_FFC_
Here's the latest update on the 1.2 patch status, from the Treyarch Community Manager:
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In response to:
Re: --> PC 1.2 Patch Details
<-- Posted: Today Update: for those of you familiar with the PC Patching Process announcement at the top of this forum (linked below), we are currently in Phase 4 of the PC Patch 1.2 production. All items we intended to fix for PC Patch 1.2 have been fixed, and the fixes are being tested. As the process explains, this Phase can be iterative, and we may need to iron out some wrinkles as the testers hammer away at it.
We suspect the patch will be finished within 2 weeks presently. I'll keep you updated if that changes.
Regards,
-JD
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Given ^this, the COD admin community is holding off on any boycott, providing the patch emerges within said timeframe AND that it fixes what needs fixing. Hmmmm...guess we'll hang on a little longer.
In other PC FPS gaming news, the awaited demo for "F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin" released this week. I'll be checking it out today. You can download it from their site but it ain't tiny...about 2GB in size.
I loved the original and the free "Combat" MP version. From reviews, I'm sure I'll be buying this one too...will know for sure after trying out the demo.
Mamba, out
_FFC_
The major powers in the COD user community have had a "call to action" out about WW for quite awhile. Short of it was that if something weren't done by Feb of this year, the majority of admins were going to shutdown their WW servers. Apparently that shook up Treyarch/AV enough to finally release info on their patch progress. The word as of a few days ago is that...
"Without mentioning names, let it be said that the 1.2 patch is done and in submission for both QA and approval by all parties concerned. Additionally, approximately 99% of what's been submitted [that needs fixing] has been fixed. Finally, we should see the patch at or near either the end of January or beginning of February. There might even be a few bonuses included in the patch."
So we'll all cross our fingers in hopes that this pans out. If not, well...guess we'll all go back to COD4 and try to persuade the modders to pull another "Modern Paintball" type mod outta their hats.
Meanwhile, I keep looking at other games....hey, it's fun and should COD ever bite the dust completely it's good to know what alternatives are out there. In that light, I finally bought "Left 4 Dead". I wouldn't call it a direct COD replacement since it only supports 2 teams of 4 players and is not a miltec FPS game, but it sure is FUN!
I bought mine as a direct download from Steam. It's pretty much the same $50 cost everywhere, from Steam you get it installed within an hour or so at high broadband speeds, and the updates and playing network are Steam controlled, as it's a "Valve" title.
While there are ways around using Steam it's not worth it for a legit game. Staying legit is worth the $ and support IMO. The game requirements aren't a big deal...it uses the old Valve CSS engine which looks "good enough" but wouldn't be a strain on any FFCer's current hardware.
I was think'n that as a couple of us now have the PC version (me, Rryuu...any more?), that if we could get two more FFC players we'd have enough for us against the zombies. Then we could play L4D on the weekends together...I don't want to conflict with our regular COD schedule. And yes, COD:WW has the "Nazi Zombie" mode but that's been problematic. Comparing that to L4D is like comparing a Mini-Cooper to a Porsche 911....both are fun but only one will blow yer socks off.
FYI for those of you that might have an Xbox 360, there's still no easy way to play vs PC. MS has their "Games for Windows" initiative but their selection is limited. Besides, the PC is still king for these types of games in mine and many others' opinions.
Anywho...do let me know if you have interest in adding L4D as a FFC alternative game experience. I just got the game going yesterday, and while the SP is fun the real value is the MP and team-experience....and we already have great members with plenty of the latter. ;-)
L4D links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead
http://pc.ign.com/articles/930/930763p1.html
Mamba, out
_FFC_
Well, it was a great run, with hundreds of fun hours of entertainment mixed with quite a few hours of frustration, but today we moved on to "World at War" from "Modern Warfare". I sent out a clan email about the move so if you've not yet seen that go look again.
Maybe down the road we'll revisit COD4...who knows. And it'll probably be back in some form by next year since COD6 is gonna be "Modern Warfare 2" from all reports.
Still, I for one am enjoying WW and the return to the WWII maps and weapons. Now if Treyarch will just get off their arse and release some patches, including one for the server redirect issue so we can get new maps before long....there are already several in the works. Also be great if the damned COOP would work better, but that's less of a priority.
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About COMBAT ARMS
I noticed an ad on Xfire tout'n the free "Combat Arms" online FPS game. So I gave that a try. Sure enough, no fees to play and it seems pretty popular...lots of battles in progress when I was on there. Their server concept reminds me of the old Novalogic setup...they control the server network and lists, you connect with your installed client and frag away. Looks like they take it a step further in that you download the game from them (about 600MB) and they totally control the servers....at least BHD could run a server from within the game.
But it's not hard to use and the sys reqs are low...so anyone in our clan would have no problem running on the in-game "High" settings hardware-wise.
The games are all real-time in that you create a game room and then others are invited or randomly join into your game. Does look like one can password the room so anyone could host a game and invite other players in for some private frag'n.
The weapons start out wimpy but as I was get'n one-shot sniped from across the map they must improve, much like in other ranking games.
I may keep mess'n around with CA for awhile tho' the usual "kiddies" and hacker types make playing public matches a strain. If anyone is interested in trying it out privately, lemme know...it's not bad at all for a few quick DM or TDM battles, the requirements are low, the graphics and maps are decent, the guns are modern, and the price is right...FREE!
Mamba, out
