Octopus Overlords

I'm still trying to figure out why he gets slightly dumber at lunch time on that graphic.

While reading FFG909 many "Starforce changed my life for a better" posts, i remembered an Article of the German newspaper "der Spiegel". They reported around an half year ago or so.That after an Release with tons of issues the publisher hired a company specialized for some sort of forum guerilla.
Of course they where traced back by some upset fans and it seemed quite an embarrassment.I am sure it was an European publisher an a car game..but cant remember it exactly.

wonder if FFG909 has an job here.....


oh an by the way, since i own SH3 my nec 3500 dvd burner starts spinning up to full speed without being accessed by me or an program.
Surprise Surprise......that never happend before i installed SH3 !

apezilla wrote:While reading FFG909 many "Starforce changed my life for a better" posts, i remembered an Article of the German newspaper "der Spiegel". They reported around an half year ago or so.That after an Release with tons of issues the publisher hired a company specialized for some sort of forum guerilla.
Of course they where traced back by some upset fans and it seemed quite an embarrassment.I am sure it was an European publischer an a car game..but cant remember it exactly.

wonder if FFG909 has an job here.....


oh an by the way, since i own SH3 my nec 3500 dvd burner starts spinning up to full speed without being accessed by me or an program.
Surprise Surprise......that never happend before i installed SH3 !

It does not have to be that way.

Bad Demographic wrote:I thought you double-posted on purpose ("redundant").

lol but not my intent. I used the word "redundant" because he had misspelled the misspelling.

Would you like to buy a monkey?

Chris Grenard, you are my hero. I wish you liked me

Whoever said FFG909 was Thomas Covenant sounds right on the button.I knew I recognized that posting style from somewhere.

Rincewind wrote:Chris Grenard, you are my hero. I wish you liked me

Whoever said FFG909 was Thomas Covenant sounds right on the button.I knew I recognized that posting style from somewhere.

I don't think so. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. Covenant was MUCH more vehement in his anti-piracy rants, and frankly ... more educated. FFG's website lowers your IQ just by visiting it.

I think FFG was "kobra" on GG.

rrmorton wrote:I suppose it'd be redundant to point out that you spelled "sopina" incorrectly.

I say sopena you say sopina

Jeff Jones wrote:
I think FFG was "kobra" on GG.

That's pretty much confirmed, yeah.

D.A.Lewis wrote:

rrmorton wrote:I suppose it'd be redundant to point out that you spelled "sopina" incorrectly.

I say sopena you say sopina

Can I subpoena you to sopena him to say sopina ?

Wow, that's a pretty big turnaround in opinion... if these two are the same "Kobra" I just did a quick google search "www.gonegold.com kobra"

http://www.digitaljesters.com/forums/pr ... php?t=5720
http://digitaljesters.com/forums/printthread.php?t=5718

Yes, I used to blame Starforce for my lifes problems, then I found it it was actually my Antivirus software causing all of my issues. Also, I realised that my hate for it, was causing me to miss playing some fine games.

But I do apologize if I offended anyone with any comments. I think I was pretty well liked on the old GG forums - at least I thought I was.

I wasn't even aware this was the old GG crew until about 2 days ago. I was wondering where everyone went. o.O

I'm not sure why it wouldn't let me register "Kobra" before, but I just tried, and it did.

o.O

Also, Rincewind, I love you. Do not despair, for our love knows no boundaries on this World Wide Electron.

Kobra wrote:I'm not sure why it wouldn't let me register "Kobra" before, but I just tried, and it did.

o.O

Heh.

Nice apology though. Hopefully, we can put all this starforce fighting behind us, and move on.

That reminds me, I need to buy a powerball ticket for this week.

apezilla wrote:While reading FFG909 many "Starforce changed my life for a better" posts, i remembered an Article of the German newspaper "der Spiegel". They reported around an half year ago or so.That after an Release with tons of issues the publisher hired a company specialized for some sort of forum guerilla.
Of course they where traced back by some upset fans and it seemed quite an embarrassment.I am sure it was an European publisher an a car game..but cant remember it exactly.

wonder if FFG909 has an job here.....

And elsewhere: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=404631

FFG909 wrote:I'm not sure why it wouldn't let me register "Kobra" before,

I thought the name change was by design.

Hardly, if I worked for them I wouldn't be so obvious, i'm not a net noOb and if I wanted to cover tracks I would know how.

As for the namechange, when Kobra isn't available, I have few rules on what name I use otherwise, usually a series of letters and numbers. Nothing special.

