The PC Spotlight 3.18.09: Overlord 2, Diablo III and More

Posted by Chris Vicari on 03.19.2009

With a busy schedule, Chris Vicari provides a shorter column this week, but there's still some pretty interesting things to read and check out this week.

Hey everyone and welcome back to another Thursday with the PC Spotlight. I'm glad to report that the writing about economics and markets in MMOs is now all done, which I'm sure a majority of you guys are happy with. Things got a tad dull after a while, as you can imagine, simply because you can only talk about earning money and have it sound interesting in so many different ways. Thankfully, I can finally discuss things a little more refreshing and important. Regrettably, it'll be a fairly short column this week, as real life is taking its toll on my free time, as I'm sure we're all familiar with. So what I have for you guys this week is some pretty good stuff, as well as a couple bits which I hope can stir a little discussion among you guys.

I've been taking it easy on the game playing, only having the time for a couple stints with Left 4 Dead, which has been difficult as all hell since Empire: Total War is taunting me on my Steam Game list. I've been playing slower-paced games, straying away from the usual stuff such as A Tale in the Desert, which has recently gone through a new version, and it is fun to play if you're into the whole crafting-based MMO stuff. Also, I'm trying to take a few jabs at a couple of Steam's free casual games, but nothing phenomenal in that department. Yea, I know, pretty boring stuff.

In any case, let's start the show!

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Is Digital Distribution the Wave of the Future? This Guy Things So


In my younger years, I was always excited to head to my local video game store with my father, and pick up the newest video game releases. I distinctly remember my purchase of Baldur's Gate, the 1998 award-winning RPG by the now-defunct Black Isle Studios, and how I spent hours flipping through the thick manual packaged with the game. For me, it wasn't just the game itself which offered hours of blissful entertainment, but it was the entire package as well. Call me dull, but thumbing through a manual or reading the stats on a reference sheet could be just as indulging as the game itself. While many of today's games lack the multi-hundred-page manuals often witnessed nearly a decade ago, quite a few pack enough lore and back-story to satiate even the most hardened of book readers, and some games eventually turn into books themselves.

As one of many old-time gamers, often reminiscing about enjoyable experiences with the Atari, ColecoVision, and the NES, one could think I'm a bit resilient towards the coming changes to video game distribution, which is straying from 100% shelf presence to 100% digital presence. I certainly cannot deny the lack of paper manuals, laminated stat sheets, and artistic game boxes somewhat perturbs me, but what kind of gamer would I be for not embracing a brighter future for the industry?

With digital distribution, the negatives which plague a "box, ship, and shelf" system are inconsequential. Customers no longer have to wait in lines just to learn a particular game is out of stock, or wait days, maybe even weeks, for their online purchase to arrive via mail, but it's so much more than that. By opting for digital distribution, game developers can get their work out into the public much easier with potentially minimum business expense. With less cost for developers to sell and ship their products, you open the doors to cheaper games for everyone. Most importantly, digital distribution gives independent developers a better chance to release potentially innovative titles.

Despite the advantages of utilizing the up-and-coming technology, it is not without its faults. Since game developers would no longer require the services of a publisher to handle game distribution, the issue of advertising rears its ugly head. How can a small developer market a game without the financial assistance of a publisher? Using Valve as an example, the PC dev/publisher which just spent $10 million marketing Left 4 Dead, many individual game developers don't have that kind of cash to burn on advertising. It's a concern void of any genuine solutions.

Regardless, it seems many small-time developers are flocking towards Valve's ultra-popular Steam service and it may be working for them. With Steam, you have proof of purchase – another criticism of digital distribution – including imbedded, but not invasive DRM. Steam is also more resilient to pirating, similar to Xbox Live which can detect pirated software and then ban users for the infraction. But what happens to your purchases when Steam or Xbox Live goes out of business or its service dismantled? While I don't believe Steam is going anywhere anytime soon, the lingering idea that all purchases could eventually disappear, I can understand the skeptics. Ironically, EA's Download Manager service cleans accounts of games a year after their initial purchase, and they try to coerce customers to pay an additional fee of $6 to extend a game's lifespan for another five years.

Despite the positives or negatives, the shift towards an all-digital system is ongoing. Sadly, it's coming along a little slower than expected. One particular casualty of the merge lag lies with Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs), specifically the ones enjoying shelf presence. While perusing the aisles of my local mom-and-pop gaming store, I came across several copies of Tabula Rasa, Asheron's Call 2, and Auto Assault. To the untrained eye, it would seem I've stumbled into MMORPG heaven, but any MMO vet will tell you that all three games have been canceled for some time. Figuring it was a simple matter of miscommunication, I thought nothing of it. After making a few calls to major electronics retailers though, the issue is more widespread than originally perceived. Most carried one or two of the canceled games, but Amazon.com carried them all. Since most stores have a no return policy for PC games, you're pretty much up the creek. Buyer beware of the 1900s makes a return.

It's tough to say when the revolutionary technology becomes the only means of distribution. It could be days, months, or even years away, but one thing is certain: I'll sure miss the feeling of opening a shrink-wrapped game box, a trove laden with hidden treasures, and spilling its contents onto the desk to see what's inside. In all my years of gaming, I've witnessed the switch from diskettes to CDs, even a developer shot into space, and pretty soon I won't even need to leave the chair to play the latest and greatest games, and right then, I'll know the future has arrived.

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Catch Me On "Game On Radio" with Heirloom!

While initially a rather scary prospect, as I have never done anything related to radio before, I landed an on-air interview with Game On Radio personality Heirloom, and she gets my take on life as a gaming journalist, my opinions on the gaming industry, and my thoughts on a wide variety of games out there. Starting only a couple of weeks ago and just by herself, Heirloom already has dozens of listeners for every single show which runs on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. For more detailed show-time information, check out her website at www.gameonradio.net. Sadly, the interview already happened by the time this column goes up, but you should be able to find the files on her site. Run time is about 50 minutes, so have a listen if you got some free time. If the recordings aren't up yet, check back a little while later.

It was a blast talking to her, she's very personable, and I hope to stop by on her show again sometime in the future.

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New Trailer Showing Off Overlord 2

Overlord 2 'Introducing The New Overlord' video HD

If you're itching to jump back into the role of supreme overlord, one who enjoys the advantages of ruling over gremlins and peasantry with an iron fist, then you'll be pleased to know that a new video showcasing the upcoming sequel just came out. It shows some pretty nifty features for the game including new characters, spells, abilities, and even gremlins on mounts. It looks to be a pretty promising game, so hopefully it'll be a much better version than its predecessor.

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Bill Roper Expresses His Dissatisfaction with New Diablo III Look
Story courtesy of 1Up.com

Remember a couple months ago when Blizzard first started showing screenshots of the upcoming dungeon runner, and people were up in arms about the game's new art direction? Generally, the people outraged enough to create forum topic after topic were just random individuals willing to throw their opinion into the ring, but now Bill Roper, the main man behind Diablo 1, its sequel, and Hellgate: London, has now expressed his displeasure with the new direction. In a recent interview with VideoGamer.com, Roper was quick to say he preferred the grittier tone set by the first two games, but he didn't exactly "dislike" the new look.

Regardless, it's doubtful Blizzard will change anything up, as Diablo III is pretty far in development, but one can only hope that the entire game isn't just green scenery or bright locations.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think, because Roper has now registered his opinion on the matter, that the issue might garner a little more attention? Or do you think someone down the line will make a third-party content patch which will change everything up anyway?

Sadly, that's it for this week guys, and I apologize for not having more content this time. In any case, thanks for reading and tune in next week with more from the PC Spotlight.