Prozac's Personal Gaming Report (May 1999)
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: P R O Z A C ' S \/ P E R S O N A L G A M I N G R E P O R T :
: MAY 1999 :
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+It seems after you put your time in the gaming scene you should look into creating a gaming report as a way to kick back, but still be involved in the gaming scene. Many gaming reports have come and gone, and this report is pretty a much a month by month trial basis (but from the positive feedback I've gotten so far, it isn't going to stop soon): When I get bored or too boggled down to handle the report, I just won't do it. This report is not 100% bias-free, as I am currently with the group Class and all attempts to abstain a truly unbiased report can not be fully possible. I had thought of calling this report "Prozac's Slightly Bias Report", but that'd be just a rip off TRC's old bias gaming report. This report is sort of a hybrid cross (no pun intended) of Just the Facts & Mason's Gaming Report in the scoring system and monthly gaming report.
My personal history in the gaming scene
If you're reading this report and you have no clue who I am, I will give a history of gaming warez life. I've actually been in the scene since '92, and was a big-time courier & utility supplier up until about mid-96 where I decided to plunge into game supplying hardcore (before this I had supplied small games to small groups, but nothing significant) by helping startup a group called Illusion. When Illusion died in Oct. 96, I went over to Prestige until they finally disbanded on Dec. 31st 1996. On Jan. 1st, 1997, I joined a newly founded group called Class with ex-members from multiple groups. At this current time I'm still with Class and very active for the group, even through some hard times.
Rules of a release (May be revisions, amended and modified at any given notice of one month. A % will be placed next to the rule if one has been modified or added in comparison to last month):
- This report will uphold to The Faction's rules, including the disk limit of 50 * 2.88M disks. Any release that purposely breaks The Faction rules will have -1.0 points deducted.
- % Trainers and Update Cracks will receive 0.5 points. A trainer that is an exact duplicate with the same functions of another group's trainer will receive 0.0 points. Non-working trainers and uncracked updates will receive -0.5 points. A group that release a duplicate cracked or beta update will receive -0.5 points. If two groups race on a patch, the loser will get 0.0 points. Updated trainers for a release by the same group do no receive any points.
- A game, trainer, patch or addon mispackaged will receive -0.5 points.
- % A game must work to receive all of the points of the game. -1.0 points will be deducted if a game requires a major fix. If one group fixes another group release to make the game functional at the beginning, that group that fixed the release will be transferred the release points and the original release group will receive -1.0 points for the game. If a game requires a minor fix (Uncommon .DLL file, etc.), a group will be deducted -0.5 points. A game infected with a virus will be deducted -1.0. A crack/fix must be released by a major group in order for any points to be deducted.
- Trainers, patches and add-ons for an over-the-limit or ISO release will receive 0.0 points. Any group who releases an add-on that didn't originally release the rip version will get 0.0 points.
- Add-ons for a game: a maximum of 2 are allowed for one game and will receive 0.5 points per add-on. These add-ons must be 100% completely functional with the original release and be under 25 disks, or the add-on will receive -0.5 points.
- If an official add-on is released as a standalone, it will be treated as a full release. Official add-ons for a game that are not standalone will receive half the points of a full release. Unauthorized or unofficial add-ons will receive 0.0 points.
- If two groups put out one game at the same time, the winning group on the FTP sites will receive the full points, and the losing group will receive 0.0 points. A dupe from a release last month or several months ago will receive -2.0 points.
- If a game is proven to be a beta, and the final is put out that month, the group who releases the final will receive the release points, and the group releasing the beta will be deducted -2.0 points. If a final is put out the next month or several months down the road, the group that released the beta will receive -2.5. The points from the group that released the original beta will have its points deducted from the yearly total. Beta to final patches from a group will receive up to 2.0 points, and the original group releasing the beta will be hit with -2.0 (less than a month old beta) or -2.5 (over a month old beta) points for the infraction.
- Games intended for kids, edutainment or just plain lame (Ex. 3D Maze Man) will receive -1.0 points.
- Any rule found to be broken after the monthly charts have been released will still have it's points removed from the yearly total in the next months charts. The original points will be removed along with points removed depending on the infraction.
Scoring System
The scoring system mixes both JTF & Mason's report with this formula:
- Rating. This is based on how good the game is. This can collect between 1.0-4.0 points depending on the quality of the actual game.