On the question of paid forum trollers for companies, this actually does happen. I've worked in/around the software/game industry for nearly 20 years and its quite common. There are three types.

1) Paid by Company.
Usually on staff, covertly labeled things like "Internet Relations" or "Customer Liason". They are paid to evagelise the product on forums, and in general around the internet and to defuse any hotspots before they fester. (MOST companies have a couple of these on hand, even tiny developers)

2) Company Fanboys - spurred on by the company.
These guys are people that already use their products, that email them and talk about the product, are are general fanboys of it. The company offers them "Insider Perks" as rewards for their evangelism. (Software companies love these types, and almost every company has a stack of them on hand)

3) Freeform Evangelists
These guys have no benefit of anything, they just like talking about something they use and like. They are pretty loyal to companies that put out products they like, and usually will evangelise the product anywhere they go. (Most common, I think at some point, almost everyone is guilty of doing this, companies don't really trust these types, as they can turn on you in a second)

As for me, currently I don't work for any software developer, and i've never worked for Starforce, never been paid, never gotten anything free from them. I DO like their security product, but i'm into security and find it interesting, but thats about it. Suffice it to say, companies DO hire or have on staff people to evagelise their products - but I assure you, i'm not one. A few people on this forum I know IRL can vouch for that.

Kobra wrote:As for the namechange, when Kobra isn't available, I have few rules on what name I use otherwise, usually a series of letters and numbers. Nothing special.

Seems unusual to use a different name on a site you've been registered on since May 2004.
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/member.php?userid=14346

Maybe not though, if you've got a reputation for bias there as well.
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthre ... nextnewest

Steve1955 wrote:

rerun2 wrote:I wonder if that is the same kobra that used to frequent this board.

Yeh:- wondered why he couldn't resist a dig at Nod and Kav has being bad at removing viruses( with a comments like that he undermines everything else he says) some folk never change/learn!

Steve1955 wrote:If you knew his history,both here and at the ICE forum,you would probably realise why he specifically highlighted these two as being"notoriously bad"

Can't please everyone with my reviews. Always someone that'll complain, I just roll with it and write my opinions. Theres always an "Option" to not read them - which some people fail to realise apparently, afterall, it is my site. LOL

Shouldn't this be moved to the everything but gaming forum it doesn't have much to do with Silent Hunter 3 and i'm in two minds whether the board really wants to be advertising when cracks are around - little to blatant me thinks

Tals

oh an by the way, since i own SH3 my nec 3500 dvd burner starts spinning up to full speed without being accessed by me or an program.
Surprise Surprise......that never happend before i installed SH3 !

If it was me i'd be getting the updated starforce drivers from the Starforce site,if that didn't work uninistalling the starforce driver from my machine to see if that was the cause or whether it was just a coincidence. If it was the starforce driver I would then be discussing it with the tech and forum support on the SH3 forums and may or maynot be reinstalling the driver depending how bad it was effecting my machine against how much I was enjoying the game.

Tals

tals wrote:Shouldn't this be moved to the everything but gaming forum it doesn't have much to do with Silent Hunter 3 and i'm in two minds whether the board really wants to be advertising when cracks are around - little to blatant me thinks

Actually, it's important that people know there are ways to play these great games *without* starforce so we'll actually buy them and support the developers. I bought SH3 only after this was available.

Definitely no link to the crack, and I'm not suggesting anyone use it (especially not to pirate!), but for some people, it's the only way to play a starforce game, so the information is important.

The thread got hijacked, which is a shame, but the initial information is game specific, important, and in no way warez friendly (though it's not starforce friendly either). I think we're fine as far as legality goes.

Onnel

rrmorton wrote:

Bad Demographic wrote:I thought you double-posted on purpose ("redundant").

lol but not my intent. I used the word "redundant" because he had misspelled the misspelling.

Hey Rob, don't mess with this forums version of telephone. Sopina -> Sopena -> Soap Enya -> Grossness...I can't believe I typed that.

onnel wrote:

tals wrote:Shouldn't this be moved to the everything but gaming forum it doesn't have much to do with Silent Hunter 3 and i'm in two minds whether the board really wants to be advertising when cracks are around - little to blatant me thinks

Actually, it's important that people know there are ways to play these great games *without* starforce so we'll actually buy them and support the developers. I bought SH3 only after this was available.

Definitely no link to the crack, and I'm not suggesting anyone use it (especially not to pirate!), but for some people, it's the only way to play a starforce game, so the information is important.

