someone being able to track you down.

In the defense of Blizzard, after all of the complaint threads they got Blizzard issued a statement saying it would be voluntary, and that you would have the ability (and a lot of notifications) advising you that you were posting with your real name first.


I still think it's fucking stupid. I mean, what do they think they're going to accomplish? I really can't see a drop in trolls, or anything about that friendship bs. I mean, I know some people only by their game tag, and even after I find out their real name I'll still call them by their user name.

When I play online, I'm a PSN ID, a Gamertag, and a Username. Of course when I write articles and star in Bosstalk, I am George, but when it comes to online gameplay, I do not intend to play as George.

RE: Blizzard Using Real Names

So as Jervan posted a little while ago, Blizzard will soon be implementing the "RealID system" on their forums, and displaying everyone's real names to the internet, both first and last. This change will not take place until the launch of Starcraft II (which is set for the end of this month).

Personally, I couldn't think of a stupider idea.

The real question I ask myself in regards to this is, "What's in a name?"

I've revised this several times in regards to why I think this is so wrong. My main concern is for the security of the person who is using the account. First of all, Blizzard definitely has a problem with hackers grabbing accounts, and that's just a little more information that's being shared. Hell, it completely invalidates a method of password-making, considering that some people use passwords that are a combination of their name with a buncha random numbers.

Also, unlike everyone else's stance on this, I actually like the idea of internet anonymity. It's one of the best things about the internet. Everyone wants to pretend to be someone they want to. Anonymity allows the geek to be the star, it allows the princess (and I don't mean like Princess Peach :D) to be a geek.

I mean, a bunch of people argue that anonymity allows people to be trolls. While the trolls do suck, they are occasionally funny, and I don't think that having a real name on the forums is going to matter. Hell, I'm sure that people are just going to try changing the names on their accounts anyways if they wanna troll. I'm sure we're going to see an influx of "Mike Hawks" on the Blizzard forums when this change goes live.


Personally, I say let the anonymity stay. Even though I star in Bosstalk every week, I'm even still hesitant to use my real name when it comes to ANYTHING online, let alone posting on a forum which millions of people visit.


So give me Anonymity, or give me e-death.

The Engineer Update!

Finally, Valve is rolling out their final class update to Team Fortress 2. Every other class has gotten their time to shine, and now everyone's favorite Texan gets his turn. I'm super excited, despite not playing TF2 at all since APB was released. Engineer has always had a special place in my heart, and my hope is that Valve gives him some more mobile options making the "battle engie" playstyle more viable.

The first page is up, and soon after I make this post, the next one will probably be up as well. His first unlock, the "Frontier Justice", is the shotgun we saw in the "Mac Update" video. It has 3 shots per clip and can't get random crits. However, it stores 2 crits for every kill your sentry gets and one for every assist. When your sentry is destroyed (through self-destruct or enemy action) you can unload those stored crits into to some enemy faces.

Another feature of this update is the Golden Wrench. These collector's items are obtained through random crafting. Only 100 will exist though the whole world, so get crafting if you want one!

I can't wait for the next item, and I hope its not something anti-spy. Being a spy nowadays is difficult enough with the unlocks that already exist.

Blizzard Forums will use your real name

When I read this information over at Kotaku, I was more than a little surprised. Apparently, along with the new Real ID system, Blizz plans to display your real name instead of your in-game handle when you post on the forums.

According to Nethaera, "Removing the veil of anonymity typical to online dialogue will contribute to a more positive forum environment, promote constructive conversations, and connect the Blizzard community in ways they haven't been connected before."

I've always wondered what would happen if people couldn't hide behind a wall of anonymity. Would they be nicer and more positive? I guess we'll get to see. As our society becomes more engrossed with the Internet, I think its inevitable that the line between virtual and real worlds blurs. I'm not bothered at all, since my handle "Jervan" is already linked to my real name in plenty of places. Then again, most people don't write a gaming blog and make weekly videos on YouTube.

Speaking of which, at the time of this writing, our APB review is at 2,313 views and Boss Talk is at 301 views. We're certainly improving! :D

Vanquish

If you're like me, then you'll like what you see in the trailer. If you're not, then FUCK YOU.

Just kidding. But still, I'd say that this is going to be the next big third person shooter title. It looks fast paced, frantic, and fun. The slow-mo seems to be tastefully implemented, and the character looks ridiculously mobile, which is definitely a plus in my book. The game looks like it handles and feels like a futuristic shooter.

Look forward to this game, which has no official release date, but is expected to drop in October.

Boss Talk: Joe gets arrested

APB skit this episode. You like it.