I haven't played the game in many years, so I'm going by memory here.
The power ratings are taken from the actual specs of the real locomotive. In addition, they don't have any relevance to the game (which is more a simulator than a game).
The items you can make for the game are, for the most part, skins. Just bytes and bits of digital code rendered by the base.
"DLC" is a synonymous term for "micro-transaction", though it seems fair there is a difference when it comes to detailing what the offerings are.
I see the new layouts as DLC while I see the locos as being micro-transactions.
The DLC allows players to take what the game gives them and expands it. There's no requirement the locos are necessary to play on them.
Again, this is just the way I see gamers call the offerings.
Not that I care in any way.
The reality of the situation is this: you can either buy it or complain about it.
If people don't buy the over-priced goods, then it sends a message back saying "Huh. Let's try a different price."
We'll definitely see this with Destiny, people will "throw money at the screen" because value > price.
Truth be told: shouldn't all digital goods be no cost? Economics say so! ;)
Let's get the obvious out of the way. DLC != micro-transactions. I believe this is a common understanding.
DLC is used by publishers because "Micro Transactions" on a menu isn't going to be well received.
Now that we've clarified this, let's move on.
These locomotives aren't DLC. They're micro-transactions. Individually, they're on par with other things I've seen in games offering micro-transactions.
Often referred to as "horse armor" (after Bethesda charged people $5 for a visual change to the in-game horse that did nothing else), gamers have learned the difference and quickly voice their opinion when the offering(s) are priced foolishly, if not stupidly.
This game is offering additional locos which doesn't have any impact on the game other than a visual change from the game's base engine.
The pricing makes sense, when you realize it's not designed to allow a single player to download every loco, but rather, allow them a few options if they choose to want them.
If you think these prices are outrages, then head over to ZoS' Crown Store, where a single motif will cost people $49.99 in real, cold cash if they can't wait to find it in the game.
Outrageous? That all depends on one's definition of value.
You see, I've purchased quite a few things from the Crown Store because I don't look at the item as being "$25".
Instead, I look at it this way: "$25 to support this game I'm having a blast with, and look, they're giving me a lioness for free!"
ZoS doesn't require a subscription to play the game (it used to for PC players, but this was lifted when the console versions were released).
Thus, one has to ask: does value mean bitching about a few optional micro-transactions to earn revenue to keep several servers online so people can play the game or does value mean an entitled gamer is supposed to own everything the game offers for little to no cost while expecting companies to earn revenue selling.... t-shirts?
There's only one logical choice in the above, that is, unless you're Tim or Alex, who can't tell the difference between DLC and micro-transactions.
If you want clarification on this, I suggest hitting up on the latest gaming news where the headlines are shouting how Destiny is going to offer micro-transactions in its game.
I find it rather comical none of these titles are calling the new items "DLC".
Oh, wait. There's Verizon's silver lining. By preventing Malibu Media from getting the extortion payout, Verizon defends their "customer" so they can do the extorting.
Clever, Verizon. Makes the company look like a rose shaped as an ass.
Has anyone read the fine print on Charter's website?
There's a little caveat, in 1px font: "Our services cover the entire state, except when any or all of the following conditions are met: -The serviceable area is covered by one or more internet service providers
-The serviceable area is locked out due to state or federal restrictions, such as military bases.
-New housing developments, but only after construction is near or has been completed.
-Three kilometers, or less, to a pole servicing a node.
-Customer has a beating heart.
-National parks or recreation areas owned by state or private parties.
-Fourteen steps, due south, of any gas or electrical utility box, not painted green, and within a neighborhood of 1 or more homes.
-Cheese.
-Areas with increased risked of severe natural disasters, such as "Tornado Alley", flood zones, and solar radiation exceeding 12SPF.
We reserve the right to update this list without any notice, because we often do."
What's funny about the above "string" attached, it's still better than Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T combined.
Slowly, I'm migrating to Linux. Microsoft is pulling a Google on everyone and it's crystal clearly they've no intention of changing their plans.