- Company. A release will receive 0.1-0.5 points based on what company the game was published and/or developed by. The more well-known the company, the more points it will accumulate. An example is a game from EA will receive 0.5 points, while a game from Webfoot would receive 0.1 points. The game will not receive any points in this category if it breaks a rule like being a dupe or beta.
- Popularity & Anticipation. This depends on how awaited and how well receive the game is, like Quake 3, or if the game is a surprise smash hit, like Grand Theft Auto. If it's an unknown game by an unknown company, like Rising Star, it'd get 0.0. This can receive 0.0-0.5 points. The game will not receive any points in this category if it breaks a rule like being a dupe or beta.
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Release Name & Company Date |Rating|Comp.|Popu.= Total |
| | | |
Starsiege Tribes v1.41 Patch (c) Dynamix 05/01| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Operational Art of War 2 Music Addon 05/01| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Guardians of Darkness Fix -FIX 05/02| -1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -1.0 |
Guardians of Darkness Speech Addon 05/01| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Operation Art of War 2 -PDM FIX | -1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -1.0 |
Shattered Light (c) Simon & Schuster/Catware 05/05| +2.6 |+0.2 |+0.2 = +3.0 |
Shattered Light Addon 05/06| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Shattered Light v1.20 Update (c) Catware 05/06| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Expendable Joystick Patch Cracked 05/08| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Rage of Mages 2 Cheat Codes 05/16| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Animaniacs: A Gigantic Adv. (c) Southpeak 05/22| +2.2 |+0.2 |+0.1 = +2.5 |
Puzz 3D: Victorian Mansion (c) Wrebbit 05/22| +2.0 |+0.1 |+0.1 = +2.2 |
Puzz 3D: Neuschwanstein Bauarian (c) Wrebbit 05/22| +2.0 |+0.1 |+0.1 = +2.2 |
Animaniacs: A Gigantic Adventure +2 Trainer 05/22| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Star Trek: Birth Of The Federation (c) MPS 05/24| +3.2 |+0.3 |+0.3 = +3.8 |
Star Trek: Birth Of The Federation Trainer 05/24| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Hoyle Slots & Video Poker (c) Sierra 05/24| +2.3 |+0.5 |+0.1 = +2.9 |
Aliens Vs Predator (c) Fox Interactive 05/25| +3.3 |+0.4 |+0.5 = +4.2 |
Aliens Vs Predator ADDON 05/26| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Need For Speed:High Stakes (c) EA 05/27| +3.7 |+0.5 |+0.5 = +4.7 |
Need For Speed:High Stakes Quick Fix -FIX 05/27| -1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -1.0 |
Need For Speed:High Stakes Speech Addon 05/27| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Need For Speed:High Stakes Movies Addon 05/27| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
NFS:HS Speech Addon REPACK -REPACK 05/28| -0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -0.5 |
NFS:HS Speech Full Fix + Cheat -FIX 05/28| -0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -0.5 |
Jeff Gordon XS Racing All Cars & Tracks 05/31| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Jeff Gordon XS Racing Cheat Codes 05/31| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
F-22 Lightning 3 Cheat Codes 05/31| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
__________________________________________________|______|_____|_____________|
Monthly Total Points | +29.0 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes worth mentioning
I just have to say.. JESUS CHRIST. Yes, CLS put out a lot of stuff (crap), then also put out some highly awaited games. But unfortunately, this group also put out waaaay too many fixes, and are being haggled & bashed constantly about this.
I know a couple SPECIFIC people (][ce, and just about everyone in OGN) will be reading this report, and I gave CLS the points for AVP because we DID win by 10 minutes, this can not be argued by OGN. On the OTHER HAND, YES, IT DID HAVE PROBLEMS. But OGN DECIDES to play UNFAIRLY and have this release nuked EVERYWHERE it could. So guess what ][ce, this is where I CAN DECIDE what I want to do. I know you'll be BEGGING me to give OGN the points, and I will give them how you'll oh so beg on your knees for them to save face, when you remove my ban and every class member's ban from #origin & #dvniso.