The thread got hijacked, which is a shame, but the initial information is game specific, important, and in no way warez friendly (though it's not starforce friendly either). I think we're fine as far as legality goes.

Onnel

You're supporting Starforce as much as the developer when you buy this game.

Eduardo X wrote:

onnel wrote:

tals wrote:Shouldn't this be moved to the everything but gaming forum it doesn't have much to do with Silent Hunter 3 and i'm in two minds whether the board really wants to be advertising when cracks are around - little to blatant me thinks

Actually, it's important that people know there are ways to play these great games *without* starforce so we'll actually buy them and support the developers. I bought SH3 only after this was available.

Definitely no link to the crack, and I'm not suggesting anyone use it (especially not to pirate!), but for some people, it's the only way to play a starforce game, so the information is important.

The thread got hijacked, which is a shame, but the initial information is game specific, important, and in no way warez friendly (though it's not starforce friendly either). I think we're fine as far as legality goes.

Onnel

You're supporting Starforce as much as the developer when you buy this game.

Your right i know, but i could not help my self i wanted to support sim devs more than i wanted to fuck starforce. does that make me a bad anarchist Ed? I failed to buy all the rest of the SF games so i can keep my card right?

Eduardo X wrote: You're supporting Starforce as much as the developer when you buy this game.

Thanks Eduardo X for a truly compelling point that actually has me slightly regretting buying the game now. I find it so sad that something like starforce could so sully my enjoyment of what has generally been a pleasurable and sometimes genuinely inspiring hobby.

I'll have to think deeply about what oyu wrote, and I fear that you are correct: crack or not, I don't think I'll be buying other starforce game.

Onnel

P.S. Just a statement of personal decision, not an attempt to influence anyone else or their buying habits. if you're ok with starforce than more power to you. i simply am not.

Eduardo X wrote:

You're supporting Starforce as much as the developer when you buy this game.

Since Starforce doesn't affect my computer in any negative way that I can tell, I have no problems supporting it. Sorry, but this isn't an issue of human or civil rights. It isn't causing genocide nor the oppression of a group of people. I'm sorry it hurts your computer, but I'm not going to not buy a game I want to play because it doesn't work on your computer.

I played the first tutorial at a friends house today......damn, this game looks good

Those dickheads....I would have paid $10 more for a non-SF version of it

Zekester wrote:x

Those dickheads....I would have paid $10 more for a non-SF version of it

Holy shit Zekester edit that freaking line what are you trying to give the corp bastards new ideas on ways to take all of our money.

Bad Zek Bad!!!

Suitably Ironic Moniker wrote:Eduardo X wrote:

You're supporting Starforce as much as the developer when you buy this game.

Since Starforce doesn't affect my computer in any negative way that I can tell, I have no problems supporting it. Sorry, but this isn't an issue of human or civil rights. It isn't causing genocide nor the oppression of a group of people. I'm sorry it hurts your computer, but I'm not going to not buy a game I want to play because it doesn't work on your computer.

Sounds fine with me.
I just want people to realize that when you pay for a game protected by Starforce, you're giving Starforce not only money but proof that it doens't affect sales.

I have bought 2 Starforce games, though it was before I knew about Starforce. I bought Track Mania, which is an incredible game, and Beyond Divinity, which was a large wad of bore and suckage.
I really want to play the new Track Mania game and Chaos League, but I won't because of Starforce. Its too bad. Even with a crack for these games, I'd still be supporting Starforce.

Well, maybe they could start charging just a little more for each copy to recover some of the piracy-loss costs instead of using shit like SF.

You'll find they do that already.

Tals

BTW the version of the SH3 exe that was cracked was the 1.0 version, not the 1.1.

Hamsterball_Z,

I've been following the SNS review since it first started at Wilder's but never put two and two together...good dective work!

SlapBone wrote:BTW the version of the SH3 exe that was cracked was the 1.0 version, not the 1.1.

That is slated to change by monday or so im told.

Would it be wrong to download the game and send a $40 check to the developers?

Beer Goggles wrote:Would it be wrong to download the game and send a $40 check to the developers?

Send me forty bucks. I'll call you up and make sub noises over the phone for 10 minutes.

Here's my starforce-free demo:

"Dive! Dive! AOOOGAH!"

Kadoth Nodens wrote:

Beer Goggles wrote:Would it be wrong to download the game and send a $40 check to the developers?

Send me forty bucks. I'll call you up and make sub noises over the phone for 10 minutes.

Here's my starforce-free demo:

"Dive! Dive! AOOOGAH!"

Brilliant! I'll buy three copies!