First: I'm absolutely sick and tired of this "your files on all your devices" tactic these corporations are pushing onto people. Why in the hell would I want my personal income taxes pushed to my Xbox or Windows Phone?
Take a picture and automatically have it uploaded to the cloud? I'm sure the celebrities who had their personal pictures exposed to the world loved that.
Second: the options are becoming too conflated for anyone to manage. If a user turns "off" Cortana, another service will be more than happy to cover for the disabling. In fact, with Windows 10, disabling some options may require changing them in more than one damn place!
Third: Screw these corporations. It's bad enough I pay for the software and now to be told I'm going to have to deal with ads is utter nonsense. Do these shitheads not make enough money to funnel out of the United States via the Irish Double?
I once quipped Corporate America would ruin the internet in 20 years. I am not surprised they beat this estimate by 5 years.
I'm really starting to hate the internet. Unfortunately, it truly has become a utility. Don't have it? Good luck trying to function in the digital society.
I remember reading a few years ago about the amount of money McD's spent to let the country know it's rib-shaped meat-by-product was back.
Interestingly enough, someone decided to actually ask the people if they found out via the ad, and if not, how they found out.
Over 70% saw it had returned because it was on the menu. Of the remaining 30%, 62% heard it through word of mouth (which included social media - not ads on social media).
McD's said the "investment" was worth it because sales increased 40% after the ads were released.
I firmly believe this is what bean counters believe, that somehow, the (potential) consumer is disconnected from the product so far, an ad is the only way to reach people.
I learned long ago word of mouth is, and always has been, the best form of advertising.
Can someone explain to me why this article didn't end with a "/sarcasm" tag?
$5000 to take a course on how to fly a drone? Has to be renewed every 6 months? What, at another $5000?
This doesn't even consider the cost of a walkie-talkie. Wait. Do they even make these anymore? To contact a control tower whose sole purpose it is to guide planes to let them know a drone is nearby (well beyond an airport's concern at 5k) is asking for trouble.
These "laws" are just plain stupid, though I do agree with the training portion of it. ONCE, with a license issued at completion.
The title can be changed to "71% Of Americans Oppose Government Legislation. Too Bad Their Representatives Don't Care." and it would still be accurate.
We don't have a government. We have representatives who seek to govern for the highest bidder.
This would be equivalent to saying "Those who work for spying-on-the-public agencies should be ashamed of themselves", because these programmers work for the agencies pull the data.
People should also be aware these programs were assisted by the NSA, who has several years experience on capturing internet traffic.
Can't wait until the story breaks on how encryption on the internet is made moot by the ghost certs these agencies use.
Many news sites are designed to force users to scroll down a page or two to read the entire article. By the time you get to the bottom, bam, there are the comments, if even a handful are visible.
I will say this, though: some sites have taken a better approach to have their cake and eat it too by hiding comments until a user actively engages to view them.
This is the better solution, but the reality is most sites are just tired of the garbage being posted. It's easier to clean this up by just preventing a place for the garbage to be thrown.
That's why I'm in the minority. I'm okay with that. :)
On the post: Train Simulator 2016 And How We've Reached The Crest Of The Dumb DLC Wave
Re: Re:
The power ratings are taken from the actual specs of the real locomotive. In addition, they don't have any relevance to the game (which is more a simulator than a game).
The items you can make for the game are, for the most part, skins. Just bytes and bits of digital code rendered by the base.
"DLC" is a synonymous term for "micro-transaction", though it seems fair there is a difference when it comes to detailing what the offerings are.
I see the new layouts as DLC while I see the locos as being micro-transactions.
The DLC allows players to take what the game gives them and expands it. There's no requirement the locos are necessary to play on them.
Again, this is just the way I see gamers call the offerings.
Not that I care in any way.
The reality of the situation is this: you can either buy it or complain about it.
If people don't buy the over-priced goods, then it sends a message back saying "Huh. Let's try a different price."
We'll definitely see this with Destiny, people will "throw money at the screen" because value > price.
Truth be told: shouldn't all digital goods be no cost? Economics say so!