As I state in this report, this is MY god damn report, I can GOD DAMN do whatever I want. Slag, bitch, moan, whine all you want. It just makes you look like a fool. Only a handful people can you hear you cry in a channel, thousands more can read information posted on the Web or available on FTP sites. (This is pointed directly at the leaders & seniors of OGN).
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Release Name & Company Date |Rating|Comp.|Popu.= Total |
| | | |
Ms. Pacman Tropical Adventure -DUPE 05/03| -2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -2.0 |
Heretic 2 v1.06 Patch -DUPE 05/04| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
Settlers 3 v1.34 Patch -UNCRACKED 05/16| -0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -0.5 |
Sin v1.05 /w Camera Fix 05/21| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Phantom Menace Adventure Cheat REPACK -EH? 05/21| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
__________________________________________________|______|_____|_____________|
Monthly Total Points | -2.0 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes worth mentioning
Dung? Oh where oh where will we see a decent release from Divine. That's this month final jeporady question.
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Release Name & Company Date |Rating|Comp.|Popu.= Total |
| | | |
Expendable (c) Rage 05/05| +3.5 |+0.3 |+0.4 = +4.2 |
Saga (c) Cyro Interactive 05/14| +2.9 |+0.2 |+0.2 = +3.3 |
Saga Movie Addon 05/14| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Evil Core The Fallen Cities (c) Avaria Corp 05/16| +2.5 |+0.1 |+0.2 = +2.8 |
Centiped D3D Patch Cracked (c) Hasbro 05/16| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Star Wars Episode One Racer Fix -NOT NEEDED 05/16| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
ED Hunter (c) EMI Records 05/16| +2.7 |+0.1 |+0.2 = +3.0 |
Midtown Madness Update Cracked (c) Microsoft 05/17| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Alien Vs. Predator (c) Fox -CLASS WON 05/25| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
Alien Vs. Predator Cutscene Addon -NO! 05/25| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
Kotobuki (c) C's Ware 05/26| +2.4 |+0.1 |+0.1 = +2.6 |
Warzone v1.03b Update Cracked WORKING 05/26| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Battle for Britian v1.02 Update Cracked 05/27| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Rubik's Games (c) Hasbro 05/27| +2.7 |+0.5 |+0.2 = +3.4 |
Sports Car GT v1.551 Update Cracked (c) EA 05/28| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
__________________________________________________|______|_____|_____________|
Monthly Total Points | +22.3 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes worth mentioning
Back to winning all the UK titles this month, then actually, GASP! winning a US title. They almost won a 2nd title, but see above why I didn't give the points. TK4 is still at cracking patches, and writing bad english in the channels. A decent showing by OGN, hope they don't let up.
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Release Name & Company Date |Rating|Comp.|Popu.= Total |
| | | |
Heretic 2 v1.05 Cracked (c) Activision 05/01| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Puma Soccer (c) Pixelstorm 05/03| +2.9 |+0.1 |+0.2 = +3.2 |
Offical F1 Racing Fix -FIX 05/04| -1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -1.0 |
Warzone v1.01b Update Cracked (c) Eidos 05/04| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Operation Art of War Loadfix -FOR CLS REL. 05/05| +1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +1.0 |
Puzzle Bobble 2X (c) Gamebank 05/05| +2.6 |+0.1 |+0.2 = +2.9 |
Final Odyessy (c) JoyMax 05/05| +2.6 |+0.1 |+0.2 = +2.9 |
Expendable +6 Trainer 05/05| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Official F1 Racing REAL D3D Fix -FIX 05/05| -1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -1.0 |
Expendable Cheat Codes 05/09| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Expendable K6-I Update Cracked (c) Rage 05/11| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Warzone v1.02 Update Cracked (c) Eidos 05/12| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Warzone v1.03 Update Cracked (c) Eidos 05/15| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Cricket World Cup 99 (c) Electronic Arts 05/15| +2.8 |+0.5 |+0.3 = +3.6 |
F-22 Lightning 3 (c) Novalogic 05/16| +3.1 |+0.3 |+0.3 = +3.8 |
F-22 Lightning 3 Addon 05/16| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
F-22 Lightning 3 Correct Disk 16 -FIX 05/16| -1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -1.0 |
