JackColt

@commandergermanshepard:

That's it just there-- My mentality is that I have no interest in the "normal" models continuing. I was interested in gaming (including single-player campaigns) augmented by the computing power of the cloud. I was interested in my entire physical library being saved to the unit and accessed instantly without the need to change discs. I was interested seeing more fluid pricing models (like on Steam) come to the consoles.

Now, I'll grant you, there were hardly any guarantees of these. But by removing the DRM restrictions from the physical media, it all but ensures that none of these innovations are possible.

• A dev can no longer assume an internet connection is available and with it the ability to offload compute cycles to the cloud.
• There is no chance that you will be able to install a game now and be able to play it without the disc present.
• Brick & mortar retailers cannot be as flexible in pricing as online outlets, because their margins are too low on new games. Insanely low. Under 10%. That means prices will remain up, keeping even the download-version prices high along with them.

Again, I fully understand that the gaming utopia I WISHED for was far from certain, I am simply lamenting the notion that there doesn't seem to be much chance for it all anymore.

I frankly don't understand the mentality of everyone that just wants things to remain "normal."

@piranesi: Well said. These DRM Freedom Fighters never take the long-view in that none of this will have mattered 2 years from now anyway, when everything was firmly digital.

All that's happened here is a step backwards in the progress we should be making. And MS doesn't even seem to be winning over the real vocal ones. That lot has seemingly only changed their refrain from "Don't trust them, they hate customers!" to "Don't trust them, they gave in to our demands!"

And all this for what? To keep horrible, exploitative businesses like GameStop and GameFly in business?

I'd gladly pay MS $100 right now to help facilitate the downfall of crooked services like that.

Congratulations, internet, you wanted zero innovation, and you seem to have gotten a guarantee of that for all of us.

I have a feeling that one of the next-gen features I was most looking forward to (no disc swapping) just got axed to facilitate this.

Obviously that'll be unchanged with downloaded titles, but I kinda liked having the physical product just for grins.

I watch most of the content by downloading the HD feed to my tablet. This has been nigh impossible lately. Horrifically slow speeds. My overall connection speeds are great and I never have issues streaming HD content. It's just been GB lately. Started about a week ago for me.

I'm going to play through it again and save the "Hug Coupon"

Just to see what happens.

Nice initiative. I can share a few writeups which you or anyone else can read out, but I am a bit microphone shy and my internet connection blows. Actually I was planning to write some blog posts regarding my skyrim experience, so this seems relevant. 

Duders,

I've realized that I enjoy talking about & listening to stories from Skyrim every bit as much as I enjoy actually playing Skyrim. The breadth of unique experiences everyone has stumbled into is just staggering to me.

To that end, I'm going to start a semi-regular podcast, and source the community for your stories of valor, deceit, bravery, cowardice, humor, buffoonery... whatever you've got. My goal is to record interviews via Skype, and produce segments NPR/This American Life style -- And to similarly have an over-arching theme for each episode: Hold/city-specific stories; dragon stories; mammoth stories; Lydia stories; etc. So anyone with a solid connection and decent mic can be on the show. If you're interested please submit some brief write-ups to skyrimstories@gmail.com, and include your availability to record an interview. I'll begin contacting people back over the next few days. Also follow @skyrimstories on Twitter for updates.

Thanks, gang.

No worries... Look forward to playing on the US server once it's up! :)

I'm not trying to step on anyone's dick here, because I see the work AhmadMetallic has already put in to organizing the GB Community servers. But I don't see any of them on the server browser yet.

So I started one. It's up NOW. All 32-player Conquest at the moment, but I may expand player counts and modes based on usage and feedback. Right now the server is titled "JackColt's GiantBomb Community BF3"

See you out there, wizards.

@CrimsonJester said:

Sure hope San Diego was evacuated with the amount of bullets and shrapnel that must be coming down from this fight.

It's Miami. An insanely detailed and well-rendered Miami.

I think I'd be too distracted trying to find my house to actually play the game.