;)
On the post: Train Simulator 2016 And How We've Reached The Crest Of The Dumb DLC Wave
Let's get the obvious out of the way. DLC != micro-transactions. I believe this is a common understanding.
DLC is used by publishers because "Micro Transactions" on a menu isn't going to be well received.
Now that we've clarified this, let's move on.
These locomotives aren't DLC. They're micro-transactions. Individually, they're on par with other things I've seen in games offering micro-transactions.
Often referred to as "horse armor" (after Bethesda charged people $5 for a visual change to the in-game horse that did nothing else), gamers have learned the difference and quickly voice their opinion when the offering(s) are priced foolishly, if not stupidly.
This game is offering additional locos which doesn't have any impact on the game other than a visual change from the game's base engine.
The pricing makes sense, when you realize it's not designed to allow a single player to download every loco, but rather, allow them a few options if they choose to want them.
If you think these prices are outrages, then head over to ZoS' Crown Store, where a single motif will cost people $49.99 in real, cold cash if they can't wait to find it in the game.
Outrageous? That all depends on one's definition of value.
You see, I've purchased quite a few things from the Crown Store because I don't look at the item as being "$25".
Instead, I look at it this way: "$25 to support this game I'm having a blast with, and look, they're giving me a lioness for free!"
ZoS doesn't require a subscription to play the game (it used to for PC players, but this was lifted when the console versions were released).
Thus, one has to ask: does value mean bitching about a few optional micro-transactions to earn revenue to keep several servers online so people can play the game or does value mean an entitled gamer is supposed to own everything the game offers for little to no cost while expecting companies to earn revenue selling.... t-shirts?
There's only one logical choice in the above, that is, unless you're Tim or Alex, who can't tell the difference between DLC and micro-transactions.
If you want clarification on this, I suggest hitting up on the latest gaming news where the headlines are shouting how Destiny is going to offer micro-transactions in its game.
I find it rather comical none of these titles are calling the new items "DLC".
Is that how this "DLC" game works, writers?
On the post: Paramount Pictures Thinks A Discussion Of GhostVPN Is Really A Pirate Link To The Movie Ghost
Syntax Error
On the post: Malibu Media Copyright Troll Wakes The Beast In Trying To Push Verizon Around
Clever, Verizon. Makes the company look like a rose shaped as an ass.
On the post: Cable Company Totally Unsure What Neighborhoods It Serves, Wants $117,000 For Broadband Service
There's a little caveat, in 1px font:
"Our services cover the entire state, except when any or all of the following conditions are met:
-The serviceable area is covered by one or more internet service providers
-The serviceable area is locked out due to state or federal restrictions, such as military bases.
-New housing developments, but only after construction is near or has been completed.
-Three kilometers, or less, to a pole servicing a node.
-Customer has a beating heart.
-National parks or recreation areas owned by state or private parties.
-Fourteen steps, due south, of any gas or electrical utility box, not painted green, and within a neighborhood of 1 or more homes.
-Cheese.
-Areas with increased risked of severe natural disasters, such as "Tornado Alley", flood zones, and solar radiation exceeding 12SPF.
We reserve the right to update this list without any notice, because we often do."
What's funny about the above "string" attached, it's still better than Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T combined.
On the post: T-Mobile Customer Data Leaked By Experian... And Faulty Encryption Implementation
Target has me covered.
I'm used to it. With all the credit monitoring I'm getting, I believe I'm now set for life plus 70 years.
On the post: Chip And PIN Meets Facial Recognition: Chipping Away At Privacy, Pinning You Down In A Database
On the post: Amazon Bans Sale Of Competing Apple TV, Chromecast Devices To 'Avoid Customer Confusion'
Once the holidays are over (wife wants the two-day shipping during present buying), we're canceling Amazon Prime.
It's just too damn confusing to know why a retailer don't want to retail.
I don't want to shop at a store who blocks products on a "just because" basis.
On the post: Man Gets $35k Settlement After Arrest For Posting 'Fuck The Fucking Cops' On Department Facebook Page
Not only will cops actually be looking to curb real crime, no one gets arrested illegally.