Railroad Tycoon 2: Second Century v1.51 05/21| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Warzone 2100 v1.03b Update -NOT WORKING 05/21| -0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -0.5 |
Star Trek: Birth Of The Federation (c) MPS 05/24| +3.2 |+0.3 |+0.3 = +3.8 |
Aliens Vs. Predator +4 Trainer 05/25| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Nascar Road Racing (c) EA Sports 05/26| +2.8 |+0.5 |+0.2 = +3.5 |
Kutobuki +2 Trainer 05/26| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Curse You! Red Baron (c) Dynamix/Sierra 05/27| +2.9 |+0.5 |+0.2 = +3.6 |
PGA Championship Golf '99 (c) Sierra 05/27| +3.1 |+0.5 |+0.3 = +3.9 |
PGA Championship Golf '99 Analysis Addon 05/27| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Official F1 Racing STORE FINAL (c) Eidos 05/27| +3.0 |+0.5 |+0.3 = +3.8 |
NFS:HS All Cars And Track Cheat -SAME AS CLS 05/31| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
__________________________________________________|______|_____|_____________|
Monthly Total Points | +38.5 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes worth mentioning
Scary. PDM is on a whooping streak, winning for the 4th time this year. I gave both PDM & CLS points for ST:BOTF because no matter how much both want to argue who won on the release, it was just too close to call. The biggest blunder was two fixes needed on Official F1, then finding out that it was just a beta. While nothing this month was extraordinary releases, they did win on consistency. Good job PDM, and keep up the good work.
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Release Name & Company Date |Rating|Comp.|Popu.= Total |
| | | |
Starsiege Tribes v1.4 to v1.41 (c) Dyanmix 05/01| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Heretic 2 v1.05 Cracked -PDM WON 05/01| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
Extreme Mountain Racing -TPC WON 05/01| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
Championship Manager v3.03 (c) Eidos 05/03| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Unreal v2.24 Update Cracked -NON WORKING 05/04| -0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -0.5 |
Ultim@te Race Pro v1.5 Update (c) Kalisto 05/05| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Heretic 2 v1.06 Update (c) Activision 05/08| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Corsairs Update Patch Cracked (c) Microids 05/09| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Puzzle Bobble 2x +5 Trainer 05/10| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Rage of Mages 2 (c) Monolith 05/11| +3.3 |+0.3 |+0.3 = +3.9 |
Rage of Mages 2 Speech Addon 05/12| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Rage of Mages 2 Map Editor 05/12| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Expendable +8 Trainer 05/16| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Star Wars Episode One Racer (c) LucasArts 05/17| +3.4 |+0.5 |+0.4 = +4.3 |
Star Wars Episode One Adventure (c) Lucas 05/17| +3.8 |+0.5 |+0.5 = +4.8 |
Rage of Mages 2 +6 Trainer 05/18| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Star Wars Episode One Adventure +2 Trainer 05/20| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Star Wars Episode One Racer +3 & All Cars 05/21| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Star Wars Episode One Adv. Speech Addon 05/21| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Star Wars Episode One Adv. Music Addon 05/21| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Evil Core: Fallen Cities Fix -NOT NEEDED 05/21| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
Star Wars Lab Utility v1.3 05/21| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
Star Wars Lab Utility v1.3 Repack -REPACK 05/21| -0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -0.5 |
Jeff Gordon XS Racing (c) ASC 05/22| +2.9 |+0.2 |+0.3 = +3.4 |
Star Wars EP1 Adv. +4 Trainer Update 05/24| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
Mechwarrior 3 (c) Microprose 05/24| +3.9 |+0.5 |+0.5 = +4.9 |
SW EP1 Adv. +4 Trainer Updated FINAL 05/25| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 = 0.0 |
__________________________________________________|______|_____|_____________|
Monthly Total Points | +27.8 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes worth mentioning
Well after giving RZR a hard time last month, they finally come back and ALMOST win the month May. They bring us three of the biggest games this month, and put out a nice showing of releases for the entire month. While ROM2 is rumored to be a beta, we'll just have to wait and see. Good job RZR, coming back from the dead to prove a lot of people you aren't going anyway. Let's just hope this isn't a fluke.
