Do you read the license agreements when you install software, or do you just keep hitting next? Well if you downloaded the newly released Hellgate: London demo you should have, since you get the extra bonus of adware included. (Advertising-supported software)
Here’s the pertinent section of the license you have to agree to once Hellgate is installed onto your system:
The Software incorporates technology of Massive Incorporated (”Massive”) that enables in-game advertising, and the display of other similar in-game objects, which are uploaded temporarily to your personal computer or game console and replaced during online game play. As part of this process, Massive may collect your Internet protocol address and other basic anonymous information, and will use this information for the general purposes of transmitting and measuring in-game advertising. Massive does not store or use any of this information for the purpose of discovering your personal identity. For additional details regarding Massive’s in-game advertising practices, and to understand your options with respect to in-game advertising and data collection, please see Massive’s privacy policy. The trademarks and copyrighted material contained in all in-game advertising are the property of the respective owners. Portions of this product are © 2007 Massive Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Consent to Use of Data. You agree that EA, its affiliates, and each Related Party may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer, including without limitation your Internet Protocol address, operating system, application software and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, dynamically served content, product support and other services to you, including online play. EA and/or the Related Parties may also use this information in the aggregate and, in a form which does not personally identify you, to improve our products and services and we may share that aggregate data with our third party service providers.
Here is one better example for you As reported on CNN.com about splinter cell and other titles serving in-game ads for the UK Xbox 360 users.
Britain’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is taking a new approach to attracting new recruits. ‘The monthlong ad campaign, which starts at the end of October, is being run by GCHQ, the recruitment firm TMP Worldwide and Microsoft-owned in-game ad agency Massive Inc. Ads headed ‘Careers in British Intelligence’ will appear as billboards in scenes in Splinter Cell and other games including Need for Speed Carbon and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars when they are played on computers and Microsoft Xbox consoles in Britain.
You might be saying well the ads are only posters on walls in certain areas, but with the adware fully incorporated into the game they don’t have to stop at just posters on walls. You could find yourself kicking the crap out of some Zombie flesh by chucking some Windows ME CDs at it, since Massive is owned by The Borg errr Microsoft.
I am ok with including this crap err technology with a free demo but to be included in a game you’re paying full price or paying a monthly fee for … NEVER! I have refused to buy a game at full price that has in game ads in it. I feel the same way about in game ads as I did when I found out Blizzard and World of Warcraft had been stealing my bandwidth to substitute for having game patch servers by using a bittorrent system. This would have been ok if they would have had an option to turn it off or receive the download some other way, or *Gasp* discounted my bill for supplying them with bandwidth.
Us as a consumers have allowed this to continue and dare I say it, even grow. More greedy game studios are looking at this as a great option to pad the bank account even more than the already high prices they charge for games.
If you don’t like it, do something about it like write emails, don’t by the game or setup a petition. But for your sake do something or all the games you play will be just like watching TV with commercials popping up at every loading screen / save point.
What do you think take the poll on your right or leave us a comment about your thoughts.
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Filed under PC News on October 18th, 2007 Sega has released another demo for Sega Rally Revo which comes in at 957.91 MB.
SEGA of America, Inc. announced that the PC demo for SEGA Rally Revo, the truly thrilling and highly anticipated racing game, is available for download. The demo features two quick race tracks taken from the colorful, steep sided Canyon environment and the gloriously muddy and downright dirty Tropical environment. Players will also have the choice of literally tearing up the deformable surfaces in either the Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ3 or the Subaru Impreza STi Spec C type RA. Now, go and try out the unique deformation technology which the SEGA Racing Studio has worked so hard to implement into SEGA Rally Revo. For the first time ever you can not only see the deformation in action, but feel every bump along the way.
The download is available from ComputerGames.ro, FileFront, FileShack, Gamer’s Hell, and Strategy Informer.
Filed under PC News on October 17th, 2007 A Unofficial Hellgate London website is reporting Hellgate London has gone gold and a single player demo will be released tomorrow.
Demons of London beware… your reign of terror is coming to an end. Electronic Arts, Namco Bandai Games, and Flagship Studios are excited to announce that Hellgateâ„¢: London has gone to gold master and will be available exclusively for the PC on November 2nd in Europe.