Maybe there is a silver lining to forcing people to keep their mouth shut.
On the post: Microsoft 'Addresses' Windows 10 Privacy Concerns By Simply Not Mentioning Most Of Them
First: I'm absolutely sick and tired of this "your files on all your devices" tactic these corporations are pushing onto people. Why in the hell would I want my personal income taxes pushed to my Xbox or Windows Phone?
Take a picture and automatically have it uploaded to the cloud? I'm sure the celebrities who had their personal pictures exposed to the world loved that.
Second: the options are becoming too conflated for anyone to manage. If a user turns "off" Cortana, another service will be more than happy to cover for the disabling. In fact, with Windows 10, disabling some options may require changing them in more than one damn place!
Third: Screw these corporations. It's bad enough I pay for the software and now to be told I'm going to have to deal with ads is utter nonsense. Do these shitheads not make enough money to funnel out of the United States via the Irish Double?
I once quipped Corporate America would ruin the internet in 20 years. I am not surprised they beat this estimate by 5 years.
I'm really starting to hate the internet. Unfortunately, it truly has become a utility. Don't have it? Good luck trying to function in the digital society.
On the post: You Can Now Turn Off Ads On Techdirt
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: A game of statistics
Interestingly enough, someone decided to actually ask the people if they found out via the ad, and if not, how they found out.
Over 70% saw it had returned because it was on the menu.
Of the remaining 30%, 62% heard it through word of mouth (which included social media - not ads on social media).
McD's said the "investment" was worth it because sales increased 40% after the ads were released.
I firmly believe this is what bean counters believe, that somehow, the (potential) consumer is disconnected from the product so far, an ad is the only way to reach people.
I learned long ago word of mouth is, and always has been, the best form of advertising.
Everyone else is just wasting their money.
On the post: You Can Now Turn Off Ads On Techdirt
Re: Re:
Fine, edit of my original post:
/JOKE
It's the "anti-ad" complaint since Techdirt is doing the anti-ad option for all its users.
On the post: You Can Now Turn Off Ads On Techdirt
If you're going to force me to visit a page without ads, clearly you don't need my money.
On the post: Colombia Shows How Not To Regulate Drones
Re:
I didn't even see the "Not" in the title. Time for coffee.
On the post: Colombia Shows How Not To Regulate Drones
$5000 to take a course on how to fly a drone? Has to be renewed every 6 months? What, at another $5000?
This doesn't even consider the cost of a walkie-talkie. Wait. Do they even make these anymore? To contact a control tower whose sole purpose it is to guide planes to let them know a drone is nearby (well beyond an airport's concern at 5k) is asking for trouble.
These "laws" are just plain stupid, though I do agree with the training portion of it. ONCE, with a license issued at completion.
On the post: 71% Of Americans Oppose Civil Asset Forfeiture. Too Bad Their Representatives Don't Care.
We don't have a government. We have representatives who seek to govern for the highest bidder.
On the post: GCHQ's Karma Police: Tracking And Profiling Every Web User, Every Website
Re:
People should also be aware these programs were assisted by the NSA, who has several years experience on capturing internet traffic.
Can't wait until the story breaks on how encryption on the internet is made moot by the ghost certs these agencies use.
On the post: The Wall Street Journal Doubles Down On Dumb: Falsely Claims Net Neutrality ('Obamanet') Has Crushed Broadband Investment
Can't fix stupid.™
On the post: The Trend Of Killing News Comment Sections Because You 'Just Really Value Conversation' Stupidly Continues
Re: Re:
I will say this, though: some sites have taken a better approach to have their cake and eat it too by hiding comments until a user actively engages to view them.
This is the better solution, but the reality is most sites are just tired of the garbage being posted. It's easier to clean this up by just preventing a place for the garbage to be thrown.
That's why I'm in the minority. I'm okay with that. :)
On the post: DOJ Insists That There Is No Proof Verizon Wireless Shared Phone Data With NSA
Anything coming from these departments will now be viewed as misinformation.
How truly pathetic to go from a respected branch of justice to the bottom of the barrel to which the entire world hates them.
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