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Release Name & Company Date |Rating|Comp.|Popu.= Total |
| | | |
Extreme Mountain Racing (c) Head Games 05/03| +2.5 |+0.2 |+0.2 = +2.9 |
Thrust, Twist & Turn (c) Take 2 05/04| +3.0 |+0.3 |+0.3 = +3.6 |
TTT Good Disk 12 -FIX 05/04| -0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = -0.5 |
Outlaw Racers (c) Gremlin/Megamedia 05/21| +2.8 |+0.3 |+0.2 = +3.3 |
Red Odyessy Battlezone Addon v1.2 Cracked 05/25| +0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 = +0.5 |
__________________________________________________|______|_____|_____________|
Monthly Total Points | +9.8 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes worth mentioning
Having months of putting out 'questionable' releases, they finally have a great May by putting out some decent releases, and deserve to be on my monthly charts. They won't get any points for any previous releases up to the month of May, but they will be on my charts for the rest of the year. Now, don't drop the ball and be inactive now, PLZ! :)
Other
This ranking will not be tallied each month, but this column is worth mentioning games from group not considered top groups in the scene. This is where groups like TPC, Backlash, & Fusion would typically fall under.
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Release Name & Company Date Group
Aircraft Factory 99 (c) Abacus 05/14 TBT
Murder Mystery Party (c) KO Interactive 05/14 TBT
Deer Hunter 2 Extended Season (c) Wizworks 05/18 TBT
Fantasy Golf 2000 (c) Fan Go 05/21 TOS
Pretzel Pete (c) Stealth Productions 05/21 DD
Autobahn (c) Valusoft 05/21 DD
True Love (c) JuanUsa 05/29 TBT
____________________________________________________________________________Ranking of groups for the month.
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Group Monthly Total Points
1. Paradigm +38.5
2. Class +29.0
3. Razor +27.8
4. Origin +22.3
5. TPC +9.8
6. Divine -2.0Yearly total so far:
Group Yearly Total
1. Paradigm +223.7
2. Class +174.4
3. Origin +95.8
4. Razor +54.3
5. Divine +16.9
6. TPC +9.8(-5.8 points weres removed from Paradigm's yearly total for the beta of F1 Racing, -3.8 for the original points, and -2.0 for the infrastructure).
Feature of the month
Well there's no need to tell you what I have this month, you probably already know what I have in store. This month interviews was with Blitz, ex-Origin and now with Razor. He has also started writing the weekly report for NWR, and has published a monthly report.
<PPGR> Thanks for your time to interview for PPGR this month, I wanted to know, why were you able to come out of nowhere and be a senior of a large group (OGN), you must have some kinda past people don't know about. So, what's the story?
<Blitz> Well, I got my start back in 1992 with razor, but it's not like I was a huge member there. I never thought I would be able to advance in origin as quickly as I did, but people who get things done tend to move up.
<PPGR> So what you do for OGN?
<Blitz> Well, there's more to releasing than just supplying and cracking. The role of the packager or coordinator is pretty unknown.
<Blitz> It was kinda amusing, I was speaking to snap about that. We do/did a lot of things people don't see.
<Blitz> A lot of it was just making sure things got done, making sure the trainer guys had the games, finding old releases to do patches for.
<Blitz> And a lot of work trying to get releases out.
<Blitz> Of course, I also looked after all Origin's sites and couriers, so it was a pretty big job.
<PPGR> Sounds like what I do in CLS myself, just thought of it as part of the job :P
<Blitz> Some groups have suppliers and crackers who can assume that role, but I guess Origin had a vacancy
<Blitz> I suppose if you had to get technical, I was a supplier, but I'm not a very good one
<PPGR> So what created all this strafe in OGN ?
<Blitz> I tried to leave quietly and on good terms.
<Blitz> But obviously when a member leaves a group, there are questions.
<Blitz> Basically what it boiled down to was I wasn't enjoying my role in Origin anymore.
<Blitz> There were some differences in the idea of how origin was run.
<Blitz> I felt it was time to leave, so I did. I don't have any regrets
<PPGR> Is anyone from OGN pissed at your decision?
<Blitz> My friendship with The Renegade Chemist is pretty well shot.
<Blitz> I think the reaction was more surprise than anything.
<Blitz> I don't think they understand even now why I left.
<PPGR> Does this change your opinion on OGN after leaving, and able to see it from a different point of view?
<Blitz> No, I think I've kept the same opinion of origin since leaving
<Blitz> I never had a problem with being in a smaller group, as long as the team worked hard and well.
