First MW2... and now? RAGE.

adam

Dedicated servers are on their way out

http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2009/11/dedicated-servers-and-rage-news-you-probably-dont-want-to-hear.html

adam

Here's a reply I wrote on another site:

I realize I am likely blowing the dedicated server issue way out of proportion. I cannot help feel, though, that these sort of decisions are the calm before the storm.

I like to think that just once in a while companies (game companies specifically) are run by people who are passionate about what they do, and enjoy making a good product for all people involved. I'm not naive, i know these are businesses which are about their bottom line. And thats fine.

Its still nice to think that once in a while, people develop a game for the gamer and not for the de niro. And I would say this is true. The people making the game ARE doing it for the gamer. But the people making high level decisions have other things on their mind, like the bottom line. Money has to be made, options have to be cut.

We all understand this, I am sure.

Thats why I feel so 'off' about all this news regarding old-school features of the PC gaming realm being removed, in favour of a more stream-lined development. It must suck for Joe Passionate who's apart of the team pioneering these decisions (read: cuts) knowing the impact it could have on the history as a whole.

To be a PC gamer for most of my life, and to witness this transition in the industry, is pretty off putting.

It just doesnt' feel right, right now.

Ferg

no big deal, I mean, it's not like dedicated servers were an integral part of the mod community or anything. You know, the community that made id what it is. No biggie.

teaandcigarettes

What's the source of the article? I find it rather suspicious - I haven't seen it on any of the "big" games related portals. I also think Carmack is too smart to say something like that while people are still being angry over MW2.
I hope that this article is just a cheap attempt at making some noise.

adam

It's legit, I follow the person who wrote it.

Jeremy Lindstrom

yes but Carmack was also the one a couple years back saying gamers dont want co-op? Oh.. and btw Rage will have co-op.

bounchfx

without dedicated servers I would never have been part of great online gaming communities in games like Tactical Ops, Counter Strike, Unreal Tournament, TF2, etc. I've played each of those games for 4-5 years too. doesn't really happen with games these days.

it's the same reason I don't know anyone from any fucking game I've played with 'matchmaking', and am a lot less likely to continue playing those games

keep dedicated servers as an option, jerks.

flaagan

Aside from the fact that I wasn't really wowed by the potential gameplay Rage offered, what with comments about very limited open world exploration and the like, this is just another reason for me to not want to buy the game.

The only place for dedicated servers is an MMO. :P

System

Haha, till Actiblizzion announces its new MMO at least

fritz

man...just give me some single player awesomeness dammit.

Slainean

I don't understand why the two systems can't co-exist. I think in the long run, non-dedicated only won't be so terrible since matchmaking systems will improve, but every one I've played so far has been pretty poor.

Dekard wrote: »

yes but Carmack was also the one a couple years back saying gamers dont want co-op? Oh.. and btw Rage will have co-op.

I don't know how many people notice since Carmack is such a genius at code, but I get the impression that he has pretty bad opinions about game design in general.

Thegodzero

adam wrote: »

It's legit, I follow the person who wrote it.

So your now you openly admitting to stalking people?

teaandcigarettes

Thegodzero wrote: »

So your now you openly admitting to stalking people?

What's wrong with that? I do it all the time.


Saw it on other websites as well. It's quite hard to believe the news - but since Cramack doesn't give a clear answer on this, I hope (how terrible of me) this IWnet initiative will turn out to be a fiasco. Otherwise I feel that more developers might follow.

Ark

I'm interested in RAGE for the singleplayer, but it does suck if this is what's going to become the norm for PC games.

t4paN

adam wrote: »

Here's a reply I wrote on another site:

I realize I am likely blowing the dedicated server issue way out of proportion. I cannot help feel, though, that these sort of decisions are the calm before the storm.

I like to think that just once in a while companies (game companies specifically) are run by people who are passionate about what they do, and enjoy making a good product for all people involved. I'm not naive, i know these are businesses which are about their bottom line. And thats fine.

