Ubisoft Plans Mandatory Online Authentication

Ubisoft has announced it’s replacing its StarForce digital rights management application for a newer method. Ubisoft’s new PC DRM solution will feature no CD checks or installation limits and pack support for ‘cloud’ online saved game storage but will require players be online to authenticate before playing. Players will be required to login to their Ubi.com account to authenticate each and every time they wish to play–and there will be no support for offline play at all. The DRM platform will debut with the closed beta test of Blue Byte city-building strategy The Settlers 7. While details are currently unclear, it seems the platform will feature in all feature Ubisoft PC releases – though apparently not all will support cloud saves.

One very interesting benefit of this new account management system is how it handles save games. Your saves will be stored remotely on Ubi servers, allowing access to your game saves on any machine. Steam offers a similar service for select games, but this will be available for the majority of Ubisoft’s PC titles.
So what’s the downside? Since authentication is now handled through your Ubi.com account, you’ll always need to connect to your Ubi.com account to authenticate before playing. While it’s hard to conceive of PC gamers being stranded without an Internet connection, those situations do come up, particularly when traveling. We asked about the potential backlash to this authentication platform requiring an Internet connection. “We think most people are going to be fine with it. Most people are always connected to an Internet connection,” Wilkinson replied.

Sounds a lot like discrimination to me.

COD: MW2 Surpasses $1 Billion in Retail Sales

Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to set sell-through records crossing the $1 billion mark in retail sales worldwide since its launch in November, according to internal Activision estimates.
In its first five days alone, the game sold an estimated $550 million worldwide, outpacing five-day worldwide theatrical box office gross figures for such films as Avatar, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Dark Night, according to internal Activision estimates and boxofficemojo.com.

“Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 2 has exceeded our expectations and shattered theatrical box office and video game records,” said Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. “There are only a handful of entertainment properties that have ever reached the $1 billion mark, which illustrates the power of the Call of Duty franchise and mass appeal of this game.”

Modern Warfare 2 is rated “M” (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language. For additional information about the game, visit www.modernwarfare2.com.

Who is Gamers4Vets and what they are doing

Gamers4Vets is a charity organization dedicated to getting Nintendo Wii’s & Wii Fits into Veteran rehab units and Military hospitals. We have just launched our organization and we’re working on getting the Logo and Web design up and running. This program hits home for us as we, along with many Americans, have had loved ones affected by the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This is not about the war, it is about helping our sons, daughters, husbands and wives to have a fighting chance to rehabilitate. Civilian Rehab Centers, Hospitals and Senior citizen homes have been using the Wii more and more over the last year with great results. Many of our veterans grew up in the technology age playing video games and this would be a great tool they can relate to and understand.

With your help we can make sure our troops have the best care and tools to make help make things better. The rehabilitation of our troops coming home is the least we can do for the sacrifice they have made.

Thanks for your time and support,
Joe W.
Twitter: @Gamers4Vets
Web Site: www.gamers4vets.com

Listener Response to The DagCast #1

Brent Morris @closetgeekshow on Twitter has responded to the DagCast #1 and has some great points. I invite you to listen and see what you think.

If you have a response or suggestion @ me on twitter or call the Dag Hotline at (314) 827-GAME [4263]

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 Listener closetgeekshow Response to The DagCast #1 [3:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (255)

[DagCast] #2 Raising YOUR kids Is YOUR Job Not The Governments or Video Games

This is a topic that burns me up and I get a little heated about it. I hope you all like this episode since I enjoyed making it. If you have questions or comments please drop us a voice mail at (314) 827-GAME or [4263]

If you want the RSS Feed for just the Dagcast Podcast Check it out here.

 

 DagCast #2 Raising YOUR kids Is YOUR Job Not The Governments or Video Games [5:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (252)

[DagCast] #1 The Future of Video Games on a PC

My first podcast I have ever done and I hope you like it.

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 DagCast #1 [5:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (289)

Did You Ever Want Hot Chicks and Loads of Free Games?

Well This is not the place to find them. But If you Think you can do a better job of posting or reporting on news stories? Prove it. OLGn is searching for talented writers to assist in the site’s daily news writing duties.

We are looking for smart, capable freelance news writers to lend a hand in daily coverage of gaming news on OLGn.net. Here is the kicker: All of these positions are voluntary! *Gasp!* What, you don’t make a load of cash from the site? HAHAHA don’t let the ads around this site fool you, OLGn is about as financially profitable as, trying to hit Bill Gates up for a loan.

Put simply, we’re looking to grow, and I’m going to need your help. I opened the doors at OLGn a little over 6 years ago now and it’s been just me working this site and I need some help. People have said in the past that “Hay, I will help post” 3 or 4 times and POOF! never to be seen again. It’s not instant fame or easy money you have to love games and writing about them.

The Basics:
You keep the copyright to your work posted to OLGn Under the site wide Creative Commons license. So feel free to post what you post on OLGn on your blog, just give a link back is all we ask.

1. You must search the internet for worthwhile news stories. Examples of news worthy material: Nearly everything having to do with Xbox, wii, PS3, PC, Apple, PSP, DS, Previews or Reviews of Games. You can write articles about games, computer, internet or technology in your life not just news.
2. Must have good grammar
3. Must be willing to devote time, not just posting once a month

Even though it’s voluntary, Please stick to deadlines or a schedule when posting.

You might Ask What Do I get from all the *Cough* Work! You’ll get your own @olgn.net email address and the smugness of being able to say you work in the “Gaming Industry ” as a Free Lance writer. Occasionally you’ll get freebies from game publishers, but that won’t happen often unless pig’s can fly.

If you stick around and all work together, one day we might even be able to pay you or hell even pay for hosting! Sound good to you? Fill out the form below.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Release Announced

Well Blizzard has announced today that World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King would be in U.S. stores on November 13, 2008. Blizzard will also release the game in Europe, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Russia. On November 14, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand will get the game. On November 18, the game comes to Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Blizzard added that information on Wrath of the Lich King’s debut in China would be released later.

The expansion will be offered in two packages: a standard edition for $39.99 and the Collector’s Edition for $69.99.
The Collector’s Edition includes the following:

• The Art of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, a 208-page book featuring never-before-seen images from the game.
• An exclusive in-game pet: Frosty, the baby frost wyrm.
• A behind-the-scenes DVD containing more than an hour of developer interviews, the Wrath of the Lich King introduction cinematic with director’s commentary and more.
• The official soundtrack CD, containing 21 epic tracks from the game, along with exclusive bonus tracks.
• A mouse pad featuring a map of the newly opened continent of Northrend.
• Two World of Warcraft Trading Card Game March of the Legion, starter decks, along with two exclusive cards available only in the Collector’s Edition.

The lives of over 10 million people will come to a screeching halt on the opening day so you should put in that vacation time request before the rush.

Day of Defeat Source For Free! Well only for 3 Days

This Fourth of July holiday weekend we have a new major update for Day of Defeat Source, the WWII multiplayer shooter from Valve. Valve just released the update to the game via their Steam client, adding tons of new content and features.

The new version adds a new map to the game, Palermo, which is based loosely on the real Italian city that was the site of one of US General George S Patton’s victories (it’ also based on a popular community made map Sarleno). The update also adds 51 new achievements to the game, player stats, Steam Community integration and a new freeze cam.

Also if you haven’t played Day of Defeat Source you will be happy to know that from July 4-6 you will be able to play the full game for free.

Video Game Florida Anti-Tobacco Ad

I think this is one of the best “Stop smoking” Ads I have ever seen.