<Blitz> They are a smaller group, and will probably remain so. I don't see origin as a #1 group in the future, I never did.
<PPGR> Would this be because they mainly focus on Europe, which doesn't get as many games as the states?
<Blitz> I think it's been proven that Origin will have trouble attracting other top scene people to the group due to their perception of Cypher and ][ce, justified or not.
<Blitz> Therefore, they are restricted to UK games for the time being. If that changes, it will be surprising.
<PPGR> I know a lot of people give ][ce and Cypher a hard time, is there like a side people don't know about that you were able to see in them? Or they act the same in the group as they do with the top of the scene?
<Blitz> That's a difficult question to answer since I know them from inside the group, and I never knew them before I was in.
<Blitz> So I don't really have anything to compare how I knew them to.
<Blitz> But I think both of them come across badly when they put pen to paper.
<Blitz> They mean well, but sometimes what they say hurts them more than it helps.
<Blitz> They are a pair of misunderstood people to be sure.
<PPGR> So now that OGN is out of the picture, who are you with now? And what do you do?
<Blitz> I've focused a lot of energy into other things.
<Blitz> I helped start up a utils group, mainly for the benefit of my site.
<Blitz> I do a fair amount of work for them, mostly recruiting, though I do handle their sites
<Blitz> I'm still with DVNISO and Dimension, but I'm not particularly active in either.
<Blitz> My friendships with Butcher and Lester are probably my main contribution to them, respectively.
<PPGR> So you saying your moving over from games on over to utils now?
<Blitz> For now, that's where my energy is focused. I didn't want to leave Origin for another group, there has to be a transition period, but I don't see myself away from the games scene forever, no.
<Blitz> I will be back doing my thing for someone sometime, but the right offer and group hasn't surfaced yet.
<PPGR> So right now, what would you say is more enjoyable, the pros & cons of the gaming scene over the utils scene ?
<Blitz> Games are more fun.
<Blitz> Utils take less time, and that's something that is important right now.
<PPGR> Hrm, less time, would you rather focus on other things than the scene? Doesn't the gaming scene, when you get deep into it, almost take over your life?
<Blitz> It does. The game scene cost me a year of high school, my fiancee, and $5000 in phreaking backbills.
<Blitz> I keep a regular social life, but if you are running a game group you are 24-7 or go home.
<Blitz> My social life is important to me, I have a new girl in my life, and I can't have the need to release a game supersede our time together.
<PPGR> Would you like to say anything to those people (like me) who obsess over games?
<Blitz> Yeah. Been there, done that. Don't quit school for the scene.
<Blitz> Scene = crack, we all know it.
<PPGR> Do act like a consultant almost now in the gaming scene? Or just lounge around?
<Blitz> I tend to give my friends in other groups advice.
<Blitz> I guess a consultant is a decent way to put it, but with the competition in the scene, who can afford a possible leak?
<Blitz> I'm still mildly active... I put out a game patch -IND a week or so ago
<Blitz> Just fun stuff, no pressure
<PPGR> Why is hearsay acted like the truth in the scene?
<Blitz> Because there is no truth in the scene, it's all about what people say
<Blitz> We're limited to electronic communication, so there's very few REAL friendships
<Blitz> People in the scene are more likely to backstab you, I don't know how many I could trust as far as I could throw
<Blitz> There are exceptions. I talk to butcher about my real life, but I think the scene is the scene and that's where it ends.
<PPGR> You mean like the old days, where confs were the norm, and you can relate to people cuz you hear there voice & tone, and have like personal relationship, while it isn't really possible over the net?
<Blitz> Yeah
<Blitz> The guys in Razor were real tight
<Blitz> There was a area code bond as well
<Blitz> You were from whatever area code you were in
<Blitz> I'm still great friends with Bluewater, because we were both 613
<Blitz> Shinobi was 416, Toronto... so there was a rivalry, but when it came down to Canada vs whoever, we had each other's backs
<Blitz> Because we talked on the phone all the time
<Blitz> Blue more than shin, but shin more than say... butcher
<Blitz> But everyone in Razor talked, we were pals
<Blitz> It's not really like that anymore. I've talked to the origin seniors over the phone a lot, and the crackers quite a bit
<Blitz> But outside of that, there isn't a lot of voice communication... and that's where you get a good idea about what someone is all about.