“This has been an amazing journey for us and we couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said Flagship Studios CEO, Bill Roper. “We’re anxious to get Hellgate: London into gamers’ hands and we can’t wait to play right along with them.”
And for gamers who can’t wait until November 2nd to get their Demon-slaying on, Flagship Studios is releasing a single player demo tomorrow, Thursday October 18th on AOL’s Game Daily (www.gamedaily.com). The demo will be available everywhere else from Friday.
The single player demo represents just a small taste of the Hellgate: London experience. Gamers can choose from two of the game’s six character classes: the Blademaster, a master of swordplay and action-packed melee combat, or the Marksman, a cool, calculating, long-range specialist. In the demo, these heroes are able to battle through a small handful of storyline and side quests as they adventure through the streets and tunnels around London’s Holborn Station.
**Update** 2007-10-18
Looks like its official and posted on the HELLGATE: LONDON web site.
And for gamers who can’t wait until Halloween to get their Demon-slaying on, Flagship Studios is releasing a singleplayer demo this Thursday, October 18th.
On a side note there is no mention of AOL’s Game Daily getting it today and everybody else getting it the 19th. I will update when we know more with demo download links.
**Update 2**
Demo Up and Ready to download From AOL GameDaily, FileShack, GamersHell, 3DGamer, 4Player , ActionTri , Computer Games.ro, FilePlanet, Worthplaying
Filed under PC News on October 17th, 2007 DreamCatcher / JoWooD have released a playable demo for Painkiller: Overdose, allowing you to try out the upcoming Painkiller prequel by Mindware Studios.
The demo includes two single-player and two multiplayer levels. Originally a Painkiller mod, the game now in the works at Mindware Studios is featuring 6 new demonic weapons, 16 new levels, over 40 monsters from Hell and multiplayer compatibility with original Painkiller multiplayer maps and game modes.
The 750MB demo can also be found on 3D Downloads, CGo.ro, 3DGamers, FanGaming, FileFront, FileShack, GH, GameSpot and Internode Games Network.
Sierra announces that TimeShift is gold, and that Saber Interactive’s “M”-rated 4D shooter will ship on October 30. A PC demo was released last week, and there’s also demo on Xbox LIVE. Here’s word:
Sierra Entertainment is pleased to announce that TimeShift for the XBOX 360® and Windows PC have gone gold, with a planned retail ship date of October 30, 2007. Developed by Saber Interactive, the highly-anticipated shooter allows players to master time to become the ultimate weapon. Armed with the experimental time-manipulating Beta Suit and a huge arsenal of weaponry, players have the ability to slow, stop and reverse the flow of time, allowing them to control several aspects of each battle sequence and puzzle situation. Intuitive time controls give the player the ultimate advantage in strategic attacks used to outsmart the enemy.
With a comprehensive online 16-player multiplayer mode, featuring time-controlling “chrono” grenades, 14 different maps and over 40 different customizable options, TimeShift is a truly unique multiplayer experience for every level of gamer, whether a novice or an expert.
Filed under PC News on October 17th, 2007  With the newest Zoo Tycoon 2 expansion pack hitting store shelves, Microsoft has put a out a playable demo for Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals.
Biggest expansion pack for the award winning “Zoo Tycoon® 2†now available to all animals lovers looking for new challenges and a slew of new extinct creatures
Microsoft Game Studios today announced that “Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals,†the biggest expansion pack for the award winning “Zoo Tycoon 2,“ has landed onto retail store shelves starting today.
Developed by Blue Fang Games LLC, “Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals†enhances the “Zoo Tycoon 2†experience by introducing new challenges, more than 30 new animals, new exciting ways to play and a new look through extinct-themed objects and buildings. “Zoo Tycoon 2†players can experience all of these new features with ease, as the expansion pack seamlessly integrates with the core game so that gamers can play immediately.
“Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals†is available for the estimated retail price of $29.99 for Windows. “Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals†is rated “E10+†for everyone 10 and older. “Zoo Tycoon 2†is required to play “Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals.â€
The demo is available at GamersHell.
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