Its still nice to think that once in a while, people develop a game for the gamer and not for the de niro. And I would say this is true. The people making the game ARE doing it for the gamer. But the people making high level decisions have other things on their mind, like the bottom line. Money has to be made, options have to be cut.

We all understand this, I am sure.

Thats why I feel so 'off' about all this news regarding old-school features of the PC gaming realm being removed, in favour of a more stream-lined development. It must suck for Joe Passionate who's apart of the team pioneering these decisions (read: cuts) knowing the impact it could have on the history as a whole.

To be a PC gamer for most of my life, and to witness this transition in the industry, is pretty off putting.

It just doesnt' feel right, right now.

Co-signed. The precedent that MW2 is setting is the most worrying of all, because you know it's not going to be a one time deal. Having played Gears of War on the pc extensively (it had the same system, but nobody knew when we bought it), I can't help but think that if this becomes the norm.. fuck it, I don't even want to think abuot it.

EarthQuake

I keep thinking Mech Warrior 2 whenever i see MW2. WHAT HAVE YOU DONT TO MY BELOVED GAMES, INTERNET?

ScudzAlmighty

how much do you want to bet they blame all the lost sales from pissed off pc gamers on piracy, thus furthering their own belief that consoles are the way to go?

mLichy

I think it's partially that people are afraid of change, and as always like to bitch about anything and everything.

BUT.. I do find it kind of stupid they are completely removing dedicated servers, they should at least allow for it.

But either way, if you don't like it, don't buy it.

Vrav

Guess independent developers will just have to create some cool games, eh eh. Not that I have any opinion on the actual topic being discussed here beyond recognizing that major companies are getting a bit timid (with reason), commercially, and in that, sometimes make weird decisions.

Snipergen

DKK wrote: »

RAGE!

Finally somebody made the joke!

Is there a reason why they don't do dedicated servers anymore? I don't understand why they are making these choices.

flaagan

Snipergen wrote: »

Finally somebody made the joke!

Is there a reason why they don't do dedicated servers anymore? I don't understand why they are making these choices.

$, and a firm lodging of the cranium up the rectum.

doc rob

Or, to be less obtuse, if they don't release the server to the public they can greatly reduce the piracy of the multiplayer. It also lets them be more like an MMO or a Console title in terms of extra content, matchmaking, social network, etc. It also makes the developer more money (this is a business, people), and increases the quality of the multiplayer experience for a big percentage of their player base.

It comes at a price, obviously. Some of their best fans who like to customize and have their own place to play get screwed. Which loss is going to lose them more money in the long run? The loss of customers and good will from the lack of a dedicates server, or the immediate loss of sales from piracy and a spotty multiplayer experience?

I don't think it was the best option for CoD (nor was the old way), but for RAGE it might make a lot of sense. We don't know enough about the multiplayer or customizability to really know.

rollin

EarthQuake wrote: »

I keep thinking Mech Warrior 2 whenever i see MW2. WHAT HAVE YOU DONT TO MY BELOVED GAMES, INTERNET?

!!!

this thread got me now for the 3rd time "oh wait, mechwarrior 2?"

greenj2

"Carmack indicated he believed the servers are something of a remnant of the early days of PC gaming."

So are a large chunk of his game's target demographic. I've had my thumbs since the early days of the womb, but I don't think cutting them off so I can run a bit faster would a good idea. Some things have been around a while for good reasons... Carmack should keep his thumbs...

As a mostly PC gamer I find this concept disturbing, especially if it catches on and becomes a standard. Almost every matchmaking server finder I've used has been utter horse shit. I hope their's isn't just an entire server browser they've tried to dumb down to a retard-proof "Play NOW LOLz!" button, with no filtering/favourites/ping display/ect...

Calabi

It also means they can shut the game down when they want, erase it from being played ever again. Then replace it with the new newness, and have everyone buy and play the next continuation of the continuation.

neolith

doc_rob wrote: »

Or, to be less obtuse, if they don't release the server to the public they can greatly reduce the piracy of the multiplayer.

I think this is more about being able to shut down MP any time they please to force people to stop playing and picking up other titles.

edit: Dammit, didn't see Calabi's post.