<PPGR> But you just don't get that bond cuz there so... distant. And plus there's no chance to meet in real life.
<Blitz> Exactly
<Blitz> I'll never meet anyone in the scene, kinda sad, but that's 1999
<PPGR> Do you think people get so entangled in the scene, that they see the scene as real life, and maybe lose a part of what's really reality?
<Blitz> It can happen. I've seen it. I really don't take it too seriously, it's my hobby and I spend a lot of time doing it.
<Blitz> My roommate just likes the VCD's, my friends come over and watch them.
<Blitz> They have no concept of what Origin was or what I do.
<Blitz> It's a dual existence, and when they overlap, or you lose your physical relationships you should worry.
<Blitz> I don't think I ever got to that point, but perhaps my ex-fiancee would disagree.
<PPGR> But it just doesn't quite work as a good pickup line to get chicks. You can't just say "Hey baby, I just released the biggest most anticipated game of the year, and right now over 5,000 people are praising my name. Wanna come home and see all these people calling me God on my computer, then fuck?"
<Blitz> The god thing is interesting
<Blitz> A lot of people get off on the power, and let's face it... guys like us do have a certian amount of pull on the net.
<Blitz> If you are running a game group, you have literally thousands of people who will do anything you want, to be like you.
<Blitz> It's a little overwhelming, and I think most people who do get tangled up in the scene enjoy it.
<Blitz> However, it don't translate into real life.
<Blitz> I work in a nightclub, and I can't say I've ever mentioned the scene to anyone there my god.
<Blitz> Well, there was this guy who came in wearing an EA jacket, but that's another story =)
<PPGR> Haha, I'd like to hear that, if you don't mind sharing.
<Blitz> I think you can figure out the rest... it turned out to be a bit of a dead end.
<Blitz> He was chatting with some friends about Starsiege Tribes
<Blitz> And I walked up to him and asked him "did you buy it"
<Blitz> He laughed and said "I got the Origin release"
<Blitz> I couldn't believe it, it was too good to be true
<Blitz> And of course it was, the guy couldn't help me... but it's still a funny story
<PPGR> Are all the egos and fighting hurting the scene? What about these so called "scene reports" ?
<Blitz> Ego has been part of the scene forever.
<Blitz> It's gonna be there forever.
<Blitz> As for scene reports, most of them are dog shit propaganda.
<Blitz> I think they are worse today than they have ever been
<Blitz> JTF had a really good issue this month, but I heard reports it was faked.
<Blitz> As for you, I won't bother getting into it unless you want me to
<PPGR> Go ahead
<PPGR> I opened the door cuz i know you had 2 cents to share.
<Blitz> Shrug, I think if you are going to chronicle scene history you should at least try to be objective.
<Blitz> Yuo preface your report by calling it "biased" but that's still no excuse for the shameless Class propaganda we see each month
<Blitz> I think it's time for me to start asking questions =)
<Blitz> Explain how the hell corsairs got points please, Mr. Prozac
<PPGR> Because in past, groups put out translated games, and as long as they were 100% playable, they were accepted. Every group as far as i know, who has a long history, has done this. PSG, PTG, RZR, GNS, etc.
<PPGR> Corsairs had 4 words not translated, but played just fine.
<Blitz> The perfect contrast would be Simcity 3000, which only had an OEM string missing
<Blitz> Why did that get docked an insane amount of points and Corsairs get full bonus?
<Blitz> From what I understand, Corsairs had large parts of an english beta substituted
<PPGR> Like I said in the past, this gets into the gray area of the scene. A good argument to back my action was the fact that iso news sites gave FLT the points for being final, and gave DVNiSO 0 points. This was because FLT was the store final, and DVNiSO wasn't. Now, you can turn that argument around against me.
<Blitz> I won't bother, I think my point is made.
<Blitz> Scene reports written by people in groups reviewed therin are useless
<PPGR> Now a english beta, that goes on hearsay. The supplier told me it was manually translated.
<PPGR> So, since your out of all groups, why not you do a scene report, since you feel it would be 100% unbiased. Or wouldn't people feel you'd be bias since you had ties to OGN in the past?
