Stardock announced today the Gamer’s Bill of Rights: a statement of principles that it hopes will encourage the PC game industry to adopt standards that are more supportive of PC gamers. The document contains 10 specific “rights” that video game enthusiasts can expect from Stardock, as an independent developer and publisher, that it hopes that other publishers will embrace. The Bill of Rights is featured on Stardock’s website and is on prominent display in Stardock’s booth (1142) at the Penny Arcade Expo.
“As an industry, we need to begin setting some basic, common sense standards that reward PC gamers for purchasing our games,” stated Brad Wardell, president and CEO of Stardock Corporation. “The console market effectively already has something like this in that its games have to go through the platform maker such as Nintendo, Microsoft, or Sony. But on the PC, publishers can release games that are scarcely completed, poorly supported, and full of intrusive copy protection and then be stuck on it.”
Chris Taylor, CEO and founder of Gas Powered Games stated, “This is an awesome framework for the industry to aspire to, and ultimately so that we can provide our customers with the gaming experience that they have wanted for years, and really deserve.”
According to Stardock, the objective of the Gamer’s Bill of Rights is to increase the confidence of consumers of the quality of PC games which in turn will lead to more sales and a better gaming experience.
The Gamer’s Bill of Rights:
1. Gamers shall have the right to return games that don’t work with their computers for a full refund.
2. Gamers shall have the right to demand that games be released in a finished state.
3. Gamers shall have the right to expect meaningful updates after a game’s release.
4. Gamers shall have the right to demand that download managers and updaters not force themselves to run or be forced to load in order to play a game.
5. Gamers shall have the right to expect that the minimum requirements for a game will mean that the game will play adequately on that computer.
6. Gamers shall have the right to expect that games won’t install hidden drivers or other potentially harmful software without their consent.
7. Gamers shall have the right to re-download the latest versions of the games they own at any time.
8. Gamers shall have the right to not be treated as potential criminals by developers or publishers.
9. Gamers shall have the right to demand that a single-player game not force them to be connected to the Internet every time they wish to play.
10. Gamers shall have the right that games which are installed to the hard drive shall not require a CD/DVD to remain in the drive to play
Sounds great in theory, but in practise, not many companies like EA, Ubisoft, THQ etc, will follow the ‘bill’ because they don’t have too. It’s not law, and it is only one companies thoughts. There are some excellent points like returning PC games for a full refund.
There are those who would abuse the system by installing, cracking and then refunding. But in my personal experience of buying PC games, some are buggy and unplayable, don’t run on the system and are sometimes just not worth the money.
Numbers 9 and 10 are the best though. To be fair to Valve, gamers using Steam can download games and do not require a CD whatsoever, and purchased games can be played on any machine with that account, without needing to be online.
Fall Out Boy will release the follow-up to 2007’s Infinity On High on November 3. The record will be entitled Folie A Deux.
In related news, Wentzy and co. have released a new mixtape online featuring tracks and remixes by Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship, The Hush Sound and The Academy Is… among others. You can download it for free from http://www.friendsorenemies.com/web/foe/users/falloutboy/
Fall Out Boy are quite love them/hate them with most people, but I’m a fan so can’t wait for the new release. I think it’s a clever time, releasing it in time for Christmas, and is going to be on lots of peoples lists.
Malaysia’s Islamic opposition party has urged the government to cancel a concert by Avril Lavigne, saying the Canadian singer’s on-stage moves are “too sexy,” an official said Monday
Lavigne, a Grammy-nominated rock singer who burst to fame with her 2002 debut album “Let’s Go,” plans to start her month-long Asia tour with a performance in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 29.
Actually, the album was titled ‘Let Go’ but carry on
The youth wing of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party said Lavigne’s concert would promote wrong values ahead of Malaysia’s Aug. 31 independence day.
“It is considered too sexy for us. … It’s not good for viewers in Malaysia,” said Kamarulzaman Mohamed, a party official. “We don’t want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models.”
Kamarulzaman said he sent a protest letter to the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the Kuala Lumpur mayor last week, calling for the concert to be cancelled.
Malaysia requires all performers to wear clothes without obscene or drug-related images and be covered from chest to knees. They must also refrain from jumping, shouting, hugging and kissing on stage.
Still, members of PAS and other conservative Muslims often protest Western and even Malaysian music shows that they deem to be inappropriate.
Last year, pop singer Gwen Stefani made what she called “a major sacrifice” by donning clothes that revealed little skin at a performance here.
