Comments for Enigmatic Diversions http://chessack.wordpress.com Rants and raves about education, science, entertainment, society, and life. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:05:50 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Samsung Series 4 LCD HDTV (LN32A450) by Chessack http://chessack.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/samsung-series-4-lcd-hdtv-ln32a450/#comment-1216 Chessack Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:05:50 +0000 http://chessack.wordpress.com/?p=67#comment-1216 Thanks. I recently got an Xbox 360 and this TV looks awesome for gaming as well. C Thanks.

I recently got an Xbox 360 and this TV looks awesome for gaming as well.

C

]]> Comment on Samsung Series 4 LCD HDTV (LN32A450) by Lee http://chessack.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/samsung-series-4-lcd-hdtv-ln32a450/#comment-1215 Lee Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:21:42 +0000 http://chessack.wordpress.com/?p=67#comment-1215 Nice review, pal. Was pleasant reading, especially considering I have this beautiful TV. I use it as a computer monitor and it's hooked up to my PS3 - outstanding set! Nice review, pal. Was pleasant reading, especially considering I have this beautiful TV. I use it as a computer monitor and it’s hooked up to my PS3 – outstanding set!

]]> Comment on Wow that was fast… by Chessack http://chessack.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/wow-that-was-fast/#comment-1214 Chessack Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:05:57 +0000 http://chessack.wordpress.com/?p=252#comment-1214 Just a quick follow-up. I was discussing this on a forum with another friend who also was skeptical at first, then said, "OK I will sub," then after a month or so canceled. Here is what she said in a nutshell, that I agree with. The reason we subbed after the OB trial was that <em>the game turned out better than we expected</em>. Our expectations were admittedly quite low, and so it wasn't hard to beat them, but still, this gives the initial impression of "Hey, not bad." Then we got into the teeth of the game over the next few weeks and found out that, although it did beat our expectations, it was still below what we demand of an MMO. We each concluded this independently and without any consultation, and I hadn't even thought of it in these terms until she posted it to the other forum. But I totally agree. It was better than I expected, but not as good as I demand for a monthly fee. But the "better than expected" part wowed me into buying the game and subbing for 2 months. And now that's over. At any rate, this is why I'm not sure I agree on the whole idea of MMO burnout. I had fun for a little while in CO... but it just wasn't good enough for a subscription fee. A lot of 'em aren't. A lot of games aren't worth the price of the box either. I just bought an X-box 360 (today). I was standing in the store looking at game boxes. I'd estimate 1 in 10 would be worth my money to buy. Some just look awful, and some are not to my taste. Does that mean I am burned out on gaming in general? Nah... it just means there's a lot of crap out there and I need to filter it. Much like TV shows. Or MMOs. C Just a quick follow-up. I was discussing this on a forum with another friend who also was skeptical at first, then said, “OK I will sub,” then after a month or so canceled. Here is what she said in a nutshell, that I agree with. The reason we subbed after the OB trial was that the game turned out better than we expected. Our expectations were admittedly quite low, and so it wasn’t hard to beat them, but still, this gives the initial impression of “Hey, not bad.” Then we got into the teeth of the game over the next few weeks and found out that, although it did beat our expectations, it was still below what we demand of an MMO. We each concluded this independently and without any consultation, and I hadn’t even thought of it in these terms until she posted it to the other forum. But I totally agree.

It was better than I expected, but not as good as I demand for a monthly fee. But the “better than expected” part wowed me into buying the game and subbing for 2 months.

And now that’s over.

At any rate, this is why I’m not sure I agree on the whole idea of MMO burnout. I had fun for a little while in CO… but it just wasn’t good enough for a subscription fee. A lot of ‘em aren’t.

A lot of games aren’t worth the price of the box either. I just bought an X-box 360 (today). I was standing in the store looking at game boxes. I’d estimate 1 in 10 would be worth my money to buy. Some just look awful, and some are not to my taste. Does that mean I am burned out on gaming in general? Nah… it just means there’s a lot of crap out there and I need to filter it. Much like TV shows.

Or MMOs.

C

]]> Comment on Wow that was fast… by Chessack http://chessack.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/wow-that-was-fast/#comment-1212 Chessack Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:39:07 +0000 http://chessack.wordpress.com/?p=252#comment-1212 CO was always something I was only in on a month-to-month basis. But you're not right about putting up with COH. There were many periods during which I very much enjoyed it... the first 6 or so months... Then when I re-upped I enjoyed it for a while... and the 3rd time, I actually played it for like 2 years, and only stopped because my SG died a grisly death, and I had no one to play with. Anyway, I am taking a break until SW:OR comes out. That's in closed beta so it should be a while. I'm playing other things like Sims 3 instead. C CO was always something I was only in on a month-to-month basis. But you’re not right about putting up with COH. There were many periods during which I very much enjoyed it… the first 6 or so months… Then when I re-upped I enjoyed it for a while… and the 3rd time, I actually played it for like 2 years, and only stopped because my SG died a grisly death, and I had no one to play with.

Anyway, I am taking a break until SW:OR comes out. That’s in closed beta so it should be a while. I’m playing other things like Sims 3 instead.

C

]]> Comment on Wow that was fast… by Renea http://chessack.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/wow-that-was-fast/#comment-1211 Renea Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:52:20 +0000 http://chessack.wordpress.com/?p=252#comment-1211 Honestly at this point, I would recommend taking a good, long break from MMO's. I think you are just really burnt out, even more than you realize. I know that you tend to be pretty critical and negatively driven at times, but I was pretty surprised when you started playing Champions after giving it a pretty bad review. Honesltly I don't think I have seen you really enjoy a game since Pre CU SWG, you have just seemed to settle for the most part. Even City of Heroes seemed more like something you just managed to "put up with" rather than really enjoyed. And it is understandable, it really is. The MMO market has suffered from quite a bit of stagnation these past years. mayne one or two things are innovative in agame, but for the most part they are all just taking and reusing the same old things. A couple of games out there are trying a few new things, but it still may be a couple of years before we see any real innovation. For the time being, Champions works well for me. The combat is enjoyable enough, and I enjoy many aspects of the game. I am fortunate enough to be involved in a Supergroup that has done very well and become close, as well as taking on leadership responsibilities that keep me occupied. In the end it has less to do with gameplay and rather the energy of the group I am with, it is very similar to how SWG took off for me once I got with NDC. Just take a step back, mess in some other areas and be patient. I think in time a MMO will come along that you do not have to "settle" for. Honestly at this point, I would recommend taking a good, long break from MMO’s. I think you are just really burnt out, even more than you realize. I know that you tend to be pretty critical and negatively driven at times, but I was pretty surprised when you started playing Champions after giving it a pretty bad review.

Honesltly I don’t think I have seen you really enjoy a game since Pre CU SWG, you have just seemed to settle for the most part. Even City of Heroes seemed more like something you just managed to “put up with” rather than really enjoyed.

And it is understandable, it really is. The MMO market has suffered from quite a bit of stagnation these past years. mayne one or two things are innovative in agame, but for the most part they are all just taking and reusing the same old things. A couple of games out there are trying a few new things, but it still may be a couple of years before we see any real innovation.

For the time being, Champions works well for me. The combat is enjoyable enough, and I enjoy many aspects of the game. I am fortunate enough to be involved in a Supergroup that has done very well and become close, as well as taking on leadership responsibilities that keep me occupied. In the end it has less to do with gameplay and rather the energy of the group I am with, it is very similar to how SWG took off for me once I got with NDC.

Just take a step back, mess in some other areas and be patient. I think in time a MMO will come along that you do not have to “settle” for.

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