<Blitz> I've considered it, chances are I will write one this month
<PPGR> Everything written has a slight since of bias, and in the scene, it is impossible to not put your point of view on any situation, since there are a lot of factors that can change your opinion. Since hearsay is so prevalent in the scene, your thoughts on anything can change very quickly. This is why I put "Personal Report", because I admit up front, it's not unbiased. Reporting scene news unbiased is nearly impossible, in my opinion.
<Blitz> Agreed, but you could make a little better effort when your group is unanimously in the wrong, as on corsairs
<PPGR> So, in your view, why did you get so caught up in the gaming scene?
<Blitz> Access to things
<Blitz> I started as a phreaker
<Blitz> Phone tricks, etc
<Blitz> There was no "internet" to pull text files off of
<Blitz> The warez scene, the hacking scene, the phreaking scene, they were all intertwined
<Blitz> I got into warez because I had the ability to call LD for free
<Blitz> That was valuable to Razor, and I joined
<Blitz> It snowballed from there
<PPGR> Would you say all your time in the scene has been in any bit helpful, or has it hindered your life? Any advice to future pirates?
<Blitz> As I said before, you want to make sure there is a separation. The scene can take over, or it can be a fun distraction. Older guys like myself seem to have a little better control over the ratio.
<Blitz> As I said, the scene cost me 5 grand in phone bills and I had to repeat my last year of HS
<Blitz> For about 3 months I honestly didn't go out much, the scene was everything
<Blitz> That can't happen, and it won't
<Blitz> Nowadays, I use the internet like most people use their televisions
<Blitz> I come on, chat for a while, leech a few VCD's, get some stuff done for my groups, and take off
<Blitz> If you can do that, the scene is great... unfortunately it's hard to get anywhere without making some sacrifices early
<PPGR> Why did OGN pick you as a senior? Couldn't anyone out there really be a coordinator, as long as they are willing to put the time into it?
<Blitz> There was never any point where I was assigned that title
<Blitz> I just assumed more and more responsibility
<Blitz> When the leaders were away, I took over and made sure things went well.
<Blitz> After a while it was just understood that I was in that position. I never wanted to make a big deal about it. They never listed anyone as a leader until I left.
<PPGR> Why is it there aren't any new blood coming into the rip scene, but we see the new guys joining iso groups? Is this signs the rip scene is coming to a close?
<Blitz> I just got my burner recently
<Blitz> ISO's are so incredibly superior to rips that I cannot see the rip scene continuing much longer
<Blitz> Even now the only purpose of it is the competition
<Blitz> I usually leech the rips to see if I want to burn the uiso
<Blitz> Or I'll get the games small enough that I won't want to burn them
<Blitz> Other than that, I ignore them
<PPGR> You think maybe the rip scene is getting out of hand?
<Blitz> It's always been out of hand.
<Blitz> It's no different.
<Blitz> You got your Killerettes, your Fan Fan Latulippes, your Renegade Chemists...
<Blitz> The names change, but the scene remains the same
<Blitz> (A little Zepplin for you there)
<PPGR> Do you think all these msg boards on the scene help or hurt the scene?
<Blitz> I don't think they are a security threat.
<Blitz> I'm sure you know how vulnerable all of us are to getting busted.
<Blitz> Say I'm some FBI agent.
<Blitz> I get an advance copy of Quake 3
<Blitz> I go to CLS, give them the game, join the group...
<Blitz> Produce 3 more titles
<Blitz> Eventually I'm chatting voice with you and Skill
<Blitz> Trace the lines and yer busted
<Blitz> It's not hard to imagine
<Blitz> So I pretty much ignore that factor, if they are gonna come get you, yer done anyway.
<Blitz> Other than that, I haven't read any enough to see what impact, if any they have.
<PPGR> Being in the scene doesn't make you more paranoid ?
<Blitz> Nope
<Blitz> It's useless. I don't even use a bouncer.
<Blitz> If they want you, they will get you. If you guys think you are safe, think again.
<PPGR> Well if scene reports & scene mags are so biased, why are they so popular then?
<Blitz> People like to read about themselves
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(c) PPGR: Prozac's Personal Gaming Report
This report may not be reproduced with out talking with me on irc first.
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URL:http://ppgr.webjump.com - E-mail:ppgr@usa.net