Also last year, Christina Aguilera skipped Malaysia during an Asian tour that included neighbouring Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, while R&B superstar Beyonce scratched a planned concert here, moving it to Indonesia.
A Pussycat Dolls concert in 2006 was fined 10,000 ringgit (US$2,857) after the U.S. girl group was accused of flouting decency regulations.
Actually, the album was titled ‘Let Go’ but carry on.
Just in case you missed it, “They must also refrain from jumping, shouting, hugging…” How is jumping or hugging deemed “inappropriate behaviour”? I can at least understand why the Pussycat Whores Dolls were banned; they’re essentially strippers. Its not like Avril Lavigne is on stage in a bikini or acting provocatively or anything. Are people really shocked in 2008 at seeing a persons knees?
Malaysia is missing out on these great acts by being too strict and forcing their religious views onto others. If we did that here in Britain, well…..
According to UBS analyst Ben Schachter, music games have been a “key driver” for music industry this year, with “sales of music-themed games responsible for 19% of overall industry software dollars in July (15% YTD) and 44% of y/y industry dollar growth during the month (32% of growth YTD).”
That’s not insignificant. In a research note, Schachter has also pointed out that Guitar Hero franchise dollars year-to-date are up a mighty 87 percent.
In terms of units, Guitar Hero is up 82 percent this year. On a dollars basis, the recent DS release of Guitar Hero: On Tour took in more than $15 million in July alone.
Moreover, MTV Games’ Rock Band bundles on Wii, PS2 and Xbox 360 combined for nearly $47 million in sales in July.
Its very interesting, and shows just how big the gaming industry is. Apart from the obvious titles like Guitar Hero, Rock Band etc (which introduced even me to some gems) games like Need For Speed, FIFA, and Burnout now feature major artists. Driving along to ‘Decadence’ by Disturbed made NFS: Most Wanted what it is (for me), and the R&B/Rap songs which I would not have otherwise heard of, also fit into the game seamlessly.
Hailing from Downtown, LA, War Tapes are an indie/post punk band who I was recently introduced to through their myspace. After downloading their single for free, I think everyone should hear this band.
They are signed to indie label Sarathan Records, and produce an amazing sound – described as a mix between The Cure, Depeche Mode, and AFI – its a healthy mix and after hearing the soaring chorus, you will quickly find yourself humming and singing along
I would highly recommend giving them a listen, so download the single, “Dreaming of You” for free Here, and see what you think.
My Chemical Romance, AFI, Fall Out Boy, 30 Seconds To Mars and 65daysofstatic have all teamed up to remix tracks by The Cure in aid of the International Red Cross.
The Hypnagogic States EP will be released on September 13 and will feature the following tracklisting:
01, The Only One (remixed by Jared Leto from 30 Seconds To Mars)
02, Freakshow (remixed by Jade Puget from AFI)
03, Sleep When I’m Dead (remixed by Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance)
04, The Perfect Boy (remixed by Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy)
05, Exploding Head Syndrome’ (a mix of all four tracks by 65 Days Of Static)
The Cure’s as yet untitled 13th studio album will be released on October 13
Paramore have begun work writing material for the as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2007’s Riot!.
Speaking to US magazine Billboard, guitarist Josh Farro said the new material is taking a more mellow direction, and they hope to have it finished for a mid 2009 release.
“The first record (2005’s All We Know Is Falling) and Riot! seemed to stay at the same level,” said Farro. “But now we’ve got some really, really mellow songs that you’d never expect to hear out of our band.
“But then we’ve got even heavier songs than we’ve ever had,” he continued. “It’s gonna be a little different.”
I think one of the great things about Paramore is the skill to have loud/heavy songs as well as soft/mellow songs. We Are Broken and Hallelujah are beautiful songs, yet All We Know, Misery Business, and Born For This are as energetic as anything you will hear. And THEN their are songs like My Heart which are a mix of both. Bring on 2009!
Within Temptation frontwoman Sharon Den Adel has teamed up with Dutch dance DJ Armin van Buuren to provide vocals for the song, In And Out Of Love, taken from his 2008 May album, Imagine.
I’ll be honest and say I don’t listen to dance music so have no idea how big or famous Armin van Buuren is, but what I do know is that Sharon Den Adel has an amazing voice. I’m a big Within Temptation fan so this collaboration was a surprise to me, it’s in stark contrast to their symphonic metal sound I’m accustomed to. I think it’s an OK song, I can’t really get excited about it because I’m a rock fan, but it would be good to hear some Dance enthusiasts opinions on it.
Posted by MaSh 
Posted by MaSh 
Posted by MaSh 
